Berryessa Lake and Reports

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Sunday, October 21st, 2007

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    Water Temp: 65

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: This past weekend it was pretty windy at the lake. Saturday I fished the west side
    of the lake and wasn't able to cross over to the east side because of the white caps.
    Nothing worked really well. When we noticed our first boil of fish Lonny threw a
    top water lure (Pop R) and he landed his first bass I'm not quite sure which was
    bigger the lure or the bass. He mastered casting the Pop R and enjoyed the blow ups
    on the lure. Due to the weather conditions we headed for a quite cove and finished
    out the day with topwater and brass and glass. We were looking forward to trying the
    east side of the lake on Sunday but as we headed out that way the conditions were
    worst then the day before so we decided to fish Capell Cove. We went all the way to
    the back where it was a little more sheltered but still pretty windy. We threw brass
    and glass into the trees along the shore. We landed a few bass but no size to speak
    of. The fish seemed to be off bite but it was still fun. 'til next week................good
    fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!! www.fishingconnection.net If you have any stories you would like
    to share please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
    City: Napa

    Tips: it will happen soon,fish all over the meter BUT they did not want to cooperate

Thursday, October 18th, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: On the water a little late missed the morning bite. Did not seem to matter the bite was on untill around 1pm. Tried the topwater first 5 fish the first hour all 2-3.5lbs. Switched over to a spinnerbait and the Voo-Doo size was'nt that great but they were just slaming the bait to hard to put down. Over 20 fish on the spinnerbait and Voo-Doo all 1.5 -2.5lbs.5 best at 13lbs. Tried worming for a little nothing worth mentioning. If we could get some stable weather before the water cools too much this lake will take off.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: Stayed with the reaction mostly all day the active fish are still vary scattered. They were very keyed in on shad so all baits used were shad colored. Topwater used was a Vixen on main lake grass a little deepwater close helped. The water was very clear in some areas and I could see that the fish were realy stuck to the grass no grass no bass, at least in the shalow water fished no deeper than 10 feet all day.

Monday, October 15th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 67.6 sorry for

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Name: Fishing with Sid #1 Date: 2007-10-14
    Location: NAPA E-Mail: bestguide@hotmail.com
    Water Teamp: 77 plus Water Clarity: 2
    Report: After Friday's rainfall Saturday morning was sunny and the fishing was pretty good. While I was waiting for my wife to join me I fished in the back of my favorite cove and caught fourteen fish, three on topwater, two on minnows and nine on brass and glass with a purple laminated senko fishing the weed line in about three to five feet of water. You could see many four to eight inch bass in the grass along with sun fish and crappies. After I picked up my wife we headed out for the Ranch house. We trolled the shoreline all the way up to the vineyard in approximately fifteen to twenty feet of water with crankbait that went from one foot to ten feet down. We saw alot of bait activity. My friend Daryl also saw bait activity and he was by the ski school and he said they were bass chasing the minnows. He told me he had a good day fishing. He caught a number of bass and one trout. When we reached the vineyards I decided to fish in deeper water then usual thirteen to fifteen feet. The water temperature was 67.5 degrees and the water was slightly stained. I only fished brass and glass so the fish could hone in on the sound of the brass hitting the glass and it was productive with larger fish then I had hit early in the day. I am waiting for the surface bite to break open which should be very soon. It was not to bad of a weekend and should only be getting better and better. 'til next week....................................good fishing!!!!!!! www.fishingconnection.net If you have any stories you would like to share please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.

    Tips: Any week top water I hope will break wide open,,,THEN LET THE FUN BEGIN,,,traces are there.YOU guys and dolls make me proud when i read your emails that what i tought you are resulting in catching fish on your own.love to give advise by phone even to those that have not gone out with me before.




    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    City: NAPA

    Tips: 67.6 sorry for previous error

  • By

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: From: Phil Constantino (phils4day@gmail.com)
    Add contact
    Sent:Mon 10/15/07 12:18 PM
    To: phils4day@gmail.com





    I am finding out that everyone may not have received this communication from our attorney following our day in court last Friday. If you have received this again I am sorry. For those of you that have not received it...I sent it out late Friday evening.

