Melones/Beardsley 4/22/23

Fished Melones on Wed from about 2 pm til dusk.  Lots of small fish and short strikes on soft plastics. Senkos, lizards and brushogs.  Wind made boat control a pain, but it was all worth it!  It was 88deg when we hit the lake. Didn't cool down mush by evening.

Fished Beardsley the next day.  Lake was glass at 0930am, but by noon the wind was howling! Paddled to where the river comes in trolling a flasher/nightcrawler combo and a Kastmaster with no success.  Scenery was worth it-water falls, eagles and osprey.  The paddle out was tough.  The beer at the end made the paddle and early season sunburn worth it(kind of).

Jody

I know what you mean (the beer at the end part).  Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the report! I think I know where you went wrong. It must be that beer at the end part. What about the beginning and middle?   



-Eliot

Cool picture of the waterfall.  Thanks for the report.

Thanks for the report! I think I know where you went wrong. It must be that beer at the end part. What about the beginning and middle?    -Eliot

Who needs a timeframe for drinking beer?  Cracking one at 10AM is still 5 hours after I get up to fish! 

Cant wait to hit Melones myself today!  Thanks for the report, love that waterfall!!!

We drank beer while at the end(downwind) of Beardsley.  On the way back, it was pretty hard to drink a beer and paddle against what felt like a 25mph headwind!  No coves to hide in, either.  So we made up for it on the boat ramp and had a few after reaching Terra Firma!  No beer for two hours while fishing is almost like being waterboarded...

Sounds like Good Times were had.  Thanks for sharing that waterfall.   

Fished Beardsley the next day.  Lake was glass at 0930am, but by noon the wind was howling! Paddled to where the river comes in trolling a flasher/nightcrawler combo and a Kastmaster with no success.  Scenery was worth it-water falls, eagles and osprey.  The paddle out was tough.  The beer at the end made the paddle and early season sunburn worth it(kind of).

My all-time favorite lake!    I can't have too much Beardsley.  Sadly, I haven't had the yak up there yet but that will change this summer.

I'd have to imagine that that is pretty long paddle from the boat ramp to the inlet.  I've had fair success fishing both the inlet and the largest waterfall.

I'll be looking for the hook-up next time!

Michael

Did ya fish the afterbay? The fishing is always good there, but its all barbless.

Not sure but I think I've been there at Beardsley with my in laws. Could that be
the one heading towards Sonora Pass? Right above the lake, there is this
awesome view of the mountains and when you look down, you could actually see
Beardsley below.

Jedmo

yea jedmo thats the one. just past strawberry.

Not sure but I think I've been there at Beardsley with my in laws. Could that be
the one heading towards Sonora Pass? Right above the lake, there is this
awesome view of the mountains and when you look down, you could actually see
Beardsley below.

Jedmo

Actually, I think the lake you see from the HW 108 vista is Donnell Reservoir which is 5 miles "upstream" of Beardsley.  I could be wrong because it has been a LONG while since I've been past Beardsley.  If I'm up that far, I'm usually going TO Beardsley.  Which I hope to do this summer.

Michael

  great report, sounds like a great adventure, please post more pictures!  Those of us stuck at work need something to look forward to!