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Trinity Lake and Reports

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Saturday, May 19th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 62+

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished with clients on Thurs and Friday. Thurs trip was pretty much like fishing in a washing machine with high winds. Caught a few fish and the back-seater, Jack may have caught a lake record, but it had to be released as it was caught outside the mouth. I'm guessing it would have topped 250 lbs and was caught on a ball jig just above the ear. Watch your backcasts guys.
    Fridays trip was much better fishing as the wind didn't come up till 10:00. Showed the guys how patience really pays off when fishing topwater. They caught some pretty good smallies on top and a few fish on cranks before the washing machine conditions started all over again.

    Tips: Hope the Cottonwood and Chico clubs will let us know how they fared this weekend.

Thursday, May 10th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 60+

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished with a bunch of OLD friends today(81 year old Dewey was the spry one). Had a great time. Gave em all a chanch to watch smallies doing the dance. I schooled Bud a little on bed fish but the best fish came in deeper water. Young Dewey lead the way today with a 4-8 smallie. Several smallies of 3-4 lbs along with a 4+ black on a crankbait made it worth their while to tow their boat over the hill. I like nothing better than to take a kid fishing, but sometimes taking a bunch of old-f*rts out ain't half bad either. Now if I could just get them to get up before breakfast, so they wouldn't miss the best part of the day.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: Thanks guys for getting me away from the real world for a day.

Sunday, May 6th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 57

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: The 4th Jason Fisher Memorial Scholarship Tourney started out with clear skies and wind hard enough so ducks didn't even want to fly. 8 teams faced extreme conditions wind wise, and bite wise. Richards and Milovic lead the field with 4 blacks weighing over 21 lbs. They had LM lunker at 6.60. Sexton and Coyle finished 2nd with a great Shasta limit. Highlight of the day for me was 13 yr old Tyler Price's 3.24 Smallie Lunker. Which earned him Pizza money for a month. Tyler was fishing with his Grandad whose butt he soundly kicked. Way to go Tyler. Many thanks to the Prices and the Fishers who cooked up a tasty Barbeque after the event.All in all a fun day considering the conditions were much better for surfing than fishing.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: The next tourney will be June 9th, which is the day before the ABA tourney. For you ABA guys, it'll be a great chance to earn a few bucks while practicing, and at the same time support a good cause. There must be someone out there that can school Milovic and Richards a little. Sign-ups will start at 4:00 AM at the Trinity Center Ramp.

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: The next to last Jason Fisher tourney is this Sunday the 6th. It'll be the same deal as before with kids in their own tourney. Only difference is that we'll be weighing in at 1:00 and there will be dogs and burgers for all after the weigh-in.
    City: Weaverville

Tuesday, May 1st, 2007

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    Water Temp: 59

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Being laid up with the flu for the last few days, I watched the weather report this morning and saw that it wasn't going to rain until late this afternoon so I headed for the lake. Launched right at 8:00 and while I was parking the truck it started raining. Being tougher than a bag of hammers, I went anyway. I have no idea why, but I love fishing in the rain. As long as the rain gear is working, there is nothing better than being on the lake when there is a soft, quiet rain happening. I knew it was going to be a special day when I pulled into the cove just North of the Wyntoon flat and there were 2 Osprey sitting on the tops of the dead willows. We talked for a minute and I convinced them to let me get some good pics before they went about their business. I didn't have much luck around those willows. I guess a bass watching those Osprey lurking above might have gotten a little nervous. I moved North and fished some beds that I had found the last time out(but didn't fish) and found that the the cooler water temps had sent the big guys down to be replaced by 12" dinks. That makes at least 4 times that the smallies have moved up, that I am aware of, only to be put back down by the weather. I did check on several 4 lb. males in a quiet cove who were doing the dance last Sunday and they were still in place doing there fatherly duties. Whether they were guarding eggs or fry, I have no idea. Either way I gave them my best and moved on.
    I love fishing for bedding smallies, it's the closest thing to hunting you can get while fishing. But if you happen on a bed with 2 fish on it, back off and watch. Chances are if you throw something on it, you'll just spook the female and then the poor male will just have to herd her back on the nest, which is absolutely fascinating to watch. Any time I see this I think back to the good old days in the back seat of a 1960 Chevy. At that point I have so much sympathy for the poor guy, knowing what he's going through, there's just no way I'm going to throw anything in there. It would be just like a cops flashlight to him. A huge part of the sport we call fishing, involves the opportunity to be outside and watch nature in the raw. With bass fishing becoming all about tournaments and weights, I think all of us need to get out once in a while and reconnect with old Momma Nature. I spent 5 hrs on the water today, caught a dozen or so fish, the biggest about 2.5 (there's that weight crap again) and it was absolutely one of the best days I've had outside for a long time. Of the 5 hrs, I might have fished for 3. The rest of the time I just watched. The only thing that could have made today any better is if I hadn't fished at all.
    City: Weaverville