    Phil Constantino PIO
    Berryessa For All

    Subject: Fwd: BFA v. BOR Court Hearing


    Good Evening:

    The forwarded e-mail was sent to Dan Adams, the reporter from News10, who covered today's court hearing at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Dan has devoted substantial time in covering BFA's challenge against BOR at Lake Berryessa.
    (See http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=33876 ).

    This message is forwarded to you to provide pertinent details and a general summary of the issues that were addressed at the court hearing today. Although Judge Illston's preliminary assessment of legal issues was unexpected and surprising, please understand that the judge has taken BFA's motion under submission, which means that the court will be further reviewing the matter before issuing a ruling.

    Thanks to everyone who took the time and made the effort, despite inclement weather conditions, to attend today's court hearing. I am quite certain that BFA's strong presence made a favorable impression on everyone who was present in Courtroom 10. BFA is now not just a name but its positive purpose is connected with real people with pride and dignity in preserving a rich tradition of family and social values at Lake Berryessa.

    Best regards.

    Frank

    Iwama Law Firm
    67 Wessex Way
    San Carlos, CA 94070-1740
    Tel: (650) 591-6200
    E-mail: frankiwama@gmail.com



    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    From: Frank Iwama < frankiwama@gmail.com>
    Date: Oct 12, 2007 9:53 PM
    Subject: BFA v. BOR Court Hearing
    To: Dan Adams < dadams@news10.net>
    Cc: Phil Constantino <Phils4day@aol.com>


    Dear Dan:

    Thanks for your coverage of today's court hearing before Judge Illston at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Your report portrayed the human-interest side of BFA's case, which you accurately captured in your news story and video segment of the plight facing long-term permittees at Lake Berryessa.

    As you reported, the court's preliminary assessment of legal issues in the case is captured in your News10 byline: "Time Running Out for Berryessa Residents." Nevertheless, Judge Illston did carefully listen to counsel for the parties, which is precisely the reason for oral arguments at the court hearing. After listening to counsel, Judge Illston did not immediately rule on the pending issue before the court (the issuance or denial of a preliminary injunction) but instead decided the matter required further review and took the case under submission before the court's decision is issued.

    The court's initial assessment appears to be related to the pending expiration of current concession agreements at Lake Berryessa. The reasoning is based on the premise that without a concessionaire there would be no resort for the continuance of long-term sites on the federal estate at the Lake. It should be noted that the concessionaires are presently engaged in litigation against BOR contesting the new bid process in the U.S. Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. (Frazier, et al. v. United States, U.S. Court of Claims, Case No. 07-636 C). Developments in that case and the outcome of the litigation, independent of BFA's case, could affect the status of current concession operations at the Lake. Moreover, existing Federal law and BOR regulations authorize the issuance of short-term concession contracts to existing concessionaires, and the issuance of short-term contracts after the expiration of current contracts.

    As I reported this morning to the court by submitting documents and requesting judicial notice, BFA came into the possession of documents from the official administrative record for the concessionaires' case late last night and early this morning that clearly documents that BOR did not fully comply with NEPA and environmental requirements. This goes to the heart of BFA's case challenging BOR's violation of NEPA and Federal law, thus supporting the legal position that BOR's June 2, 2006 Visitor Services Plan Record of Decision (VSP ROD) is flawed and must be overturned. If the VSP ROD is invalid, then the effective lake management policy is the 1992/1993 Reservoir Area Management Plan (RAMP ROD), which clearly authorizes long-term permittee uses at Lake Berryessa. (Contrary to BOR's contention, there is no prohibition against long-term permittee uses as a matter of BOR policy except for the language in the 2006 VSP ROD mandating the permanent removal and/or demolition of trailers and mobile homes at the Lake.)

    Please review the duplicate set of documents I provided to you this morning (the same documents that were lodged with the court for judicial notice). If you look at Exhibit D attached to the Plaintiffs' Reply brief in the concessionaires' U.S. Court of Claims case, you will find admissions by BOR officials in e-mails acknowledging and admitting that there are NEPA and environmental issues relating to the removal of permittee trailers/mobile homes and personal property that are not addressed in the 2006 VSP Rod:

    E-mail from/to Cathi Bailey, Outdoor Recreation Planner BOR Mid-Pacific Region, to Bruce Wadlington, BOR Chief Consultant, 9/28/2006, Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Mitigation FAQ: "How will the contractor(s) know they need to plan (and propose in their bid package) removal and clean-up of things like retaining walls? This type of clean-up/rehab will probably require 404 permits, NEPA, etc. so it won't be cheap and easy. Is this just a 'given?' I wouldn't think so since it impacts the financial capability and viability." (Emphasis added). [See Exhibit D, BOR-0033/41153].

