Brian G's New Melones Trout Bout - 2010 Edition - February 20th, 2010

Brian G unfortunately will not be able to set this up this year...so sad  

...so...with his permission, I will be taking it on.

The date will be February 20th, 2010, as it will hopefully be b**ch a** cold at that time, and did not want to intefere with any other NCKA/ISE events as well as the superbowl.

There will be prizes given through drawing - what is given is to be determined.

In the spirit of years past, this will be free and we will be considering it an informal gathering.  We will meet at Glory Hole point for a weigh in, but you're free to launch anywhere you want on the lake.  The event will be held regardless of conditions, as long as we keep wind under 20kt and no lightning  

One more note - New melones is now charging an access fee of $5/vehicle with $3 for car top launches.

Modified 2/15/10

Here are the ground rules:

Launch Time - There is no set launch time.  You may launch anytime that you want after 12:01am on 2/20/10.

Launch Location - you may launch anywhere at New Melones Reservoir.

Meet/Weigh in Time - The weigh in will be by 1:30 PM.  Location will be site 107 of Big Oak Campground in the Glory Hole Recreation area, it is right next to the restroom and the overflow parking lot.  We'll have some hot dogs and chips and soda there, feel free to bring anything else you want.

First Place determination - the trout with the longest length will be considered the winner.  If you choose to C&R the fish, please make sure you have a picture of the fish on a verifiable measuring board.  Tiebreakers will be as follows:

First tiebreaker - fish c&r
Second tiebreaker - weight (if both are kept)
Third tiebreaker - coin toss

Prizes -
First place will get to decide on the prize of his/her choosing.
Second place will then get to decide on the next prize
All other participants will have their names thrown into a hat for a drawing.  First place will draw the first name, that winner will draw the next name, the next will draw the name after that, etc.

A little information on the site - there is already a table there, but we could possibly use another.  There are some bench seats, but probably not enough for everyone so bring a chair if you'd like to sit.

I will be launching from Glory Hole Point at around 6:30am.  I will be on vhf channel 69.

Miscellany -
Camping - Michael (Dilbeck) has reserved campsite 107 on February 19th.  If you are interested in camping that night, please check with him to see if he has room available.  If not, you can reserve a campsite online at recreation.gov, look up Glory Hole Recreation Area near Sonora, CA.  I have reserved the same campsite, #107 on the night of Saturday, February 20th, and plan to car camp there that night.  I will be fishing that evening from around 5pm - 11pm for bass and crappie.  If you want to night fish with me, I would request that you have at least a little experience in fishing/kayaking at night.  If you want to stay in the campsite, that's fine with me as long as I have room.

Fishing - You may fish for any species you wish on the event day. However, only trout species will qualify for first and second place.  All participants who fish will be eligible for a prize through the drawing however.

The trout fishing has been fair to good.  Most rainbows are starting to spread through the lake.  Last weekend some others did well trolling 2-3" grubs with about 1/8 - 1/4oz weight.  you can check the most recent fishing report on www.gloryholesports.com . Last week a 13lb lake record brown trout was caught trolling a broken back rapala 31' down at the dam.

Fees - the lake charges $6/vehicle for day use and $8/boat launch. You may be able to get away with paying only the $6 if you get there before the ranger does (pay iron ranger at top of boat launch), but that is at your own risk.  If you want to camp overnight, you will need to pay the overflow/vehicle charge at the iron ranger.  

Safety - New Melones is a very large lake, however it is somewhat unlikely for you to get lost unless it is foggy.  The main safety concerns on the lake are fog and power boaters.  Please use common sense and keep your eyes open for the boaters.  Show them respect and they should do the same for you.

Weather - The weather is expected to be lows in the high 30s at night, and highs in the low 60s.  The weather is variable and can change quickly in the area.  If you want to check the weather, look it up under the city names of Sonora, CA or Angels Camp, CA.  

Launch spots - there are two main launch areas at New Melones.  Tuttletown Recreation Area, which is closer if you are coming through Jamestown.  The other is Glory Hole Recreation Area, which is near Angels Camp.  As you are coming from Hwy 49, the turn is right at Glory Hole Center/Glory Hole Sports.

Angels Creek Launch Ramp is closed, and the gate is closed to access the area.  If you are interested in launching there it would be difficult to park and a long walk to the ramp.  The road is open to the small day use area at the end of Angels Creek road, but does not appear to be easy access to the water.

One last rule -
Have fun and be safe!  This is not an official tournament so if anyone asks you we all randomly decided to show up at the lake and fish this day.  

This is a friendly competition - please be nice to others!

Ben, sounds like fun!    Put me and Sara down, though I haven't asked her yet   

Sounds good to me. The sooner the better.

Doug

id say either the 13th or 20th,

sounds like an awsome event, Im in

Good stuff Ben for taking this on.  I was hoping the tradition would continue and now it looks like it will.

For obvious reasons, the 14th is bad for me, but the 21st is also a no-go.  Therefore I vote for either the 13th or 20th.

Right now I have targeted either February 13th, 14th (valentines day is for sissies)

Are you sure you're not married?  

did not want to intefere with any other NCKA/ISE events as well as the superbowl.

I can understand not wanting to interfere with the ISE but IMO the superbowl is overrated.  Don't be so quick to dismiss that date, you might be surprised with the responses.

Michael

I can understand not wanting to interfere with the ISE but IMO the superbowl is overrated.  Don't be so quick to dismiss that date, you might be surprised with the responses.

Michael

Michael, I always fish superbowl sunday...last year was the first time i haven't fished super bowl sunday for around 5 years...just a matter of where i'm going and what fish i will terrorize that day.  right now i am leaning towards driving north to oroville, northeast to pardee or south to shaver lake.  my goal in 2010 is to do more "destination" fishing trips without regard for AOTY, just fish places that I've never fished before and get outside of my comfort zone.

I just avoided that date because i thought the turnout would be better after the superbowl as there's really little chance those in the bay area would make it back in time for the game if this was a sunday thing. 

i'd always be willing to host those who want to watch at my house, but i don't have tv service 

anyone who wants to fish with me wherever the heck i am going on superbowl sunday can wait for the hookup post!

right now it sounds like Feb 20th would be the best.  I would probably try to car camp up there and fish both days if i'm able.

Keep me posted Ben.  I would like to try and make it.  I'll do some lures for one of the prizes too.  Andy

Thanks for carrying on the torch Ben.

-Brian G

Ben

2/20 should work for me and Molly. Will bring man dogs.

Scott

I don't have my kayak yet, but hopefully I will have it by the time of the event.  If I do, I wll try to make it my first NCKA event.

Michael

two more stormscrambler and crmccann

Sound like a time! Count me in. Is there a specific radio channel everyone uses?

We will be using ch 69

Bink if you do not have a kayak by then you can use my wife's hobie sport as long as you think you can fit in it.

Bink if you do not have a kayak by then you can use my wife's hobie sport as long as you think you can fit in it.

Now thats just cool, you gotta love this site

If someone wants to carpool from the east bay, PM me.  Must be dog friendly however because Molly is riding shotgun.

Bink, if I am not carpooling can bring a P15 or T15 for you to use.