Rapids fire

36 miles, 12 hours -- they add up to a wild time rafting on the American River

The water coursing through the north fork of the American River is muddy and brown – exactly how Justin Orban likes it. "It's just like chocolate milk," shouts the veteran whitewater raft guide. "It feels like Christmas morning!"...(more)

Adventure of the Week: Wet and wild weekend in Reno

If you thought downtown Reno was all about casinos, think again. The opening five years ago of a $1.5 million whitewater kayak course on a downtown stretch of the Truckee River has breathed new life into a district that will be jammed with outdoors enthusiasts this weekend....(more)

Fishing line

TOP PICKS

LAKE DAVIS - Set May 16 and 17 aside. That's when the Department of Fish and Game and the Plumas National Forest will hold the Lake Davis Trout Restocking Celebration as part of a plan to restore the lake as a world-class trout fishing lake following the pike-eradication project last September. Thousands of fish will be planted May 16; May 17 will feature activities for adults and kids at Coot Bay as well as lots of fishing. Meanwhile, they're catching fish: trolling action reported, with fish in the top 4 to 6 feet hitting Needlefish and red Rebel Runners. Rainbows have been running 12 to 16 inches.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Ward's Landing - Being flexible in the approach paid off from Ward's Landing to Verona. They drifted minnows when there wasn't much fishing pressure or other boats around. But when pressure got heavy, they would anchor up and hunker down at spots they knew to be productive and fish with pileworms, sardines or anchovies.

BERKELEY - The halibut action was prime with fish showing all over the bay for the fleet, with the exception of the deeper water spots. Alameda's rock wall, the Oakland Estuary, Southampton, the Berkeley Flats and Paradise were all productive. On board the Reel-lentless, Western Outdoor News staffer Bud Neville and others caught five keeper halibut, two keeper stripers and many shakers.

SHELTER COVE - The bottomfish opener above the 40'10 line showed outstanding lingcod action, and plenty of rockfish for limits on the Bite Me. Captain Trent Slate said the big Pacific halibut action is back on with four caught to 52 pounds. His boat took a 20-pounder....(more)

Outbound Escapes

A family bicycle ride on the morning of May 10 will be just a warm-up to the rest of the day's activities at the ninth annual Marina International Festival of the Winds at the Marina State Beach and Glorya Jean Tate Park off Highway 1 and Reservation Road on the Monterey Bay....(more)

Getting ready for Eppie's: Week 2

Want to compete in Eppie's Great Race on July 19 but don't know how to approach it? We continue today with the second training week. To see last week and future weeks: www.sacbee.com/ eppies....(more)

Contact The Bee:
-------------------------

Pam Dinsmore - Assistant Managing Editor, Features, Arts & Graphics - (916) 321-1024
e-mail: pdinsmore@sacbee.com.
Bob Ehlert - Assistant Features Editor - (916) 321-1101
e-mail: behlert@sacbee.com.

To submit events or news about recreational sports, water sports, hiking, biking, camping, fishing, rock climbing or four-wheeling, please send information at least two weeks in advance to Outbound,Scene, The Sacramento Bee, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852; fax (916) 556-5625; or e-mail outdoors@sacbee.com.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!