What a difference from last weekend! The recent century mark temperatures have kept the Park quiet this week. According to the weather guessers we are due for some relief as early as Wednesday next week. Look for continued clear, smoke free skies and early morning and late evening breezes. The Lake level has dropped again and is presently 12 feet below spill; controlled release will take it down another 2-3 feet by the end of next week. Water at surface measured 78 degrees and 74 at the 20 foot mark. Water clarity is good to 12 feet.

Trolling: Trout continue to show up in 30 to 50 feet of water at the Mouth of the River, up the arm as far as Columbia, the Narrows and along the Barrel line in the south end. Kokanee are showing in the same locations but far deeper, set your downriggers at 70 to 100 feet. This week Kokanee prefer RG blue spinners and pink tubes along with Uncle Larry's copper pops and pinkies all drug behind Sep's 3.0 chrome, watermelon and silver/green 3.0 dodgers. Reportedly the Trout continue to prefer worms behind flashers as of late.

Recent Success Stories: Joe and Tiffeney Comento of Sunnyvale got this 3.71 lb Largemouth Bass cruising around in the Rec Area. William Henselman got this nice limit of Kokanee near the Rock wall using Uncle Larry's at 60 to 100 feet near the Rock Wall. Jeff and Liz Parady from Pope Valley left with 2 limits of Trout weighing 13.5 lbs. They were trolling night crawlers and Pink Ladies 20 to 70 feet down in Twin Coves. All the Kokanee I saw this week are firm, feisty and not exhibiting hooked jaws or losing scales as yet!! Congratulations to all-well done!!

Bank Fishing: Not many bank fishermen braving the heat wave this week but as temperatures begin to fall they will be back. Keep an eye on the reappearing "mud hole" saw a large school of recent planters making lazy loops through the deeper midsection of that area. I might try a few casts with a Kastmaster right past their noses. Power bait balls, maggots and night crawlers get the nod from the more successful bank anglers. Hanging down from a surface bobber or floating up from the bottom on a sliding sinker, both are working well. Chartreuse, white and rainbow are the preferred power bait colors.

Bass: Some good size Bass caught along the Rock Wall, Copper Cove, Wanda's Cove, rocky points upriver and some right in the Recreation area behind the Marina!.

Catfish: Lots of cats in the coves from Mel's to Rattlesnake in the south end, chicken liver is the bait of choice. Catfish simmered in tomato sauce with black olives, roasted red peppers and cooked artichoke hearts served over pasta-nothing better!

Trout Plants: As of today The Department of fish and Game has planted 3000 lbs, Pardee Lake has planted 49,600 lbs with more plants scheduled.