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Tenmile Lake and Reports

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Saturday, May 10th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 56.3 to 60.2

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Took the kayak to Cottage Grove this morning and launched up the creek. Fished mostly around the east (campground area) shore. Chased a 2 pounder out of a small woody shallow cove but didn't see any other bed fish or cruisers. Kinda surprising considering the 60 degree temps in a couple spots. Used a jig with a twin tail grub in shades of brown, a dark green chatterbait, a 6-8' deep suspending fat free shad crankbait with no takers. There was another 12-13 boat club tourney and this one launched out of the creek ramp. Got there as they launched the last 2 boats. Didn't see (or hear) anyone land a fish even though there were 6-7 boats fishing that area.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: I'm a little discouraged right now with the fish in this lake. But I'll still be out there trying. See ya out there!

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    Water Temp: right there

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Thanks for the reports/comments Brady and Fender Bender. It's good to know someone is using this website besides me!
    Had another 3 fishless days in one week- the good news is the lull should be over real soon. It never seems to last more than 2 or 3 weeks. I'm taking the kayak out as soon as I'm done with this post. I'm heading for 3 or 4 spots I can't get to from shore anymore now that the lake is full. Thanks for the early B-day present Lee! Should be a great summer of lots of big old swimbait eaters. I can't wait!
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: Keep moving 'till you find the size fish you're looking for. Look for staging areas the big fish use before moving shallow to spawn. Deeper water right outside a spawning (big) flat with a few stumps and you've found a honey hole you can visit year after year. GO-GO-GO-GO....GONE!!!!

Monday, May 5th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 60

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: This report is for Dorina.... We had a club event there May 4th and 5th. 14 fish caught mostly in the grass flats on white spinner baits, fish were in 1 to 2 feet of water. Average was about 2 pounds. Mostly males with a few females caught. Seen alot of large cruisers in the grass flats but could not get them to bite. The bigger ones where on the move. One bed fish was caught during the tournament.
    City: Central Point

    Tips: Fish as shallow as you can. Rip spinner baits through the grass and when it comes free, they will hit it.

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Bass n bob Thanks for the reports. I have family up there and I will be coming up in a couple weeks to fish C.G. You do a great job. Wish more bass guys in Oregon would post.
    City: Trail Or. 97541

Sunday, May 4th, 2008

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    Water Temp: feels right

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Went to Cottage Grove the 26th, the 30th, the 2nd and the 3rd and didn't get a bite. Fished all over the west shore in spots I had been having good luck at. The water has come way up and looks like it will top out this year. It is also very clear. I tossed a white spinnerbait and you could see it a mile away. I also tossed a jig and beaver, a Pointer 100, several crankbaits, brush hogs, even tried a topwater lure. I guess if the fish are gonna go into their just before the spawn lull I'll be forced to go to the Senko and drop shot rods. I never really thought about it but I guess you'd have to say I like to power fish. I feel more comfortable tossing heavier line on stout poles with bigger baits. But I'll do what I have to to get bit. Boats out for sure next weekend- got a couple people that want to go so let summertime begin.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: When I go shore fishing I'll try senkos, a drop shot with a 4.5" worm and a squarebilled shallow crank. And if that doesn't work I'll downsize even further- my 2 year old boys Nemo pole and a 1 1/2" grub!!!!!
    And please don't forget to post a report. I can't be the only bass guy fishin' Cottage Grove or Dorena. Thanks!

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

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    Water Temp: warmer

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Couldn't get the boat out to Cottage Grove this weekend but will hit it on the way to work today. After yesterdays rains my hopes aren't at an all time high but you never know 'till you try.
    Even my 5 year old daughter was a little bummed about not being able to go fishing. So to take her mind off it we put a few new skirts on some old torn up jigs. She actually took a bunch of the leftover strands and made her own 1/4 oz. ballhead finesse jig. Now she's all jacked up about catching a bass with it. Gotta love fishing and the enthusiasm of youth!
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: Don't let crappy weather keep you from good fishing. My best days so far this year were days many people would have looked out the window and slept in. If it's cold so what- put on more clothes! If it sprinkling- get a cheap rainsuit! Bill Dance says it best: The best time to go fishing is.......anytime you can!! So GO!!!!

