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Aug 23, 2016 - View this email in your browser. LOS VAQUEROS ... They will complete six of the nine ... Los Vaqueros Res
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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Take a look at our Fall 2016 Activity Guide

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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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