Sunday, April 29th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 59+

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Had a fun day with a newby bass fisherman. Showed him how to deal with spooky bedding bass and he caught about a dozen with the largest almost 4 lbs. Other than the nesting smallies, wood in the water seemed to be the key. There isn't much of it, and all the fish in any given area are really keying on it after the sun has been on the water for a while.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: Patience!

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    Water Temp: 58-61

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: fishing was tough saw many on beds but they never attacked when you put a worm or grub on it they swam away.

    Tips: try the flats and TD minnows worked good but the bite was slow. white spinner baits didnt work.

Tuesday, April 17th, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: just wonted to know if the fishing is any better there yet
    City: cottowood

Saturday, April 7th, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: After several days of tough fishing conditions ( clear, flat water ) The 3rd Jason Fisher Memorial Tournament started out windy and rainy. Just what Trinity fish love. Dave Richards and Butch Sanborn proved that Trinity fish love inclement weather by bringing in 4 cookie cutter Largemouth that weighed 27.13 lbs. Big fish was 7.80 and second big fish in their bag was 7.75. Too bad they couldn't get a kicker. They culled a 3.5 Smallie, which would have brought their 5 fish limit to over 30 and a half lbs. That 4 fish limit shattered any previous 4 fish limit on this lake that I'm aware of. As soon as my computer recovers from the last power surge there'll be pics. All those fish were caught by 7:30 by Richards, and he was still shaking at the 2 PM weigh-in.
    City: Weaverville

Sunday, April 1st, 2007

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    Water Temp: 51

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished on Sunday, no dock in yet (what a bunch of BS)we can put a man on the moon but cannot install one stinking dock. So that's how my day starts. There were 8 boats in the parking lot, 7 in the ball park (what a zoo). Ended up catching 2 smallies, and loosing one 4+ lb. largemouth. Ripbait, senko, swimbait. The fish seem to shut down when the wind quits.. I hate this lake sometimes, it will make you a hero one minut and just crush you the next.
    City: Local

    Tips: Fishing sucked and I hope you like it crowded.

Thursday, March 22nd, 2007

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    Water Temp: 50+

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: The current lake level is 30' from the top. There is still some snow up there but it is dissappearing fast with these warm days. I doubt there is enough to fill the lake, unless we get late storms like we did last year. I just got off the phone with the folks at Alps View and apparently the Forest Service is once again proving it's ineptitude. The new dock is supposed to be delivered today and as soon as it is in place the launch ramp will be better than ever and ready to go. The only problem is that the Parking lot is torn up. It seems the Forest Service signed contracts with asphalt and concrete companies, and then proceded to redesign the project several times over the winter. It appears they studied the project to the point where they ran out of money to build it. Best guesses for when it might open range from Memorial Weekend to 4th of July. At this point if anyone at the Forest Service had any common sense, they'd grade the gravel and open it. You will seldom see "common sense" and "Forest Service" in the same sentence. Maybe a few dozen calls to the Weaverville Forest Service Station (530-623-2121) will light a fire.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: By the way, the fishing has been good. The warm weather has brought the fish shallow and the reaction bite is on....

Monday, March 19th, 2007

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    Water Temp: N/A

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: John,

    Can you give us some information on the water level? With the lack of rain down south here I am a little nervous on how the lake level will be this summer? I will be up there in June for a small tournament.(I am sure we will meet then)
    and again in September for a family vacation. It is
    my hope that the Trinity Alps ramp will still be wet for both events. Speaking of Trinity Alps.
    Have they re opened the ramp yet? Last September
    they closed it to refurbish it and add docks.

