Water releases from Lewiston Dam are under way into the Trinity River and flows will be ramped up to 2,500 cubic feet per second by Saturday and continue up to 7,000 cfs from May 10 to May 13, then gradually ramp down to 2,000 cfs by June 8. The summer base level of 450 cfs won't be reached until July 22.

Sports anglers, bathers, rafters etc. are urged to react accordingly. Meanwhile, anglers may see some spring salmon in the Klamath River estuary and movement upriver this weekend, said guide Rich Mossholder. The river is in beautiful shape, he notes.

Salmon activity on the Rogue River is "here and there." Rich suggests the "Rogue Special" or chartreuse or green colored spinners.

There is lots of redtail perch and rockfish activity in Humboldt Bay. Night fish are being taken off Gold Bluff Beach.

The water is warming at Shelter Cove and launch operator Ken Vallotton anticipates improved salmon activity. "More bait is starting to show," he reported. Abalone are being taken right off the front of the point and good numbers of crab are being brought in.

Salmon activity is gaining momentum at Fort Bragg with the charter boat Rumblefish reporting 11 Chinook for 18 anglers and losing several others on Thursday.

Trout up to 16 inches are being landed on Power Bait by shore fishermen in the Boy Scout area at Ruth Lake. Boaters trolling the dam area with down riggers are scoring. Some bass activity is reported using lures.

Trout fishing for wild rainbows has been erratic from Redding to Red Bluff on the Sacramento River, Drifting crickets or dragging small Kwikfish are the best bet. Fly anglers are scoring with a variety of nymphs and some dry fly action in the evenings.

Striper fishing action from Colusa down has been excellent. The best action has been downstream near Grimes. The hottest bite has been drifting or back bouncing minnows.

Thanks to Willow Creek guide Ed Duggan we have the three options to be considered by the Fish and Game Commission at their meeting May 5 for adult fall-run Chinook salmon.

Option 1 -- Allow anglers to retain adult Chinook salmon five days a week with a limit of no more than three adults to be retained over any period of seven consecutive days. The retention of adult Chinook salmon would be prohibited on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from August 1 through November 30 or until the quota is met. During the modified closures anglers could continue to catch and release adult Chinook salmon, harvest two Chinook salmon less than 22 inches total length per day, and retain one hatchery steelhead. No more than 12 Chinook salmon may be possessed, of which no more than three may be over 22 inches total length. Based on historical information, this option would allow anglers to retain adult Chinook salmon on the lower Klamath through approximately September 6, upper Klamath through approximately October 4. lower Trinity October 21 and upper Trinity through October 6.

Option 2 -- Allow anglers to retain adult Chinook salmon five days a week with a limit of no more than two adults to be retained over a period of seven consecutive days. The retention of adult Chinook salmon would be prohibited on Tuesday and Wednesday from August 1 through November 30, 2005 or until the quota is met. During the modified closures anglers could continue to catch and release adult Chinook salmon, harvest two Chinook salmon less than 22 inches total length per day and retain one hatchery steelhead. No more than 12 Chinook salmon may be possessed, of which no more than two may be over 22 inches total length. Based on historical harvest information, this option would allow anglers to retain adult Chinook salmon in the lower Klamath through approximately September 8, upper Klamath through approximately October 7, lower Trinity through November 4 and upper Trinity through October 12.

Option 3 -- Allow anglers to retain adult Chinook salmon four days a week with a limit of no more than two adults to be retained over a period of seven consecutive days. The retention of adult Chinook salmon would be prohibited on Mondays-Tuesdays-Wednesdays from August 1, 2005 through November 30th or until the quota is met. During the modified closure anglers could be continue to catch and release adult Chinook salmon, harvest two Chinook salmon less than 22 inches total per day and retain one hatchery steelhead. No more than 12 Chinook salmon may be possessed, of which no more than two may be over 22 inches total length. Historical harvest information this option would allow anglers to retain adult Chinook salmon in the lower Klamath approximately through September 17, upper Klamath through October 17, lower Trinity through November and upper Trinity through October 21.

To voice your opinion email FGC@dfg.ca.gov before May 5. Other contacts: Neil Manji nmanji@dfg.ca.gov or E.B. Duggan yen2fish@yahoo.com