Gerle Creek?

Camping in the fall after schools start and having the place almost to myself.

Also used to be my favorite time for Gerle.  However, now that the USFS subs out the campground to vendors, the place is LOCKED up tight as a drum after Labor Day weekend.  It's a long hike in to the lake from where the gate is too; over a couple miles any way. 

I just don't understand why the ratbastards can't leave the gate open until the snow flies, but they don't.  Probably because they are too selfish with MY and YOUR plublic lands.  I used to just poach those sorts of spots, but lately the USFS has been posting no ANYTHING signs on campgrounds closed for the season.  Can't even walk in and picnic for the day.  And they do patrol.  I've gone left a vehicle parked by the gate and hid.  Within an hour a ranger is there, all huffy and storming through the gate after unlocking it.  That's when I pop out, lock the gate with MY chain and lock, then leave.  Let's see how THEY like finding an locked gate. 
Being retired has it's rewards, like lots of time to mess with folks who try to cut into my recreation.

you are a true inspiration.    ive been locked in at slab creek  had to call the sheriff to unlock

Slab Creek has a gate that rises and lowers based on sunrise/sunset from a GPS radio.  I know because I installed it.  But.....
I have a secret for getting in and out.

To get out after dark when the gate has lowered, pull forward to within 6 feet of the gate.  The gate has a wire loop like a signal light and will sense if a vehicle is over the loop. 

To get in when it's closed, pull far enough forward that your bumper almost touches the gate. The loop on the other side for getting out after dark is placed so if you are on the outside but real close, it will pick up and open the gate as well. 

I did that so the few folks who live back there don't have to get out to work the gate.  Also so I wouldn't have to in bad weather.  Going in after dark was especially easy for me since I had a BIG winch on the front that triggered the loop sensor. 

So there you go!  Give it a try from the outside first, so you don't get locked in.

If you are ever locked in behind a SMUD gate, call PSO, power systems operations.  They are there 24 hours and will give the on-call guy a call out.  They love it because it's easy money overtime.  I made a buttload of money letting people out of Jaybird canyon one year. 

Slab Creek has a gate that rises and lowers based on sunrise/sunset from a GPS radio.  I know because I installed it.  But.....
I have a secret for getting in and out.

To get out after dark when the gate has lowered, pull forward to within 6 feet of the gate.  The gate has a wire loop like a signal light and will sense if a vehicle is over the loop. 

To get in when it's closed, pull far enough forward that your bumper almost touches the gate. The loop on the other side for getting out after dark is placed so if you are on the outside but real close, it will pick up and open the gate as well. 

I did that so the few folks who live back there don't have to get out to work the gate.  Also so I wouldn't have to in bad weather.  Going in after dark was especially easy for me since I had a BIG winch on the front that triggered the loop sensor. 

So there you go!  Give it a try from the outside first, so you don't get locked in.

If you are ever locked in behind a SMUD gate, call PSO, power systems operations.  They are there 24 hours and will give the on-call guy a call out.  They love it because it's easy money overtime.  I made a buttload of money letting people out of Jaybird canyon one year.

i       i knew you were a hero

Report?  Did you slay them?  Was it trout for dinner eCh night?

Report?  Did you slay them?  Was it trout for dinner eCh night?

Would that it were!

Ended up going in only on Friday; my buddy's party was at Wench Creek Campground on Union Valley Reservoir, so we just did one day trip up the road.  Good time, gorgeous day and beautiful spot, but totally dead bite.  Between the folks in the party and myself and the 5 or 6 lines soaked, it was just a big ol' skunk.  3 friends or so on the bank, me on the yak, another buddy in a kick tube, all for nuttin' more than a fun time out on the water, and that's good enough.  Definitely worthwhile, nearly certainly going back.

At UVR, just a little better, but just from the bank.  One bass CNR and one pretty big rainbow, both to friends of mine on the bank.  One fun one: my friend on the bank had a nibble on an inflated crawler, goes to set the hook, says it feels like something buried itself in the mud.  Ends up pulling up a log.  With a crayfish inside, munching on the crawler. Hey, free bait!

Thanks for the info. They really cut back on planting this year due to the drought. Hopefully they will make up for it next year.

We are mainly going for the meteor shower but will fish as well.

Actually, SMUD is dumping a lot of fish in the 3 lakes; Union, Ice House and Loon.  I read about it in the Sacramento Bee.  I can't recall how many though.  I've been reading reports on Ice House; 20 fish hook-ups on planters.  All small though. 

Thanks for the reminder on the metor shower.  Peaks Wednesday night into Thursday morning. 

I'm thinking of going up to Big Hill to watch it.

Thanks for the info, although a more encouraging fishing report would have been sweet! I'm headed up to Gerle for the first time next weekend. Even though it was a skunk - do you mind sharing what you used and where you fished?

Thanks!

Thanks for the info, although a more encouraging fishing report would have been sweet! I'm headed up to Gerle for the first time next weekend. Even though it was a skunk - do you mind sharing what you used and where you fished?

Thanks!

Was fishing most everything I had in the lure dept, trolling most of the lake, emphasizing near the dam.  Friends were using inflated crawlers from the shore by the picnic area.  I even dropped a crayfish trap with some cat food (no local guts to be had  , everything came up zeroes.

Like I said though, it's a nice place.

I'll post a report on Monday.  I am headed up tomorrow and my buddy is there right now.  Construction guys working on he road near Loon said they have seen a lot of planting going on at Loon.

We are staying at Gerle, but will be fishing both.

good luck, standing by for the report!

Report?  Did you slay them?  Was it trout for dinner eCh night?

Would that it were!

So, is it safe to say that you're not a Gerle man?

Report?  Did you slay them?  Was it trout for dinner eCh night?

Would that it were!

So, is it safe to say that you're not a Gerle man?

Naw, more of a Wench Creeker.