New Melones 2/26 Unpredictable weather *updated with GPS track*

Wow what a day. Launched a little after 7:30 to a calm, quiet but deserted lake. Made my way across to the spillway and started working my way torwards Angels Creek. I stayed in the back of a large cove working the points and trees.

Finally picked up a small spotted bass on a crankbait. That was the only bite of the day. By now it was only 10:00 and I could hear the lake howling but couldn't see it. So I decided maybe it would be a good idea to maybe head in. I came around the cove to see the main lake just rolling huge whitecaps and big big rollers.

I had no choice to head back through this mess. I hit the waves at an angle to keep from getting dumped. 1.8 mph is the fastest I could paddle at a constant speed. It seemed like it took forever to get back but I made it. I had a few scary close calls, but as long as I kept my nose of the kayak pointed at the rollers I was safe. Ill have to upload my gps track a little later. I logged a little over 6 miles. I worked very very hard for that last mile or so.

The video does not show how bad the water really was.  

Sorry about the cursing.  I had to paddle in this slop head on pretty much from the spillway to all the way to the launch ramp


And for the not so wet part of the trip.













I was off the water at 11:00.


Here is the overall track, kind of crazy to see where the water lever is now




Here is the point that was protecting me from the wind. Even though you cannot see it, it's there because the lower water level...... This is where I started my journey across to the the other side in the video





The launch, the water lever is obviously waaaaay down



The arrow in red is the where I paddled across in the nasty rough water


Jeff

Good call on getting back early.   Nice Spotted bass!  Thanks for the report and pictures Jeff.

Glad you made it back safe. There have been tragedies on that lake in foul weather.

Ben

Great job on the paddle back and Skunk Elimination.
I had a day like that when I had my PB and the motor died.
That was before before they put the marinas in and I drifted half way back to the dam before a guy in a bass boat helped tow me back to the ramp

rough one jeff, but gotta say the color and markings on that spot are great, glad you got back ok, cameron

Had the same thing happen to me 2 years ago. I don't fish the spillway much for that reason. Paddling a tandem with a dog unfortunately limits my range a bit, but the company is worth it.

Cool report.  I like the gps pics those were nice. 

Just testing to see if I can upload and post pica from my Android phone