Irvine Lake yielding lunker trout, offers free Saturday morning seminar

I fished Irvine Lake recently with my brother and we caught one fish between us, and lost another. Turns out we missed an early-morning bite by about one hour.

While we didn't see anyone but ospreys catching trout, we did find a big crowd at the cleaning table, with some impressive specimens.

Just once I'd like to be there when the bite is truly on, and maybe someday I'll latch onto one of the monster rainbows they stock in the picturesque reservoir atop Silverado Canyon -- like the beautiful fish Tim Williams of Orange landed on New Year's Day (pictured).

Williams' trout, caught on a Rapala near Rocky Point, weighed 15 pounds, 4 ounces. Since then, the lunker parade has continued. A few examples: Jason Allingham of Corona caught a 14-2 rainbow on a Panther Martin near the dam; Don Tucker of Irvine caught a 14-2 on a Panther Martin at the red clay cliffs, and Ty Wythey of Tustin caught a 13-8 on Power Bait at Trout Island.

Irvine Lake's Pro Staff would like all visitors to catch fish so it's offering a free seminar Saturday from 8-10:30 a.m. Marlon Meade, whom I've fished with numerous times in the Eastern Sierra, is the lead instructor and will cover techniques for trolling, bait fishing and jig fishing.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (714) 649-9111 (I should dial that number right now), and be sure to ask about the Martin Luther King Tournament Jan. 17-20.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Tim Williams of Orange shows off a 15-pound, 4-ounce rainbow trout caught on New Year's Day at Irvine Lake. Credit: Irvine Lake

Comments

[bigdeal]

fat slobs catching stocked trout is not fishing, it's just lame. I wonder how the native species in that lake are faring?

[justin spanier]

It's time to go fishing !! that's one big lunker.

[Tim]

It a man made reservoir there butter breasts. What native species are you concerned with? Stupid Tool!!!!