Eagle Lake Report 09/29/12

[ngt]

Not going to be able to afford the trip, with trying to do this trinity thing, buying the new gear, and another wedding to go to this month, but thanks you for the offer and we'll get out there someday.

See you Saturday at 6.

[pdgs]

Thanks! Let me know if next Saturday works. I'll pick up the worms. (mini crawlers, lol)


Someday I'll get up to Eagle Lake with you and try out Val's tips in this write up (trying to work this back on topic

Your on, my house at 6:00 am Saturday. I've got a cabin that sleeps 6 and I've got room if you want to go on the 27th.

[ngt]

Thanks! Let me know if next Saturday works. I'll pick up the worms. (mini crawlers, lol)


Someday I'll get up to Eagle Lake with you and try out Val's tips in this write up (trying to work this back on topic

[pdgs]

How's next Saturday look?

I didn't get to go to Trinity. I was all packed up, and so was my buddy. Looking at the clock all day like 3:30 was Christmas morning or something. Ready to head out Friday after work for the long drive. His dad, who was letting me borrow his boots and waders, called my friend about 2 hours before the end of the day and said he changed his mind and was going fishing this weekend. So, without gear, I couldn't go. I wasn't mad, just disappointed. That's how it goes sometimes when borrowing gear. I ordered some waders and boots online and they should be here by next weekend or or mid next week, so we may try again the following weekend. Stayed home with the family this weekend and did yard work. Not quite as much fun, lol.

Ahh man, that's too bad. If you ever run into a situation like that again, just call me. I've usually got anything you might need.

[ngt]

How's next Saturday look?

I didn't get to go to Trinity. I was all packed up, and so was my buddy. Looking at the clock all day like 3:30 was Christmas morning or something. Ready to head out Friday after work for the long drive. His dad, who was letting me borrow his boots and waders, called my friend about 2 hours before the end of the day and said he changed his mind and was going fishing this weekend. So, without gear, I couldn't go. I wasn't mad, just disappointed. That's how it goes sometimes when borrowing gear. I ordered some waders and boots online and they should be here by next weekend or or mid next week, so we may try again the following weekend. Stayed home with the family this weekend and did yard work. Not quite as much fun, lol.

[pdgs]

Nice read! Sounds like things are as rough as you were saying up there with water levels. Hopefully they'll get some good rains this winter. You heading up there soon? Hopefully we can get out again before you leave, unless you're already gone. Then, I'll see you when you get back.

-Eric

Hey, how was Trinity? I was going over to Brannan this morning but got hung up with other stuff. I did get up to Wholler bridge though.

Let me know what your schedule my weekends are pretty free now.

Steve

[CRABBY]

Pole Dancer,excellent,excellent Post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......Don

[ngt]

Nice read! Sounds like things are as rough as you were saying up there with water levels. Hopefully they'll get some good rains this winter. You heading up there soon? Hopefully we can get out again before you leave, unless you're already gone. Then, I'll see you when you get back.

-Eric

[pdgs]

Launching a boat -
1. Stones Landing - No launching
2. Rocky Point - Primitive
3. Spalding - Launching is possible for smaller 14' and less boats. Larger boats can launch but going out the channel to deeper (2-1/2 - 3 feet) is going to be with paddles and poles. If you try it on your motor you'll suck up mud which has a high volcanic pumice base. It will wear down an impeller quick and you'll fry your motor. Once you get out you need to be aware of the rock piles down by the airport and near then entrance to the narrows at Pelican Point. Bing maps Aerial view will show you where the rocks are. They will show as a lighter brownish colored area when your near them on the water. Go slow and keep an eye out over the side for color changes. Go slow, no more 35mph charges down the north basin, run at 15 tops, I probalby would keep it around 10 and just give myself and extra 1/2 hour to get down there. Sleep is cheap so get up a little earlier and be a safer boater.

NOTE - If the wind is blowing out of the north, it will cause a surge from the north basins into the south and drop the north basin levels as much as 6". 6 foot swells have been encountered at Pelican that bounce of the sides of the channel and turn into mixed waves that cannot be predicted. If your boat is less than 16' don't even attempt it, you will not make it. I've seen plenty of white knuckled boaters in 20' boats at the ramp kissing the ground, I'm a member of that club.

4. New LNF low level launch - No problems launching but please be courteous to others. Turn your head lights off if it's dark so that others aren't blinded. Either move your boat to the other side of the dock (out of the launch lane side) or if your blocked in, ask others to move your boat for you while you park your vehicle. If the wind kicks up, the ramp can be a bit challenging. If you open up the front of your tops and let the wind blow through your boat will be easier to handle. Here's a tip - If the ramps starts getting clogged up, go park your rig and walk back and help people. If somone offers you help, swallow your pride and take it. The end result will be that you are on the water faster and you'll make a lot of really great friends. Yes you'll run into a few stubborn ones but don't let that ruin your day.

