12 May 26- June 9, 2017 VOL. 36 • ISS. 13

FRESHWATER REPORTS:

CONTINUED FROM PG 11

LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR

7.59 Lb. Rainbow Tops April Catches

BRENTWOOD- Gary Wong of Fremont won the April Los Vaqueros Trout Derby with a 7.59 pound rainbow caught on a lure in South Cove.

He was followed by Paul Vigil in second place at 6.95 pounds and Moises Israde in third place at 6,68 pounds.

“ The derby ended Sunday with anglers bringing in their latest catches, but those fell short of the top three, all caught about a week earlier,” said Brian Demmunik of the Los Vaqueros Marina.“ The winners get their choice of a color portable fish finder, and rod and reel sets.”

Since the derby, Trout fishing has remained good at Los Vaqueros – and whoppers over 5 pounds continue to come in. Anglers are fishing a mixture of PowerBait, nightcrawlers, Kastmasters and other offerings for the rainbows.

“ A 5 + pounder was caught on a gold Kastmaster in South Cove. A 5.75 pounder was also caught at Oak Point using PowerBait,’ said Demmunik.

“ Catfish were productive last week with fish still being reported out of Cowboy and South coves. Chicken liver, anchovies and shad are

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presents …

the best choices of bait. A 12.94 pound cat was caught in Cowboy Cove on shad,” said Demmunik.

“ Striper fishing has slowed due to the murkier waters from the rain,” stated Demmunik.“ We are still seeing a number of undersized fish being caught for every keeper. From shore, cut anchovies or shad are the baits of choice.”

The reservoir is storing more than 152,000 acre-feet of water, 95 percent of its 160,000 acre-foot capacity. This is the most water ever stored at Los Vaqueros. Pumping is underway and will continue through mid-May.

NEW HOGAN LAKE

Boaters Battle Feisty Stripers

Brain Orr was trolling a Cripplure behind a Sling Blade at New Melones Reservoir on May 6 and landed this bonus crappie.

Photo courtesy of JUSTIN WOLFF, Angler West TV.

VALLEY SPRINGS- Striped bass fishing is very good for trollers heading to New Hogan Reservoir, as evidenced by recent trips to the lake by Monte Smith of Gold Country Guide Service.

“ The two anglers fishing with me landed 7 stripers in the 18 to 21 inch range, as well as losing 4 fish right at the boat,” said Smith.“ I believe that the larger fish were spawning up the Calaveras River arm. A few weeks ago we landed a 6-1 / 2 pounder – and we look forward to the larger fish returning.

They trolled at 16 to 30 feet deep with shad and anchovies at 16 to 30 feet deep on the main body of the lake. The bag limit for stripers is 10 at New Hogan with no size limit.

Smith noted that the bathroom near Wrinkle Cove is inaccessible, due to the high water. There is a buoy marking the solar tower that is now underwater. A lot of debris can still be found floating on the lake, so you’ ll have to be cautious, as well as constantly checking your line for debris. The water level is 695.52 feet in elevation and the lake is 78 percent of capacity. The surface water temperature is now 72 degrees. One lane and one courtesy dock available at the launch ramp.

~ By Dan Bacher

Lots of Prizes – Cash paid to 15 th Place Entry Fees: Adult $ 45( Non Member $ 55) • Junior Members FREE w / paid adult Register Online at: www. kokaneepower. org

Check in Friday June 2nd, 5 to 7 pm Only. All persons in each boat must be registered in the derby – NO EXCEPTIONS. Fishing starts at 5:45 am – Lunch begins at 1:30 pm – Included with all entry fees. Weigh in starts at 1 pm. Must be in weigh in line by 2 pm – NO EXCEPTIONS. Chairman: Kevin Smith • 650-533-0482

• info @ kokaneepower. org • www. kokaneepower. org

Sponsored by:

FISHERMAN’ S WAREHOUSE

( based on 125 anglers)

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NEW MELONES LAKE

Trollers Land Trout Limits

ANGELS CAMP- Trollers fishing at New Melones Reservoir are experiencing superb rainbow trout action, while kokanee salmon are just starting to show.

“ Boaters are hooking limits of holdover rainbows in the 14 to 18 inch class while trolling the main lake by the dam and spillway and in Angels Creek,” said John Liechty at Xperience Fishing Guide Service.“ Most guys are using kokanee gear, including Wiggle Hoochies, Wedding Rings and Uncle Larry’ s spinners, in orange, chartreuse and pink. The fish are showing in the top 15 feet of water.”

Liechty noted that the CDFW stocked a big load of trout last October – and these are the 2 to 3 lb. rainbows that anglers are hooking now.

“ Bank fishing is done for the season with the warming water temperature,” said Liechty.“ If you want to shore fish for trout now, head to the higher elevation waters.”

The first two kokanee of the season, taken by Gary Burns of Take It To The Limit Guide Service, measured 15.25 and 16 inches long.

Black bass fishing is also great.“ On my most recent guided trips, we caught and released 15 to 20 fish in a half day and 30 to 40 on a full day,” said Liechty.“ There are a lot of spotted bass mixed in with some quality largemouths to 9 pounds.

“ The fish are in difference stages of the spawn, including pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn. The bass range from 8 to 30 feet deep, along with some shallower fish. We are fishing Senkos and drop shotting with Zoom Trick Worms in watermelon and green pumpkin colors,” he said.

Big channel catfish are moving into shallow coves around the lake. For example, Liechty recently hooked and released a 10.5 lb channel catfish in just 3 feet of water while tossing out a spinnerbait.

Crapppie has tapered off in the shallows, but the bite should pick in June when the shad school up off structure. Anglers target the crappie at night while using minnows and jigs around drop lights to attract the fish.

The lake was 1055.44 feet in elevation

Gary Dimodana smacked this husky striper while trolling the West Delta with Captain David Hammond in late April.

Photo courtesy of DELTA PRO FISHING, Elk Grove.

and 85 percent of capacity at press time. The lake continues to rise from the snowmelt runoff.

-by Dan Bacher

PARDEE LAKE

Kokanee & Trout Lead Spring Angling Parade

IONE – Lake Pardee continues to produce a mixture of rainbow trout and kokanee salmon for boaters.

The CDFW’ s last plant of 3,000 pounds of 2 to 3 lb. rainbows went in on Friday, May 12.

Two anglers trolling on the latest trip with Joe Aksamit of Joefish Guide Service landed five rainbows in the 2 to 3 lb. range and 8 kokanee ranging from 12 to 13 inches long.“ We trolled in Columbia Gulch in the top 25 feet of water,” he said.“ They hit RMT Plankton Squid behind RMT Tsunami Dodgers.”

A trip before that produced 15 kokanee and 4 rainbows for 3 people including three over 15 inches.

Boaters targeting trout are finding the best action fishing large nightcrawlers and Power Worms from Rosie’ s Rock to Twin Coves.

The two best places for anglers fishing from shore have been Porcupine and Rainbow Point. Anglers are using PowerBait, along with Power Eggs and nightcrawlers.

For kokanee salmon, anglers should troll pink hoochies and gold or silver Apex lures from 5 to 15 feet in the south.

The lake is full and going over the spillway. Use caution for the floating debris on the lake.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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