May 21, 2014 Newsletter

LV E-Mail Newsletter
May 21, 2014
New Stairs Near Dam Ready
North Fishing Area Open
We've completed work on the new stairs at the north end of the reservoir, reopening the fish
area near the dam.
It's still a steep climb down to the fishing area, but a whole lot easier and shorter than it
prior to the stairs.
To fish in this area, drive in through the North Entrance near Brentwood and park
Interpretive Center.
You can walk the trail at the top of the dam over to the fishing area, and then the new st
down to the fishing area.
This area hasn't been fished much, and no boats are allowed nearby. You may have a cha
to catch something really special.
Fishing has been good at Los Vaqueros, and there is plenty of water in the reservoir.
Don't Forget Los Vaqueros in your Memorial Day Plans
New stairs to the fishing area near the dam are now open. It's still a steep climb to the top, b
the stairs mak e the route a lot easier than what it was in the past.
The watershed is ready to start the traditional summer recreation season this weekend.
Temperatures are expected to be warm, so bring lots of water, sunscreen and a hat. It appears
the winds that have been keeping boats off the water the last few weeks will be calming down.
LV Calendar
The reservoir is storing 130,00 acre-feet of water, about 82 percent of its capacity.
It's always best to call the Marina at (925) 371-2628 before you leave home to see if we're able
to rent boats, and to see if boats are available.
1,000 pounds of trout were planted a week ago, and fishing for trout and stripers has been good.
We'll be open our regular hours on Memorial Day, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you plan on hiking, most of the hills are brown, with only a few green slices left in the
canyons of the watershed, and those are fading quickly.
Since this is the third year of the drought in California, most of the wildflowers in the watershed
are now gone. But for those who are looking for a challenging and rewarding hike, the trails near
the South Entrance near Livermore have just been re-opened this week after being closed since
February to protect golden eagle nesting.
Unfortunately, the nest did not produce any young golden eagles.
The good news is that area has not been hiked in a long time, so it could be a great opportunity
for a strenuous and rewarding hike with spectacular views and surprisingly varying landscaping.
See what trails remain closed due to golden eagle nesting.
Look here to see our Trail Guide feature on this five-mile loop. We'd advise getting there early to
avoid the heat, and to bring plenty of water.
Wildflower Hike
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, May 31
John Muir Interpretive Center
Nighttime Discovery Hike
8 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 21
John Muir Interpretive Center
Summer Hours Underway
LV is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Boats due back at 6:30 p.m.
We'll be open with our regular hours on Memorial Day Stay up to date with Los Vaqueros with our Web App
For Your Smart Phone!
Looking for a narrated LV tour on your own time?
Take our podcast tour of the watershed. Download the tour to your smart phone, or pick
up a free player at the Interpretive Center.
The walk is about two miles, and you follow a map and the flags while we tell you about
the animals, and the history of the area dating back nearly 10,000 years.
LOS VAQUEROS FISHING REPORT
GENERAL CONDITIONS We continue to experience some very good to excellent spring fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is around 130,000 acre feet and will mos
likely peak there, and slowly start heading down in the next few weeks. The water temperature is currently 63 degrees. Our water clarity continues to be good on most days.
The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.
We will be open regular hours -- 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. --on Memorial Day.
TROUT
Fishing for trout continues to be very good for anglers fishing with bait and lures in the South and Cowboy coves. Trout average a pound and a half but range up to over 7 lbs. Limits have been
common for skilled anglers. There was a 1000 pound plant from Lassen last week.. Garlic scented power bait in rainbow and chartreuse, orange or white mice tails and nightcrawlers continue to
good choices. Garlic scent on any bait seems to help. It is important to use 3- 4 feet of leader. Using light line also helps; 4 to 6 lb test is plenty. There is no need for heavy weights. Vary your
casting length; most of the time shorter casts are better than longer ones. Throwing lures from shore is doing well with anything from Kastmasters to Crocodiles, mostly in silver, silver-blue and
patterns. Kastmasters were working especially well this last week in South Cove with several 8+ pound fish caught.
Trolling for trout has been slow as the wind has been blowing and few anglers have been out on boats. When trolling, anglers continue to report catching trout in the backs of Howden and Penins
coves. Coating the lures with scent seems to help. Fish are being caught about 5-7 feet down in 15-20 feet of water. Anglers trolling will catch trout on a variety of lures including Kastmasters, L
Jensen Kwikfish, Roostertails, rebels, Rapalas, and Thomas Buoyants. Smaller Rapalas dipped in scent seem to be doing the best.
Boating anglers seem to be doing better catching trout on bait and by casting lures in the major coves. Limits of trout are being caught in Howden, Cowboy and Peninsula coves. Use a bobber o
very small weights. Nightcrawlers or power bait is the way to go. There is no need for line heavier than 6 lb test. We suggest moving every half hour or so until you find some feeding fish.
of 6+ pound fish still continue to be brought into the Marina along with plenty of limits of regular sized fish. Many anglers are catching fish all along the shore with the South Cove reporting the m
fish as most anglers are choosing that cove. Oak Point as well as just past the Rock Wall are producing plenty of trout. We anticipate regular trout plants to continue into summer.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. Some anglers have been working the shore around structure and several bass have been caught and released. Keep in mind that largemouth nee
be 12 inches to be kept. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. A few largemouth were caught and released fishing around the fishing pier and boat dock structure. They are
future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. The reservoir is now full of excellent habitat for the bass so we anticipate this fishery to improve over the coming years.
STRIPERS
Once again this week continued to see more limits of stripers coming out of the lake. Limits of 18-24 inch fish are being seen being caught both off the shore and from boats. Cut anchovies or s
will do the trick when bait fishing. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. We continue to see some under size fish being caught and released. Please release the small fish as quickly and care
as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery. SALMON No salmon were reported this week.
CATFISH No catfish were reported this week. With the warmer weather and warming water temperatures we hope to see an increase in catfish being caught. We encourage and appreciate the
release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus).
GENERAL We are still giving out Whopper mugs. It takes a 5 lb trout to earn a mug, 12 lb striper, 12 lb catfish or a released 5 lb largemouth bass.
Don’t forget to pick up your 2014 State of California Fishing Licenses on sale at the Marina. Fish and Wildlife has been checking fishing licenses so make sure you have one for everyone 16 and
over. We suggest taking advantage of the second rod stamp that is available.
Boats are due in at 6:30 p.m.
Have a comment or suggestion? Give us a call at (925) 688-8175, or send us an e-mail.
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