Take A Look At These Spectacular Photos Of Los Vaqueros

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Los Vaqueros E-mail Newsletter September,2016

Wow! Take A Look At These Photos

Local Wildlife and Landscape Photographer Marc Crumpler sent spectacular photos he took on Sept. 1.

Marc has taken impressive photos of the Los Vaqueros area before, and these are on par with the memorable shots he has shared with us in the past.

Here's how he got these shots:

He left his home in Livermore at 4:30 a.m. to be ready for the sunrise and drove to Morgan Territory on the ridge above Los Vaqueros and hiked in.

"I had checked the weather forecast the day before, so had a pretty good idea there would be low clouds and fog over Los Vaqueros," he said. "The tricky part is you never know how far the low clouds will flow in over the reservoir. Seems like every day is different. A couple of times I was unlucky when fog covered everything. On this day, conditions were almost perfect. I was above the clouds and it was very clear instead of hazy as it can be in summer."

You can see more of his photos, including from this remarkable shoot, at his website.

Tarantula Hike and Presentation Friday Evening

We’re starting to see tarantulas out at the watershed, which is always fun.

On Friday night, you can learn about the gentle giants and see why we only see them in the fall. Find out where they live, what they eat and how they survive. Take a moderate slow hike of less than two miles to look for tarantulas.

Meet at the John Muir Interpretive Center at 5 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 16.

Of course, wear comfortable shoes, bring water and a snack, and dress for the weather. Participants should be age 8 and older.

Walk or Run in the Los Vaqueros Tarantula Run Oct. 15

This will be the ninth edition of the run, the largest public event at LV every year. We’ll have the “Spider Scramble” for kids, and races of 5K, 10K and a half-marathon. Brazen Racing will manage this year’s race, to register, www.brazenracing.com

'Imagine A Day Without Water'
Take a Look at Our New Video

CCWD is joining hundreds of water agencies in Imagining 'A Day Without Water' Thursday, Sept. 15. Take a look at our new video that demonstrates the District's unbreakable promise to reliably provide clean, healthy and safe water to our customers.

Los Vaqueros
Activity Guide

TARANTULA HIKE & PRESENTATION
5 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept.16
John Muir interpretive Center
See above

STARGAZING: FALL EQUINOX
8 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23
Kellogg Creek Picnic Area
At this equinox, day and night are approximately equal in length. Join NASA Education Ambassador Jeff Adkins to learn about the seasons and search the sky for celestial wonders. Telescopes will be available and participants may bring their own. Dress warmly.

BIRDS OF FALL
10 a.m. to noon
Saturday, Sept. 24
John Muir Interpretive Center
Join Naturalist John Mottashed on an easy hike down Kellogg Creek to observe birds of the watershed. Species we may encounter include fall migratory birds just stopping by and those that live here year round. Binoculars and bird field guide recommended, but not required. Some guide books and binoculars will be available.

FREE FISHING CLINIC
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 1
Los Vaqueros Marina
Learn everything you’ve wanted to know about lake fishing. From bait and knots to trolling and cleaning, our experienced staff will provide tips to help you reel in the big one. Clinics are tailored to participants’ skill levels. Open to all ages. Come with questions.

See our complete LV Activity Guide for activities through December

Directions to Los Vaqueros

Call the Marina at (925) 371-2628 for more information.

Striper Fishing Derby Starts Oct. 1

Experienced some of the best lake fishing in the Bay Area and win great prizes. The derby will run the entire month of October with prizes going to the three largest stripers caught. Registration -- $5 – is required and participants way weigh up to the legal daily limit of two per day at the Marina.

Hours shorten on Oct. 1

As the days get shorter this fall, so do the hours at LV. Starting Oct. 1, our new hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m, with boats due in by 4 p.m.

Our current September hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with boats due in by 5 p.m.

The John Muir Interpretive Center near the dam is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Los Vaqueros Fishing Report

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Summer fishing is finishing up at Los Vaqueros with small striped bass very present along with trout and catfish.

For the first time in nearly two months, we stocked trout with 1,000 pounds from Lassen on Sept. 1. Weather conditions will determine if we will be able to plant again in the near future, but we’re expecting to plant again later this week.

The reservoir is currently storing 122,000 acre-feet of water, 76 percent of capacity. Pumping has resumed and will continue into September, so the water level will continue to rise. The water temperature remains at 69 degrees. Our water clarity is fair to good with the cooler weather and the winds breaking up much of the algae.

The windy weather pattern is settling down, but we still see plenty of windy days. If you are looking to rent a boat, it is a good idea to call ahead at (925) 371-2628, check current conditions, or look at a forecast for the Livermore-area that is pretty close to our weather.

We’re seeing rattlesnakes regularly, so be sure to check your surroundings.

TROUT

Fishing for trout continues to be good even with the increased water temperature. They are being caught in South Cove and Oak Point as well as Peninsula Cove. The baits of choice for shore anglers are garlic-scented PowerBaits, nightcrawlers or Kastmaster lures. Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. There was a 1000 pound Lassen trout plant on September 1st. There will be a plant later this week. Light tackle is important for catching trout with 4-6 pound test being plenty. Trout fishing is still decent, especially in the morning, with limits being caught from around the reservoir and a number of 2’s and 3’s showing up.

With boats, we are getting reports of fish being caught in Howden and Peninsula coves. From the shore, the most popular bait has been by garlic-scented PowerBaits followed by nightcrawlers and Kastmaster lures. There is no need for line heavier than 6 lb test. Fish are still coming out of South Cove and from past the Rock Wall.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout although there still are many sightings of largemouth near the boat dock and adjacent fishing pier and along the Rock Wall. We planted 6000 3-4 inch bass on August 18th. Senkos have been seen catching some nice fish in that area. Keep in mind that largemouth need to be 12 inches to be kept. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. If you catch any of undersized fish, please release them gently and allow them to grow up.

STRIPERS

Shakers continue to be the main action with striped bass. We are still seeing many undersized fish being caught for every keeper. The fishing pier by the Marina has been particularly good. From shore, cut anchovies or shad is the bait of choice. Just a reminder, stripers need to be 18 inches or more to be legal. We are still seeing more dead undersized stripers around the dock as anglers are being careless with how they release the undersize fish. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery.

CATFISH

Catfish are hit or miss with fish being reported out of Cowboy and South coves. For those wishing to target catfish, nightcrawlers and chicken liver are the best choices of bait. We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus).

GENERAL

Whopper Mug rules are: Trout now must be eight pounds to receive a mug, striped bass need to be at least 10 pounds and catfish is 12 pounds or more. Largemouth bass remains at 5 pound and must be released. ONLY a photo with a scale or a measuring tape showing the fish being at least 18” will count.