Calavares Trout Farms Trip! A preview to the 2012-2013 Trout Season

[VineAssist]

Good Afternoon Fishing Network,

Just got back from Calavares Trout Farms in Merced and boy do they have some good looking fish in store for us this year. Took us about 6 hours to make it up there on Tuesday morning. I tip my hat to Steven, James and Nate who drive the fish down to us each and every week. That is one heck of a trek. Upon getting to the farm we where greeted by Tim and Stacey Goodson (owners of Calavares Trout Farms, Steven (assitant manager) and the rest of the staff.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08759.jpg
The very first runway we arrived upon was absolutley jugged full of fish in the 2-4lb class. These fish are the bread and butter of Irvine Lakes Trout Season. When I asked Tim how many fish he had on the farm currently he estimated his total population to be about 2.5 million fish!
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08762.jpg
These fish are raised in earthen raiseways which explains there vibrant colors. Also the water they are swimming in is pulled directly out of the Merced River which runs from Yosemite National Park. Our fish are raised in the very best enviorment and are constantly swimming against a current which explains there hard fighting tendencies.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08761.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08760.jpg
A bunch of fish right at the beging of the raceway! They just cant wait to come to Irvine Lake to make our anglers happy.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08767.jpg
James netted a few fish to give us a visual on the sizes of the fish. Remind you this is the very first raceway we visited and it had nothing but 2-5lbers in it.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08778.jpg
On to the IRVINE LAKE TROPHY Raceway. Tim and Stacey still have a few Stergeon on the farm. We tried to take pictures with the Rainbow and Steelhead next to the big dinosour fish. I saw a ton of double digit fish on the farm with some pushing the 18 to 20lb mark. Come December through March time who knows maybe the lake record could fall!
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08775.jpg
Check out this double digit beauty. Our double digit fish dont exhibit the drab coloring of other hatcheries fish. These fish are raised in the most prestine enviorments possible.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08788.jpg
A bunch of trophy Trout and Stergeon in the Trophy Raceway.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08796.jpg
On to the Brown Trout Raceway.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08794.jpg
Heres one comin at you!
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08800.jpg
Generally you would have to travel hours upon hours to such locations as Convict or Bridgeport to catch a Trophy Brown Trout like this! Irvine Lake has them thanks to the hard work of Calavares Trout Farms. They are one of the only farms that is succesful in raising Trophy Brown Trout like this!
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08801.jpg
Check out the hook jaw on this 7-8lb Male Brown Trout. These guys are notorious for eating trolled Rapalas that are ripped while trolled.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08802_2.jpg
Another shot just to show you the amazing coloring on these fish.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08803.jpg
Id really hate to be a bait fish seeing this coming my way!
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08802.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08805.jpg
This Femail Brown Trout is estimated to be in the 4lb class! We cant wait to see the look on our anglers faces when this comes boatside.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08802.jpg
Not only do we have Rainbow and Browns but we also stock Trophy Brook Trout like this! Kermin Lake seven hours away from here has nothing on our Brookies! Big Brook Trout like this are knowen to eat artificals such as a power worm or a mini jig here at Irvine Lake.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08811.jpg
A quality female Brook trout as well.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08816.jpg
On to the next raceway which is absolutley jugged full of the authors favorite sized fish the Rainbow and Steelheas in that 5-8lb range! These are the hardest fighting Trout bar none! Ask any Trout fisherman which fish fight the hardest and they will tell you that 5-9lb size just whip you.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08831.jpg
Once again these fish too displayed that wild coloring Calavares is famous for.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08836.jpg
Coming up and finning on the surface.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08839.jpg
Steven holds an estimated 7lb Rainbow Trout that will be destined for Irvine Lake in the very near Future.

[VineAssist]

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08842.jpg
And of course we have STEELHEAD coming the the lake this year again! These fish are well knowen for their fighting abilities.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08845.jpg
This is the hatchery part of Calavares Trout Farms! Currently the runways are full of Brook Trout.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08850.jpg
A handful of Juevilene Brook Trout. These fish should be ready to stock into Irvine Lake come April.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08833.jpg
The newest Mascot of Calavares Trout Farms! This Queensland Healer belongs to James and is just as excited as we where over this coming Trout Season.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa447/MEDIA4IRVINELAKE/DSC08854.jpg
On behalf of Daniela and myself we can not wait to see you all come November for the 2012/2013 Trout Season!

Tight Lines FNN.

[Leejahd]

Vineassist thanks for the report from calavares trout farm! The browns look great! Can't wait for this up and coming trout season! Any footage taken?

[5150fishn]

Come on Trout season! Those pictures are incredible. My favorite season at the Vine is almost here!!! Thanks Daniela & Jimmy for making the trip and getting us stoked for trout season.

[TaperSteve]

That first brownie looks kinda like you Jimmy!

TS

[OC ANGLER]

Can not wait ! thanks Daniela & Jimmy for getting us the awesome news !

I think i see one of my tournament winners in there !!

[JAG107]

Thanks for the great report! I'm ready to catch one of those exotics!

[Bebop]

Nice Daniela and Jimmy. This is what we want. Thank you very much. I know Bring it will be happy
and many other anglers.

[VineAssist]

Video footage will be up next week. Danny Jackson will be up there Monday and Tuesday getting some underwater footage and some interviews with Tim and Stacey.

[olfishergal]

niceeeeeee, when are the tickets getting mailed out? I am stoked for sure Got 1,2 off from work so am ready to go fish....Love trout season at Irvine..OFG

[Prowler_Tuber]

I can't wait!!!!

[Leejahd]

Video footage will be up next week. Danny Jackson will be up there Monday and Tuesday getting some underwater footage and some interviews with Tim and Stacey.

Sounds good ... Come on cold nights!

[DynoDan]

Ya bought it!

[troutdog]

What a great trip to get away, those are some beautiful fish guys....Jimmy your reports keep getting better and better, keep up the good work dude.

Looking forward to the 2012-13 season, tell the boys up North to only bring the quality fish (just as pictured) Keep the rats for 2014!

I think I found the perfect reminder sign for the front gate :Razz:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/norats.jpg

See you at the lake,


TD

[VineVideos]

Yes, Jimmy. Can't wait. After seeing your photos just makes me more eager to get up there and start shooting. Kathy and I will be leaving Sunday afternoon. Looking forward to seeing Tim, Stacy, Steven and the gang... Oh and Roxanne too of course! Awesome photos Jimmy. Looking forward to spending time there and putting this all together on video. Everyone can look forward to seeing the new video on www.irvinelake.net as well as the FNN, FB and Twitter by late next week. Thanks !!

[fishfnatic]

*giddy school girl dance* I can't wait for this season!

[Prowler_Tuber]

They have no chance.

[WPCBANDIT]

Im so excited cant wait for another bitchen season at Irvine......

[HBAR]

thanks for the report, can't wait to be sitting in line tailgating, shootin the (well you know) and meeting up with everyone, and most importantly catching these beauties