Fishing Report (12/16/09)

VALLEY

• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR — Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp reported good trout fishing, particularly from banks for rainbows to 3 pounds on Berkley Power Bait in chartreuse or green glitter, Power Eggs, marshmallow/crawler combinations or small Kastmasters in firetiger, rainbow trout or silver/blue. Glory Hole Cove and the Tuttletown launch ramp have been the top spots for shore anglers, as well as those still fishing on the anchor. The best fishing continues along shore with the warmer water on the north slopes in the afternoon. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing advises staying as close to the shore as possible with blade/crawler combinations or shad-patterned lures such as Needlefish, ExCels, Vance's Slim Fins or Cripplures in the top 15 feet from the surface on sideplaners in all of the Mother Lode lakes. This week's rains will provide runoff and nutrients and the fish will be hanging along the banks waiting for easy meals. Gary Burns of Take It to the Limit reported landing rainbows on Trophy Stick lures at 40 to 55 feet in depth. Brown trout can be found at similar depths with similar lures near structure. The Kokanee Power Pen Project is in full swing with rainbows from the Department of Fish and Game being fed on a daily basis at the New Melones Lake Marina. These fish will be released in the spring when they range from 3 to 5 pounds. The bass are around the shad balls in the middle of the lake, and they have been hitting lures dragged by trout trollers. On calm days, a slow presentation with Carolina-rigged creature baits in green pumpkin, crawdad-colored Zoom Baby Brush Hogs or Reaction Innovation Sweet Beavers from 30 to 40 feet with a heavier weight of half-ounce to get the lure to the bottom. Numbers of smaller fish can be taken on 4-inch plastics on the drop shot. The larger bass are found on Huddleson ROF 12 in any trout patterns dragged across windy points. Catfish have moved into deep water, but there are a few whiskerfish found on anchovies, mackerel, sardines, chicken liver or a ball of night crawlers. Crappie and bluegill action continues to be slow in the cold water. The lake rose to 47 percent of capacity. Smith said some of the large brown trout to 6 pounds from the recent plants from the closure of the Moccasin Creek Hatchery have been landed from the banks on Kastmasters. Call: 736-4333, Monte Smith 581-4734, Danny Layne 586 2383, Sierra Sport Fishing 599-2023.

• SAN LUIS RESERVOIR / O'NEILL FOREBAY — Ly Tu of Ly's Fishing Goods in San Jose said action was very slow over the weekend with the rain and wind. Jumbo or extra-large minnows on a slow drift should work near the trash racks or Portuguese Cove. In the forebay, fishing is slow with low water levels. The lake rose to 34 percent. Call: Wind conditions (800) 805-4805; Ly's Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711

• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — The lake has refilled after repairs, requiring a drawdown. The level is now stable — and a plant of 7,000 pounds of brooder fish was made this week. McSwain Marina said inclement weather conditions have limited angler interest, but the trout have been observed breaking the surface. Call: 378-2534

• McCLURE RESERVOIR — Manny Basi of the Bait Barn reported a continued tough bass bite with a small limit of more than 8 pounds winning the weekend tournament. Most fish continue to be located in water from 60 to 70 feet. Planted trout to 3 pounds are showing up off the banks near the dam or McClure Point with rainbow-glitter Power Bait or Roostertails. Diana Mello of A-I Bait in Snelling said trollers picked up limits of rainbows around the dam and into Cottonwood Creek on shad-patterned Needlefish from the surface to 20 feet. Catfish have moved into deeper water to seek warmer temperatures. The lake rose to 40 percent of capacity. The only two launch ramps open are McClure Point and the Barrett's Cove south ramp. Call: A-1 Bait 563-6505, Fishwrangler's Guide Service 604-8222, Bub Tosh 404-0053.