The water conditions in Lake Calcasieu have improved since all of the influx of rain and fresh-water run-off.

Recent mild weather has moved water temperatures up to near 60 degrees, which has helped fishing activity. Capt. Bruce Baugh, one of the many Big Lake wade-fishing fanatics, said, “Last week the trout fishing was off the charts for the big girls,” as they we able to locate concentrations of large, hungry female trout.

Baugh said the fresh water has them stacked up down south along a short stretch of shoreline and reported that the water in many portions of the lake is almost fresh to the taste.

Last Friday, Baugh had two guests who caught their personal-best trout with Ross Carrithers landing a 7.5-pound trophy and Sean Wallace landed a 29-inch, 8.75-pounder. These trout were released and all of their fish came on Broken Back Corkies.

Baugh said his three best colors were pink, pink, or pink. I guess we need a pink Corky.

Calcasieu River

“The Calcasieu River has turned the corner this week,” said tournament angler Doug Guins.

Water levels have fallen and water clarity has improved with surface temperatures on the rise to the upper 50s. This has resulted in the bass on the river going on a feeding frenzy with good numbers and quality bass as well being caught.

Several patterns are producing with Texas-rigged Stanley’s Itsabug and Bass Kandi’s Speed Bug catching fish. Also, Guin added Stanley’s half-ounce jigs, Bass Kandi’s Sweet Stiks, Kandi Stiks, Kandi Minnows have been successful.

On the river a spinnerbait is always a good choice and Stanley 3/8-ounce Compact Spinnerbaits is one many local anglers like to use because of the smaller profile that river bass seem to prefer.

Shallow-to-mid-diving crankbaits are also workings as the fish have moved shallower and are holding tight on wood structure like cypress knees, stumps and laydowns.

Sabine River

The Sabine River is still above flood stage at Deweyville, Texas, and the current in the southern portion of the river remains strong. Guins said the fishing there is starting to heat up and numbers and size are increasing as the water conditions improve.

Most of the fish are being caught on the south end of the river near the Interstate 10 bridge with some of the baits of choice being Stanley jigs (black and blue with 3.5-inch Y-Not trailers), Compact Spinnerbaits with both willowleaf and Colorado blades, shallow-diving crankbaits (Norman’s Baby N and Flat-Broke) and Texas-rigged creature baits, including Berkley’s Havoc’s Rocket Craw.

In addition, local bait company Bass Kandi Baits has its new T-Craw that Guins is using to catch bass in local rivers. Because of BASS Elite’s March event on the Sabine and Calcasieu rivers, several of the pros are already checking things out. It is going to be an exciting season on our local river systems.

Late Memo

Late Tuesday afternoon the Sabine River Authority shut down both generators at Toledo. This will greatly impact current and levels on the Sabine River.

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Please send us your fishing reports. Call 463-3848 or email me at joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com or visit www.joejoslinoutdoors.com

(American Press Archives)