Again, I had an errand to run in town so what better chance to do a little fishing afterward. There aren't a lot of options this time of year so I flipped a coin. Heads, I'd go to Lake Amador. Tails, I'd go to Lake Camanche.
It came up ? I went to New Melones Lake. This is the place I fished last February when I ran into the Blue Winged Olive hatch and didn't have my fly rod. Today I brought my fly rod along and were the trout surface feeding? Of course not. I did have my spinning gear though.
I got to the lake at 0930 after a stop at the donut shop in Jackson for coffee (and a couple of maple bars) and then another stop at Starbucks in Angels Camp for more coffee (it's been a might cold lately). I set up my red camping chair, two rods with rainbow Power Bait and waited for the first bite. And wait I did. And waited some more. And even a little while longer.
In between all the waiting, I changed to new rainbow Power Bait, tried a little pink (People are catching limits of 14 inch rainbows on pink Power Bait at Angels Creek. Sorry, private joke) and then started to experiment with Pro-Cure bait scents.
First I tried sweet corn, then anise, then garlic, but to no avail. Finally I settled on garlic and sat back to enjoy the sun and some warmth (hooded sweatshirt still one). The first hit came at 11:30 and was so fast, I missed it. It was bump, bump and then it was gone. Whoa......
Then the hits came one after another and I missed the first six or so, but finally I brought the first trout of 2013 to hand. The second came shortly thereafter and then nothing. My guess is that the school moved on. Somewhere around 12:30 number three came to hand. By the way, these all went on the stringer for Bob. Came close to needing my driveway plowed last week so I thought I'd better drop him off a couple, just in case.
Then around 1:30 (I probably should keep better track of the time, but who cares) numbers four and five came one right after the other. With five (the limit) on the stringer, I said good by to the two guys fishing around the corner and headed home.
The launch ramp |
A view to the right |
Straight across |
Just to the right of the cement launch ramp |
A limit |
Not a bad way to start 2013.
Mark
Nice Mark.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to use my 2013 license this weekend even though it may only be in the 20s.
A banner start to 2013 indeed. Hope the bite keeps up for a while at least!
ReplyDeleteHi Mark,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Thank you for your fishing report. So, I went to New Melones today.
I got there around 11:00 and as you said no bite for the next two hours. Not even a nibble. I wondered why fishing was always great yesterday. I almost packed up and went home.
Then 1:00PM came and it started biting. With your recommended rainbow power bait and power eggs. I also caught a limit. It was a good start of 2013 for both of us. Let's keep this luck!
Mark
ReplyDeleteLooks like a meal in works--how do you prepare those trout for a meal? Thanks for sharing
Hi Bill. I gave these to Bob. He plans on smoking them with a couple of others in his freezer.
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