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

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    Water Temp: oh so close now

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Went to Cottage Grove Lake Friday and Saturday mornings. Fished about 45 minutes at Shortridge and another 45 up Wilson Creek. Only fished right around the creek ramp but fished from the wood at the back of Shortridge all the way out to the main body. Used a spook- mostly for the casting distance, a full size Watermelon Candy brush hog and a medium diving crawdad (Brown, white and orange belly) crankbait. I didn't get a bite so when I moved over to the creek I swapped out the spook for a Pointer 100. The water looked great up the creek but again no bites.
    Saturday morning was a whole different story. I got to the ramp at 6:15 AM just in time to see boat #1 of a 12 boat club tourney nail it! They even left me my favorite parking spot. I hurried over to my starting spot. Ten or 12 casts later I got a 14" 1 lb., 8 oz. male on the craw crank- just loaded up and there he was. Measured and released him and put down the crank rod. Grabbed a rod with the Pointer 100 on it and cast out to roughly the same spot. Two casts later the rod loads up again and this time it's a decent one. It was 16 1/2" long and weighed 2 lbs., 14 oz. with a chubby belly probably full of eggs. Hopefully they'll start moving up this week if the weather stays stable- the water is very clear. Sight fishing Tuesday sounds good to me. But I'd really rather fish for the staging females instead- love to see that rod bow up!
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: Get out and GO, GO, GO. The lake looks fantastic and they're biting! What more do you need? Take your kids too or if it's too cold (or hot or windy) take your dog instead. It just makes the whole experience of bassin' that much more fun!

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

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    Water Temp: not there yet

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished Cottage Grove on Tuesday and Wed.. No fish! Fished the west shore along a steep bank on Tues. with a couple different crankbaits and a jig/beaver. Saw one fish jump in an hour. Also tried the ramp with the cranks but no takers. Wednesday was a lot of fun. Put on every piece of clothing I had in the car- ski pants, sweatshirt, raincoat, gloves and kept my hood up the whole hour and a half I was there and still was a bit cold. The wind was really howling and stirring up some real nice wave action. I thought sure I'd get bit. The wind was coming from the southeast but was as cold as any north wind I've ever fished in. Extremely glad I wasn't out in the kayak- may have needed a wet suit! Used a green jig with a Yamamoto craw trailer just to try something a little different- will tie brown jig back on ASAP. Also used a couple craw crankbaits again. And used a 5" Zoom lizard t-rigged for about 15 casts.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: I'm going with 3 new baits today. I'll let you know how that works out in the next exciting episode of "Can I Catch More Than One Dang Bass Per Trip"? See ya out there.

Thursday, April 17th, 2008

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    Water Temp: want to know

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: I really have nothing to report. I am just an avid bass fisherman heading down to CA to fish Shasta but was going to stop at Tenmile for the first time to test it out. I've heard great stories about the fish and the lake. Can I get any pointers and ?? locations to check out. I want to really experience the Tenmile big bass.Be assured, if I have any success, I will be back and share my experience for others.
    City: Wenatchee

    Tips: This is where I will really need some input.

    Thanks in advance for anyone who responds to my request.

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

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    Water Temp: whatever!

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished Cottage Grove for about 50 minutes this morning. Started where I got the 3.7 yesterday and worked all the way down Lakeside Park. At about 8 AM I got a 3 lb., 6 oz., 18" largemouth on a brown jig with a green sweet beaver trailer. This fish looks great in the photos- nice bulging belly and a good fighter too. Had some red on her tail and looked ready to lay some eggs.
    The lake was dead calm and some spots had 4-6 foot visibility. I had a 12-13" bass chase my jig up to within 3' of shore. I also saw some surface activity out 10-15' from shore in maybe 4-8' of water. That's pretty much a first for this year- at least for me.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: I finally lost my jig that got me 8 fish this year. I knew it would happen sooner or later. I was dragging it along the bottom, felt "something" and set hard. Snapped my 20 lb. Seagaur leader at the knot in the eye of the jig. I probably was due to retie it again but when I ran my fingers down the line it felt smooth so I kept fishing. I'll tie a new leader on before next time out and retie after 2 fish unless I feel a nick in the line.
    The good news was the bass aren't really that picky about color- brown jigs in just about any shade should work. The 2 crankbait fish were caught on a lighter brown with white and orange and a darker brown.

