To quote one of my favorite authors, Henry David Thoreau, “Man is rich in comparison to what he can let alone.” I was reminded of that quote this past week as I was camping up at Clarks Fork. For those who have no idea where Clarks Fork is, it’s roughly 60 miles above Sonora, located in the Stanislaus National Forest. Unlike my last camping trip, there’s no WiFi or cell phone service. So, for four straight days it might as well have been 1985. It felt great not having to worry about checking emails, missed phone calls, and everything else that was going on in the world. Instead, my time was spent talking with family and friends and trying to crack the code of the elusive Rainbow Trout that call Clarks Fork home. It was a great vacation for many reasons. Never though, did I imagine that it was also going to be a vacation from cyberspace.
Delta Report:
With the increase in temperature look for the bass to seek shade. Lots of small fish are being caught on reaction baits but the bigger bass are being caught by those throwing snag proof frogs and flipping. This time of year it’s important to pay attention to the wind. Buzz baits and spinner baits can be extremely effective fished on the outside weed edges during windy conditions.
New Melones Lake:
Kokanee are being caught by a lot of anglers right now fishing near Rose Island, the dam, and near Glory Hole Point. Anglers trolling for Kokanee are finding them from 30 to 50 feet deep. The bass bite remains good for anglers throwing reaction baits Pop-R’s and Zara Spooks are providing nice bites during the low light hours of the day. Anglers fishing during the day are focusing on deep drops or Island tops while fishing a Carolina rig with either a baby brush hog or Senko fished weightless.
Don Pedro:
Kokanee fishing is great right now as anglers are finding limits while trolling between 50 and 80 feet deep. Anglers trolling for Kokanee are also finding Trout between those depths as well. Bass fishing is typical for this time of year. There is a good top water bite in the morning and evening. Once the day warms up anglers are finding them while looking for schools of fish feeding around the various main lake points.
Lake Camanche:
Trout fishing is starting to slow down as the water temperatures have risen. Those that are catching trout right now are fishing as deep as 45 feet deep to catch them. Bass fishing has also started to get tougher for anglers as bass have moved deeper. Those having success are focusing on suspending fish over off shore rock piles.
Lake Tulloch:
Smallmouth bass have been providing excellent action for anglers fishing late and early with top water lures. Once the sun is high try switching to small plastic baits fished deep, shaky head worms, darter heads, and drop shotted Robo Worms in either a craw or shad pattern should produce good results.
New Hogan:
The closer we get to October the better the Striped Bass bite will be. Currently there are a few anglers catching nice limits of Striped Bass while fishing with anchovies and sardines. Occasionally there’s also a school of Stripers that will push the bait to the surface making them prime targets for a well-placed top water bait. Bass fishing continues to be good before all the boat traffic stirs up the water.
Tip of the Week:
In the Army when it got really hot outside we were instructed to unroll our sleeves in order to prevent overheating. Initially, I thought it was just another way of torturing us but have since learned that you’re better off covering your skin than leaving it exposed to the sun’s rays. Apart from the risk of severe sunburn, an uncovered body will lose sweat through evaporation requiring even more to cool it. Make sure though, to keep the covering as loose as possible so that there is a layer of insulating air. Sweating will then cool you more efficiently.
