Modesto Reservoir Adventure

Just typed a huuuge long repot and somehow I lost it so I am starting all over again  

So I met Dave at the dirt launch above the archery range at 7 am sharp to very very thick fog. A bunch of duck hunters were there ready to set out and one of them warned us we better stay off to the side and have our running lights on because there were going to be going full speed up the inlet. Which is posted 5mph. We set off to try to find the inlet. What I found was there was man many tree islands jam packed together that all looked the same and we ended up going in many circles even with both of us having a gps. We finally found the inlet after an hour or so. We paddled up and once we got a ways up it turned into a paradise. At one point there was a very narrow passage with 20ft tall cliffs. There was ferns and moss growing on the walls. Very mystic. It was 15-18 feet deep in that spot too. Looks very fishy, gotta come back in the spring/summer for some bass. We got to the end of the inlet to find dismal water flow so the fish werent holding thee. We found a hole and dropped some bait. Dave hooked up shortly after with a trout. We trolled back and dave got another beautiful trout about halfway down. That was it for fish for the day. We headed back to the launch around noon and Dave packed up and headed home. The fog was burning off fast and since I drove an hour and a half I figured I'd get my time on the water. Decided to power paddle to the dam. Did a non-stop paddle to the dam and took a break and trolled a lure back to the launch. Didnt mark one fish or hook up once. The main lake reminds me of Woodward Reservoir. no structure and no depth. 28 was the deepest I marked on my path. Off the water at 3. Thanks Dave for the introduction to some new water.

From my estimates from Google Earths distance calculator I'd say Dave and I got around 6 miles from our adventure we put about 6.5 miles in, we will see when he confirms from his gps. Then to the dam is about 2 miles. So 4 miles round trip for a total of almost 10 miles. Not bad. Seems lik a lot but Hobieblue and I did a 4 mile tripper one summer. Lol

Jeff

Thanks for the info on some new potential water in my area.  How productive is the lake in general?

HB

You're right! Lots of structures for Bass to hideout and ambush    Thanks for the report and video Jeff.

 Thanks for sharing great video

Thanks for the info on some new potential water in my area.  How productive is the lake in general?

HB

Thee is huuuuge flats ranging from 1/5-5 feet thats just loaded with old timber, and loooots of it. Spinner baits and frogs in low light summer. Its on!

Great report Jeff!! I have never been so turned around as I was in the Fog!! Fun trip!!  Water was much more murky than in the summer. I am going to wait till Duck season is over till I go back, its funny how real a goose decoy looks even from 3 feet away. When they start filling the lake in April the fishing seems to get better as the
inlet cleans up. I have only targeted trout in the inlet but plan to fish for bass this summer.

Dave

wow, had no idea modesto reservoir could look like that. i might need to make a trip up there soon.

Nice report.  Looked pretty adventurous.  Thanks for taking the time to video for us we should all do that more.  Andy

Pretty spot!  It definately has some nice bass structure.  It would be fun flipping into the trees and tules around there!  Thanks for the report.  Matt

Nice going guys!!!
Missed you at Delta but glad you guys have fun!