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

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    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Previous report was for Cottage Grove Lake- sorry.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

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    Water Temp: who knows?

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: After a few trips with no bites I finally got another jig fish. I tossed swimbaits for the first 30 minutes with no hits so I moved to a small point along Lakeside Park. On the second cast I lost a swimbait in a submerged stump in about 12 feet of water. I felt good about being able to locate the stump and reach it with a long cast. The good thing is that it was a cheapy bait and not a Huddleston! I picked up my jig rod and made several casts and on what I would have to call my last cast I got a decent bite, set the hook and fought an 18" 3 lb., 7 oz. bass to the shore. Weighed it, measured it and took a good photo and then gently released her. Then made two more "last casts"!
    By the way, there is now about 32' of the 80' boat dock in the water. I just hope we get a bit more rain so it will reach full pool this year. I'm sure the bassin' will be fantastic all summer if it does.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: I'd have to agree with Ed that the senko is a great bait- especially in ponds. But I don't know if I'll ever go again this year without a jig on one rod. I did'nt go back yet and do the math but I think I've caught 10 bass so far this year and they totaled right about 30 pounds. And other than 2 crankbait fish they were all jig fish. Amazingly enough the exact same jig- amazing that I havn't lost it yet considering some of the places I've fished it. And let me tell you that using super glue to hold your trailer to the hook flat works. Eight nice bass on one trailer!

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    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: caught 4 around 11 today. Fishing farm pond outside of salem. All about pound and a half and none were longer than 14".

    Tips: Using a 5 inch senko. Green pumpkin with black flake (best bass bait of all time)

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

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    Water Temp: cool

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished Cottage Grove for about an hour this morning. I got another crankbait fish. This one was 17 1/2" 2 lb, 13 oz. just like the previous fish. Got this one on a craw pattern Big O in 3-4' of water. Banged it off a fairly big rock and the rod loaded up. Sprinkled most of the time I was there but who cares when you're catching something!
    I drove by the ramp to have a look at the water level- it's got about 8' of dock in the water now. A couple of guys were just putting on their rainsuits and uncovering their boat. I rolled down the window to say "Hi- have fun out there." They said it was their 1st time at the lake. I said "I fish it 2 or 3 days a week". They said "Are you bassnbob?" When I said "Yes", they said "You're the reason we're here- we've been reading your reports." I tried to tell them some of the areas I'd hit if I was going out in the boat that day and wished them good luck. I hope they had a fun day. But it does make me feel good that someone is using this website for the reason it's here. To share info and help our fellow fisherman catch some fish.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: I've been trying to alternate between at least 2 or 3 different baits each trip. The last 3 fish all came off different baits but all were craw immitations of some sort. It may seem like the water is still fairly cool especially for spawning but you can bet the bass have noticed that the days are getting longer. They expect fairly warm weather coming up this weekend and I think the conditions are ripe for at least the first wave of spawners to get with it. Or... I could just be overly optimistic by a full month or so. Either way I'll be there.... fishing!
    I'm not the biggest fan of the carolina rig- I have a hard time feeling the bites. But I feel like I should try a 7 or 10" Powerbait worm along the shore where the last 3 fish came from. If they're in there sucking down craws no reason they shouldn't eat a big, juicy easy to catch worm. Just hope I feel it in time to set the hook.

Monday, April 7th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 48 ???

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished Cottage Grove for about 40 minutes today. It was sprinkling the whole time. I fished the ditch spot and a chunk rock bank for 38 minutes with a craw colored rattle trap, a jig and a crawdad colored 10' deep crankbait. No bites. I was ready to grab my stuff and head for work. But then I did what all fisherman do- I said "One more cast!" Tossed the crankbait out across the ditch and cranked it down fast then kind of bumped it along the bottom. On the 3rd or 4th bump the ML action spinning rod I was using bowed up nicely. About 40 seconds later I'd finally caught my first bass of the year on something other than a jig! This one was 17 1/2" long and weighed 2 lbs., 13 oz..
    I can't wait until Mother Nature decides to actually let "Spring" start. I've got a feeling this spot will be a spot that has fish on it at least until mid summer. I have one other spot that's similar but I can't get to it without the boat or kayak.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: I still have only used a jerkbait once and it was a clown pattern (Does anyone actually catch any bass on that color?) I'm all for showing the bass something different but I think the lure manufacturers are laughing at us behind our backs. I'm breaking out the Lucky Craft stuff next trip- the water temps seem perfect for jerkbaits. It's a cool feeling when you go to rip it and the rod loads up.
    If none of my tips work for you then let's load the boat and head for Zapata, Texas and Falcon Lake. One hundred and thirty two pounds in 20 fish- are you serious? See ya out there.

