Lake Melones report by Glory Hole Sports 9-27

[Fishing Report]

Melones Fishing Report

Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,276,216 acre-feet of water. The water level fell only one foot this week, and is at 977 ft. above sea level and 111 ft. from full capacity. Water temperature warmed up a bit with the heat wave we are having, and is about 73-76degrees at the surface. There are stong mud lines formed near shorelines.



Trout: not much action for anglers chasing trout. Fishing under a submersible light has slowed, but is still fair.






Matt, Lorraine, and Michael fished with Dutils Fishing Charter. They soaked Power Bait and crawlers near the dam under a submersible Hydra-Glow light to catch these rainbows.

Fish 20-30 feet deep under a green "moon-glow" submersible light. The dam and the spillway are good place for this, and under the Stevenot Highway 49 Bridge and further upriver are usually good this time of year, too. Use Power Bait, crawlers, or minnows. Still fishing the backs of creek arms has produced rainbows for some. Trollers should target the main river channel between the bridges, 15-35 feet deep, with shad or rainbow trout patterned Apex, Excel, Cripplure or Rapala Countdown. Bank anglers will have best luck in local streams and creeks with Pautzke's eggs, Berkeley Select Scented Power Bait, crawlers, or small spinners such as Mepps or Panther Martins. Fly fisherman try using a hopper-dropper setup on the rivers and streams, and olive buggers on the lakes.



Kokanee: Done for the season. We had some reports of kokanee limits being caught way upriver near Rose Creek. This is a typical fall pattern, when kokanee start to head upriver and into the major creek arms to attempt to spawn (not usually successful in Melones, since there is no running water in the late fall). When the kokes are up in the shallow water, many bass anglers pick them up on plastic worms- they tend to hit anything that moves. At this stage, they aren't much good for eating, but they can still provide some fun action.



Bass: Slow for any quality fish, although you can catch numbers of little guys. Bass are moving deeper with the cooler water- fish are around 15-25 feet deep. Submerged humps are holding the biggest bass, and some are suspended in steep creek arms, too. Jigs have been the best bait for quality fish. Try using Pro Guide jigs with Zoom or Yamamoto twin tail grub trailers or Carolina-rigged creature baits (such as green pumpkin Zoom Baby Brush Hogs). Early morning there is a reaction and top water bite. Try Pencil Poppers, Lucky Craft Gun Fish, or buzz baits. Fish the banks if the wind picks up. If you find some bait balls, try spooning, or drop-shotting 4" - 6" Wright Baits (hand poured), Roboworms and Zoom tiny flukes. Remember to practice catch and release. The Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain our bass fishery. If you do decide to keep bass, please keep smaller spotted bass and turn the big largemouth loose.



Catfish: Still good.






Greg Sherrow of Avery wins Glory Hole Sports Big Catfish of the Week Contest and a free deli lunch, with an 15-pound, 6-ounce cat he caught while night fishing with frozen shad in Angels Cove. William Heinle was fishing with Greg, and caught a cat that weighed 7-pounds, 11-ounces.








Levi Slayter of San Andreas caught a 10-pound, 10-ounce cat on chicken liver, while night fishing near the Tuttletown Boat Ramp.




Tom Dutil and Nels Niemi caught three big cats weighing up to 8-pounds, 9-ounces, while night fishing under a submersible light by the dam.



Early Miller caught a 4-pound, 7-ounce cat on chicken liver while day-fishing near the Black Bart Day Use area. For big cats, use anchovies, mackerel, sardines, chicken liver, or a ball of nightcrawlers. A good idea is to use Pro cure scent such as anchovy or sardine on your catfish bait. Leave your bail open so the cats can pick the bait up and swim with it- you will be more likely to hook them that way. Be sure to use a sliding sinker weight.



Crappie and bluegill: Lots of lilttle bluegill in the backs of coves for some fun action. Bluegill are hitting king mealworms or a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber. Best crappie action at night under a submersible light. Target submerged trees in Bear Creek, Mormon Creek and Carson Creek, or upriver. Small minnows or crappie jigs in red/white, or black/chartreuse are working best.
Guide's Report


Danny Layne

Fish'n Dan's Guide Service
209 586 2383

www.fishndans.com



Hello,

Lake Don Pedro continues to kick out limits of big Rainbows even while under a bright harvest Moon this past week. Clients Matt Grealish and Richard Galladen from Sacramento, Scott Reed and Beverly Willard from Stockton, Dick Niebaur from Miwuk and Seth Irish from Oakdale, and Brian and Daniel Dinnien from Manteca all were treated to mixed limits of Pedro's powerful Rainbows, many over four pounds, King salmon, and some late season Kokanee action also were included in these limits. Best action this week for bows came off Big Oak Island into the Big Creek arm at depths from 25' to 38'. Vance's Slim Fin lures scored well this past week, Glitter Shad, Hammered Silver or Gold, NastyBoy or Glow Shad Slim Fins, along with Ex-Cel, Little Cleo or Triple Teasers lures trolled at 1.5mph. Pautzke's Krill scent a good match this past week on the above mentioned lures. King salmon are found off Jenkins Hill into Fleming Bay at depths from 40' to 120' rolling shad for kings to three pounds. Late season Kokanee are found in Graveyard Bay from 70' to 80' hitting on U-V Cripplures.

Good Luck,

Danny Layne








Troop Update


101st Airborne Division

"Screaming Eagles"

3rd Platoon, A Company

Kunar Province, Eastern Afghanistan


Not much news from the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles this week.

We sent them the net they requested, and are packing about 8 boxes of goodies tonight when I get home. We are including the pictures of all of you who have made donations and posed by the sign at the store.

Angels RV, the RV park across the street from us, has joined in our efforts, and are now letting their guests know about our collections for the troops. That will help us keep those packages coming.

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed.

Remember- if you make a donation worth $20, you will be entered into a raffle to win a guided fishing trip, generously donated by our local guides.

We will draw a winner from our raffle ticket holders on October 1st, to win a trip with Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sportfishing. I will announce the winner in next week's newsletter.

October's trip will be with Danny Layne of Fishin' Dan's Guide Service. Remember- you can enter as often as you want- just make as many donations as you want.