    E-mail from Pete Lucero, former Park Manager Lake Berryessa and current BOR Area Resources Manager, to Vernon Lovejoy, Mon., 25 Sep 2006, Subject: Re: Mitigation FAQ: "A problem we have with removal of pads, retaining walls and other supporting devices such as footings for decks and trailers is that we do NOT want the owner to remove these items because of the potential for group disturbance, broken utility lines, the need for Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, permits associated with demo activities etc." "This is a direct result of our experience at Pleasure Cove where retaining wall and concrete removal would have had a negative impact." (Emphasis added). [See Exhibit D, BOR -0034/41154].

    Letter from Janet Rogers, Park Manager Lake Berryessa, to Bob and Butch White, Rancho Monticello Resort, August 16, 2007, Subject: Project Request for Personal Property Removal at Site M203: "If it is anticipated that more than minimal ground disturbance will occur during the removal of the personal property..., then the requestor will be responsible for ensuring that all appropriate mitigation measure are taken..." " Various studies which are necessary to determine potential environmental impacts as a result of excavation to the site beyond more than minimal ground disturbance..." "The studies could include an assessment by a certified archaeologist and a biologist. In addition, this may lead to a consultation for determination of impacts from the State Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council on Historic preservation..." (Emphasis added).

    BOR's June 2, 2006 VSP ROD and FEIS for the Solano Project - Lake Berryessa does not address any NEPA and environmental issues relating to the the removal/demolition of trailers/mobile homes at Lake Berryessa, which is in violation of NEPA and Federal law.

    Your work in covering BFA's challenge against BOR at Lake Berryessa is greatly appreciated. Please contact me if you have any questions. Best regards.

    Frank a. Iwama

    Iwama Law Firm
    67 Wessex Way
    San Carlos, CA 94070
    Tel: (650) 591-6200
    E-mail: frankiwama@gmail.com No message is selected

  • By

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Attached in the below items in word processor format. to expedite this and at no cost, but just five minutes of your time it is imperative that you send this email or by fax to BOR Denver



    1. Download the attachment

    2. Open the file BORQuestionnaireE-mailOctober11th.doc

    3.Scroll to the questionanaire area and on each question place a XX behind your choice or suggest yellow highlighter off the tool bar over the word agree or disagree

    4. At the end fill out the Name Address and information toidentify you.This is your elecavtronic signature method.

    5. Recheck that you have checked all boxes and signature elements are correct.

    6.Save the File

    7. Copy the Questionnaire off your tool bar.

    8. next write an email to

    E-mail: landuserulecomments@do.usbr.gov or

    Fax: (303) 445-6470


    9. Email subject LAND USER COMMENTS

    10. TEXT BLOCK Paste the questionaire into the email block it should contain your checks and signature.

    11. You may want to make a copy of the email before it is sent for your records or file

    12. Send the email

    13. If you cant handle all the above print out the attachment, cut the questionnaire out and use pen and ink, circle the agree or disagree and snail mail it by October 16th next Tuesday to the address of BOR



    United States Department of the Interior

    Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Federal Center

    Attn.: Richard Rizzi, Mail Code: 84-53000 Phone: (303) 445-2900

    PO Box 25007, Denver, CO 80225



    it must be postmarked if sent by mail by Oct 16th



    Important make sure if you have other family or friends or supplemental list you notify them ASAP and ask their assistance prior to Oct 16th. we need to flood the BOR Denver office with emails on this matter

    ________________________________________________________________________________________



    Henry (Hank) A. Howard
    700 Fleming Ave. E.
    Vallejo, CA 94591
    hazmatking@aol.com
    707-645-8367
    Retired Fire Chief
    BerryessA For All Co-Chair
















    Land Rights Network

    American Land Rights Association

    PO Box 400

    Tips: Help save the lake

Sunday, October 14th, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished Berryessa from 830-300 started out fishin rocky points with topwater drop shot and crankbaits. got nothin. at 100 moved to grass flat and caught some on zulus over grass in about 10-12 ft.
    City: San Francisco

    Tips: I really tried to push topwater but I didn't get one bite. I didn't get anything on points either. On grass flats the fish were really keyed on shad. I started with a creature and eventually switched to a zulu and imeadiately got bit. I also tried a spook on the flat and didn't get bit. Topwater is still not on.

