Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3622 Oct. 13-27, 2017 | Page 20

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FRESHWATER

18 Oct . 13 - 27 , 2017 VOL . 36 • ISS . 22
New Melones is the place for big rainbows . These fish were trolled up during an early September outing with Monte Smith .
Photo courtesy of GOLD COUNTRY SPORTFISHING , Oakdale .
FRESHWATER REPORTS :
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LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR cont .
catfish turning up here and there .”
The water level is currently at 151,000 acre-feet . Pumping has stopped . Water levels will slowly drop due to evaporation and absorption .
“ Our water clarity is good ,’” said Demmunik . “ Stripers are doing decently with a number of boils reported all around the reservoir .
Bert P . landed a 13 lb striper from Fremont while fishing an anchovy in
Cowboy Cow from shore . Some keepers averaging 19 and 20 inches are being taken , but most are just under the legal limit , added Paul Contreras at the marina .
Most anglers are hooking the fish on anchovies in Cowboy Cove from shore or from boat in the Peninsula Cove , but fly fishermen have had success on nymph patterns in the morning and evening
“ Striper boils are having a resurgence . Early morning is the best time to find the boils all around the lake . If you happen across a boil , top water lures are doing a good job catching fish ,” said Demmunik . “ Trout fishing should pick up with the 2,000 pounds planted by Mt . Lassen , kicking off the fall trout season . Anglers should throw Kastmasters in a variety of colors ; garlic scented PowerBait and inflated nightcralwers . Trollers should do well also on lures and nightcrawlers ,” added Contreras .
The monthly fishing clinic is coming up Saturday , Oct . 7 from 9 to 11 a . m . at the marina . Clinics are open to all ages and skill levels , please come with questions and join the conversation .
Catfish are still being caught here and there even with the cooling water and mixed weather . Shawn Reyuisher of Brentwood landed a 12.36 lb . catfish while using an anchovy out of South Cove .

