Nada at Lake Mendo, 7- 17

Fished Mendo from 4:00 - 9:00PM. Drifted/slow trolled live minnows on two rods. Concentrated most of my efforts in the Crappie Cove area, inside the cove and along the island just north of the cove.

Marked tons of fish, some of them huge, all over the water column. Nothing biting, though.

Plenty of dumb asses on jetskis doing "doughnuts" in the water and paying absolutely zero attention to their surroundings. Saw one guy almost take out a little girl on a blow up raft (who also seemed oblivious to the fact that she had drifted out of the swimming area). Idiotness was prevalent.

Never mind the Flea Circus. It's our cross to bear in the warm months. There is nothing we can do about it.

Good job gettin' at 'em. They are there and you'll get them if you persist. In fact you, if I recall correctly, have in the past.

it reads like it was HOT(temp.) good on you for gettin out on the hunt. 
you need to hit the Pacifica area when you can.
butYOUmustKEEPitAsecret!

Seems like it's slow everywhere for lake fishing!  Maybe time to hit the bay/ocean.  Thank you for the report Dustin.

Marked tons of fish, some of them huge, all over the water column. Nothing biting, though.

My last half-dozen time out there have been almost exactly the same, only when I switch to targeting bluegill by the dam does it change.

Plenty of dumb asses on jetskis doing "doughnuts" in the water and paying absolutely zero attention to their surroundings. Saw one guy almost take out a little girl on a blow up raft (who also seemed oblivious to the fact that she had drifted out of the swimming area). Idiotness was prevalent.

Also what I see every time I'm out in the afternoon.  Much safer to fish in the morning. 

thanks for the report Mr Hopper.
work is a big part of my life right now or I would have joined you.

Well now... that ruins my plans for a couple of weeks. I was thinking about getting my boys up there for a little camp out. But, with madness on the water and nothing biting... I'll be looking for another lake to get their fish on.

Thanks for the report. You saved me some driving and whining...

Freddie

I'll add to Dustin's report. I was there this morning and it was just me and the crickets. I did have the lake all to myself though, for whatever that's worth. I know better than show up late in the afternoon or weekend. I live here, been there, done that.

Just a suggestion for a family trip...

Don't forget its the season that matters. Nature doesn't care about the human calendar or when its most convenient for us--when it's hot the water heats up, the fish go where they need to and are driven down faster by the Flea Circus. Come the Fall and those cold crisp mornings and evenings, they'll be busting out all over. But Summer is not often the best of times for low elevation lakes.

This time of year, if you have kids on vacation who want to fish, I suggest the High Sierra--no Flea Circus there and lot's of Trout. Its cool and devoid of Lice and Fleas. One of my favorites is the East fork of the Carson River this time of year for great family camping--my daughters love it. And in the early Fall, Mountain Quail are in Season as well which makes my other two children (English Springer Spaniels) very happy.

But there are lots of great lakes too--Twin Lakes, Lundy, Virginia, June lake loop, Mammoth Lakes, Rock Creek's Little Lakes Valley, Convict Lake (there are 6 pound monsters in there that cruise the shallows at dusk and early morning--you'll be wading out and see them back towards shore behind you!),  North and South and Piute Lakes, and more on the East side. Of course Silver, Alpine, Caples and more on the West side as well. And don't forget Ellery and Tioga right over Tioga Pass with Saddle Bag and all those hike-able lakes as well--Steelhead, Greenstone, Gardisky (a little hike but grand scenery and one of my favorites with loads of easy to catch Brookies)--and many more. I haven't even covered Lassen, The Trinity Alps, or the Desolation Wilderness around Tahoe.

There is a lot there. Get away from the crowds and enjoy nature, family, and fishing. Breathe the fresh air away from the polluted Valley.

Fly-and-bubble with Olive or Black Wooly Buggers or an attractor dry or Hoper pattern, spin fishing with Thomas Buoyants (Brasswith Red spots)-- gold or silver Kastmasters--tube jigs or bait fishing with worms or artificial baits--you'll catch Rainbows, Goldens, Cutthroats, Brookies, and sometimes a Brown.

Just a suggestion.

thanks for the report Mr Hopper.
work is a big part of my life right now or I would have joined you.

I hear that. One of your birds did a fly by that afternoon. I was wondering if it was you. I sent up a smoke signal. 

And FWIW - I just kinda lazily drifted around Crappie Cove. I didn't really go on the hunt for anything.

Thanks for the suggestions Surfing Marmot. Just wanted to get the boys on some bass and lizards. We've taken a few camping trips this summer already. They really wanted to get back to either Mendo or CL though. They had a blast earlier in the year. The boys ran around and caught some blue bellies and took one home as a pet. Now, it's time to release this prisoner and catch a couple others. Plus, pulling on a bass or two won't hurt. We did a week in Tahoe a couple of weeks ago. Never took them to any of the river areas yet though. I kind of wanted to stay somewhat close to home since it'll just be for an overnighter. But, your right... there are a lot of places out there that would suit our needs.

Freddie