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 47-49

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Went to Cottage Grove in the kayak Saturday morning. Thought I might have a pretty good day but only got one fish. A 15", 1 lb.,11 oz. on the brown jig/beaver. Got it along a 45 degree bank with a bunch of chunk rock on it. I fished from 7:20 until 9:40AM. It was cold and windy with a chance of showers by 10AM so I wore my rain suit. Good thing I did! The wind got worse as the morning went on. The nose of the kayak sits fairly low and I took at least 5 or 6 waves over the nose and into my lap. I have a spray skirt but you can't really fish with it.
    This was my first trip out with my new fishfinder. It's a lowrance Fish Cuda 168 and it works great. I didn't know if I had the transducer level enough to even get a good reading but it worked like a champ. I graphed a lot of fish but most were suspended in the middle of the water column. If I had adjusted my lure choices I'd probably have caught more but I'm a hardhead when it comes to jigs. I tossed a black and blue one in the dirtier water areas and the same brown one that I've caught every fish this year on in the others. I like tossing crankbaits and a DT-10 or a Deep Little N would have put the lure right in their faces. Next trip!
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: I think before I go out in that kind of wind again I may build a drift sock and see how that works. I would paddle upwind of where I'd want to cast and by the time I made 2 or 3 casts I'm dragging my jig too quickly from 50 feet downwind. I really wanted to try a couple of off shore spots but didn't really want to paddle across the whole lake to get to them. After this next storm the lake should be high enough so I can launch my regular boat and hit all those good spots. There was about 2-3 foot of the dock in the water Saturday. I'm trying the jig, a rattle trap (Thanks Lono- but how big were your fish?) and a jerkbait- mainly due to the water temps I saw on Saturday.I'll post again about Thursday unless I really get into them!

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    Water Temp: Low 50's

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: More of a lake report than a fishing report!

    As usual, sping is having a hard time breaking the winter cycle. Weather has been terrable this sping with cold front after rain storm. It's raining right now!
    Water level is a bit high for this time of the year which is good if the water would warm some. The water is up good in the willows which makes for some great jigging.
    Just thought I would post a lake report!
    City: Lakeside Oregon

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

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    Water Temp: 47-52

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Bob, Fished this am got three with craw rattle trap all in about 6-8 feet of water. Brush hog is my favorite and got zilch. They aren't spawning, cause the water is the same Temp as in Feb. My guess is they are bloody from sturing up crawdads. I am relativly new to Cottage grove and am glad to exchange ideas.

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

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    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: The fish I got from Cottage Grove Lake yesterday was 18" and 2 lbs., 12 oz.. Roof of the mouth was all red and the tail was all beat up- probably fanning a nest!! Didn't get a bite today- tried the jig, a craw colored crank and a clown colored jerkbait. I guess it's about time to bust out the brush hogs- I've caught a bunch of fish off those. Senkos would probably work good too- got a big box of them- might as well use them.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: Get out and go. And if you catch some post a report. I don't get out in the afternoons much but if I had my choice I'd fish from 2-4PM with the sun we've been getting. And wear polarized glasses and keep your eyes peeled. It's amazing what you can see especially if you stay up the bank a ways until you're ready to cast.

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

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    Water Temp: almost there

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Cottage Grove again. One fish again. Jig and beaver again. Along rip rap again. Iced up guides due to cold again. Did not fish jig slowly this time due to reaction of 3.4 the previous morning. Cast out beyond edge of rip rap, let jig sink on semi slack line, watch line closely as jig sinks, hop jig in 2 foot hops, when you start feeling it banging into rocks keep the 2 or 3 foot hops going and hold on! This fish hit it hard. Tried a 5" swimbait and a speed trap but no takers on those baits.
    City: yoncalla, oregon

    Tips: I'm selling all my other baits and lures. I'm gonna carry nothing but jigs from now on since that seems to be all the bass want!


    April Fools!!!!!!