Aug 23, 2016 - Los Vaqueros Reservoir & Watershed. on behalf of
Jim Freschi From:
Los Vaqueros Reservoir & Watershed on behalf of Los Vaqueros Reservoir & Watershed Tuesday, August 23, 2016 11:05 AM Jim Freschi Stargazing, Night Hikes, Coming Up at LV
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LOS VAQUEROS NEWSLETTER
Aug. 23, 2016
SF Chron Puts LV on Its Top 10 List In his San Francisco Chronicle column, outdoors writer Tom Stienstra last week named Los Vaqueros as one of his top 10 picks
We had 17 Weblos at our Cub Scout
for summer fun on the water in the
Program Sunday. We've added
Bay Area.
another identical program on Sunday, Sept. 11. Call (925) 6888010 to make a reservation.
Tom mentioned LV’s excellent fishing year-round and the 1
availability of rental electric
Cub Scout Program Gets An Added Date, Sunday, Sept. 11
boats. There are no outside boats allowed on the reservoir.
With the bay, the Delta, many lakes and – of course – the ocean, there are lots of great places to have fun
Last weekend’s Cub Scout Program
on the water around here. We
sold out early, so we added another
appreciate Tom putting us on his
program for Sunday, Sept. 11 from
list.
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the John Muir Interpretive Center near the
Friday Stargazing Kicks Off Night Programs at LV
dam. This program is filling fast, so call (925) 688-8010 to reserve your place. It is led by Naturalist John Mottashed and is aimed at Webelos. They will complete six of the nine
Venus and Jupiter are getting closer
“Wild” requirements, and the
in the night sky, which serves as a
program includes a hike.
great reason to go to one of the best places in the Bay Area to look at the planets and the stars: Los Vaqueros
Watch for Fire Alerts
The first stargazing will be held this
Just like just about every place else
Friday, Aug. 26 from 7:30 p.m. to 10
in California this year, the fire danger
p.m. at the Kellogg Creek Picnic
is severe at Los Vaqueros. How
Area, and will kick off five night
severe depends on the weather.
events at the watershed this fall.
We’ve already had 11 “Very High” alert levels -- including one today -
NASA Education Ambassador Jeff
- and one “Extreme” this
Adkins will direct the night’s show
season. We had a small fire near
with his amazing laser pointer that
Vasco Road a few months ago.
seems to beam to the heavens. We’ll have telescopes available, and you
With Very High and higher alerts, we
can bring your own. If your
restrict smoking to only within your 2
binoculars are handy, bring them as
vehicle and also forbid barbecuing
well. It gets cold at LV at night, so
anywhere in the watershed. In “Red
dress warmly.
Flag” warnings, we close all trails and limit shoreline fishing to only
We’ll have another stargazing night
certain areas near the Marina.
on Friday Sept. 23, and several other evening and night hikes in the next
We post the warnings on our website
few months along with night fishing
www.ccwater.com, and also on the
on Friday nights in November.
Los Vaqueros Reservoir App.
Some of these programs require
The warnings are dependent on
advance reservations, so be sure to
temperature, wind direction and
check our Activity Guide or our
speed, and humidity. The lower the
calendar below for all the details.
humidity, the more likely there will be a fire warning.
We’re Looking For Special Needs Children For CAST Day at LV
Check here to see current weather conditions at LV.
This is a National Weather Service forecast for Livermore is very close to those at LV
Catch a Special Thrill (CAST) is a one-day fishing and boating
All this info is also available on the
adventure for children with special
LV App for your smart phone. It’s
needs and their families set for
available for free from the Apple
Saturday, Oct. 15 starting at 9 a.m.
Store and the Google Play, look up
Participants can fish from shore or
“Los Vaqueros Reservoir.”
by boat as they experience the camaraderie of a day with fellow
Of course, you can also call our
anglers casting for the big one.
Marina at (925) 371-2628.
Participants will enjoy a barbeque lunch and every child receives a
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tackle box full of fishing supplies and
Los Vaqueros Calendar
a pole to keep. Advance registration is required, and is limited to 20 children with special needs. Call 925-688-8307 to reserve your spot.
STARGAZING: VENUS-JUPITER
Please note that this program is only
CONJUNCTION
open for children with special needs
7:30 to 10 p.m.
and their families.
Friday, Aug. 26 Kellogg Picnic Area The night sky’s two brightest planets
Hours Change in September
are nearing in for a must-see close encounter. Join NASA Education Ambassador Jeff Adkins as we watch these planets converge. We’ll
Our hours will be getting a little
also look for other celestial wonders
shorter in September as the days get
of the sky. Telescopes will be
shorter. Starting Sept. 1, we’ll be
available and participants may bring
open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and we’ll
their own. Dress warmly.
be open Labor Day, Sept. 5, regular hours.
SEPTEMBER NIGHTTIME DISCOVERY HIKE 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ninth Running of the Los Vaqueros Tarantula Run Saturday, Oct. 15
Friday, Sept. 2 John Muir Interpretive Center Program is limited to 20 participants Join Naturalist Michael Marchiano for a moonlit hike along Kellogg Creek and discover which creatures come
If you like to run or hike, and like
out at night. Learn what lurks about
tarantulas, please come out to Los
at Los Vaqueros when the gates are
Vaqueros on Saturday, Oct. 15 for
locked and everyone has gone
the ninth edition of the Los Vaqueros
home. Locate the elusive striated
Tarantula Run. There will be a 5K,
scorpion on rocky outcroppings.
