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Volume XVIII Issue 200
Friday, May 8th, 2026
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Blue Line Fly Fishing Outdoors Report: Spring Fishing – So Many Options, So Little Time
By Dean Growdon
As the water warms each spring, I run into the same problem: deciding where to fish. From warmwater species in our local lakes to trout in nearby streams and reservoirs, I’m surrounded by options, and most of them are good ones.
This time of year, I am especially drawn to our warmwater fisheries. Bass, crappie, perch, and bluegill move into shallower water in many area lakes, making them more accessible with a fly rod.
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Early in the morning, I like to start with small poppers and often see plenty of surface strikes. As the sun rises and the fish slide a bit deeper, I usually switch to stripping streamers or fishing leeches and terrestrials beneath a strike indicator.
For people looking for a simple option, a jig or fly under a bobber is simple for young and old alike. It’s a straightforward setup that works with either a spinning rod or a fly rod, and I’ve found it effective on just about any lake that holds warmwater species.
Spring is also when I see a lot of families getting out on the water, and I think that’s one of the best parts of this season. Many of our local lakes and reservoirs support strong populations of panfish, including crappie, bluegill, and Sacramento perch. These fish often provide steady action throughout the day, which is ideal for kids or anyone new to fishing.
You can release everything you catch or keep a few for a classic fish fry, depending on your preference and the regulations.
Of course, trout remain a big part of my spring plans as well. I enjoy targeting rainbow trout in both the lakes and the streams. And when I’m in the mood to chase something larger, I look to Lake Almanor and the possibility of a trophy brown trout.
With so many species and waters to choose from, I try to use this season to explore a mix of familiar spots and new ones. Whether I’m introducing someone to fishing for the first time or just enjoying a quiet morning on the lake, spring always reminds me how fortunate we are to have such great fishing opportunities close to home.
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SusanvilleSnapshots Gallery: 2026 Little League Opening Day Parade
A SusanvilleSnapshots.com gallery
by Marshel and Jeremy Couso
It was a beautiful morning for Little League baseball last Saturday as Susanville Little League kicked off the 2026 season with players, parents, coaches, teams taking part in a big parade through downtown Susanville and a big Opening Day celebration afterward at Pat Murphy Field.
Opening ceremonies included an introduction of the teams, a raffle, singing of the national anthem, the Little League Pledge and the ceremonial first pitch by Susanville Firefighter of the Year Zach Hoffman.
We have nearly 70 photos in our gallery over at SusanvilleSnapshots.com. Click here to see them all!
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Lassen High Drama Club to Host Unscripted Evening with “Cold Reads” Tonight
The Lassen High School Drama Club invites the community to an evening of unpredictable entertainment as they present “Cold Reads” tonight, May 8th, in the LHS Drama Room. This unique performance promises a night of high-energy theater where the actors are just as surprised as the audience.
According to Drama Club Advisor Kayla Millar, the concept of a “Cold Read” is essentially improv with a script. In a daring twist on traditional theater, the student actors will not receive their scripts or even know which characters they are portraying until moments before the curtains open.
This means the audience will witness the very first time these performers interact with the material, bringing a raw and spontaneous energy to the stage as they tackle a new script and a new challenge simultaneously.
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The evening’s program has been curated by the club’s senior officers, who have selected and cast four distinct skits alongside one short comedic play. Because the performers have had no rehearsal time with the text, the show relies on the actors’ quick wits and comedic timing to navigate the dialogue and stage directions on the fly.
The performance begins at 6:00p.m. at Lassen High School. Admission for the event is $5 for general entry and $4 for students and seniors. Residents are encouraged to come out and support the local arts while enjoying a night of pure improv and pure fun.
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Congratulations to Our Soroptimist
Margarita Fest Ticket Winner!
Rayme Haskin wins a pair of tickets for tonight’s event. Thanks to everyone for entering!
The event promises to deliver on the fun, with handcrafted Margaritas to sample, a silent auction, a Nacho Bar, a big raffle and live music by the band Timeless.
The Margarita Fest, held from 6:00 to 10:00p.m., in Jensen Hall at the fairgrounds, has attracted a growing number of attendees each year and is always a lot of fun.
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Soroptimist International of Susanville is a non-profit women’s organization with the sole purpose in bettering the lives of women and children in our local community and around the world.
Tickets for Margarita Fest are $45 each in advance or $50 at the door. You must be 21 to attend. Click here to purchase tickets online.