  • By

    Water Temp: 77 plus

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: After Friday's rainfall Saturday morning was sunny and the fishing was pretty good.
    While I was waiting for my wife to join me I fished in the back of my favorite cove
    and caught fourteen fish, three on topwater, two on minnows and nine on brass and
    glass with a purple laminated senko fishing the weed line in about three to five feet of
    water. You could see many four to eight inch bass in the grass along with sun fish and
    crappies. After I picked up my wife we headed out for the Ranch house. We trolled
    the shoreline all the way up to the vineyard in approximately fifteen to twenty feet of
    water with crankbait that went from one foot to ten feet down. We saw alot of bait
    activity. My friend Daryl also saw bait activity and he was by the ski school and he said
    they were bass chasing the minnows. He told me he had a good day fishing. He caught a
    number of bass and one trout. When we reached the vineyards I decided to fish in deeper
    water then usual thirteen to fifteen feet. The water temperature was 67.5 degrees and the
    water was slightly stained. I only fished brass and glass so the fish could hone in on
    the sound of the brass hitting the glass and it was productive with larger fish then I
    had hit early in the day. I am waiting for the surface bite to break open which should
    be very soon. It was not to bad of a weekend and should only be getting better and
    better. 'til next week....................................good fishing!!!!!!!
    www.fishingconnection.net If you have any stories you would like to share please
    email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
    City: NAPA

    Tips: Any week top water I hope will break wide open,,,THEN LET THE FUN BEGIN,,,traces are there.YOU guys and dolls make me proud when i read your emails that what i tought you are resulting in catching fish on your own.love to give advise by phone even to those that have not gone out with me before.

Friday, October 12th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 68

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Ditto!! Yesterdays trip to Berryessa was very similar to Monday except for numbers - 31 bass, 1 crappie, and one TROUT?!! I really enjoyed showing my clients how to fish the DUH! spoon and they both caught bass for the first time using that technique. Drop-shotting Basstrix flashtrix minnows was just as effective as the previous trip. Biggest bass was a largemouth (skinny) a bit over 2 1/2 lbs. We found two more schools of shad in the narrows and that was the key. Last trip targeted the 38 to 45 foot depth, but yesterday the bass seemed to be around 45 to 55 feet. That was interesting since it was cloudy most of the day. I thought the bass might move up. The black shad 3/4 oz Duh spoon was again the top producer, but morning dawn also worked well. The smelt colored flashtrix 4" minnow was best drop-shot bait, on a #2 Gami EWG hook. We always looked for the steeper banks where the creek channels were close by.
    City: Yuba City

    Tips: During both of my Berryessa trips this week, I cautioned my clients to keep their rod tips closer to the water. If you are spooning or drop-shotting and you get bit with your rod tip too high, the lifting style of hookset you need is hard to accomplish when the power of the rod kicks in while it is over you head. The power of the hookset needs to be at the 9 to 11 o'clock position. Sometimes I work my rod in too high a position and loose fish because of it. It was really fun yesterday to again watch the line rise when lifting the spoon and sinking when dropping it. It is so cool when you drop you rod tip and the line just freezes in place. I love it! Just reel down and set!!! I noticed on my Lowrance X-26 some bass off the bottom so I lifted the spoon about 8 to 10 feet off the bottom and twitched it. That worked too! Spooning is usually best during bright conditions. Yesterday afternoon however, as heavy cloud cover built in, the spooning got better. Interesting.

  • By

    Water Temp: Our Day in Cour

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: [ Our Day in Court Is Finally Here.]