    Hope all is well,

    Thanks,
    Mike
    City: San Jose

Sunday, March 11th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 46

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Here are the results of the Mar 10 Jason Fisher Memorial Scholarship Tournament. Only 7 boats showed and the fishing was very tough, but, as usual someone unlocked the secret. Tim Brady Sr. (of state record smallie fame) and Steve Gildesgard (from Dragonfly Enterprizes Tackle shop in Weaverville) took it all. They weighed in a four bass limit weighing 19.73lbs. Their winning weight included an 8.21 LM and a 5.11 Smallie. Of the 7 teams, only 7 other fish were weighed. Randy McDaniels and Curt Gibson finished 2nd with 4 fish weighing 10.71 and had a smallie well over 4 lbs. Johnny Mac and I had 3 smallies for 7.16. That was it.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: There is a lesson in this. When you find an area that you have confidence in, fish it. Tim and Steve didn't start their big engine all day, and never moved more that 100 yds from their spot.... No matter how hard the rest of us tried to pressure them off of it.

Thursday, March 8th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 46

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Made it up to the lake for a few hrs today to see if my predictions would come true. Looks like things are right on track. A 5 deg increase in water temp has prompted the fish to start back toward the bank. I caught a 6.69 LM and a smallie almost 5 plus a few other good fish. They were in 20-30' and pretty agressive, Can't wait for the tournament on Sat.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: I was fishing pretty slow but the bites were hard. I caught a 3lb LM on a gitzit about 5' from the boat during a rapid retrieve. This opens up a whole bunch of possibilities.

Sunday, March 4th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 41

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: The water temp is back down to 41 after we had a foot or so of snow dumped into the lake. Combine that with the full moon and fishing was tough yesterday. The ramp and parking lot are in excellant shape. Thanks to whoever took care of all that. We are enjoying some much warmer weather for the next few days with a small storm moving in mid-week but it's supposed to be a warm one. Things are looking up for the next Jason Fisher tournament next Sat. The lake has a little color in it so the sunshine forcast for the next few days should get the temp on the rise again. Last year at this time it took 24 lbs. for a 4 fish limit to win and I think things are right on track for some more spectacular weights.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: Snow almost right to the waters edge and a calm sunny day made for a beautiful day on the water even if the fish were a little moody.

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 45

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Ryan, Grab my phone # off my web site and give me a call. For the rest of you guys the report for Trinity is snow!!!!!! We had over a foot so far this week starting Sun. I called off the 1st Jason Fisher Tourney Sat. because of treacherous road conditions. The next one will be Mar 10. I love this lake and it really sucks when I can't get on it when it's at its' very best. I'll let you know when the lake is launchable again.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: At least we don't have to chop holes to fish.

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Mr. Gray, I am thinking of taking a trip to Trinity where I have a cabin. Never fished the lake before. I am wondering what kind of "spoon" you mean for smallies. I am not familiar with that kind of technique?
    City: Sacramento

    Tips: Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Sorry guys this is not a report but a message to Andy who inquired about a Mar 3 trip. The phone # you left was garbled. Please try again.

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    Water Temp: 44

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: After 23 days of no fishing (what was I thinking) I finally got out for a few hours today. The fishing was about what I expected, a little slow but the fish were big. I caught about a dozen from 9:30 to 2:30, with a pair of 5 lb class smallies anchoring a 20lb 5 fish limit, 4 of which were smallies. A georgous day on the lake as I shed my jacket around 11. Only 1 other boat out today and they were having fun with some nice smallies as well.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: Spoons and Gitzits.

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007

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    Water Temp: 46

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished yesterday with my buddy Johnny Mac, and enjoyed a great day on the lake. The bite was really on early. We caught almost 20 keepers before 9:30 with a couple of 4 lb Blacks and 1- 4 lb smallie with a bunch of fish in the 2 lb class. Last year we were catching fish in 40' on deep structure. The last couple of trips the better fish have come out of the 20-30' range, and we're seeing fish much shallower than that. I'm not sure what's happening but as long as I can keep finding them I guess it doesn't matter.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: When you're re-lining in the living room, don't leave the spool where Momma can catch the tag end with the Hoover. Picking a rats nest out of a Chronach ain't nothing like tryin to get 150 Yds of flourocarbon off the agitator of a Vacuum Cleaner. Anyone know where I can get a belt for a Hoover?