New Melones 12/7 non-yak

Was planning on hitting Lake Alpine this morning but ended up going with my uncle and cousin to New Melones instead. We were on the water at 8 am. We trolled up the stanislaus river arm for trout but didnt get a single hit. We went as far as we could go until we hit water about 2 feet deep and the Stanislaus flowing pretty good into the reservoir. I was hoping to find some trout but none to be found. We beached the boat and I walked upstream to see if I could find some fish. I found a net and then came across a nice Shimano Rod and reel that has been undewater for some time but still spins nice and smooth. A little tlc and it can be useable again. It's a Shimano TR200-G reel on a Shimano 8' TDR Aeroglass rod. The only fish that was caught today was a 17" spotted bass in some downed timber. A nice fish. Off the water at noon. We also saw two bald eagles which I got some poor photos of. Oh and the tree pictures are of where a bear has been scratching a bunch of trees. The claw marks went over 8 feet up!

Jeff

Pics soon uploading

Cool pics, Jeff.  Nice score on the rod and reel.   

Great report Jeff.  Way to do some pre-Trout Bout scouting!  Sounds and looks like you and the family had a lot of fun.

Your trip reminded me of when I would do the same thing at one of my favorite lakes - Beardsley Reservoir.  Back in the day, I'd love to troll as far upstream as possible and then get out and hike upstream.  Although I never was as lucky to score a nice rod and real.  I'd only find flashers and whatnot.

As for the pics, I wouldn't characterize the bald eagle photos as poor by any means.  They look pretty good to me.  They aren't as crisp and clear as your others, but that is to be expected with how far away they were.  Your other photos are fabulous too - especially the photos of the scratched wood.

You might try sending that reel to the master - Alan Tani.  He is a real reel champ!

Nice looking bass.  What was it caught on?  By the looks of it, you nabbed it near the inlet.  I'd have expected you to come across some trout up there, not bass.  Shows what I know.

We beached the boat and I walked upstream to see if I could find some fish.

Careful, I'm pretty sure the Stanislaus is closed this time of year.  I'd hate to see you get a ticket and ruin an otherwise fabulous day.

Where did you guys launch?  The HW 49 bridge?

While trolling, it looks like you guys were toplining.  Were you able to get down at all, say like 20-25 feet?  I think your report sealed the deal on me heading upstream next Sunday.  I'll probably scrap those plans and stay in the lake's main body.

Michael

My friends and I usually give some kind of reward for the most diversified fisherman when a rod and reel is caught/found. I have only seen this one other time while fishing in Pardee Reservoir. Nice find!!

Cool pics Jeff.  That looks like a pretty beefy trolling setup you found.