Okay folks. Now is the time to take your mind off those traditional sports and indulge your collegiate minds into the comfort of fishing.

Fishing, a sport of recreation, has many elements to experience if you are a devout outdoors person. Crystal clear waterways, curvaceous streams and breathtaking scenery make the challenge of catching trout an adventurous task.

Students, faculty and staff can find that luxury of fielding steelheads, salmon, striper, sturgeon and bass along the accessibility of the Sacramento River and American River.

If they find the right fishing spots. By experience, the towns of Isleton and Rio Vista are havens when it comes to seclusion. Fishing off the banks in these areas is a direct way to that “big fish story.”

And yes, luck is on your side when you are fishing for that 15-pound bass. Just make sure you are equipped with a 15-pound fishing line to haul that baby in!

Outlaw.com is advertising a product specifically made for casting in high-tech fashion. Stren Fluorocarbon, 250 yards of line at $8.99, is revolutionizing fishing lines. Hey, anglers demand the best.

We also pride ourselves on rods and reels.

Don?t waste your time screwing around with those Mickey Mouse poles from Rite-Aid or Kmart. Broadway Bait, Rod, and Gun can fit you with the appropriate Shakespeare rod with cork handles. For a mere $20 bucks you can have Shakespeare?s Synergy 5?6″ spin rod. Definitely easy for women and children to operate.

In addition, Shimano , one of the best names in fishing products, is showcasing its reels of high quality: Sahara Spin 2000 F, AX1000 F/Drag and AX500 F/Drag. The prices for these reels range from $59.99 to $12.99. As for efficiency and durability, you can?t go wrong with Shimano products.

By purchasing a consolidated rod/reel/accessory package “you might as well throw your money out the window,” said championship fisherman, Kenji Crooms.

Final exams are just around the corner and fortunately there is plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors between classes. Peace of mind, good fishing equipment, a case of Budweiser and sportsmanship is required on the banks (yes, you can be ticketed for driving under the influence on a boat).

Just don?t run afoul of regulations administered by the California Department of Fish and Game. Get a fisherman?s license and (figuratively) throw back fish under the 18-inch limit or you will be cited.

For more information on fishing in Northern California, call 781-3474.