Thanks to 4,000 pounds of fat rainbow trout in the 12- to 13-inch range, Dick Nichols of Dick's Fishing Charters reported great results with easy limits of mixed kokanee and trout. Kevin and Cade Sherrod of Madera fished with Nichols on Sunday, and they put in mixed limits to 14 inches, catching and releasing numerous fish throughout the morning at Eagle Point and the Island. Nichols said, "The trout have been hitting Trout Busters with a tip of crawler on the back hook and corn on the inside hook, behind Mountain Flashers at about 17 feet deep." Needlefish, Apex and blade crawler combinations also are effective at three to five colors of lead core. Kokanee are found at depths from 30 to 45 feet with Captain Jack's Nos. 1 or 2 Super Hootchies in pink or orange. Nichols has been averaging two kokanee per limit of fish on a daily basis. The fish are moving on a daily basis, making it necessary to cover multiple areas. Nichols advised, "You must search for the fish, and you will find them." Bank anglers continue to score on trout at the Edison Campground area, the Point and roads 1 or 2 with Power Bait and night crawlers, and boat anglers anchored in the Tunnel and Stevenson Creek area have had good success on yearling trout to 16 inches using slip sinkers and night crawlers. Dick Gomez reported tremendous interest in smallmouth bass with crickets. At Huntington, David Burrows of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno reported good action for small kokanee at depths from 15 to 45 feet with Rocky Mountain Tackle's Assassin spinners in pink or orange behind a UV Hyperplaid dodger. Trout to 2 pounds are possible on spinners tipped with a crawler at three to four colors of lead core. There is a large sailboat regatta scheduled for this weekend. Shaver has risen to 94% capacity, and Huntington is close to spilling at 98%. Call: Dick's Fishing Charters 841-2740; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435; Rancheria Marina 893-3234; Young's Sporting Goods 841-8271, 841-2522, 841-2740
Wishon/Courtright
Trout ***
Chuck Crane of the Wishon Village RV Park said Courtright is open and full, and shore anglers and trollers have been scoring quick limits of planted trout. Trolling has been excellent with blade/crawler combinations, Thomas Buoyants or Speedy Shiners at depths from three to four colors. Shore anglers are scoring with orange or pink Power Bait off the Dam. At Wishon, the Kiwanis Special Olympics Derby is Saturday, and there will be loads of trout and tagged trout placed in the lake. Crane said trolling has slowed at Wishon, but the best action has been with blade/crawler combinations or Needlefish from three to five colors. The best option has been shore fishing at the inlets, including Short Hair Creek, with inflated night crawlers or Power Bait with the possibility of landing a 2- to 3-pound rainbow. The streams are still high and very cold, and anglers are advised to pick their locations carefully since the only safe spots have been the deeper pools in Dinkey Creek. The peak flow has passed, and the creeks will be slowing in the coming weeks. Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Brown trout ** Trout **
Dick Gomez of Young's Sporting Goods in Shaver Lake said Portal Forebay remains consistent for planted trout from the shoreline with Power Bait or night crawlers. The inlet creeks of Cold and Mono at Lake Edison have dropped enough for fly fishermen to start picking up brown trout from 14 to 16 inches. Trollers continue to find a few brown trout to 19 inches in the lake pulling Rapalas. Gomez thought the high country creeks would be in perfect shape for fishing within the next week as the water levels are dropping. Edison jumped to at 96%, Florence at 95%, Mammoth Pool at 101% and Redinger at 94%.
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