    This reminder is to all the BFA Members and Supporters, our day to show unity to the News media, and most important to the Presiding Judge has finally come. We BFA Members have the most dedicated day to show our love of Lake Berryessa,and the memories of family Happyness, making this our special Holiday to win for all the years of pleasure. We want the Judge and the News Media to Be overwhelmed by the turnout this day of who we are, and that we represent the Love of Lake Berryessa. We are the public, we have paid to use Berryessa for everything, we have kept Berryessa Clean, and have always respected its Beauty. NOW it is our time to show others we care, and want to continue to be part of Lake Berryessa Future, to show your Children, Grandchildren, and friends that we are grateful for the Berryessa experience. For BFA Members there is no bigger Day on the Calendar than OCT. 12 , 07 in the Federal Court in San Francisco. I would never want to stand in front of my family and say, I couldn't make this day because something else was more important than the Future Of Lake Berryessa for my family. I Will always remember this saying'' Nothing is Free in Life, and if you truly want it you must Go after it". The people who need wheel chairs, Walkers, Canes please bring them, we will make sure you get up front in the court room. Make us all proud that we have fought for equal rights, and will not let the BOR take them away from Us. Remember a Victory here will set the BOR back on their Heels. WEAR YOUR BFA TEE SHIRTS. Check with Denise about the Bus Trip to the Court House.
    Thank you,
    Berryessa For All

    Original Message -----
    From: Denise Trevor
    To: Denise Trevor
    Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 9:48 AM
    Subject: BFA -BUS TO COURT IMPORTANT INFORMATION


    HELLO EVERYONE AND THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT WHILE I WAS ON A MUCH NEEDED VACATION.


    THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE BUSING TO THE COURT HOUSE FRI OCT 12TH. TO SAN FRANCISCO.


    WE WILL HAVE TWO PICK UP LOCATIONS:

    ONE WILL BE AT THE SPANISH FLAT VILLAGE (WERE CUCINIA'S AND THE CANTINA ARE) PICK UP TIME WILL BE CONFIRMED ON MONDAY.

    THE SECOND SPOT WILL BE THE VALLEJO ELKS PARKING LOT IN VALLEJO. 2850 REDWOOD PARKWAY. RIGHT OFF HIGHWAY 80. VERY EASY TO GET TO. THANKS TO VINCE FOR HIS SUGGESTION.


    IF YOU HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED ME I HAVE YOU ON THE LIST. IF YOU HAVE NOT YOU NEED TO ASAP FOR HEAD COUNT AND BUS SIZE.

    SO FAR LAKE SIDE THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTED ME:
    PIERCE
    WAGNER
    STUBBS
    BAXTER
    GILMORE
    CRADDOCK
    PALMQUEST
    MILLS
    COPPLA

    VALLEJO SIDE
    GONZALEZ/DODDS
    HOWARD
    REYNOLDS
    SERIVENS
    HUMPHRYES
    SMITH
    TORRES
    HAAVISTO

    IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION AGAIN, THE TIMES FOR PICK UP WILL BE CONFIRMED ON MONDAY AND I WILL CONTACT EVERYONE. I WILL BE HOME ALL WEEKEND AND YOU CAN CALL ME ON MY CELL AT (925) 642-6087. REFRESHMENTS WILL ALSO BE SERVED AND WE ARE ASKING A $10 PER PERSON DONATION TOWARDS THE BUS COST.

    THANK YOU TO ALL THE GENEROUS PEOPLE WHO CANNOT MAKE IT AND THERE DONATIONS TO HELP OUR FIGHT AND OUR DAY.

    WE ARE UP TO APPROX 38 PEOPLE.

    TALK WITH EVERYONE SOON,
    DENISE







    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

    -----------------
    Forwarded Message:
    Subj: BFA v. BOR Court Hearing (Friday, Oct. 12, 9 AM)
    Date: 10/2/2007 1:02:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time
    From: frankiwama@gmail.com
    To: Donnandonl@aol.com, hazmatking@aol.com, denise.trevor@gmail.com, srenz@surewest.net, Phils4day@aol.com, Billferrera@msn.com, mas@defendergroup.com
    CC: Bobm@rtmigliore.com, vinceh@vjhaavisto.com, delwag@earthlink.net, SKinder874@aol.com, hcolette@hotmail.com, Dgpierce6@sbcglobal.net, SherriD2152@aol.com, Kmullen007@yahoo.com
    Sent from the Internet (Details)



    BFA v. BOR COURT HEARING
    U.S. District Court, San Francisco
    450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
    Hon. Susan Illston, Judge, Courtroom 10, 19th Floor
    FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 9:00 AM


    TO: BFA Steering & Coordinating Committees

    FROM: Frank Iwama, BFA General Counsel

    RE: BFA v. BOR Court Hearing, Friday, October 12, 9:00 AM (U.S. District Court, San Francisco)


