6-16-14 Fishing Report
Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding
759,930
acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped four feet this week and is
currently at 906 ft. above sea level and 179 ft. from full. The water
is stained in most areas of the lake, and fairly clear in others. There
are mud lines forming near the shore throughout the day, especially on
windy days. The average water temperature is 74-80 degrees and rising
daily.
Trout: Fair. Night fishing
for trout has been good. Most anglers fishing under submersible lights
are catching limits of chunky 2-pound rainbows. Nightcrawlers and
Power Bait are working well. The trout will school in deeper/cooler
water during the hot summer heat and move into shallow water at night to
feed. It is a good idea to anchor in 40-60' of water that is near
100-200' areas. Drop your light 10-20' down and fish your presentations
below that. Trolling anglers have been doing better
each week and bringing in a handful of nice trout along with their
kokanee. The trout are drawn to deeper/cooler water. The main river
channel will have the coolest water throughout the summer. Try trolling
in 30-50' of water at 2.5-3.0 mph. The shad are schooled up and are a
primary food source for trout. Try using baits that best resemble the
natural forage. The water is a bit stained so in would be a good idea
to include some bright colors in your presentation. Try using bright
blades along with natural patterned baits, or natural blades along with
brighter baits.
Glory
Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to 5-year old Iris Bender and
7-year old Isabella Hardman. They caught limits of kokanee and had a
couple nice rainbows as well. Their biggest rainbow weighed 1-pound,
15-ounce.
Bank fishing
for trout has been very slow. Trout season is open for rivers, and
streams, it might be best to try your luck in these areas. If you do
choose to target trout from the bank try using chartreuse or rainbow
garlic Power Bait. Fly fishing anglers try fishing
nymphs under an indicator during the day and switching to mayfly
patterns during the evening. Also, try using buggers and streamers in
the high country lakes.
Kita Till caught a 7-pound, 10-ounce brown trout while trolling a hoochie.
We do
encourage catch and release for the brown trout as The Department of
Fish and Game will no longer be planting them. Carefully measure, weigh
and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.
Kokanee:
Good. The kokanee are biting and most anglers are catching limits. The
average size is 11-13" with a few fish measuring 14-16". The fish are
schooling in deep water off of Glory Hole Point and near the dam,
spillway and Rose Island. A variety of colors are producing limits.
Orange has been a favorite for a couple of weeks. Fish will be keying on
baits that disperse water and create vibration. Try using different
blade style on each setup until you find one that works. Try using
spinners, Apex and bladed hoochies. It is also a good idea to modify
your dodgers by adding a little bend to them. This modification will
give the blade and bait more side-to side swing. Scent is very
important when fishing in water with less visibility. Add a Scent
Chamber/chain swivel to ensure your setup will have plenty of scent.
Garlic, bloody tuna, anise, and kokanee special will work. Don't forget
to tip your presentations with dyed and scent shoepeg corn.
Nice limit of kokanee caught near the dam.
Bass:
Fair. The bass are done spawning and moving out into deeper water
where they will spend the summer. They will move shallow at night and
in the morning for a short period of time to feed. Then they will head
back to cool water for the hot hours of the day. Try using reaction
baits in the cooler hours of the day and switching slower moving baits
during the heat. A great presentation that works at all depths is a
Carolina Rig. Try using a soft plastic lizard or brush hog and keep
contact with the bottom. Another rig that catches fish especially in
stained water is a Texas Rig worm with a "brass and glass" weight and
bead. With this presentation your can create a Ticking noise by shaking
the tip of the rod. This will attract fish from a distance. If you can
find balls of shad try dropping a shad patterned worm or a small swim
bait down to them. Please practice catch and release. Take
photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a
healthy fish population for generations to come.
Casey Strom of Pleasanton/Angels Camp caught and released this bass up river on a R2S Rover.
Catfish:
Good. Melones cats tend to be fish-eaters rather than bottom foragers,
so use frozen shad, mackerel, chicken liver, or anchovies for best
success. Larger cats will also feed on natural bait like crawlers. To
target large cats try using a big ball of crawlers.
Glory
Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Teresa Carnesecca of Angels
Camp. She landed a hefty 12-pound cat while fishing with liver, at night
near Glory Hole Point.
Crappie:
Slow. Try a live minnow in tandem with a mini jig. The color of the
jig will draw fish to it, and the live minnow triggers the bite. With
the water warming up the fish will suspend in the middle of main lake
creek channels. Try to find trees and flooded timber in 25-40 feet of
water.
