"Cooler days and nights are keeping the fish biting in the high country," said Marla Allison at Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods. "The lake levels are getting quite low, so launching is becoming more of an issue. Small boats are recommended at Alpine, Spicer and Union reservoirs."

At Spicer Reservoir, bank anglers are picking up a few fish near the dam on chartreuse or yellow Power Eggs. Boaters are experiencing the best luck while anchoring in the coves and bait fishing or trolling in deep water. The fish caught here are beautiful holdover rainbows in the 10 to 14 inch range that are planted as fingerlings by the DFG.

Erik Momyer, who also works at the store, reported catching and releasing 8 rainbows to 14 inches in 3 hours on his latest boating venture to Spicer. "I trolled nightcrawlers and Berkley Gulp worms behind silver/green dodgers at 35 to 40 feet deep," he noted.

Union Lake offers anglers a unique chance to catch both rainbow trout and brown bullhead catfish. I like to fish this lake from the shore in the afternoon, with one rod outfitted with worms on a sliding sinker rig for catfish and the other rod set up with Berkeley Power Bait or Crave Nitro Bait for trout. These tasty high mountain catfish make great table fare.

A sleeper for brook trout is the scenic Highlands Lakes, accessible through the Highland Lakes Road off Highway 4. Don't expect red-hot fishing here, but you can nail some gorgeous wild brook trout while fishing flies, spinners and bait. "In late August last year, I caught and released 6 brookies in the 8 to 12 inch range on evening while fishing caddis patterns on my fly rod," noted Momyer.

At Lake Alpine, the fishing has been relatively tough for this time of year. Patient boaters are scoring rainbow trout by anchoring near the dam and bait fishing with inflated worms or floating baits off the bottom on an 18 to 20 inch leader. Drifting bait is also working. The advantage of fishing this lake is that you always have the chance of catching a lunker rainbow in the 3 to 5 pound range.

"Motor or paddle into the wind, cast out and let the bait go to the bottom," advised Allison. "Then crank it up a few turns and let the wind drift you back along the shoreline."

Trollers are picking up a few rainbows along the south shore at Lake Alpine with a dodger/worm or lure combo. "Try to get down between 15 to 25 feet and troll as slow as you can - 1.5 mph tops," she tipped.

The North Fork of the Stanislaus River continues to produce planted and wild rainbows on a variety of baits, lures and flies. The best access is at Big Trees State Park and Boards Crossing Road in Dorrington.

"There is a big caddis hatch and lots of hoppers, so big dries are working for flycasters," added Allison. "A hopper or attractor pattern with a nymph dropper can even produce double hook-ups. Bait casters are having luck with crickets, worms and salmon or Power Eggs. There are no more plants scheduled for the rest of the season, so natural baits, flies or lures are going to be the best things to use."

I like to use Panther Martins in 1/8 and 1/16 ounce sizes on the North Fork and other forks of the Stanislaus. Both browns and rainbows will hit these highly effective lures, particularly in low, clear conditions.

White Pines Lake is the top destination to take youngsters for crappie or bluegill. "A salmon egg or worm on a #10 hook under a bobber will bring immediate action and keep the kids happy," said Allison. "Float tubers are also targeting largemouth bass along the tules."

Internet Users can access the Stanislaus Forest Website for maps and camping information at http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/stanislaus/ and for fish stocking information go to the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/fishplant (check regions 2 and 4.)

For fishing and other information, call Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods at (209) 795-1686 or check their website, www.ebbettspasssportinggoods.com.