Greeting uscbob, and Welcome, this is a good site you will like it here. Sorry I can't help you about fishin up in Northern Cal. I'm down in the central coast area. I have only been to Black Butte Lake once, last year. Fished in fishermans cove, no luck. But went over to Woodsen Bridge and got a salmon There are several members that do fish that lake and do good too. So I know there are good slabs there. Good luck...