Glory Hole Sports, Lake Melones report 11-8

[Fishing Report]

The Department of Fish and Game has begun weekly trout plants into New Melones Lake this week. Bank fishing for trout will turn on now, as well as bass fishing, as big bass come looking for a rainbow trout to eat. So come fishing!





Still no new news from the 101st Platoon. We are continuing to send packages every week. Remember- if you make a donation worth $20 in cash or needed items during the month of November, we will enter you into the drawing for a fishing guide trip with Ed Burlarley of Sierra Guide Service www.sierraguideservice.com.







From Danny's mom:



"Hi Melanie!

I don't have any news from the troops. Danny sent me a message on Thursday saying he was going to be out for over a week, so I won't be hearing from him. From what he told me it is a big mission. As soon as I hear anything, I will let you know. I haven't even gotten any news from the FRG, which is a good thing.
Thanks."



I am not sure what "FRG" means. I've included some photos of the guys out and about. It is amazing how well the camo works, isn't it?






Melones Report



A friend from Hawaii, John F, took these pictures of New Melones Lake as he was flying from Chicago to Honolulu. Pretty cool!







Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,284,555 acre-feet of water. The water level held steady again this week, and is at 978 ft. above sea level and 110 ft. from full capacity. Water temperature is about 60-63 degrees at the surface. Water is clear in most areas.



Trout: The Department of Fish and Game has begun planting catchable-sized rainbows in New Melones Lake regularly. Bank fishing is already picking up for holdovers, and trolling is getting better, too. It will continue to improve as the surface water temperature cools, when trout will move shallower, and closer to the banks. The lake usually "turns-over" and trout fishing really turns on around Thanksgiving. Trollers should target the top 15-25 feet of water in the early a.m. with Needlefish or Excel spoons, Rapala Countdowns, or trolling flies. Try long-lining a broken-back Rapala or Arctic Fox trolling fly near the surface.





Greg Branson of Angels Camp had some luck on a shad-patterned Excel lure trolled 35 feet deep near the spillway. Creek arms are great after a rain, when trout move in to eat the insects that wash downstream. Pink Power Bait, crawlers, or salmon eggs are a good bet when still-fishing from your boat upriver.



Julian O'Donague of El Dorado Hills caught a limit of rainbows while still-fishing upriver past the Hwy 49 Stevenot Bridge, with crawler/lures. Fishing under a submersible light has slowed, but is still fair. Fish 20-30 feet deep under a green "moon-glow" submersible light. The dam and the spillway continue to be the most popular places to night-fish. Tie on some Power Bait and crawlers dipped in Nitro Gravy or other additional scent. Bank anglers should tie on a Berkley Power Bait rig (chartreuse or rainbow glitter) or marshmallow/crawler combo, and hit main cove areas such as Angels or Glory Hole Cove. Remember- stream fishing closes November 15th.



Kokanee: Done for the season.



Bass:



Ray Trost from Illinois had a great trip fishing with local guide John Chiarpotti of Bassin' 1A Service www.bassin1a.homestead.com. He caught a 4.11-pound spotted bass on a Pro Guide Green Pumpkin Black Magic 3/8-ounce arky head jig in 45 feet of water. Arky-head jigs work best around brush and trees. Spoons are working well now, too. Shad are headed to the backs of coves. If you graph baitfish, try vertical-jigging a spoon, or try a flutter spoon such as Strike King Sexy Spoon to cover more water. And if the wind kicks up, throw a swimbait- with the Department of Fish and Game planting rainbow weekly now, bass will be looking for a fat trout to eat. Be sure to use scents on your baits, especially in colder water. Try shad or crawfish Bio Edge scents- they are all natural- made from the real thing, and are very effective. 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: Good.Catfish are aggressively feeding on shad right now, cleaning up after the bass, trout and birds that are feeding on large schools of shad. For this reason, try using shad for bait.



Bill Heinle and Greg Sherrow tied on some shad and caught three nice catfish, weighing 9.6-pounds, 7.0-pounds, and 2.11-pounds while fishing near Angels Cove. 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. Try a weightless catfish rig- Use a heavy hook, a heavy swivel, and enough chicken liver to make a long cast. This rig works great because you won't get snagged as much.



Crappie and bluegill: fair to slow. Bluegill can be found in the backs of coves, and are hitting king mealworms or a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber, or try a grasshopper pattern fly near the bank. 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.