The special stocking of big rainbows, brown trout, and steelhead for the MLK holiday weekend paid off big time, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "All the big fish that were stocked, combined with the pre-frontal conditions, created an environment where a lot of big fish came to the scales", observed Getty. "We had 8 fish over 10 pounds this week, topped by a 13-4 rainbow. We also had the biggest brown trout in a couple of years at 9 pounds and a 12-pound steelhead, along with a whole lot of quality rainbows in the 2 to 3-pound range."

Local guide Hubert Zimara of KFGS Fishing guide service nailed a limit of nice steelhead to 3 pounds for his client. The hot trolling lure for them was the Rapala Countdown CD07, with rainbow trout-color being the standout producer. Irvine Lake Pro Team member Bob Halal audited the shore anglers during the holiday weekend. "For shore anglers, it was important to get it done early; the PM bite didn't materialize", said Halal. "The water is extremely clear, and 2-pound test leaders were a lot better than 4-pound test. Best leader length was 12 to 18 inches, and relatively short casts worked best."

Halal added, "Shore anglers at Woody's Cove, the west shoreline, and Boat Dock Cove all caught fish. Going over to Trout Island in a boat, then getting out and fishing off the point is also a good trick. The hot PowerBait colors were chartreuse and rainbow garlic."

Trollers continued to do well along the west shoreline, mid-lake, and Santiago Flats. Top trolling choices include firetiger-color Jointed Rapala J07's, pink X-Rap Shad XR06's, and chartreuse/red Rapala Ultralight Shad ULS04's. Not many bass anglers were out this week, but those in attendance reported good action on 2 to 5-pound largemouth on dropshot-rigged plastics and crankbaits at the Red Clay Cliffs and Santiago Flats. No hybrid stripers or catfish were checked in this week, but Chris "Trollmeister" Hagopian weighed in the largest bluegill since last summer, a 1-3 monster.

The Kids Lagoon saw only a handful of families with children age 12 and under show up, with decent action on 1 to 3-pound trout. Surface temperature on the main lake is 53-55 degrees, with the water level receding a few inches per week. Underwater clarity is variable, ranging from 3 to 10 feet. Mornings have been chilly this week, be sure to dress in layers that can be removed as the sun comes out around 11 AM.