Each year the club’s dedicated members work diligently on contributing to our town through a multitude of service efforts which include $6,000 in scholarships and education awards, providing necessities for 5-6 families in need during the holiday season and supporting other local non-profits like Lassen Family Services and senior services programs.
The group also works closely with the young women and girls of the community – hosting empowerment workshops, and sponsoring the S-Club; a group of junior high, high school and college student community service clubs.
Click here for event details and online ticket sales!
| | Proud letter carriers with a van full of food after the 2024 local Stamp Out Hunger campaign | |
Local Letter Carriers Collecting Food Tomorrow for National Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its annual national food drive tomorrow, May 9th. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive, which was first held in 1983, is the country’s largest one-day food drive, providing residents with an easy way to donate food to those millions of Americans in need.
Customers simply leave their donation of non-perishable food items next to their mailbox before the delivery of the mail on Saturday. Letter carriers will collect these food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes, and distribute them to local food banks, pantries, shelters and churches.
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All donations made locally to the food drive stay right here in our community.
The drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Hunger affects 1 in 8 Americans, including millions of children, senior citizens and veterans.
In the thirty-two years since it began, the food drive has collected about 1.82 billion pounds of food for struggling residents.
The timing is important, with food banks, pantries and shelters running low on donations from the winter holidays and with summer approaching, when most school meal programs are suspended.
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Eagle Lake Art Center Announces Annual Craft Fair and 2026 Season Lineup
The Eagle Lake Art Center is inviting everyone to the Annual Eagle Lake Craft Fair, a centerpiece fundraising event to support local arts, taking place Saturday, May 23rd, from 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.
Located at the Eagle Lake’s Northshore, 509-725 Stone Road, the fair gives residents and visitors a chance to shop local and support the center’s mission. Attendees can browse a diverse selection of handmade goods from featured artisans, including:
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- The Knife Guy
- Diving Into Art
- Ann Russom Ceramics
- Hummingbird Gems
- Boop Snoot Baubles
- Twin Junipers Artistry
- Crafted By Royalty
“The art center is not only about being creative and learning artistic skills through classes,” says Art Center spokesperson Jennifer Royalty. “They also support local crafters and artisans by holding craft fairs, and just in general give the community a place to come together. Personally, I’ve met so many of my neighbors at the craft fairs and now volunteering that I would never have otherwise. It’s definitely an asset out at Eagle Lake.”
New for 2026: Free Kids’ Classes and Expanded Community Events
This year marks an exciting milestone for the center as they introduce free kids’ classes for the first time. In addition to the Memorial Day weekend fair, the community can look forward to:
Fourth of July Weekend: A Community Yard Sale with a new twist. Residents in Stones Landing who cannot transport items to the center may set up at their own properties. The Art Center will provide a map for shoppers indicating all participating locations.
Labor Day Weekend: A seasonal craft fair to close out the summer.
Digital Upgrades and Social Media
The Art Center has officially launched a new website, eaglelakeartcenter.com, where attendees can now view a full 2026 calendar and register for classes online. Classes for the 2026 season include specialized workshops like Acrylic Pouring, Pine Needle Basketry, Aromatherapy, and the popular Chocolate Decadence.
Community members are also encouraged to follow the newly launched public Facebook page, “Eagle Lake Art Center Classes and Events,” and follow them on Instagram @eaglelakeartcenter for real-time updates.
For more information about the Art Center or upcoming events, please email eaglelakeartcenter@gmail.com.
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Few Personnel Changes at Susanville Shop and Save Store
May 8, 1978
NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM AT SHOP & SAVE — The most noticeable change with the new operation of Shop & Save in the store formerly run by Raley’s in Susanville is really no change at all. Twenty-eight of the 30 employees at the new store worked in the old one.
In the management team pictured above of Dennis Darling, assistant manager; Al Honea, head clerk; Tom Reddin, manager; Bob Cattaneo, meat department and Dean Stewart, produce department. Only Reddin and Darling are new to Susanville.
Reddin comes most recently from Lakeport, Calif., on the shores of Clear Lake and Darling comes from Cloverdale.
Although Reddin expects it will take two weeks to bring the non-food items back into stock, such as the camera, sporting and automotive supplies, the grocery section will be up to speed by the end of the week.
Shop & Save has seven other stores in Northern California. With the addition of the bakery department to the Susanville store, Reddin expects to increase the total number of people employed over the former operation. (Advocate photo).
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