NEW MELONES - Trout Derby - 12/8/07 (MBF)

Thanks for the ride offer Michael,  it's a 91 Exploder. It's been a great truck/car, it's just tired and it might be time to donate it. If I don't get it going, I'll usurp one of my sons trucks,    There will be two of us going up.

Craigh

Thanks for the report Brian, it was an enlightening read.

Looks like I might be able to make it after all.  Would I be completely nuts if I were to wear a wetsuit?  It gets pretty damn cold up there and if the water has actually turned over, it could get pretty uncomfortable real quick.  Any thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks,

Michael

Michael -

For cold weather freshwater fishing I wear waders with wading boots with fleece pants and thermals under. Ski jacket, neoprene gloves and hat. Works well down to 30 degrees. You can wear a wet suit under waders but I find the fleece warmer.

Scott

Will be prefishing New Melones Friday afternoon and staying in Angels Camp Friday night. Will be on 69, company welcome

Brian G - I will need a head count on Thursday for the man dogs. Thanks!

Scott

Scott,

Thanks for the tip.  All I can say is DUH!  I have read the waders vs wetsuit thread many times.  Don't know why I didn't think of that.  Better yet, now I have some things to add to my Christmas list - an extra pair of cheap breathable waders and fleece top and bottoms.

Wish I could join you Friday but can't get out of work.

Thanks again Scott.  See you Saturday.

Michael

Great Bass 2,

Can I bring a big bag of briquettes and a can of lighter fluid for the man dogs?

Talked with the camp people at New Melones to try and figure out why all the sites except the closer loop of Ironhorse were all unavailable on the online reservation system.  Is there that much demand at this time of the year?  Turns out that most of the sites are closed because it's off season.  Also none have access to the waters edge, meaning you pretty much have to truck your yack over to the launch site.  But there are a lot of the open sites available and she said its OK to just arrive and then pick a site.

Talked to the tackle shop there and the lady said its very slow--zero.  She said the lake has not turned over yet.  No bank fishing, and best place would be near camp Nine where the river meets the lake and there is colder water.  She said going to the deeper water and night fishing with a light might be successful.

Doug

Doug,

She is reading the report from www.gloryholesports.com  which is run by the Glory Hole Gas and Bait shop.

The report is not always up to date. I can guarantee that many people are not out night fishing with the temps dropping so low at night. Bank fishing usually doesn't pick up until DFG starts dumping catchable trout.

-Brian G

best place would be near camp Nine where the river meets the lake and there is colder water

Huh, never heard of camp Nine.  And I thought I knew the motherlode like the back of my hand.  Probably won't be hitting it this time but will store it for later exploration.  Thanks Doug. 

Michael

Talked with the camp people at New Melones Turns out that most of the sites are closed because it's off season.  Also none have access to the waters edge, meaning you pretty much have to truck your yack over to the launch site. 

Thanks for that, Doug. That makes sense (I couldn't figure out WHY all the campsites in Big Oak were unavailable on reserveusa). And its a bummer that none of the sites at Ironhorse are on the water...because it would've been cool to "pull up" the yak right next to the campsite. But I will bring my wheels just in case.

I'm still planning to camp out Friday and Saturday nights. Bringing the bare essentials (tent, sleeping bag, etc) but if it gets really cold, I might sleep in my car. Or, if it rains Friday (the weatherman said it might rain a little on Friday but I hope he's wrong again). Will probably arrive at Glory Hole Rec Area around 12-1 on Friday, then unpack, and go fishing!
PK

Now that the steelhead seminar has been canceled, are any of the NCKA luminaries planning on joining us for a terrific event?

Michael

Great Bass 2,

Can I bring a big bag of briquettes and a can of lighter fluid for the man dogs?

Grizz

Bring the charcoal and if the conditions are good we will grill them. If not, I am bringing a stove and I will boil them (like Costco). BTW, I scored a Heiniken minikeg and a 12 pack so we are "all good".

Scott

Now that the steelhead seminar has been canceled, are any of the NCKA luminaries planning on joining us for a terrific event?

Michael

Michael

I think the luminaries will be trying to knock ChuckE out of the top AOTY spot with a sturgeon, steelhead, striper or salmon, so it is just us newbies this weekend at NM,  .  If they show up, show them what you can do and kick their ***'s .

Scott

Count me in.  I'll be up on Friday. 

Grumpy

BTW, I scored a Heiniken minikeg and a 12 pack so we are "all good".

Alright. So thats enough beer for me and you. But what about the rest of the anglers, Scott? 
I will be bringing some grub+drinks too (mainly because I'll be camping but also because I'd like to share with anybody else who's gonna be hungry). But I am still kinda sketchy on the "man dogs" LOL! Not sure if that'll be on my plate. But maybe I'll bring some Johnsonville Beer Brats! Mmmmmmmmm!

Who else is camping at Melones (besides me and the Marmite family)? We should all get sites near each other, if possible.
PK

Who else is camping at Melones (besides me and the Marmite family)? We should all get sites near each other, if possible.

I had planned on it but several circumstances will prevent me from doing so.  Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind to all of us, especially the campers.

Michael