Wildfire Smoke: Haven't seen blue skies the entire week due to all the fires burning throughout the state. Temperatures have come down from last week and are in the mid 80s to low 90s. Everyone is hoping for some breezes to clean out the air but not strong enough to fan the fires. Cools a little in the evening but not as much as last report. The Lake level may have dropped one or two feet and should be about 8 feet below spill. Water at surface measured 78 degrees and 72 at the 20 foot mark. Clarity is still good to 17 feet. Trolling: The bite remains good, but you are gong to work at it and spend some time locating the fish according to those I spoke to this afternoon. The starting locations remain unchanged, the River Mouth, Rock Wall and all along the River Arm up to Indian Rock with the Dam and the Narrows as alternates. Some hook ups along the barrel line in the South End but the majority of folks are heading up the River Arm where the water is cooler. Uncle Larry's, Sep's and the fluorescent red Midge Warbler in reds, tiger and greens along with Hoochies are working well. Hoochie colors are fluorescent reds, greens and pink. Most are adding dodgers to the mix also. Some boaters are tying up to the Dam and some of the Coves, still fishing and doing quite well. Trollers report downrigger depths from 15 to 50 feet, sounds like fish are moving around looking for the cooler layers of water.

Bank Fishing: Continued activity behind the EBMUD boat house, Rainbow Point and for the few that are willing to hike over to Stony Point Landing shortly after the plant before the fish figure the way out to the Lake proper. The high water level has made the hike to the water line shorter and the shade structures much closer to the action. 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. Look for catfish in the coves and behind the Marina now that the weather has warmed up, stinky chicken livers are irresistible.

Recent Success Stories: Bawv Moua of Sacramento got this 7.73 bass using a Berkeley minnow at that secret location known only to the bass brotherhood! Galen Weeks of Las Vegas beat the odds and got this 13.9 lb catfish over in the Woodpile with a worm. Congratulations to all-well done!!

Trout Plants: As of today The Department of fish and Game has planted 3000 lbs, Pardee Lake has planted 38,600 lbs with more plants scheduled.