Lake closures - Is Vail an option???

[BTB]

It's not just the lakes but much of our salt water area is targeted for closure. It's a continual battle.

One of the best, if not the best lake in San Diego, is now closed for what, 9 or 10 years or more.

Now DVL plans to: "indefinitely suspend private boat launches".

I just talked to Bill Johnson, the owner of Vail Lake. Being a private lake, he can do pretty much what he wants with Vail. He has been winning one lawsuit after another to keep Vail Lake the way he wants it.

He says that he wants Vail to be the best bass lake in California. he seems committed to do that. He says that he is going to buy as much trout as he can and regularly put them into the lake. That's a bit naive, but he's trying.

I have put him in contact with a biologist that I hope will study the lake population and make recommendations as to what Bill should do to help the bass population at Vail.

Vail is a private, membership lake and as such, Bill says that it will always be open.

Maybe that's a good way to go, I don't know.

I wish him luck and I hope that he's successfull in his efforts at Vail.

[Ray L.]

this is all fine and good.
The problem is trying to hold any kind of event on the lake.
We as t.d.'s do not even think about that lake for events because of the cost we would incur.
As far as lakes closing D.V.L. will not be closed for good. The water supply is not there right now. They will not take colo. river water for legit reasons. The supply from up north is not there right now.
It will be re open very soon once they get some water from up north.

[Ray L.]

Also since the d.v.l. closure the Federation has come up with giving Elsinore a try. The fishing is good and it may be an alternative to Perris since Perris is so low.

[TomL]

If the Vail guys think outside the box - they would be smart to let Bass Tournaments on the lake a few times a year for FREE... Why?

Because if the bass fishing is any good there would be a lot of guys wanting memberships for that lake just to fish it.... that would in turn drive their membership value up and increase whatever concession money they might make. (assuming they have some sort of concessions)

Ray - Is there really decent fishing in Lake Elsinore? That places is a mud hole isn't it? Haven't seen it in 10-12 years but, I remember it being terribly dirty and stinky... I wouldn't even wakeboard there when my buddies were. Maybe its better now ... I guess that's what I am asking.

[BTB]

Well, I heard someong caught a 17 10 at Corona Lake

Bill said that he is interested in another tournament.

Certainly not as big as DVL and Vail cannot take a lot of tournament pressure.

Cost?

I have know Bill for many years. He has been in court almost comtinually for around 10 or 20 years. He's winning every time but it has been costly. His vision for Vail is unreal (in a realistic way).

The guy is commited and is a bulldog when it comes to Vail. Look what he did in Rancho California. YIKES!!!

Not everyone is going to want or can afford to buy a yearly membership at Vail just to fish there, but those that do will find a fisherman friendly place to go. It's BS to be at the mercy of a water district or other board of directors that really only tolerates fisherman and we all know that the water is for drinking not really for us to fish in.

DOUBLE BS

I guess we're spoiled having more or less free or inexpensive lakes to go to. But you do get what you pay for.

Come to think of it, the cost of a membership isn't that much compared to a boat, trailer and truck and all the other costs..

How much are we willing to pay to KNOW that there will be a place to go that will produce quality fish where they owner really caters to us????

I don't know. You can always make the drive to another lake somewhere else, but it seems to me that Vail is something we should get behind as long as Bill Johnson is so supportive and will make a lake that we can pretty much call ours.

It isn't for everyone, but Vail is a good option for those that want what Vail Lake and the Resort there offers
Just my 2 bits.

[jack65274]

Ray..it's my understanding that the infrastructure to get water into DVL from up north will not be ready for 2-3 year at least. Im not sure if that is the only remedy for more water or if there is another way. Do you know?

[tunaman]

Rain, plain and simple. We need lots of rain to fill up the reservoirs across the state, so that there is enough water to send down here. Southern California is nearly completely dependant upon imported water. With Colorado River water out of the question, it has to come from the State water project. The reservoirs that currently feed it are extremely low, so we need to have a lot of rainfall to fill them, then there will be more to send south.

DVL's geography doesn't allow for much runoff, so local rainfall won't do a lot to fill it. Pray for an end to the current drought this winter.

Roger

[Brian D.]

but on an average cost of approx $2000 for the first year, $1300 for the second and subsequent years. Its still is quite expensive on a cost per trip basis. That $166 if you fish the lake once per month just to get into the gate. $83 x twice a month, etc. For guides and folks who live close to the area, it may be well worth it.

As for Elsinore, I just got back from putting a hurtin on the Wipers. Biggest was just over 6lbs. Fished for bass from 10 - 12noon. Best 5 was 13lbs. Not stellar weights but it is a good alternative from fishing the Perris skate park.

[TEAMDEADMONEY]

Especially during the winter months...

If people think that Lake Elsinore is a better fishery then Perris, they need to have their heads examined....especially during the winter.

Bring on Perris....

The prefish has already begun..

Pete

[hippie]

Id pick smellsomore over perris for NBW in Oct. PERRIS sucks and NBW was looking i bet at a70 -85 boat field for there 1st tourny of the season at DV now they won't even break40 at perris. PLus PERRIS couldn't hold that kind of field . CaNCEL the tourny do what WON did last year.

[some guy]

Perris is on fire.. absolutely punished that place. Ill be more than happy to fish every derby there We use to fish that place 2 to 3 times a week. I went out there twice last week and all i can say is its good to be back There is a way better chance of boating a 10lb + bass out of perris then DVL. All day.

[Oldschool]

With the Delta pond smelt being put on the endangered species list, the 9 court supporting the 1/3 rd water reduction going to SoCal, we can expect a lot less water, even from good snow pack year like this one was.
With the economy is a severe down turn, tournaments are going to take a big time hit. We are not all tournament fisherman and the lowered fishing pressure on private lakes like Vail creates good bass fishing.
There is no question that planted trout help to grow giant bass, but that isn't a must. Lake Hodges for example doesn't have trout and produced bass up to 20 lbs.
The Corona lake 17. 10; photo in WON didn't look that big, girth was too small. With the news out, we shall see.
Is Vail a good option; yes if you can afford the member fee.
Tom

[Brian Linehan]

Vail is too small for a 40 boat tournament.