THE TROUT OPENER IS HERE! THE TROUT OPENER IS HERE!

Friday, November 1 will be the day that Irvine Lake trout anglers finally get to pursue some of the 20,000 pounds of rainbows, browns, and bookies that will be planted just prior to the opener. Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop reminded anglers of a schedule change this coming week at Irvine Lake. "The last day of catfish season will be Sunday, October 27", observed Getty. "We will be closed to the public from Monday, October 28 to Thursday, October 31, to prepare the grounds and stock 20,000 pounds of trout.

"The gates will open on Friday morning, November 1, and after that we will be open 7 days a week for the rest of trout season. Shore anglers should be very happy that the famous 'West Shore Road' is now open for the first time in several years." Getty added, "Catfish anglers still did very well this week, and Marty Sauceda won our season-ending 'King of the Cats' tournament with a 15-8 channel cat."

A pair of free fishing seminars will take place to help anglers catch more trout, the first one conducted by Irvine Lake Pro Team leader Marlon Meade. This seminar will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 6:30-8 PM, at Sav-On Tackle, 9917 Orr & Day Road in Santa Fe Springs [562-864-2911]. Another seminar will be held at the lake itself on Sunday, Nov.2, and will feature the "Bite-On" and "Owner Hooks" pro staff, who will teach kids how to create their own dough bait, and includes hands-on fishing instruction on the lake's shoreline. Registration begins at 6 AM and the seminar ends at noon. The first 20 registrants will receive a $15 value goody bag. Trout anglers at Irvine Lake have traditionally found that ultra-light tackle is the way to go. Bait dunkers usually fish 4-pound mono on the reel, with 2-pound test leader material producing the best catches most days.

Traditionally productive baits include PowerBait in chartreuse or rainbow colors, especially with any kind of garlic scent enhancements. Plenty of trout are also caught on salmon eggs and of course good old nightcrawlers, either whole or cut in half, and usually inflated with air to float them off the bottom. Best areas for shorecasters are usually Trout Island, Boat Dock Cove, and all along the West Shore Road.

Trout trollers usually drag the old favorite Rapala Countdown CD05 in firetiger on 6-pound test line, and often score on a larger grade of fish than those using bait. Favorite trolling routes include mid-lake, Santiago Flats, and along the dam restriction lines.

Anglers will of course still be welcome to chase the lake's other species. Bass anglers in particular should find that their favorite deep structure techniques will produce all winter long. Some huge blue catfish are likely to be weighed in during November, and trouters will see channel catfish, hybrid stripers, crappie, and even bluegill attacking their offerings from time to time. Families with children age 12 and under will find the Kids Lagoon filled with water and freshly stocked with trout for the opener.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Aaron Titleman of San Fernando, 17-6 channel catfish on Bite-On at mid-lake
Marty Sauceda of Costa Mesa, 15-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Ronson Smothers of Los Angeles, 9-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats