Another week gone by, another week of exceptional fishing in the high country. Anglers found plenty of big fish on the chew again this week along with good numbers of pan sized rainbows courtesy of our friends at the California DFG. The fish were quite literally biting all over the lake this week, in fact I can't think of a time when the fish were so evenly distributed along the dam, the west shore, the east shore and the channel by the island. Trophy fish in the 4+lb range were caught from shore by the launch, the dam, the Rock Slide, Buck Tucker Cove, Roger's Cove, the island channel and even at the Long Lake inlet this week.

Largest fish landed was a huge 8 lb beauty caught and released by South Lake staffer Brett Powell originally from San Antonio, TX using a cricket colored mini-jig. Also notable was a hefty 6 lb 7 oz 'bow caught by Tim Carnahan of Sky Valley, CA trolling a CD7 Rapala near Roger's cove.

Mini-jigs or trout worms of various colors accounted for most of the trophy fish this week. Grasshopper, cricket, red, bright green, white - pretty much all of the colors are working. The fish did seem to be a little less impressed by the pink and orange colors this week and the natural colors took over as top producers. After the sun sets the fish started hitting the brighter colors. The bigger model Alpers are chewing in the middle of the day or afternoon - so much of a morning bite on the big fish this week.

Lures tossers did quite well this week, especially on rainbow Kastmasters, red/gold Buoyant and the Brown Trout pattern Tasmanian devils. The fish are stacked up close to shore right now so boaters fishing lures fished parallel to shore about 20ft off the bank really did well.

For the bait anglers its hard to beat any of the Garlic Powerbaits right now with the Rainbow color being the most popular. Worms fished under a bobber or inflated off the bottom has been another consistent producer.

Trolling isn't wide open but it certainly is picking up with small Rapalas, Thomas Buoyant and Tasmanian Devils delivering. Most of the fish are cruising the shoreline so trolling close to shore on top has been best.

The water level at South Lake has leveled out and stopped dropping but its still too low to launch most larger boats. Smaller boats in the 12 - 14ft range can use the launch ramp if they are very careful. A few larger boats have attempted to launch but folks should remember that there are concrete blocks at the end of the ramp and we've seen more than one private boater damage their axle launching in these conditions. As always, use of the launch is at your own risk. Boaters are reminded that parking at the lake is at a premium and trailers must be disconnected and put in the trailer parking or they can be cited.

Photos:
Photo # 1:Tim Carnahan of Sky Valley,CA with a 6lb 7oz beauty caught at South Lake trolling a CD 7 Rapala.
Photo # 2:"Fish Story Lori" Carnahan with a 4lb 8oz trophy 'bow caught using a Grasshopper mini-jig
Photo # 3:ke Ashworth of Temecula with a 4lb 8oz Alpers caught using a Thomas Bouyant
Photo # 4:The Ichino family from Pasadena, CA with a 4.3lb Rainbow caught using an orange powerworm in the island channel at South Lake