10K and half-marathon over the hilly 4
Los Vaqueros watershed, along with
Bring a working flashlight and dress
a free “Spider Scramble” for the
appropriately. Participants should be
kids.
age 8 years or older. Call 925-688-
For the third straight year, Brazen
8010 to reserve your spot.
Racing will managing the race. Brazen races are famous for
FREE FISHING CLINIC
their family-centered atmosphere
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
along with having plenty of ice cream
Saturday, Sept. 3
and food available after the
Los Vaqueros Marina
race. The courses for the events will
Learn everything you’ve wanted to
be same as they’ve been recently.
know about lake fishing. From bait and knots to trolling and cleaning,
It’s always a lot of fun, the Spider
our experienced staff will provide tips
Scrambles starts the morning of
to help you reel in the big one.
racing at 7:35 a.m. Check in with
Clinics are tailored to participants’
Brazen Racing for registration and
skill levels. Open to all ages. Come
other information.
with questions.
CUB SCOUT PROGRAM – INTO THE WILD 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11
LV Fishing Report
John Muir Interpretive Center Program is limited to 20 participants
August 23, 2016
Bring your Webelos out for an adventure. Naturalist John
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Mottashed will lead your scouts on a
Summer fishing is continuing with small striped bass very present; trout
nature hike to complete six of the
and catfish are still active with a few
nine Into the Wild requirements,
largemouth reported.
including: watch for birds, learn about flyways, watch four wild
The reservoir is currently storing 115,900
acre-feet
of
water,
creatures, identify an insect, learn
72
percent of capacity. Pumping has
about aquatic ecosystems, and visit 5
a nature center. Call 925-688-8010 resumed and will continue through into
September.
The
to register your scouts.
water
temperature is 69 to 70 degrees. Our
TARANTULA HIKE &
water clarity is fair to good with the cooler
weather
and
the
PRESENTATION
winds
5 to 7 p.m.
breaking up much of the algae.
Friday, Sept.16
We’ve planted quite a few fish lately.
John Muir interpretive Center
Warm water temps have
prevented us from planting trout
Learn about Los Vaqueros’ Gentle
since July 13. But on Aug. 18 we did
Giants and why we only see them in
plant
6,000
three-to-four
inch
the fall. Find out where they live,
largemouth bass; 2,000 fingerling
what they eat and how they survive.
bluegill and 2,000 fingerling redeared sunfish.
Take a moderate slow hike of less
On Aug. 11, we planted
1,000 catfish and expect to plant
than two miles looking for tarantulas.
some more this week. Despite the
You will also be introduced to some
warmer weather, we’re still seeing
of the other flora and fauna. Wear
anglers catching trout, especially in
comfortable shoes, bring water and a
the morning. We’ve planted 27,500
snack if needed, and dress for the
pounds of trout this year.
weather. Participants should be age 8 years or older.
The windy weather pattern is settling down, but we still see plenty of windy days. If you are looking to rent a boat,
STARGAZING: FALL EQUINOX
it is a good idea to call ahead at (925)
8 to 10 p.m.
371-2628, check current conditions,
Friday, Sept. 23
or
look
at
a forecast
for
the
Kellogg Creek Picnic Area
Livermore-area that is pretty close to
At this equinox, day and night are
our weather.
approximately equal in length. Join We’re seeing rattlesnakes regularly,
NASA Education Ambassador Jeff
so
Adkins to learn about the seasons
be
sure
to
check
your
and search the sky for celestial
surroundings.
wonders. Telescopes will be available and participants may bring their own. Dress warmly. 6
The John Muir Interpretive Center is
BIRDS OF FALL
open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
10 a.m. to noon
Saturdays and Sundays.
Saturday, Sept. 24 Our summer hours are 6 a.m. to 8
John Muir Interpretive Center
p.m. with boats due in by 6 p.m. In
Join Naturalist John Mottashed on
September, our hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and boats due in by 5
an easy hike down Kellogg Creek to
p.m. We will be open Labor Day with
observe birds of the watershed.
our regular September hours.
Species we may encounter include
TROUT
fall migratory birds just stopping by and those that live here year round.
Fishing for trout continues to be
Binoculars and bird field guide
good, even with the increased water temperature. They are being caught
recommended, but not required.
in South Cove and Oak Point as well
Some guide books and binoculars
as Peninsula Cove. The baits of
will be available.
choice for shore anglers are garlic scented PowerBaits, nightcrawlers or
See our complete LV Activity Guide
Kastmaster lures. Trout average a
for activities through December
pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. Due to warm weather, our last trout plant was July 13th. We hope to plant in the coming weeks. 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
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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 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 kept.
to
Please
largemouth catch.
be
12
inches
release bass
you
to
be
any
big might
They are the future of
largemouth reservoir.
bass
fishing
in
the
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 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 starting to see more dead undersized stripers around the dock as anglers are being careless with how they
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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. As the water warms we look to see more fish being caught. There was a 1000 plant of catfish on August 11th from Lassen.
We will be
planting catfish this week. For those wishing
to
target
catfish,
nightcrawlers and chicken liver are the
best
encourage
choices and
of
bait.
We
appreciate
the
release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus).
Have a question about Los Vaqueros? Send an email to
[email protected].
Our Los Vaqueros Website
Look here for a map of LV
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