Fish Report (9/16/09)

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VALLEY

• CAMANCHE RESERVOIR — Trout trolling is still good near the dam, Hat Island, and Little Hat Island; especially early or late in the day. Fish are from 25-40 feet depending on time of day, and Needlefish in red/gold or bikini pattern, Ex-Cel lures in red/gold or silver/blue, Rapala lures in gold/black, silver black, or a dodger/nightccrawler combination are all proven winners. Some have been caught on bait in the upper lake area by drifting PowerBait, PowerEggs or nightcrawlers at 25-40 feet in the river channel. Catfish are still biting along rocky shorelines and in bays on mackerel, chicken liver, anchovies and sardines. Try early and late, especially overnight, using heavier line because they're weighing in at 10-15 pounds. Current elevation is 222.61 feet. Starting Monday, there will be about 1,100 cfs coming into the lake.

• NEW MELONES — Bank fishing for trout is done until the end of November, but those trolling have pulled in easy limits of rainbows using brightly-colored lures without dodgers or flashers, at 35-60 feet in the main lake and upriver. For browns, troll Rapala Countdowns or Trophy Sticks in rainbow trout or shad patterns, at 50-60 feet closer to structures. Few reports of any kokanee lately, which is typical as they've started moving into major creeks preparing to spawn. The bass bite is only fair at dawn and dusk; Zara Spook, buzz bait or Pop-Rs are recommended. When the sun is up, throw crawdad or shad-colored Carolina-rigged 6-inch worms, rip-baits, spinnerbaits, Zoom Baby Brush Hog or Senkos. Bass are along the strong mud lines forming, so target main lake points and fish the edge of the mud line. Fish the shaded side of coves and against steep drop-offs and cliff faces during the heat of the day, as well. Catfish are still biting, using anchovies, mackerel, sardines, chicken liver, or a ball of nightcrawlers. Leave your bail open so the cats can pick the bait up and swim with it. Sliding sinker weights are recommended. Night fishing under a light is best. Crappie can be found in submerged trees, about 10 to 30 feet, in Bear Creek, Mormon Creek and Carson Creek; try small or medium minnows, or crappie jigs with jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white.

• SAN LUIS RESERVOIR and O'NEILL FOREBAY — Ly Tu of Ly's Fishing Goods in San Jose said stripers are willing to bite, but the overall size of the fish in the main lake has been small, ranging from 22 to 25 inches. A few linesides to 10 pounds have been located, but these are few and far between. The best bite has been on mooched grass shrimp, frozen shad or anchovies at depths from 60 to 80 feet near the Trash Racks. There is a resurgence of the topwater bite on Rebel Jumbo Minnows, Little Neck Poppers, Zara Spooks or Pencil Poppers. The forebay continues to be slow except when water is pumped in near the dam because of the many weeds in the water. Call: Wind conditions (800) 805-4805; Ly's Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711.

• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling said trout fishing from the banks has been steady at the brush pile or handicapped docks with Sunrise or white Power Eggs. Rainbow Power Bait is also effective in the channel from the Exchequer Dam. The lake was stocked last week in anticipation of the Mariposa Lions Club Trout Derby this Saturday. Bank anglers continue to have the advantage over trollers, but a few fish are taken on the regular blade/crawler combinations or Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler in the trolling pattern from the second fence line to the dam at depths to 30 feet. Call: (209) 378-2534.