Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/03/2008 11:15 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/03/2008 11:16 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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New Melones Fishing Report for March 3, 2008~From Glory Hole Sports
Angels Camp, CA...Important- it is time to sign-up for Glory Hole Sports 10th Annual Fishing Seminar’s on-the-water fishing lessons! The seminar, held April 5that Calaveras Fairgrounds, promises to be a fun-filled and informative day. The on-the-water lessons are held on New Melones Lake by great guides and professional anglers. Hurry and call or stop by Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333 for more information, and to sign-up. The full Fishing report is enclosed....
March 3, 2008
Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,533,681 acre-feet of water. The lake water level has been steady or risen for the past few weeks, and is at 1006 ft. above sea level and 82 ft. from full capacity. Water in the main lake is approximately 53-55 degrees. Water is very slightly stained in the creek channels, with around 12 ft. visibility. The main lake is gin clear, with approximately 15-20 ft. visibility. All ramps are in the water.
Due to rising water levels, BEWARE OF FLOATING DEBRIS IN THE LAKE!
Trout: mixed reports- many anglers report tough fishing, while others report easy limits. We are seeing brown trout in the 2-4-pound range, and planter rainbow caught, with a few holdovers showing up. Bank anglers should head to the major coves, such as Glory Hole or Angels Cove, or off of Glory Hole Point. Try fishing off a steep point in those areas. Use worms/marshmallows or chartreuse, pink or rainbow glitter Power Bait. Fishing off the bottom with an 18”-24” leader is preferable to fishing under a bobber. Be sure your bait floats off the bottom- use small hooks and light line, and inflate your worm with a worm inflator. The marshmallows work as a float, too. Wes Harper of Angels Camp was bank fishing near Glory Hole Point, using a nightcrawler/marshmallow combo, when he caught a beautiful 5-pound, 6-ounce brown trout. He wins our Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest and a free deli lunch. Congratulations, Wes! Trollers have had the best luck in the major creek arms, following the recent rains. The main lake in the dam/spillway area, upriver near Horseshoe Bend and under the bridges, or in the mouths of major coves such as Angels Cove, Glory Hole Cove, Carson Cove, or Mormon Cove are other good places to troll. Troll from the surface to 30 feet deep. Remember- when fish are shallow, it is important to use a side planer to get your lure away from your boat’s wake, or at least run a minimum of 100 feet of line behind out your boat. Small attractors such as dodgers or micro-flashers may be a good idea, although most anglers are not using any additional flashers. Trophy Sticks, Needlefish, and Apex have all brought fish to the boat recently, and a crawler/spinner combo is a good choice in the creek arms, where trout wait for the swollen creeks to wash bugs and worms into the lake. Jesse and Paul Green of Arnold reported easy limits while trolling a nightcrawler behind a Sep’s Sidekick on the surface in Carson Cove. Rolling shad is the best way to target the big browns, and you may pick up a few rainbows as well. The Spro Shad Rig is an easy way to set up for rolling shad.
Kokanee: Interestingly, we have been seeing a few kokanee of nice size being caught in approximately 15 feet of water by trollers. These fish are beautiful and great eating. They are running 14-15” long at the tail fork.
Bass: slow, but picking up a bit with the warmer weather. The bite is soft, and easy to miss, so pay attention! Bass are holding to points both upriver and in the main lake, especially the south side. Look for areas with structure both shallow and deep, so fish can more up and down to different depths. Bass are feeding on crawdads and sculpins, so baits in those colors are working. Try brown jigs, green pumpkin Brush Hogs, drop-shot or dart headed crawdad-colored worms and Senkos. Swimbaits continue to bring in the big monster bass. Please remember to practice catch-and-release. The Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain the bass fishery!
Catfish: slow, which is normal this time of year. Use anchovies, mackerel, sardines, or a ball of nightcrawlers. 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. Also, be sure to use a sliding sinker weight.
Crappie and bluegill: Slow, although a couple of anglers reported catching limits while night fishing in the south part of the lake. Night fishing under a light is best. Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, about 25’-35’ feet deep. Bear Creek, Mormon Creek and Carson Creek are all good bets. For crappie, try fishing live small or medium minnows, or crappie jigs with jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white. Remember- 25 is the limit for crappie.
Melanie
Glory Hole Sports
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(209) 736-4333
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