    Please note the court calendar for U.S. District Judge Susan Illston for Friday, October 12, 9:00 AM:

    Hon. Susan Illston, U.S. District Court Judge

    Courtroom 10, 19th Floor

    U.S. District Court (ND Cal), 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

    Calendar for Friday, October 12, 2007, 9:00 AM







    Friday 10/12/2007

    09:00 AM
    (r)C-06-7657.e JIYOUNG MOON v. FEDEX KINKO'S
    Plaintiff's Motion to Certify Class


    -----------

    09:00 AM
    (r)C-07-0908.e UA LOCAL 342 v. RAMCON CO. INC.
    Reserved for Motion of Entry of Default (no further dates set)



    -----------

    09:00 AM
    (r)C-07-0259.e BERRYESSA FOR ALL v. U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
    Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction
    Defendant's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings



    -----------



    For your information, the following is a brief biography of U.S. District Judge Susan Illston from the Federal Judicial Center:

    Illston, Susan Yvonne
    Born 1948 in Tokyo, Japan

    Federal Judicial Service:
    Judge, U. S. District Court, Northern District of California
    Nominated by William J. Clinton on January 23, 1995, to a seat vacated by Barbara A. Caulfield; Confirmed by the Senate on May 25, 1995, and received commission on May 26, 1995.

    Education:
    Duke University, B.A., 1970

    Stanford Law School, J.D., 1973

    Professional Career:
    Private practice, Burlingame, California, 1973-1995. (Cotchett & Illston)

    Race or Ethnicity: White

    Gender: Female

    Directions to the U.S. District Court in San Francisco:
    http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/CAND/FAQ.nsf/840afa494a77a59388256d4e007d54ff/1a7e3fde71ffdb3e88256ebc0055acf2?OpenDocument


    Please calendar BFA's court hearing on Friday, October 12th at 9:00 AM at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

    Please contact me if you have any questions. Best regards.

    Frank

    Iwama Law Firm
    67 Wessex Way
    San Carlos, CA 94070-1740
    Tel: (650) 591-6200
    E-mail: frankiwama@gmail.com

    --
    Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee named above and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly unauthorized and prohibited. If you received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender by replying to this e-mail or by telephone (650/591-6200). Thank you.
    City: Our Day in Court Is Finally Here

    Tips: Our Day in Court Is Finally Here

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 70

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Early fall did come for my clients and me - on a holiday Monday no less! We started at 7 am out of Markley Cove and basically stayed in the narrows all day. There wasn't much activity on the shoreline, which is no surprise this time of year. We targeted small coves with creek channels until we found some shad. Bingo!! I first tried the 3/4 oz white ghost Duh! spoon. That is what they wanted. Insane bite!! I switched my clients to a drop-shot rig, using a Basstrix 4" flashtrix plastic minnow. Bingo again! They struggled getting them in the boat for some reason - especially one of the guys. Dropping the rod tip is always the problem. They were hooking bass so fast for an hour that it didn't matter how many they lost - they landed plenty! I later tried a 2 oz spoon with poor results - they wanted a slower fall rate. One of the guys landed 2 crappie that were mixed in with the bass - one a nice one about 1 1/4 lbs. We fished as far as the mouth of the narrows, catching one here and there. One guy was throwing his drop-shot rig to the edges of weedlines in Wragg Canyon and actually caught 2 bass - maybe 3 or 4 feet of water. We caught around 27-28 bass and the two crappie. We also hit for the cycle - largemouth, smallmouth, spots, a hybrid bass, and crappie. The only downside was their size - nothing over 2 1/4 lbs - maybe a limit of 9+ lbs. Beautiful sunny day for people but not for feeding bass.
    City: Yuba City

    Tips: As the previous posted mentioned, cooler water will be a blessing - it was still 70 yesterday. Bass are working the bait, but mostly offshore. Quality topwater fish should be available as soon as the water dips into the mid-60's. The jig bite will soon follow. Fish drop-offs in the 20 to 35 foot range when the water cools. One might try a rip bait soon, early and late. They do work in the fall if the water remains clear. Not many people talk about that. Also, think about 6 and 7 inch Robo worms - and the same for Berkley Power worms. You don't need 4 inch worms in the fall if you are looking for quality bass. Good luck!! Finally, lets hope the court situation goes well on Oct 12th. I have fished Berryessa since 1962 and I count it a privilege to visit the lake all these years. Lets hope the court renders a solution where the "folks" win!

