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FISHINLINES
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New Melones Reservoir - New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,210,000 acre-feet of water. Lake is at 49 percent capacity. Lake elevation dropped almost three feet this week, to 967 feet above sea level, and 121 feet from full capacity. Glory Hole and Tuttletown ramps are open. Water temperature is approximately 79-84 degrees, and slightly stained, with good mud lines.

There is not much action on the trout front. There may be some rainbow trout upriver between the bridges. Night fishing under a submersible light is an excellent way to catch fish in the summer. The best places to anchor to night fish are near the spillway, the exposed islands between the spillway and Glory Hole Point, the dam, or under the 49 Stevenot Bridge. Drop your submersible light in the water and fish 10-15 feet below the light. For bait, use a worm-threader to thread a nightcrawler onto your line, and put a piece of Power Bait onto your hook, below a small split-shot. Mike Dirks caught a 2.7-pounder while night fishing near the dam with a crawler. Bank anglers should target the creeks, such as Angels Creek or Murphy's Creek.

Kokanee action has been fair for most, and great for our local guides. Danny Layne of Fish 'n' Dan's Guide Service took out young Abbey and Emily Ritinski from Rumford, R.I. They caught limits on Uncle Larry's spinners behind Sep's dodgers, trolled 60' deep in the south part of the lake. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing took out Western Outdoor news editor Bill Karr and his wife, Marilyn. Monte found them limits in the south part of the lake with Hootchies and pink Wedding Rings behind a pearl white limit on pink and orange Apexes and Uncle Larry's spinners behind Sep's 4/0 dodgers. Richard Kowski caught a limit with kokanee weighing up to 2.2 pounds, on pink Hootchies trolled near the dam. Tim and Brent McGarvey found kokanee at the south end of the lake on pink Uncle Larry's Spinners. Ernie and Mary Ann Frisa caught two limits south of the dam on pink Hootchies and red Apex. Pink or red Apex, pink or white Hootchies, or Uncle Larry's pink, copper pop, or firetiger spinners have caught almost every fish we've seen in the last few weeks. Tip any lure with shoepeg corn. Use a silver/green, silver/chartreuse, or watermelon dodger - any dodger with some green on it. It is very important to troll slowly (1.2 mph) to catch kokanee.

For bass fishing, small fish seem to be plentiful, but the big ones are hiding. During the day, most bass are in 5-25 feet of water on main lake points, near structure, such as trees or brush, as well as near steep rock walls near the dam and upriver. If there is a mud line or shade, there will be bass hiding in it. Dart-headed salt/pepper grubs or drop-shotted 4" shad-colored or crawdad-colored worms or Tiny Brush Hogs are best for catching numbers of fish. Throw a top-water bait such as a spook or Pop-R in the early morning before the sun hits the water, or right at sunset. Glory Hole Sports' Third Annual "Just for Fun" Evening Bass Tournament took place this weekend. 42 teams competed. $1,695 was raised for the planting of Florida super-strain bass in Melones. First place winners were John Martin and Bob Squaglia, second place went to Deacon Fernandez and Tony Serrano, and third place went to Bob Bellin and Rudy Linn. Winning anglers threw dark colored worms, Tiny Brush Hogs, jigs and spinnerbaits. Fish were caught on main lake points near riprap and structure, in 5-25 feet of water. Thank you to everyone who donated time and prizes, and helped make this fund-raising tournament a success!

Catfish bite is great! This is the time of year we see the big cats. If you are in a boat, fish the coves at the south side of the lake. For bank anglers, try Angels Cove, Glory Hole Point, or near Tuttletown. Use mackerel, anchovies or sardines, crawlers, chicken liver, or live large minnows. The action is always best at night for catfish, when they move into the shallows to feed. Glory Hole Sports' Big Fish of the Week Contest was won this week by Howard Cloud, who caught an 8.8-pound catfish, as well as an 8.5-pounder and a 7-pounder, while soaking mackerel 20' deep with an open bait under the 49 Stevenot Bridge. Jeremy Davis caught a 7-pounder in Angels Cove on sardines. Steven Yancy caught a 9-pound carp on a cricket off of Glory Hole Point. We have ProCure "Carp Spit," which is a great scent to put on your bait if you want to try for some big carp (not much good for anything, but fun to catch anyway!).

Bluegill and pumpkinseeds are very active right now, so tie on a large bobber and a small piece of crawler and go have some fun! Fish tight to structure in the back of brushy coves and cuts. Crappie are showing up occasionally as well. The south side of the lake has been good, and near Tuttletown is another good choice. Best crappie bite has been at night under a submersible light, with minnows or red/white crappie jigs.

Glory Hole Sports, 736-4333.

Lake Don Pedro - Best spots to try are around partially submerged trees, near the marina and rocky points.

Trout and salmon are being caught in the upper bay. Trollers are going deep with downriggers and silver/blue and orange Kastmasters. Bass are hitting behind the houseboats on purple rubber worms. Dark green and mixed-colored worms also work well. Night crawlers are the best live bait, but chicken liver and anchovies are working for catfish early in the morning or late in the evening.

852-2369, 989-2206.

Tulloch Reservoir - Fish the main part of the lake for the best chance of action.

The trout bite has slowed, but it's best early in the morning 30-50 feet deep with orange and pink Needlefish or killer bees behind flashers. A few crappie are being caught near the docks with white and silver jigs or minnows. The best times for bass are early and late. Night fishing is best in the creek arms.

881-0107, 847-3447.

McClure Reservoir - Fish in Barrett Cove, Horseshoe Bend, Cotton Creek and Temperance Creek for the best luck.

Night fishing is the best thing going at McClure.

563-6505, 378-2441

McSwain Reservoir - Try your luck at the brushpile, in front of the campgrounds and marina, and at Gilligan's Island and the handicap dock.

There was a steady three-trout-per-rod average and a few limits last weekend. The best spot from the shore was the handicap dock. White and orange Power Eggs were the hot bait. The best trolling area has been from McSwain Dam to Gilligan's Island. Jose Abel Garcia of Turlock caught a limit of trout by the boat ramp using green and rainbow Power Bait. They were 2-3 pounds each.

378-2534.