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3622
Rocklin 6640 Lonetree Blvd . ( 916 ) 782-9900
Redding 1659 Hilltop Drive ( 530 ) 222-5500
Chico 765 East Ave . Suite 170 ( 530 ) 897-0500
Fairfield 1590 Gateway Blvd . ( 707 ) 389-7400
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VISALIA 1650 West Visalia Parkway ( 559 ) 308-7100
Stockton 10536 Trinity Parkway ( 209 ) 851-7400
Rancho Cordova
2344 Sunrise Blvd . ( 916 ) 635-7800
Fresno 8468 N . Friant Rd . ( 559 ) 261-2900
Rohnert Park
5195 Redwood Dr . ( 707 ) 585-1500
Eureka 3456 Broadway ( 707 ) 298-6100
NEW MELONES LAKE
Big , Bold Rainbows Are The Reward For Trollers
ANGELS CAMP - With the arrival of cooler weather , rainbow trout are being caught higher up in the water column at New Melones Lake .
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing found solid trout fishing on his last trip to New Melones before starting salmon season on the Sacramento River in the metro area .
“ We fished from 10 a . m . to 4:30 p . m ., catching 7 trout from 2 to 5 pounds ,” said Smith . ‘ We trolled our custom spoons at 47 to 60 feet deep in the spillway and Carson Creek areas . There was hardly anybody fishing ; now is a great time to fish the lake .”
“ Fall weather has finally broke the heat wave that had a grip on us for weeks ,” reported Gene Hildebrand at Glory Hole Sports . “ New Melones is currently holding fairly steady , falling just 3 ft . in the last 30 days . Reports are the ‘ bows are being caught from 20 ’ depth in the marina area , 40-75 ’ up river with limits still being brought in .”
Michael and company from Stockton hit the Carson Creek area , hauling in a nice limit + of rainbows weighing in between 2 and 6 lbs .
“ Jed Bender Jr . and his dad Jed came out for a day on New Melones with Gary Burns of Take It To The Limit Guide Service . They hooked up six trout to 4 pounds , 7 ounces , while trolling at 70 ft . with Needlefish and other lures in Coyote
The June Lake Loop offers great trout fishing for both lake and stream anglers . This beautiful cutthroat couldn ’ t lay off an expertly presented fly .
Photo courtesy of MANDY BLAKE , Mono County .
or kayaking , and there ’ s a playground for the children , too . Access to Gull Lake is also from Highway 158 .
Silver Lake
If you ’ re not having much luck elsewhere , the trout will always be biting at Silver Lake . It ’ s the ideal place for trying out different lures and techniques , as anyone can be guaranteed to bag something , whether it ’ s the cutthroat trout or some rainbows , maybe even a brook . Many are in the 5-pound range , although 8- to 9-pound prizes aren ’ t that uncommon , either .
Head along some of the tributaries that feed in to the lake as well for a change of scenery , which is honestly stunning wherever you are . The lake can be found around halfway around the loop , off Highway 158 .
Grant Lake
If you want to lose the crowds , this is where to do it . As both the furthest lake along the loop from June Lake , and the largest , you can spend all day here and meet no-one – as long as you wait until the water-skiers finish at 10:00 , of course .
It ’ s not just quieter , though , it ’ s also home to some lunkers , some rainbows but particularly browns . There ’ s plenty of shoreline to choose from , and you can BBQ
Creek ,” said Hildebrand .
With the seasonal change upon us , the bass bite can be tough at times but don ’ t count it out , noted Hildebrand .
“ Just be prepared and have different presentations in the boat when one is not working . Fall can be a nice time to use a jig when the bass are feeding on small baitfish and shad . When choosing a jig , you can pretty much zone in on matching the baitfish by choosing a skirt , head , and trailer in the color you want to present ,” he explained .
“ This year we have had a lot of catfish come in to be weighed and photographed , some up to 18 lbs , and majority of them coming in between 5 and 8 lbs . With signups for the Glory Hole Sports Catfish Tournament starting Oct . 1 , now is a good time to start finding your honey hole out on the lake ,” he stated .
Crappie and bluegill fishing has dropped off some this week , but they are still active . Try fishing the coves in Angels Creek area for the larger sunfish , Hildebrand concluded .
- Dan Bacher
OROVILLE LAKE
Water Level Still Dropping
YUBA CITY – The water level at Lake Oroville continues to drop , with the lake level 719.22 feet in elevation at press time , 189.78 from full . The lake is holding 1,407,235 acre-feet of water , 40 percent of capacity and only 64 percent of average .
Few anglers have been out fishing for

GONE FISHING continued from page 1

your catch afterwards . The folks at the Marina are highly knowledgeable about the best locations and they have all the gear that boaters and shore casters might need .
Rush Creek Fly fishers can find their own piece of paradise at the many , easily accessible spots along Rush Creek . Highway 158 follows it from June Lake to Grant Lake .
Large browns , and rainbows , lie close to the roadside , just waiting to be caught . Many have the best luck at the inlets and outlets of all the lakes along the loop – it ’ s said that the chance of getting a 20-pounder isn ’ t out of the question .
Services On The Loop Fern Creek Store is a wonderful resource for fishing tackle and groceries if you are in a pinch . The hours are variable and it is sometimes open when the General Store is closed .
June Lake General Store is located across the street from the Post Office in the town of June Lake . Open from 8AM to 8PM in the summer and from 9AM to 6PM the rest of the year . It is well-equipped with groceries , sundries , hardware , liquor , gifts , automotive , camping supplies and much more .
The town of June Lake features a post office . Hours are from 8:00 to 12:30 and 1:00 to 3:00 , Monday through Friday .
About the author : Andrew Lowen and his family have been a part of the June Lake community since 1968 , where they now own June Lake Rentals for weekend enthusiasts . They love June Lake and are eager to share the experience with those who appreciate the grandeur that the Eastern Sierras have to offer . If you ’ d like more information about June Lake Rentals visit them online at www . yosemitegatewaychalet . com or give them a call at ( 844 ) SKI-JUNE .