Monday, October 8th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 69

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Iwent out first light in the morning and looked for surface activity and found them with no greeds around. I immediately threw top water baits and hooked about six. Smallies and spots mostly.Half an hour later I started spooning and I hooked fish after fish for good five hour straight. Mostly small fish ranging from 10-18 inches. The bite fineally died early afternoon so I headed out to the east side to my favorite spot and I could see them crusing the shallows. I then threw top water and flukes and caught a bunch of fish. bite slowed down so I went back to my spooning spot inthe evening and caught about twentfive more bass. Funny thing though I was catching Mostly smallmouth, spots,largies and bunch of those hardheads. I also tried dropp shotting and caught a coupple os dozen bass. Over all I couldn't ask for a better fishing trip. It was simply a awesome day. I never caught so many bass in my life! I've caught close to 180 bass that day. From 7am to 7pm.
    City: san mateo

    Tips: Loook for surface activtity in the morning. thats a dead give away! Graff the area, try the usual spooning and drop shot. When spooning deep water thumb your spool so that your spoon will fall a little slower. stop the spoon about every ten feet or so . The fish sometimes will bite when you stop the spoon from falling.

Saturday, October 6th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 68

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Slow day overall. Caught 6 bass and 1 channel cat b/w the 3 of us. Carolina rigged 4" robo worms around points and inside of coves. Areas we tried ranged from Markley Cove, the Big Island to Spanish Flat. Towards days end started to witness schools of bait being thrashed by schools of bass! Casted topwater for only a couple of bass. They were definitely there, but didn't seem to take a liking to anything we threw at 'em.
    Good luck & fishing to all
    Allan
    City: San Francisco

    Tips: No real good patterns established.
    Wait for the real fall turnover

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007

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    Water Temp: 71

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I took myself to beautiful Berryessa yesterday to check on the fall bite. It really hasn't happened yet as the water is still above 70 degrees. That may change this weekend! I did a lot of looking around since the lake hasn't been this low in years - about 23 feet. I really tried to get the topwater going but they were mostly up to 1 1/2 lbs. I did spoon a few and the rest were drop-shotted and split-shotted. No real worm color stood out. I used the Basstrix flashtrix minnow for my drop-shot fish. I caught all three species but the biggest was only a little over 2 lbs - a largemouth. I did get a hit on a Huddleston swimbait, but I missed it. I arrived about 10 am so as to fish the evening bite, but the cold front wind really spoiled my plans. I saw some small fish chasing bait in the narrows, but no quality. Just waiting for the water to cool.
    City: Yuba City

    Tips: I found most of my 18 to 20 bass on structure relating to the shore and some off-shore ledges and island tops. As usual, finding the bait is a key. Any finger of land jutting off a point - that has a deep ledge or dropoff - around 20 to 40 feet deep, is a good place to start. Berryessa has hundreds of points that really go nowhere - shallow running points. Look for something steep. Bass will suspend off the many walls at Berryessa too. They will take topwater - soon!!!!!

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007

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    Water Temp: 68

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Took some new bass fisherman out today and we struggled with only 3 over 12 inches. So I decided to run and gun covering a lot of water and looking for school bass. We found some and they were feeding on shad. Wide open spoon bite for 30 mins. caught over 25 fish, could have caught more but I was popping the fish so they could swim back down.
    City: San bruno

    Tips: Fall days could be a hero or a zero. Look around a lot with your electronics.

Sunday, September 30th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 70.4

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: In the last weekend of September the water has cooled down to seventy degrees and the lake is down about twenty-three feet. I went out with Joe on Friday early morning and there was a definite chill in the air. Our first stop were the points by the BOR. This fishing trip (besides catching fish) was to show Joe some good fishing spots that continually produce. The main part of the lake was mostly whitecaps so our plan was to hug the shoreline heading towards the vineyard. We trolled past a great spot and Joe brought in a nice 2 lb bass on a crankbait that only goes down about a foot. We pasted another point by the Ranch house and he hooked another bass. We decided to try throwing plastics at the vineyard. Joe used brass and glass with a dark senko and after a few misses he landed another bass. We tried our luck behind Big Island and then our last stop was my favorite cove where Joe caught a nice size crappie. On Saturday Mike and his wife Jeri joined me and we fished only the west side of the lake due to extremely high whitecaps. They learned how to use brass and glass, crankbait, and topwater baits and have confidence now after landing their first fish. That evening Nadar and his cousin joined me along the rock wall of my favorite cove. Nadar third cast landed a nice bass. He used a double jointed six inch Rapala. It was so cold that evening that we headed in early. The boys fished from the dock when we got back and landed a seven pound catfish. The following morning I caught a kokanee on a crankbait along the rocks. As you can see it's starting to lose it scales and turn a little red. I think the lake will start to turn in the next four weeks if this cold weather continues and then the fishing should get better and better. 'til next week.................good fishing!!! www.fishingconnection.net If you have any fishing stories you would like to share email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
    City: Napa

