Hello fellow anglers. Not sure how many of us have been out fishing over the last week or two. I myself am not just a fair weather angler, but when we get 30 to 70 mph winds and rain on top of that, I’ll wait a little bit. I have fished in rain and snow many times, but when it comes to the “W”, no thanks.

For those that will be going out this weekend, use a little caution wherever you venture out to.

Two weeks ago the rivers were iced over and treacherous. Unfortunately we lost a fellow angler that fell into one of our rivers and was trapped under the ice, identified as an 18-year-old from Sparks.

Then we had a heat wave of 50 degrees and they thawed out. This last week we have had downpours and the rivers are running good. But now as I write this on Wednesday evening, we will get back into snow and freezing temps by the weekend. 

If you venture out, make sure you have a full tank of fuel, extra warm dry clothes, plenty of water and a few snacks. And by all means, please tell someone where you’re going and when you will return. 

Before we get to our fishing report, a few important dates to write on your calendar: March 8, we get to turn our clock ahead, and June 7 and 8 is the annual Douglas County Kids Free Fishing Derby at Lampe Park.

I will include all the information you need to register or sign up as a volunteer or a sponsor in the next report.

CAPLES LAKE: As of last week the lake had three inches of snow on top of 20 inches of ice. With the weather coming in this weekend, we may see a few more inches to a couple feet of snow on top of that. Fishing has been fair for anglers using mealworms or half a nightcrawler. Other anglers were using small jigs. The resort is open for lodging and dining. For more information go to capleslakeresort.com.

RED LAKE: The lake had two feet of ice on it last week and the fishing was fair for small rainbows. I would ask anglers not to venture up for a little while. With the snow reports of this week, they will be cleaning out the area behind the dam to reach the snow cannon. Let’s give Cal/Trans some room.

CARSON RIVERS ALPINE COUNTY: Open to catch and release with artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks. I spoke with Connie at the Carson River Resort, and she said most anglers that have come up have turned around because the river is fluctuating too much. Last week there was ice on it and this week the river rose and now we will be getting snow. For more information call the Carson River Resort at 530-694-2229.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake was frozen over last week and is unstable. With the rain and snow this week, the roads on both sides will be a little nasty to drive in on. 

TOPAZ LAKE: I spoke with Dana Judd this week. He ventured up last week and said the fishing was slow, but he did have some luck on nightcrawlers from the west shore past the bug station. This week, I would wait a little before heading down the shore. With the rains we just got, we don’t need anyone to get stuck. For boaters, I would get up a little later to launch. The mornings will be in the single digits and the ramp may be a little icy. Now as many of us know, the Douglas County ramp is one of the best ramps you could ask for with the grooving they put on it, but as soon as you come out of the water — instant ice. You may not lose your boat, but you may get your rig stuck or worse. I have seen some rigs slide back into the lake.

I got a call from my friend Scott, or as he is referred to down south, “Knot,” with a fishing report.

UPPER OWENS RIVER: Above Benton Crossing the Upper is open all year for barbless flies and lures, no scented products, catch and release. We fly fish here only with either nymphs under an indicator, streamers, or dry flies depending on conditions and where fish are located. Nymphs: Size 12 or 14 Yellow Spots, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Egg Patterns, Hare’s Ears working upstream hitting the deep bends and deeper cut banks. Streamers: Primarily size 6 Wooly Buggers fished downstream in all water and moving just about every cast to cover more water. Dries: Mostly size 12 or 14 Caddis and Mayfly patterns with some Sheep Creek Specials fishing downstream wet fly style or an upstream drift during hatches.

LOWER OWEN RIVER: Below Pleasant Valley Campground the Lower is open all year for barbless flies and lures, no scented products, catch and release. Here we fly and lure fish, more often with lures for a change of pace. Lures: Panther Martins, Thomas Buoyants, Rapalas with the belly hooks removed. Flies: We use the same flies and methods as at the Upper.

I wish I had a better fishing report, but as I have always said: I only tell it like it is. I will never sugar coat anything. I want every angler to know the straight report. I hope to see you on the waters (or the ice!) soon.

If you get a picture of your catch, send it to kelsey@carsonnow.org. Good fishin’ and tight lines.