CENCAL FRESH REPORTS

CENCAL LAKES topped by Pine Flat BY WON STAFF REPORTERSPublished: Mar 03, 2010

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CENCAL FRESH REPORTS BY BILL KARR/WON Staff Writer FRESNO—None of the Central California lakes are fishing very well right now, according to Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis, but if he were to have to pick one, his choice would be Pine Flat. "It's about the best lake overall," said Gilbert. "The lake is coming up, as are all the lakes in the area after the rains, and the bite for everything slowed with the weather last week. But, the bass bite has been okay." He said there hasn't been much of a reaction bite, although a few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits, but most of them are being found from 20 to 50 feet down on jigs and plastics. "There's not many 3-pound fish, but there's pretty good numbers of smaller bass," Gilbert said. "And the trout bite took a bit of dip last week, but has been good overall." He said that trollers are down to 50 feet on downriggers and four or five colors of leadcore, dragging Excels, Needlefish and Apex in shad color up the river a bit around Sycamore Creek. He said the trout are 14 to 16 inches, and hanging around the baitfish. Find them, and you've found the trout. LAKE BERRYESSA resorts fate finally at hand; who are the real winners? BY ROBIN WADE/WON Staff Writer NAPA—A change is in the air at Lake Berryessa as the long-time battle for concession rights to six of the lake’s now defunct resorts is over, with the rights given to the Arizona-based Pensus Group. Identified almost two years ago, it has taken this long for Pensus nad the Bureau of Reclamation to finish negotiations. With a goal of providing “enhanced recreational services” by this summer, the group hopes to have the contract signed by next month. In a prepared statement, Michael Finnegan, the Bureau of Reclamation Area Manager said, “The proposals will provide Lake Berryessa visitors with improved facilities, enhanced recreational opportunities, and a safe visitor experience at the lake.” The bureau’s decision to remove at least 1,300 trailers, and open bidding for lakeshore concessions of long-standing resort contracts when they expired has been long, hard, and controversial. WON has been covering this story since the beginning and now it would seem there is to be a new chapter. Pleasure Cove is now run by Forever Resorts, an operator of many national park concessions, while the Markley Cove Marina concession is operated by a local company called FX10. The Pensus Group proposal for the other five resorts; Steele Park, Spanish Flat, Lake Berryessa Marina, Rancho Monticello and Putah Creek, seals the fate of the rest of the resorts. With the water level now 22.82 feet below the top of the spillway at 417.18 feet, things are looking up for anglers, but many changes were and are in the works for where and how they will be allowed to use this lake. Many bass clubs have already dropped Lake Berryessa from their circuits due to the additional costs the Bureau has imposed. And some of the better fishing areas may be closed to boats with motors. A “wait and watch” policy will be in order, to see how anglers will be able to use this fishery in the future. LAKE MCCLURE action picking up, 9.30 spotted bass landed BY BUD NEVILLE/WON Staff Writer SNELLING—After a long, slow and low-water winter, Lake McClure showed some promise for anglers in recent weeks. Not only did a bass angler catch a new lake record spotted bass, but crappie and trout were also improving. Rick White of Fresno was pre-fishing for a Fresno Bass Club tournament on Feb. 15 when he hooked the big sow spot in Cottonwood Creek. Terry Mello at A1 Bait said the fish was weighed there at 9.25 pounds. Later, she heard they weighed the fish on certified scales and got a confirmed 9.30 pounds. While White was close-lipped about the lure, Mello said a plastic worm was the likely bait, but she wasn’t sure of the color. The fish was later released alive. Lake records aren’t tracked or recorded on the state level, usually just monitored by area tackle stores or lake marinas. Bass fishing has been improving steadily at McClure, with lots of spotted bass in the top 25-foot zone willing to smash jigs and plastic worms. “My shore guys, who use the live bait, have been doing well around Barretts and Horseshoe,” said Mello. Crappie fishing has also been a good bet. “Some Merced Irrigation District guys doing surveys said there were a bunch of crappie up the river arm,” said Jim Nudo at Barrett’s Cove Marina. Live minnows and mini-jigs are top bets for minnows. Trout trollers are hugging the shoreline, said Mello, using spoons, with top spots around Bagby and the dam.