Excellent Adventures

Bulletin Board Message

 

The Excellent Adventures “Bulletin Board” has been temporarily shut down.  Since the “Bulletin Board” was an open forum, which did not allow us to control who or when someone would post a message; in recent months we have received a tremendous amount of unwanted and uncontrollable “SPAM”.

Although you will not be able to post a message, we would be happy to hear from you and will post your messages and comments to this page; just send us an email and we will attach it here.  email address.  algofish@softcom.net

 

Please check back, we will be posting fishing information and conditions periodically. 

 

Before the Fly Fishing Show in Pleasanton, we will be posting a message regarding the conditions and outlook for Kelsey Bass Ranch.

 

Thanks for your understanding,

Al

Archive Bulletin Board/Fishing Report - 2007      2008    2009    2010

 

 

 

Feb 19th , 2011– Kelsey Report – Saturday was perfect weather. Water temps were a cool 52-54 degrees, and the bite was very soft. I managed a decent number of fish, with nothing larger than 3 1/2 - 4 lbs. Most fish were caught in approx. 10' of water, but I did hook a few in 3-5'.brians

March 10th, 2011 - Kelsey Report -daytime conditions – high 68 degrees, no wind.  The lake is full, off color from recent rains, about 2 foot of visibility, surface temp. 58 degrees.  Bass are holding in 5 to 7 foot of water,  a few bass observed in the creek arm.  Look for the pre-spawn activity to begin in a few more weeks.  Heavy rain predicted this spring! Al

April 2nd, 2011 - Kelsey Report - From your reports leading up to the event, we were a little skeptical for our time frame, yet still hopeful based on the warming trend throughout the week. We did pretty good considering the incoming cold front. Caught most fish just a few feet from the shore, mostly top water. Fish were back in the shallows. Dean and Ken fished the point next to the BBQ/covered area extending towards the dam and were rewarded with a couple of fish  early on. Drove over to the creek arm where the pump is located and slammed a few nice fish on frog patterns near the dead lily pads- it is still structure. August did well on frog patterns on the big north flats area and olive dragon fly nymphs  cast parallel to the shoreline the afternoon. Alan said the water temp along the dam was 58 while the water temp in the cove closest the parking area as you drove in on your right was 64-66. August introduced Debbie to the small pond as you come and she was rewarded with a couple nice size bass on a frog pattern Jack landed nice one as well. Jeff had success in the cove just past the parking area. No one fished the dam, although Alan had cruised by it with no results. Weather was perfect for fishing, but another 10 degrees warmer and a calmer breeze would have made for better catching/fish activity. Still too early for the vegetation growth on all counts. Top flies were frog patterns, dragon fly nymph and zonkers. Dean did catch three on steelhead flies or purple articulated leaches of all things. No visible active damsel hatch, same for the dragon flies. I think we only saw one adult all day. The damsels take did hatch were found hunkered down in the grass along the lake, but not on the water. The wind died down after we packed it in. No one was disappointed with their day spent on the lake. Even newcomers to bassing with a fly were pleased with the experience.

April 16thth, 2011 - Kelsey Report - Delta Fly Fishers Annual Outing - warm weather and no wind led to a perfect day at Kelsey.  Some of the usual attendees managed to land 15 to 20 bass.  Little top water action.
May 14th, 2011 - Kelsey Report - We had eleven members attend. Given the very unusual weather that was coming in the following day I did not have high expectations.  When we arrived, the wind was blowing quite strong from the north.  I went to the north side and started fishing about 7:45 and caught my first fish after about five casts using the Umpqua Swimming Frog.  I waded the whole length down to the water pump house, finishing at about 11:30. I caught nine fish ranging from 3 to 5 pounds.  I went back to the launch area to have lunch with the group.  Most people caught fish. A lot using the Umpqua Swimming Frog. During lunch the wind subsided and by the time I got to the spot I was going to fish in the afternoon it was almost down to nothing.  It stayed that way, all afternoon. After lunch I went to the South section along the exit road. I got to the water about 2:00. Here I used my float tube. Within 15 minutes I had five fish, and in one case three fish on three casts.  I fished that whole bank and ended up with 17 fish.  Again very large fish in the 3-5 pound range.  Water temperature taken at two locations at different times of the day indicated about 68°. Clarity was good. bking

May 28-29, 2011 - Kelsey Report - Memorial Day weekend the Kaweah Fly Fishing Club (KFFC) didn’t get into any top water fly fishing bass action.  Too much wind and too many white caps.  A freak storm front blew in and dumped rain on us, but the heavy wind was worse.  Some guys were using anchors, that didn’t hold and were dragged across the lake.  2 of the 3 boats broke trolling motors trying to hold position in the wind, the 3rd boat pulled out early, tired from being beat up by the wind.  Almost everyone caught a bass, though.  Many converted to spin gear as fly fishing was tough with the high winds.  Fly gear has its place, so does spin gear.  A mother brought her son.  She said he would be playing video games the whole day and not fish.  We put him on the dock and showed him how to cast.  After a bit he caught a good size bass.  Everyone was at the table and rushed out to see him and his bass.  He really liked the attention and his catch.  After that, he got the incentive to fish all day, skipping lunch.  The kid is a confirmed bass fisherman now. david