    Tips: get dressed warmly,in the sun still has a chill in the air,reaction bait best this week.

  • By

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Went out for the first fall trip of the year on the lake. Not the best conditions full moon, north wind and post front, some times you just have to take what you get. Went to the only calm water I could find on the main lake, the north wast side. Caught 6 fish in the first hour all on top water largest around 2 lbs. Made the move into the creek and was glad I did not many fish 5 total but the quality was good 2 over 4 and lost one over 5 all on top water. Moved out to the main lake and tore them up on a spinnerbait another fish over 4 and a bunch in the 2 range. 18 fish total with 5 best going 16.5 lbs.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: Found alot of bait very shallow but maybe because of the conditions the fish were very scatterd. With the fish not being grouped up yet reaction baits were the wat to go and cover as much water as you can.

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 72-76

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: A buddy of mine began the day trolling for kokanee,trout & salmon, but had a slow time at it. Decided to fish for bass late in the afternoon. Started with dropshot along dropoffs and spoons near docks at Spanish Flat. Not much doing either. However, @ 5:00pm the shade started to creep alongside the west banks. So switched over to topwater. That was the ticket. Action progressively got towards WFO! At one point we were both hooked up with doubles.
    Finished the day w/ over 20+ fish. Mostly small grade LM's and SM's.
    City: San Francisco

    Tips: Poppers and Sammy's near shorelines with steep slopes and inside coves and docks

  • By

    Water Temp: 75 degrees

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: I took my Bro and his girlfriend out for the day.
    late start from Markley. headed for the straits and fished the coves in that area. Very slow. Used Bass Trix smelt and boated 3 fish. Lost one
    really nice bass. No clue on weight, but judging
    from the tug he was a nice one!
    City: Esparto CA

    Tips: Next trip will stay out of the coves and fish the points around the lake. Seems to me that last year at this time was also very slow! Hope the early rains will help PERK things up.

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    Water Temp: 74/76

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: STARTED OUT OF MARKLEY COVE AT 0630 AM TRIED MY USUAL SPOTS WITH CRANK BAITS/TOP WATER NO TAKERS IN THE COVES MOVED TO DEEP POINTS WITH ROCKS MANAGED FOUR FISH ALL DAY CAUGHT ON SENKOS LARGEST 2PDS WITH SIX DINKS NO ADVICE THIS TIME.
    City: ANTIOCH

Monday, September 3rd, 2007

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    Water Temp: 80

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Labor Day weekend has come and gone. You can see at the Big Island all the aluminum boats going for kokanee, trout and salmon between 55 and 80 feet. You can see the fisherman on the shorelines going for catfish with the bells on their rods. It was an extremely hot weekend and I choose to fish from the marina in the shade for carp, catfish and bass. In the evening the crappie were coming out hitting on minnows according to my friend Tony. George and his sons caught some carp in the evening and some huge catfish. Your best bet for catching anything was in the evening when the sun went down. I trolled in my favorite cove with my new jointed Rapala and caught six bass in less then two hours no size to speak of but it was fun. Hope the weather starts cooling down so we can get back to some serious fishing soon. These guys (see photo) caught their first carp at the dock with me and learned a little about being patient. When that 24 inch carp hit his bait and took off with it we had twenty minutes of fun as he brought the fish in. It took a combined effort of all three to land the fish and they did a great job!!! 'til next week....................................good fishing!!!!!!!!
    www.fishingconnection.net If you have any fishing stories you would like to share please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at
    650-583-3333.
    City: NAPA

    Tips: after the sun goes down more comfortable to fish