|
NEW MELONES KOKE DERBY
By: Ron Wilson
|
Heavy haze blanketed New Melones |
August 7, 2009.... I thought I was done
fishing for kokanee but I was informed that I wasn't by my fishing
friend. Mike Monschein of Oakdale, Moe Ibanez of Riverbank and I met
near Woodward Reservoir at 3 a.m. to head up
the hill so we
could register to fish the Central Valley Anglers koke and trout
tournament at
New Melones Lake.
Our first stop was at Glory Hole Sports
to check in. Dan and Melanie had opened their store and were busy
getting things ship shape for their employees. I had a chance to talk to
Dan for a minute, his daughter has now graduated and could soon be a
music teacher at some lucky school.
I looked around and bought some stuff I
couldn’t do without. More fishing equipment and 3 egg burritos with hot
sauce that should hold us for awhile.
The ramp was dark and crowded as we got
ready to launch. We hit
the lake well before daylight. As I stood on the dock my phone
rang, "where are you at", asks Mike. "On the left dock" I said. The boat
started forward angling away. No your other left I said. I waved my arms
as another vehicle came down the ramp to launch making it easier for
Mike to see me. Blue jean and a blue jacket is not good apparel to wear
when its dark and someone is looking for you.
Running lights on
as we slowly made our way to the bridge in the dark. Mike left the helm
and went to the back of the boat to set up the new depth finder. I took
over the helm and it was like driving in the fog it was so smoky from
the Stanislaus National Park fire. As I putted toward the bridge Mike
and Moe were having problems trying to set up the new
fish finder.
$1800 spent and I was not impressed at all.
We finally made it to the bridge a little
after 5;30 a.m. and put the lines in the water. Moe soon had a nice
trout in the 2 pound class in the boat so he had a
big fish to weigh in at the
Central Valley
Anglers Tournament.
My pre-fishing Thursday said we had drove
by the fish and after killing an hour or so without another nibble we
moved down river and started catching a few kokanee. Slow bite, maybe
because we were late or because of the smoky overcast. I don’t know, but
it seemed that everybody was having the same slow bite as not to many
nets were waiving in our area. Mike had a big one come unbuttoned, a
real nice koke that would of moved him up in the standings but it came
off and flopped on top belly up and by the time I turned the boat around
the fish turned upright and dove for the depths below.We did a slow pick
for a half dozen fair size kokes before they quite us!
|
Mike & Moe adding to the ice chest |
Next stop was the spillway for a couple
more hits and misses and a couple small kokes added to the box and then
it was time to go. Best bait was green apexes 80 to 90 Ft. Mike picked
up a paycheck for 3 nice kokes and Moe just missed out on the
big fish pot.
Now if the guys hadn't been talking on
the phone, getting binoc's to look at the girls skiing and at other
boats they would of boated a few more fish as they missed several by not
paying attention.
I have noticed that they are not out
there to make a buck but just to have a great time and enjoy life. I am
hardcore and go for the killing and catching part. With their hap-hazard
attitude towards these events they seem to relax me so that I don't get
so damn serious about the catching part.
Another good day on the water and a
couple pictures for your enjoyment. As each week passes until the end of
August you will find the fish going deeper as they head upriver to
spawn. As of now your best bets will be 100 feet deep or more. |
