By: Doug Busey

Hello fellow anglers. Wow! What a great Memorial weekend we had. For the most part the weather cooperated, but before we get into a fishing report, I want to remind young anglers and parents who are reading that next weekend is the Douglas County Free Kids Fishing Derby at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, June 7 and 8.

This event has been a staple in the area for over 30 years, where kids ages 3-12 can get hooked on fishing. Registration is free, but must be done in person by signing up at A.J. Stove’s in Gardnerville from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The derby is divided up into seven, one and a half hour sessions over this two-day event. Volunteers will be stationed along Willow creek to help net, bait and occasionally untangle a few lines.

Preschool kids will be allowed one parent to accompany them during their session, and volunteers to help back you up. No fishing experience is needed, and you don’t even have to own a fishing pole.

The organization will provide loaner poles and everything you’ll need to catch your two fish limit. Heck, the volunteers will even clean and bag your fish for you, but that is not all. The derby volunteers will also be serving breakfast burritos and biscuits and gravy for early risers.

Then in the afternoon, get ready for burgers and hotdogs. This my fellow anglers, is a first class derby, and also known as the largest free kids derby west of the Mississippi. A well organized event, but expect a little craziness, it is still fishing.

This derby could not be so successful without volunteers and public donations. 

For more information on this event, go to: dcnvkidsfishingderby.org/ or email KFDMediaTeam@gmail.com.

For those who would like to volunteer, trust me, it is a moment in your life that will make you come back year after year.

Contact Danny Lozano to volunteer: DCKFDvolunteers@gmail.com. You must be at least 13-years-old volunteer.

The best thing about volunteering is you don’t even have to touch a fish to help our kids. Plus, volunteers receive a commemorative derby hat and a free meal ticket.

I must also emphasize that we always need volunteers as it takes over 200 people to make this event what it is today. I hope to see you at the derby next weekend.

I will be netting fish and baiting Saturday, while CK Bailey moderates the day. Then look out, I will be taking over the microphone at Sunday’s event. But don’t let that scare you. I can be docile with a little crazy in the middle.

Now for the report:

LAKE TAHOE:  The summer is upon us and the fishing has been good. Cave Rock area with blk/slvr or hot steel Raps have been successful. Many have been over on the west shore trolling a dodger and a live minnow with success. For more information, go to J3blancette@yahoo.com or Rubyjeancharters.com.

SILVER LAKE: The launch is open and the fishing is picking up. I prefer a rainbow f5 rap on the far side of the lake. Some anglers have picked up a couple around the parking area with inflated nightcrawlers.

CAPLE LAKE:  The resort is open with boat rentals and boat launching. I have not been up there yet this year, but my go-to lures are shad raps or raplas near Woods Creek and by the spillway. Use caution by Woods Creek. They have lure and boat eating rocks in the area. Keep an eye on your depth finder, that is where fish love to hang out. The lake has rainbows, browns and mackinaws.

WOODS LAKE, BURNSIDE LAKE, HIGHLANDS LAKE, POORBOY SUNSET LAKES, AND TAMARACK LAKE: The road was still closed as of Memorial Day week. But it will open any day now.

BLUE LAKES: As of Memorial Day week the road was open to the third gate.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The area in Hope Valley has produced some good rainbows in the 1 to 3 lbs. class. I prefer using a panther Martin spinner. Drifting nightcrawlers into the deeper pools is also productive. For more information stop by the Creekside Inn.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK ALPINE COUNTY:  Fishing has been a little slow, but a few have been caught in the 4 to 6 lbs. class. Anglers have been using mice tails- power eggs and nightcrawlers in the flater waters. A young angler from Dayton, NV named Lilly Ann Blakey caught her second fish of her life on a nightcrawler. The CDFW planted 400 Lahontan Cutthroat trout this week in the river as far up as Silver Creek. For more info stop by the Carson River Resort.

MARKLEEVILLE CREEK: Fishing was hot over Memorial Day weekend. Many rainbows came out in the 2 to 4 lbs. class, with a few in the 5 to 6 lbs. class.

NDOW FISH PLANTS: They have been stocking many of the urban ponds these last few weeks. They will continue until the water temps start to climb.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure! More reports to come. If you have a picture of your catch send it to sports@recordcourier.com. I hope to see you on the waters soon. Good fishin’ and tight lines.