Yuki sent me an email last night that said he and our friend Jim were going to hit New Melones around 10:00 this morning. Rather than reply, I thought I'd just surprise them and show up.
I got to the lake around 9:30 and set up at the bottom of the launch ramp. This is the "hand" launch ramp below the Highway 49 Bridge where Yuki and I fished back on November 10th.
Just as Jim arrived, I brought the first fish to hand. A Rainbow in the 14 inch range. Yuki arrived shortly thereafter and he and Jim set up just down the side about 50 feet or so.
 |
| Yuki on the left, Jim on the right |
 |
| Meet Paul from Murphys |
 |
| The controversial fish |
Once on shore and safely in Jim's grasp, it was decided that Yuki's hook was deeper in the fish than Jim's, thus giving Yuki credit for the fish. Yuki's first fish of the day and I was still there. Another hex broken.
Jim caught one more before I packed up and left at 12:30. I would have stayed longer, but the hints that I should leave so Yuki could catch more fish were getting close to the physical stage so I thought I'd better jet. They hadn't started throwing rocks (at me) yet, but I didn't think it would be very long until they did. Hey, what are friends for?
Actually I had another reason for leaving early. A week or so ago when I stopped in at the donut shop, I asked the young man behind the counter "If I catch a couple fish, would he like them?" He said he would, but could only take two. One for him and one for his wife, a nice young Asian couple. So today I presented him with the fish. I have a free donut credit waiting for me the next time in. There is a method to my madness. They actually tried to give me a big bag of donuts, but not at 2:00 in the afternoon. For me donuts are a morning thing.
Since the DFW is planning to stock New Melones next week, Yuki and I will be back out there next Tuesday is hopes of many more fish.
Yuki and Jim were still fishing when I left. Hope they caught more.
Congratulations on breaking the skunk! DFG seems to be planting all the lakes in the motherload, looks to be a good fishing.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I promised myself there would be no doughnut jokes. Good deal trading fish for doughnuts though.
ReplyDeleteFish for Donuts. Pure genius. I want in on that racket.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope that the "Puddle" doesn't get much lower. That is a steep enough grade you guys got to manage just to fish there. Since I never catch any fish I don't have to worry about doughnuts.
ReplyDeleteBoy is that lake low. I like the donut deal.
ReplyDeleteMark
ReplyDeleteIt is always a pleasure to fish with guys who love the sport as much as you do. Glad you guys had success. By the way what are the size of the trout that are stocked and how many at a stocking? thanks for sharing
HI Bill. Depending (and I know this is vague) on who stocks, who orders, and where the fish go, they can be anywhere from 6" (the new DFW norm) to several pounds (from the Mt Lassen Hatchery) that go into Amador and Camanche. The ones I got yesterday were 12" & 14". I didn't see the ones Yuki and Jim got, but I would suspect probably about the same. Stocking is about the same. Amador stocks about 1200 pounds a week, Camanche stocks 4000 pounds, but only every other week or so and split between the pond, north and south shores. A lot depends on the deliver schedule and how many places the truck is stocking. A lot of variables.
DeleteCongrats on the first of the year! I heard there was a 14+ lb bass caught in new melones. you hear about that?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't surprise me. Especially with the water so low, but you'd need a boat.
DeleteOh wow, Mark! I thought some of the drought problems had eased up for you guys?
ReplyDeleteMark
ReplyDeleteYou guys are lucky, we only get a fraction of that amount here, and we seldom ever get anything above a 11"---I am planning on getting back on our tailrace in a few weeks if the weather works for me.
That deal with two guys catching the same fish is pretty crazy. Definitely never heard of that one before.
ReplyDeleteI like how you think on the donuts. The possibilities are amazing and seemingly limitless now that I think about it. You can never have too many donuts!
That's really cool that your buddies hooked up with the same fish, at the same exact time. I've never witnessed an occurrence like that. I have seen 2 fish bite the same lure. Congrats, on beating the skunk, Mark! Donuts!
ReplyDelete