Keeping an eye on you favorite fishing hole
Dec 21, 2020 18:16:24 #
Since my early 20's I had favorite fishing reservoir, (It's still there) it's Irvine Lake in Orange County California. I used to fish there regularly when I could see, to set Palomar knots on #16 treble hooks. I never got skunked there, not once. I fished for stocked lake trout there. This lake was closed for some time due to legal political city matters. I never looked into it since it was closed, I'm of the old generation and not computer savvy, to me "Re-boot" in computer lingo meant to think about buying new boots for myself, well you know what I mean.
They finally re-opened the lake. I decided to go fishing there again and invited an old friend to go with me. It was a Monday, We took everything we could think of with us. We got there before the rooster crowed and the gates were already opened, crap, we're late. I drove in, and came to a chain link gate which read "Lake Opened Fri-Sat-Sun only" oh man, I took a shower for that? We're stubborn old farts so we were there again the following Friday. The entrance fee was only $5 and no fishing fishing license required. What?" "quick Get your stuff and lets go before they realize their error" I told my friend. The lake was very low, so we had to hump all of our gear down a dirt and gravel road about 1/2 mile before we got to the edge of the lake. 3/4 of a mile if you want a good spot and 1 mile if you want a great spot. all vehicles are prohibited and no old farts shuttles exist. Not a trout was caught on the famous "West Shore" of the lake that day by anyone. There were only single digit carp caught by some folks using something that looked like baseball size orange rice balls. We were skunked for 5 visits straight to this lake. What? Finally for our 6th visit my grandson looked in the computer and told me " Grandpa, it says that they don't stock trout at this lake, whatever is there, are left overs of when they first re-opened the lake" Jeeeeesssssusssss! Now he read that the week of 12/21/20 they will be restocking it with Idaho's farm trout. We have been vindicated, we are good trout fishermen...maybe.
They finally re-opened the lake. I decided to go fishing there again and invited an old friend to go with me. It was a Monday, We took everything we could think of with us. We got there before the rooster crowed and the gates were already opened, crap, we're late. I drove in, and came to a chain link gate which read "Lake Opened Fri-Sat-Sun only" oh man, I took a shower for that? We're stubborn old farts so we were there again the following Friday. The entrance fee was only $5 and no fishing fishing license required. What?" "quick Get your stuff and lets go before they realize their error" I told my friend. The lake was very low, so we had to hump all of our gear down a dirt and gravel road about 1/2 mile before we got to the edge of the lake. 3/4 of a mile if you want a good spot and 1 mile if you want a great spot. all vehicles are prohibited and no old farts shuttles exist. Not a trout was caught on the famous "West Shore" of the lake that day by anyone. There were only single digit carp caught by some folks using something that looked like baseball size orange rice balls. We were skunked for 5 visits straight to this lake. What? Finally for our 6th visit my grandson looked in the computer and told me " Grandpa, it says that they don't stock trout at this lake, whatever is there, are left overs of when they first re-opened the lake" Jeeeeesssssusssss! Now he read that the week of 12/21/20 they will be restocking it with Idaho's farm trout. We have been vindicated, we are good trout fishermen...maybe.
Dec 21, 2020 18:37:44 #
Dec 21, 2020 18:46:46 #
Dec 21, 2020 19:01:12 #
Dec 21, 2020 19:09:36 #
it's been 40-43 degrees in the mornings these mornings and for most native Californians that is sub-freezing temperatures and it's also Christmas day. It's all shore fishing at Irvine Lake now, no boats, or water craft allowed. I know this lake and I have to do some research such when did they unload the trout and in what area of the lake were the trout dumped. This location is very important to me because these trout like to hang out at the dumping sites for some days before they get their bearings and move out to deeper water. I'll take some photos for sure. The day after Christmas looks good.
Dec 21, 2020 19:34:07 #
MannyGutierrez597_yahoo.com wrote:
Since my early 20's I had favorite fishing reservo... (show quote)
Welcome to the Forum, Manny, Good Luck!
Dec 22, 2020 02:20:46 #
Dec 22, 2020 03:21:57 #
I am not he. I have been in Barstow many times but I do not reside there.
Dec 22, 2020 03:38:53 #
Dec 22, 2020 11:55:47 #
No, I was never there in the 80's. I drove and stopped in Barstow on my way to Vegas many times, that's what I meant to write. It must be another Manny for sure.
Dec 22, 2020 14:11:16 #
MannyGutierrez597_yahoo.com wrote:
it's been 40-43 degrees in the mornings these morn... (show quote)
I did volunteer work at Irvine lake for 6 years. Always had luck on the west shore north of Catfish cove near Horseshoe cove.
Dec 22, 2020 16:11:17 #
Toro, almost everything is gone due to the water level; The Lagoon, West fork, Catfish Tree, Woodies Point. the main boat ramp, all gone. The Horseshoe is a straight line now with a boat ramp on it for Irvine staff only. It's nothing like it used to be, the shoreline is, full of submersed underbrush and weeds you'll snag at every third cast, if not on every cast. The staff is minimal and the store supplies are very limited and ancient. Now with Covid-19 and the reduced attendance, it's not looking good.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.