On Saturday, July 9, New Melones Reservoir played host to 196 anglers that converged on the lake to participate in the Project Kokanee Team Kokanee Tournament. While having fun was the focus of the tournament, the field was a virtual who's who of the northern California kokanee and trout fishing scene, with anglers such as Vance Staplin, Gary Coe, Uncle Larry Barnes, Jim Franco, Frank San Marco, Sambo Lage, and Rich Tipton in attendance to name only a few.

During the event I had the pleasure of fishing with Fish Sniffer Publisher Allen Bonslett and his son Derek, aboard Allen's 20 foot Pro Line 20 DC. After a long early morning drive down Highway 49 from my home in Auburn, I met Allen and Derek at Glory Hole Sports just after 5:00 a.m. After grabbing a quick cup of coffee, we jumped in Allen's GMC and headed for the Tuttle Town Launch Ramp.

Thirty minutes later we had the boat in the water and were headed out in search of Sockeye. I'd gotten a tip from Gary Miralles of the Shasta Tackle Company that the area near the Highway 49 Bridge held some good fish, so that's where we headed.

As I steered the boat, Allen rigged up two rods. On the first, he set up a pink Apex Lure behind a Vance's Dodger. On the second he tied on a pink Sling Blade Dodger trailed by a pink spinner that his father in law Chuck Dunham had made. It was at this point that we realized we had forgotten to bring our corn! Since we didn't have any choice, we attached our cornless rigs to the downriggers and sent them down to the 40 foot mark.

For the next 40 minutes we worked the cove near the south end of the bridge without so much as a touch. About that time we noticed a couple guys trolling our way and asked if they'd had any action. They related that they were Project Kokanee members and had caught one fish.

When they found out that we didn't have any corn they graciously gave us some of their "secret anise scent white corn". I didn't catch their names, but Allen and I sure appreciated their generosity and outstanding sportsmanship.

With our baits adorned with corn, we resumed trolling toward the Glory Hole Launch Ramp with renewed confidence. About 20 minutes had passed, when the line on the starboard side sporting the Apex popped out of its clip and the rod began bucking.

I yelled "fish on" and Allen grabbed the rod as I dropped the boat into neutral and readied the net. From the fight it was obvious Allen was into an above average fish and it took him a couple minutes to work it near the boat.

When I first spotted the fish, it appeared so big that I initially thought it must be a trout, but once the fish slid into the net it was clearly a kokanee. We didn't have a tape measure, but I'd bet the fish was 19 to 20 inches long and weighed well over a pound. It was definitely the biggest kokanee I'd ever seen.

About and hour later, the starboard lined popped again and this time it was Derek's turn. Despite the fact that it was Derek's first 'koke he played it like a master, keeping the line tight without horsing the fish. In short order Derek worked the 15 incher near the boat and I brought it aboard with a quick scoop of the net. Unfortunately, Derek's fish marked the end of our action for the day.

Around 11 o'clock we headed for the ramp in order to get to the Calaveras County Fair Grounds for the banquet, raffle, and awards ceremony. When we arrived at the auditorium, it was already packed full with tournament participants.

At the front of the auditorium sat an impressive array of raffle items and prizes. At the rear there was an equally impressive array of prime rib, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, salad, and gourmet bread provided by Greg Cornell of Silver Sage Catering of Sacramento.

Once the food began to flow Rod Browning, Gary Errck, and Chuck Dunham began raffling off prizes that included rods and reels, trolling motors, sonar units, shotguns, Fish Sniffer subscriptions and all manner of other outdoor gear. In all more than $23,000 worth of awards and prizes were up for grabs! If you've never taken part in a kokanee derby, you should give it a try.

These events provide a great opportunity to have fun, make friends, meet celebrity anglers, and possibly take home some awesome prizes. Best of all you'll be benefiting California inland salmon and trout fisheries.

For more information, contact Project Kokanee/CIFFI at (916) 392-5149, www.kokanee.org.