Fishing report courtesy of Val Aubrey -

Val worked the entire south basin last week. Fish are abundant with the east side fish taking bright colors and the west side fish taking darker colors. This year, bright orange has been the goto color. Add a little perch or pearl to that if you want. The leaches are comming on over on the west side so the infamous olive green leach is beginning to work now, brown colors also.

Eagles Nest is still producing some early bites on bobbers. I personnally hate sitting still in a boat twiddling my thumbs waiting for a fish to swim by. I would probably troll it really slow 1.0mph with a top line. The rig I like is 80' of 2 weight floating fly line with 1 color (30') of 18 lb lead core (a shooting head works good too) and then a 12-15 foot leader. I put a #12 swivel on and either a threaded night crawler on a #6 hook or a orange Jay Fair trolling fly. A plastic disc 2" in front of the bait helps. You can use a bobber stop to keep it there. IF YOU ARE TROLLING IN THAT AREA STAY AT LEAST 200' FROM THE ANCHORED BOBBER FISHERMAN. ITS THE LAW AND IF YOU INTERFERE WITH THEM THEY CAN CALL THE SHERIFF AND YOU CAN LOOSE YOUR FISHING LICENSE. IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NOT AN EXCUSE.

Don't hesitate to move if you're not getting fish after an hour or so. These fish move all over the place. The fish that stay put in the south basin all year are cruisers and tend to run deep when they're on the move. They're on a misson so if you see them at 35' it's usually not worth your time to try and fish them. Sometimes they'll get where they're going and just sit there. Keep an eye on them becasue they will turn and come back when it's time to feed again. When they turn, go in towards shore and troll out facing the wind if possible.

The upper half of the south basin past Shrimp Island on the west shore is known as the boulevard. Passing 100 yards east of Shrimp, look north to Pelican and spot the tree that looks like a big brocolli. Put your bow on it and you'll be in the boulevard. There are a lot of fish in this area all the way up to Pelican but they tend to be in the 1-1/2 to 2 lb range right now. Towards the end of the month the bigger fish will start to cruise it with the hot spot being just out from Slough point on the west side. Draw a line straight accross to the east side and you'll see the biology station. Work this area in loops like a cursive e and you'll catch nice fish. Please watch the other trollers in the area, their lines are sometimes out 200' behind their boats. PLAN YOUR TURNS!

On the east shore, Miners bay and from the biology station on up is producing bigger fish now. The TUI Chub (catch and release) are pretty thick right now and there are some pretty dense weed patches. If you see fish stacked up on your finder these are Tui Chub. If you figure out where the edges of the school are you might pick up a nice fish or two. BE VERY CAREFUL OVER IN THAT AREA, THERE ARE A LOT OF SUPRISE ROCK PILES THAT POP UP OUT OF NOWHERE. MINERS RIDGE CAN BE NASTY IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS. CHECK OUT THE BING AERIAL MAP AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS BEFORE YOU HEAD OVER THERE. This might just be the hot spot right now as the bigger fish start to move north of the ridge. They only have two ways to go and they will go. It might only take a quick little rain shower or a couple of days of early mornings below 32 degress to put them on the move.

Eagle Lake Trout (ELT) could be placed on the endangered species list. There is a study being done right now. In view of this, the spring fish count at pine creek (if we get water) will be critical.

Because of the low water conditions in the north basins, they will cool much faster than the south basin. If a north wind comes up it will blow that cold water into and through the channel at Pelican. The fish will feel this and be instantly attracted north. They'll move up into that channel and sit. Normally, I'd say fish it if you have a prevailing north wind but this year I am asking that you not do that. These fish may be the fish that save their breed. I've actually never fished that area this time of year because the fish are holding there and they're slugs. There's no challenge to it at all. To me, its almost un-sportsmen like. We are fisherman and stewards of the earth. I'm not and environmentalist or a hyped up do gooder, I'm a sportsman and I'll do whatever is needed to understand and to preserve the sports I love. I can only hope that the majority of other fisherman feel this way also. If that sounds like a plea, then you got it. Thanks.

If you got this far then you get the tip of the century - Eagle Lake Trout (ELT) hit just like a steelhead. They'll check out your presentation and clean a threaded worm off without ever touching the hook, if you react to fast. Resist, let him take it and just as soon as you feel a solid tug set the hook. Once the fish is hooked they'll start a short run away, maybe do a little tail dance to see where you are and then run right at you full speed. Keep your tip up and start reeling in or they'll shake even the best set hook and spit it. Be ready for the next turn and as soons as you feel it, lighten up your drag and let them lead you. Keep your rod tip high and let them go where they want to but never, never let your line slack. Just when you think they're ready to boat, they'll lay over on their side and then all of the sudden they'll make one last run. Be ready for that because that's when most people loose them. Once they come up the final time they're ready for the net.

Good luck if you head that way.

Tight Lines
Pole Dancer