Brian G's New Melones Trout Bout - 2010 Edition - February 20th, 2010

My son, my brother, my nephew and my self are all in for some well needed Trout trolling, see you all there .

Pat R 

Trying to get the time so I can redeem myself this year but work is making it dificult
Last year I had this in the bag,
I had cought more than my share and decided to keep 1 fat fish which easily outweighed most.
On the way back to the ramp an angler (I believe it was Eric B.) who watched me catching all these fish hooked up and brought it in for measurement a SKINNY Trout- needless to say my fish came up short cause it was a plant and the tail was worn other wise it would have taken the compitition.
Just goes to show - it's not over till it's over.
Hope to make it - if not - good luck to all.
Eric

On the way back to the ramp an angler (I believe it was Eric B.) who watched me catching all these fish hooked up and brought it in for measurement a SKINNY Trout- needless to say my fish came up short cause it was a plant and the tail was worn other wise it would have taken the compitition.

That was so funny...  you were slaying em all day, and I couldn't buy a fish...  til the hail mary troll back to the launch, against the wind...  like 5 minutes before weigh in...  by less than a 1/4"...  It was a photo finish for sure!

Alo memorable cuz I paddled my ass off that day and it was the coldest I've ever been in a kayak.

Hey Ben, were you able to find any sponsors at the ISE for the event?

Michael

no, there were no sponsors at the ISE event  but don't worry, i'm on the ball!

Just in case there is any Interest i'll toss out what we've been learning over the last month on the lake. If you haven't seen the posts, Patrick Pickerell (aka Mr. Pickle) introduced me to this lake a couple months ago on one of his peddle yaks and I haven't been able to stop going since. Our style has been all about 'Grubbin'.

I had not read the article in the left column about "Paddling for Trout - Written by Mooch " until after I had given Camanche and Melonies a try. And I must say its exactly what works! I wish I had seen and read it prior to going out. In this case we just use different grubs or trout worms. Anyhoot, its just a method that we have been using with some great results.

Rig:

-Bullet worm weight to a swivel or use a couple split shot instead
-2' to 3' leader to a hook - fit hook to the grub or worm size.

If you use heavier line you can use a couple split shot, lighter line may require a bearing swivel to keep line twist out. I use 6# leader because I hate line twist. I haven't tried a dodger yet because this is working by itself.

My favorite grubs are the Seps pro cure size 2 orange or brown.
My favorite trout worm is the new orange gulp.
My favorite hooks are Mustad Extra fine wire Aberdeen-blued

Heres a pic of the basic junk that works.



Follow the shore lines. Change speeds (slow and slower seems to work best). Do some zig zag patterns over the shallow to deep transitions.

I hope it gives a few ideas. Cant wait to meet some of ya out there!!

Kurt

Right on Kurt--that's $$ info there. Thanks!

I have all that stuff, but have yet to use it in that combination for that application!

Thanks for sharing.

Well, I'm officially in for this thing.  Last night I talked to my mother who is going to help with the wife with the kiddies.  Gotta love grandmothers.

We'll be heading over about 8AM-ish and arriving around noon Friday.  Unfortunately I have to leave Saturday night.

Anybody else heading over the day before?  Guess I need to do dig up some info on campsites.  I know they won't be full but can I just show up and pay for one or do I have to do it online?

By the time this event takes place, it'll have been 4 months since my last trip.   This is going to be the longest 3 weeks ever.

Michael

heading to the lake this saturday morning early to christen my new revo and troll a bit.  will let you guys know how i do and if i catch anything, but i will probably only be messing with the trout for a couple hours before switching to bass - i also have to christen my new rod and reel combo from the ISE show.

i will probably need some help with grilling up lunch as i don't have a grill (shameful) and my cooking techniques leave much to be desired

Will be bringing man dogs, beer and Molly (the real dog).

So we should plan on a small potluck, am I correct?  Oh what to bring.

Also, is there a start and end time?

Michael

no start time, if someone wants to launch at 4am I wouldn't care.  I am still working out a ending time but I'm thinking 1:30.  A small potluck sounds like fun.  We can work that out later.

still working out the details but based on what I have written down on my bar napkin, here's the format:

Biggest fish by length in trout species (brown, rainbow, whatever other random trout species someone finds) will be the winner.  For fish that are caught and released, a picture of the fish on a measuring device will be required.

Winner will receive their choice from the prizes that I have gathered.  After that, all other participant names go into a hat, with the winner picking the first name.  That person chooses their prize and picks the next name and so on and so on.

I'm going to talk to Melanie at Glory Hole and the gentleman at Oakdale bait this saturday to see if they can throw in a few items.  I've purchased a few small items myself and have a couple of guys donating some fun stuff (Andy1976 with some lures/jigheads and fishdit/Kurt with some squid jigs (wtf?? j/k)).  Still have some work to do but I think we'll have enough for at least 10 people to bring something small home.

We'll be heading over about 8AM-ish and arriving around noon Friday.  Unfortunately I have to leave Saturday night.

Anybody else heading over the day before? 
Michael

Michael -

Will be up there on Friday also by noon, maybe earlier. Staying in Angels Camp Friday night then home on Saturday. Will be on 69 if you want to hookup.

Scott

Got spot #107 in the Big Oak campground.  There are 3 of us and we have room for 5 more if anybody wants to join us.  Overflow parking is right next to our site along with the bathroom.  It looks like we might have shore access but I'm not sure because I can't tell how steep the decline is on the path.

Will be up there on Friday also by noon, maybe earlier. Staying in Angels Camp Friday night then home on Saturday. Will be on 69 if you want to hookup.

For sure Scott.  I'll be up there with my buddy and boss.  We'll give you a shout.  I realize it is still early, but any idea where you think you might head?  Carson Cove, the spillway, Angels Creek, etc?

Michael

Michael,

You should have shore access.  It is a little steep.  I watched a guy catch a limit from that shoreline last weekend.  The hill is a little steep for a kayak launch.  Coming out would be Elk X 3.