May 28th, 2011 - Kelsey Report - "My family and I traveled to Kelsey Ranch for the first time this weekend with the Kaweah Flyfishers.  The weather was alternately sunny and cloudy, warm, then cold, windy, then rainy, but it was a great experience for my son, Jonathan, age fourteen, who had one fishing lesson, then caught his very first fish soon after.  Thank you for providing a place to make such a special experience happen for my son." Jill

June 11th, 2011 - Kelsey Report - I arrived at Kelsey about 8:15 and parked at the last water wheel on the West side. I was wading by 8:30.  I landed my first fish at 9:00 and a second one about 9:05.  By 11:30 I had landed nine fish all in the 4 to 5 pound range using the Umpqua Swimming Frog.  Fish were in water that was about crotch deep and typically on the far side of the weed line.  Only maybe one fish was caught in shallower water against weeds.  After lunch I went to the small pond on the West side and landed six fish ranging from 2 to 4 pounds.  I returned to the main lake and fished subsurface with little action.  I left at about four o'clock. I never did get into my float tube and essentially waded or fished from the bank all day long.  There was no wind in the morning and gentle breeze in the afternoon that got stronger later in the afternoon. Water clarity was excellent, and the water temperature in the shallows was about 78°.  Weed growth was significant but not deleterious to fishing. Air temperature got into the mid-80s. Many Dragon and damsel flies in the air.  Definitely a memorable day for top water action. bking

June 22nd, 2011 - Kelsey Report - I fished Kelsey yesterday (Tuesday, 6/22/11). it was one of my best days there. I started about 8 am where air temp was a cool 92. It increased to a balmy 105 in the pm. Seriously, it didn't seem that hot, maybe because of the slight breeze and maybe heat doesn't bother me too much anyway. Fishing was great from the start on poppers fished close or in the weeds. True, I had to check my poppers for weeds almost every cast. I started fishing with a popper with a weed guard but missed so many hits that I switched to a regular popper. (The poppers pull out easily from the weeds anyway, but still a pain). If there are any small bass in Kelsey, I didn't see them. All the fish were 4 lbs +. I don't know why. Being so big, the fish didn't jump much but fought it out on the bottom and the weeds.
Water temp was 90 (!) in the PM a few inches below the surface in one of the shallow coves.
I will say, as typical at Kelsey, fish activity was hot and cold. Very good all AM. Nothing from about noon to about 2. Then unbelievable from 2 to about 3:30 and then quickly shut off. This last shutdown maybe because the breeze really picked up and there was a substantial ripple on the water which may have made it tough for the bass to see the hovering dragonflies but who knows.
I left about 4:30. I probably landed maybe 30-40 fish, and again all big, but had many, many more hits. dwight
July 1st, 2011- Kelsey Report - Fishing was so good at Kelsey the previous week, I went back last Friday, July 1. The temps weren't as hot this time - the air temp reached about 100 in the PM and water temps were in the 78-82 range near the surface. I started at about 8 AM but only picked up one fish (on top) until about 10. Then the dragonflies came out in force and action was very good on poppers and other top water flies from then until I broke for lunch at about 1PM (my mistake - I should have continued to fish!). I will say the strikes were a lot more aggressive than last week - maybe because the water temp was about 10 degrees cooler? Again, the fish were all very good size. After lunch I walked over to the small lake to the west but no fish for me. I really didn't fish it hard - only about 10 minutes on the east end with poppers. I went back to where I fished in the AM expecting to pick up where I left off but by now there was a significant chop on the water from the breeze and a lot fewer dragonflies and no fish jumping. I didn't feel like fishing buggers so stayed with top water flies but the fish weren't looking up any longer. I assume the evening would probably be good but I was too tired to stay. I left about 4:30. While driving out, I talked to a couple of spin fisherman fishing the southwest side using top water lures and they had only taken two fish in the PM. dwight
July 8th, 2011 - Kelsey Report - It looks like summer has definitely arrived at Kelsey- the bass were jumping and chasing dragonflies as we started fishing about 8 AM so we were optimistic.  Unfortunately, unlike the past month the bass were very selective this time and weren't really interested in anything that wasn't hovering a foot or two above the water.  I mainly used top water flies and Jim used subsurface flies but we had about the same results at the end of the day - probably landed 8 or so fish between us and most of these were in the morning hours.  Jim did take a huge bluegill on the last cast of the day.  Air temp was in the 90's and water temp in the PM was about 82 a few inches below the surface in one of the coves (Jim thought the water felt like in the 70's and he might have been right so I should check my thermometer).  I tried the small lake to the west again in the early afternoon but nothing was happening on top over there.   We left about 5 PM so I don't know if the evening bite happened. Weeds and algae are challenging right now when fishing near the shoreline as we have to clear the flies frequently. dwight

July 2011 - Mulege  Report -  Despite the lack of clients this year, Kathy and I made the trip anyway.  Very good to EXCELLENT dorado fishing from July 1st to July 14th.  Very good dorado fishing from July 17th to July 21st.  Stormy weather July 22nd to July 24th, kept the pangas in port.  Only small broken pieces of grass no paddys. Very few, if any, American tourists, most Mexican's on vacation on the road or fishing.


 



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