Success At S.A.R.L. Opener

Orange County’s Santa Ana River Lakes hosted the fall trout opener last weekend. For local angler – and former California Sportsman cover subject Craig Adkinson started the season with a bang:

Adkinson said he was fishing a chartreuse and white Mijos Minnow dipped with Bite-On garlic-flavored scent.

“The fish hit the jig close to shore, and then it was a battle with full jumps completely out of the water,” Adkinson said of the 10-pound rainbow.

Here are some other catches from the S.A.R.L. opener:

Tristan Harrison caught this colorful 10-pound rainbow.

“I was rigged up with a Phenix Elixir 7-foot Ultra Light along with a Shimano Stradic Ci4+ FAML with 2-pound test Izorline XXX. The fish fell for a white B.Line Jig Co worm on a 1/32-ounce ball head,” Tristan says.

“The fish put up a good fight but didn’t manage to get away due to such a good Rod that can handle big fish and strong line.”

Daniel Fernandez also had a productive outing with three ‘bows.

“The three fish weighed 8 pounds, 8 1/2 pounds and 9 1/2 pounds,” Daniel tell us.

For more information on the Santa Ana River Lakes, call (714) 632-7851.