Beastly Rainbow at the Hamilton Branch Inlet to Lake Almanor (Lassen County, CA)

I had stopped to take a quick look at the Inlet area where the Hamilton Branch flows into Lake Almanor and decided to make a few casts.

[@rickyhernandez6980]

You the Man... been watching your videos, you got some good stuff. Thanks for posting. You r inspiring me to go check out these spots. Im from the Carson city area.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I should have enough potential targets up to last you a while! Just finished fishing the Truckee in Nevada again. Weather in the mountains drove me into the lowlands! Thanks for tuning in.

[@genesato9689]

Thanks for another great adventure.. Beautiful Bow..

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That was a solid morning. I would have been satisfied with either of fish in the 2 clips I put up from that day but I'll take both to be sure!

[@hectord.7915]

Thanks for the update on the Hamilton Branch!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I haven't fished there for decades before this morning. All I can say after my experience today is, they're biting!

[@markkolstad7076]

Hamiton Branch of the North Fork of the Feather River.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yeah, I want to get back up there when the weather is colder and the rattle snake count isn't so high! Need to check the regs.

[@craftytraveler9238]

That one fish was a great fish. Don't sell yourself short it would have been fun to see the others you landed.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I figured I'd just give you the gravy! The small ones were on the small side of small! Thanks for checking it out.

[@markkolstad7076]

imagine before the lake was there

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yeah, I won't go up there in the Summer. Too much of a zoo!

[@jeffjeff5845]

Wow that’s a huge rainbow

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That second one biting after I lost that first one was a gift!

[@jgarza6777]

What size and color jig did you use? Love the videos and adding this one to my list.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I love getting big trout in a river on light spinning tackle. I was using a 1/8 OZ olive colored whoolley bugger jig made by Hawken Fishing. Problem is, they have been sold out of all of their earth tone jigs for a while now and they are hard to come by. I have been using their 1/8 OZ Aero jigs that are black with some red lately because they sold out of every earth tone color. A lot of the big rainbows and browns I get in my river clips come on 1/8 OZ jigs. I only recently started using them and they are working so well, they have become my go-to. If you haven't used this type of heavy jig before, all I can say is have your bail closed and start reeling by the time the jig hits the water or you'll be snagged before you even have a chance to react. I have also found that if you fish them cross current or even slightly up current, you can slow your retrieve down a little. Most of the larger fish I got were cross current. I was able to swim it downstream and deep in this clip because the flow of the water was slower and there weren't a lot of snags in this area. Another thing I have noticed, accuracy in casting is key. Better to bounce it off a rock if you have to than to cast short. Casting short will just spook fish in some instances. In the clip I posted recently "Bruiser of a Brown" I dropped that jig inches from the boulder that fish was next to. In fact, most of the Truckee river clips where I hit large browns I dropped that jig inches from the far bank where they were feeding. I hope this helps and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. If you already have experience with this type of jig, my whole explanation was completely unnecessary! Either way, Good luck your next time out!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I just looked at my "Bruiser of a Truckee River Brown Clip" and I show a quick glimpse of what I was doing and I was using a Black Whoolley Bugger jig that time. Hope it helps.

[@jgarza6777]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 I went back and watched your video again and thought it was black but wasn't for sure. Thanks for all our trips and tricks.

[@jgarza6777]

Going to try this spot where you were. I go fishing at Butts Lake when we go fishing on Caribou Rd that is close to Belden, Ca. on the Feather River and at the PG&E Dam. Love that area

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

@@jgarza6777 That could have been black. I can't remember. Black is my fall back option when I can't find the Olive ones. Ready to start making my own!

[@mikeravenelle7073]

God bless you for your attitude about catch and release as well as your knowledge on how to do that successfully! Train as many other fisherman ( especially the young ones with good intentions but lack of knowledge ) on this. I hope they eventually make these cheap aggressive fish nets illegal soon. Fish on my friend!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. These days, you're lucky to get the young ones off of the video games and out of the house!

[@williammorris6196]

That is one big trout looks like a salmon!!!!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That thing was a brute!

[@po3014]

Show all your catches I’m sure people wouldn’t mind longer videos.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

You are the 2nd one to suggest that. I will consider your advice. I figured you'd only want to see the "Grand Slam". It just seemed like 6 inchers wouldn't interest anyone. I will start showing anything within reason.

[@troutman1951]

“Fish beware “... haha!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Fair warning!

[@liam9773]

Nice fish!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I was crushed when that first big trout came off at the bank. I got that rare shot at redemption on the next cast! Today was a great time.

[@timtanimura9583]

have you ever tried fishing there during the hex hatch?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

No I have not. Today was the first time I had fished there since high school in the late 80's. I have heard about the fishing going crazy there during hatches. I will probably head back up that way when it gets really cold. Fish Lake Almanor.

[@housebuyer]

whats the regulations fishing there?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I searched for any special regulation listing and I didn't find anything. I believe it is regular regulations. With that said, I would encourage everyone to always check and confirm regulations for themselves! I can make mistakes!

[@fabulousrobert6607]

What I usually do is call the fish and wildlife department and ask them. Read the manual first, and they’ll clarify what you read, and if you have any questions. With the COVID-19 stuff going on, you might have to email your questions. Hope this helps 🤓

[@Chesterguy]

That area is closed from November 15th to the Saturday before Memorial Day. Check the regulations for Amanor tributaries.

[@glenchristenson6308]

This guy talks to much! Plus his drags TO TIGHT! He lowers the rod when the fish runs? He swings at the fish with the net instead of letting the fish come to the net? Anyone can hook fish? It's if you can CATCH THEM!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Hahaha, OK.