Doug 'Mac the Naw' Busey's Lake Tahoe and Sierra area fishing report for week of March 11

Hello fellow anglers, the rain is falling in the valleys and snow in the mountains. The month of March so far is being good to us. We need all the water Mother Nature will give us. Hopefully a lot of that water will flow into Topaz Lake.

I say this because April 9-10, the Hook Line and Sinker, Ken Hembree Classic, fishing tournament will be held this year on Topaz Lake. In past years the tournament has been held at Pyramid Lake, but this year they are coming to Topaz. That means a lot of boats on a small lake, they will need as much water as possible to float them all. The tournament is in honor Ken Hembree one of the tournament founders. Ken, who embodied the spirit of the outdoors, lost a 2 year battle to cancer on Dec. 27, 2006.

The tournament will run for two days, the entry fee is $65 for each angler, which includes a commemorative hat. You can sign up in Carson City at Michael's Cycles Works, in Reno at Sierra RV Super Center, Sportsman's Wherehouse or Cumulas Media, in Sparks at the Flag Store or you can sign up at the Topaz Lodge at Topaz Lake. First place will be awarded a 2016 Polaris Sportsman ATV with accessories worth $9500, 2nd through 20th place will share $9000 worth of cash and prizes. If you attend, I would plan to get there early as there is only limit space for parking and camping.

The Topaz Marina and the Douglas County ramp will be open for boat launching. If you plan to stay at the Topaz Lodge I would suggest you call now before it is to late. The Lodge also has an RV camp ground located by the general store.

As in most tournaments, all anglers on your boat must be registered for the tournament, and all California and Nevada fishing regulations will be adhered to. For those Nevada anglers, Don't forget to get your new 2016 fishing license. Special note; you can use a California or Nevada fishing license on Topaz Lake. The weigh in Saturday will be from 6 am to 7 pm, and on Sunday the weigh in will be from 6 am to 4 pm. Don't be late, or it may cost you a new ATV.

LAKE TAHOE:
When the weather cooperates, the mackinaw action has been good. Average fish has been 2 to 6 pounds with a few in the 7 to 14 pound class. The Cal/Neva area has still been the most productive. Anglers have been fishing 120 to 240 feet of water with Chrome or Silver Flat Fish. Some have been using flashers with a live minnow. Make sure you get your presentation right on the bottom. Top lining has been spotty. Anglers have been long lining #9 countdown Rapalas in 40 feet of water. Deadmans Point or Sand Harbor has been most productive. For more information call Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters at 530-544-6552.

TOPAZ LAKE:
The annual derby is still going strong. Week 9 winners were. Lucas Cunningham from Reno NV with a 4.11 rainbow while Ron Williams from Sparks, Nev. , came in second with a 3.18 pound rainbow. Week 10 was a friend that never invites me to fish with him, Greg Rondy, with a 5.5 pound rainbow trout, while Haul Schlak came in second with a 3.4 pound rainbow.
No tagged trout for the last two weeks, but there were 68 fish weighed in 2 pounds and bigger over the last two weeks. The fishing has been good when the weather cooperates. I did fish with my friend Tom a couple weeks ago and the fishing seemed to get better the more the wind blew. Shore fishing has picked up for anglers using night crawlers or various colors of Powerbait. A little hint, the bigger fish are not always in the deeper waters. For more information call the Topaz Lodge at 775-266-3888.

CAPLES LAKE:
Last report from the area was 4 to 5 feet of ice and 18 inches to 3 feet of snow on top of the ice. No fishing report have com in for two weeks.

RED LAKE:
Last report was 5 feet of ice with 2 to 3 feet of snow on top. A couple report from anglers last week the fishing was slow, and the fish were small rainbows.

CARSON RIVER EAST AND WEST FORK, MARKLEEVILLE CREEK, SILVER CREEK, WOLF CREEK:
All located in California will open to fishing on April 30, 2016. Special note: The section on the East Carson from Hangmans Bridge to the Nevada state line is open all year to catch and release with single barbless hooks, lure or flys only.

CARSON RIVER IN DOUGLAS COUNTY NV:
Open all year to fishing. Use caution when fishing this time of year. The water is faster than it looks and is very cold.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:
The lake was planted by California Fish and Wildlife last week. The paved road is open and the gate is unlocked. The dirt (mud) road off Diamond Valley is open but I would recommend all wheel or 4 wheel drive. A few angler have been using garlic or rainbow Powerbait off the unimproved ramp and have caught limits of 10 to 13 inch trout. The water level has come up a couple feet and the path around to the dam is not recommended. If you want to fish the dam area, you will have to use the 4 wheel drive path or walk over.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you have a question or a report in our local fishing area, call the Naw line at 775-267-9722. Have a photo of your catch, send it to jeff@carsonnow.org. Good fishin and tight lines.