Portuguese Sardines

VALLEY

• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR — Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp reported trout fishing continues to improve from the banks near the mouths of Angels or Glory Hole coves using Kastmasters, Berkley Power Eggs, Power Bait or crawler/marshmallow combinations. Trolling continues to improve with the fish moving up in the water column with shad-patterned Needlefish or ExCels or the smaller Countdown Rapalas from the surface down to 30 feet. Bass fishermen continue to focus on large schools of shad in the main lake around points holding wood with Carolina-rigged creature baits in green pumpkin or similar crawdad imitation colors. Baby Brush Hogs or Reaction Innovation Sweet Beavers are also working from 30 to 40 feet with a ½-ounce weight. Smaller fish can be taken on 4-inch plastics on drop shot. Catfish have moved into deep water, but some will bite on anchovies, mackerel, sardines, chicken liver or a ball of night crawlers. Crappie and bluegill action continue to be slow with the best action at night under lights at depths from 10 to 30 feet around submerged trees with live small or medium minnows or crappie jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white in Bear, Carson or Mormon creeks. The lake came up a foot to 957.01 elevation.