Quarry Lakes 4/4 - Little Trout & Frustrated Shore Anglers

Got to Quarry Lakes around 8 AM and launched at 830. Rangers were nice and gave Molly a dog treat at the gate which she now looks forward to.  No problems with the inspection. Trolled a J7 Firetiger and TDD7 Rainbow with a wooly bugger teaser. Picked up two 12-14" trout in the north section which I released. Made a trolling run towards the wheelchair access dock since no one was fishing on it and then made a sharp turn south east toward the deep section. As I was pulling away from the dock a shore angler started yelling at me saying I had picked up his line. I told him I didn't think so because my lures were running true. I stopped and retrieved my lures and they were clean. The shore angler said he had a fish on and that I caused him to lose the fish. I told him I really don't think I sawed him off because I troll with low drag settings and didn't see any signs of pick up. Molly was snoozing through the incident so she couldn't back up my story.  Headed back towards the swim beach and picked up another small trout which I kept and gave to the frustrated shore angler at the end of the day. Walked Molly around the lake then stopped for some Pho before heading home. Good day on the water but the Mt lassen trout didn't show for me.

Scott

Congrats on the trout Scott. Nice to see that you were able to bring Molly along
with you. BTW, I was told that Quarry Lakes is very small. Is it much smaller than
Shadow Cliffs?

Jedmo

"Frustrated shore angler" has become redundant.     Way to go for gifting a fish to the poor soul.   

Bassmanben -

There are others who fish this place more often like Raymac. I only only fish there a couple times a year so my knowlege is limited but here is what I know...

Getting There - It is closer to 880 than 680 so I usually take 880 and get off on Fremont Blvd. There are some decent Pho places in the 99 Ranch strip mall which is 2 blocks from 880 so I usually stop there on my way home.

Inspection - I personally have not had problems but I clean and dry my boat before heading to any of the east bay lakes. I fish all of the lakes frequently and have my tandem dedicated to east bay lakes only. All of the rangers I know are very polite and I have never been hassled.

There are several lakes in the park but only Horse Shoe lake allows boating. The lake is shaped like Horse Shoe with an isthmus connecting to a small island in the center. The lake is not too scenic but not as ugly as Shadow Cliffs. BART runs really close to the south east part of the lake. The north part of the lake has been better for trout trolling for me. There are some really big tailess mutants trout in the lake. Pull J7's or J9's in combination with a deep diving plug. The south part of the lake has more cover and some decent bass fishing as well as catfish. For bait soaking, from the launch ramp to kiosk cove would be a worth a try. The bottom is highly variable so a FF comes in handy particularly if you want to do some dropshotting. Probably worth bringing some sencos. Water clarity is always pretty good. Surface water temp was 69-70 degrees yesterday. There are nice trails around all of the lakes and very dog friendly so worth going for a walk if you have time. Molly's favorite lake for sure. Good luck!!!

Scott

Nice report and QL 101 wrap-up.

But note that boating and float tubing is also allowed at Rainbow Lake, the one along Isherwood, to the south of horseshoe.  There is no launch, but it's legal.

I agree with every word of the rest.  My only issue there was being turned away in a drizzle. 

Too bad you didnt hook up right then.

Great report Scott, sounds like you got a little action.

When I get pho, I stick to the eye of round cause I am a surburban white punk and afraid of anything with 'tendon' or 'tripe' i the name or stuff like that. (hope that does not get me banned!), but maybe you get eye-of-newt or something more adventurous? 

rock fish season is just around the corner now...

John

Sweet canine and trout action.     Weather was perfect for that, huh?

scott you should be an ambassador or something like that with your people skills!

I used to be that frustrated shore angler...then I met you & NCKA and I've never been frustated again(sometimes)  
you made him mad, then made his day! 
I looked for the FishOnADish, but then realized, you gave it away.
I remember what the last trout looked like and i'll pull it from my MB.

Quarry Lakes does get windy and is not protected like Shadow Cliffs.  Last time I fished Quarry was on March 19, 09 and I had one bite and got that trout.  It was a 18" and fat.  On rainbow power bait.

Right now Shadow Cliffs does not have a boat inspection.  Which will save you $3.  The boat inspection is only good for 30 days.  Then you have to get re-inspected. Shadow Cliffs is being stock with small DFG trout and the Mt. Lassen trout.  Quarry is only getting the Mt. Lassen fish.

Ken kickfish

Scott,
Good job giving the fish to the angry angler.  I bet that made him feel worse than if you gave him the finger (which is what I would have done).  You did the right thing though.  Nice report.  I really like the pic of the snoozing pooch.

Kill him with kindness.
You are the only guy I know who would have done that Scott.
Funny you should mention Pho. I never ever heard of it until last week from a co-worker.

Funny you should mention Pho. I never ever heard of it until last week from a co-worker.

Me too!!
ChuckE & Mooch took me for my first Real_Pho, after the ISE Show and I'm sprung!
 

Nice report, nice pics. I was curious what type of kayak you were using and the length of it? Regarding Pho, there's a restaurant in Seaside named Pho King  , they have a tee shirt with a bowl of Pho that says "It's Pho-King delicious! Better luck next time on those Mt. Lassen beasts.