Hello fellow anglers. What whacky weather we are having in our local area. Most anglers have been dodging rain and thunderstorms for the last few weeks.
It is not a real good idea to be on the lake with a couple long rods hanging off the back of your boat when a lightning storm is on the way. But now we are going right into the frying pan from here on out. Even with my canopy up, 95 to 100 degrees is not comfortable to fish in. So I just go higher and higher, like Caples Lake. The highs there are to be in the mid 70’s this week. Guess where you will find me? Either Caples or Silver Lake or maybe down south.
Now one interesting thing has come to light this week. The government has proposed a bill to keep daylight saving time all year long. Personally, I kind of like it. Yes the mornings will be darker when you head off to work, or the kids go to school. But then again, if you’re going fishing, instead of getting up at 4 a.m. to get to the lake by 6 a.m. you get to sleep in a little longer and leave at 6 a.m. to be there by sun up. It has good and bad points to it. So we will see what they decide. My apologies for the short report this week. I myself as well as many other anglers I have spoken too have not been able to get out as much as we would like to, do to weather issues.
Here is this week’s report:
LAKE TAHOE: A few reports of anglers getting out early and trolling a dodger and a live minnow along Meeks Bay drop offs. Some have had success with jigging off the rocky areas by Camp Richardson area. I spoke to a couple guides this week. They have not been able to get out due to the weather.
CAPLES LAKE: The shore anglers have been doing well from the dam and the Woods Creek inlet with blue and white Kastmaster lures. Also inflated crawlers have been successful in these areas. Troller have been going deep for the mackinaws. Most have been using black/silver Rapalas. My last trip I jigged with a silver Kastmaster and a silver spoon with a possible couple small hits. Now for those young at heart anglers. Mark your calendar for Sept. 12. From 11am to 3pm they will be hosting a kids fishing derby up there. For more information call the Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.
WOODS LAKE: The fishing has been doing very good recently. Anglers using Powerbait or crawlers have both had success. I personally like to throw a small gold Kastmaster or a Panther Martin spinner.
IMMIGRANT LAKE, WINNEMUCCA LAKES: For those that really want to go for a hike up above Woods Lake and Caples, the fishing has been very good for small trout. Take into mind that this is not just a small hike up a little trail. The complete hike is about 8 miles. 2.5 into Winnemucca and another 3 to Immigrant Lake the another 2.5 out.
RED LAKE: The lake has been slow over the last couple weeks. But the temps and the views are perfect for a relaxing day.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake has a lot a of algae bloom. If you can get out past the weeds. You will catch some fish. Bu remember that there are no shade trees and it gets hot up there this time of year.
EAST CARSON RIVER APLINE COUNTY: The fishing has started to pick up a little. Many small rainbows are coming in with a few of those bigger trout in the 2 to 3 pound range. Most anglers have been using mice tails or drifting night crawlers in the deeper waters. Early morning is good for small spinners. But as soon as the sun gets up there. The fish go back and hug the bottom. For more information call the Carson River Resort at 530-694-2229.
WEST FORK CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: The fishing has been slow as the water levels go down, you need to find the deeper holes and undercuts along the bank.
BLUE LAKES: The road is open to the lower and upper lakes as of now, according to PG&E. I have not been up there lately due to weather. And have not heard of any fishing report coming from the lake.
TOPAZ LAKE: The lake is full of fish. I reported a couple weeks ago that they had planted 4,000 rainbows. Well since then, the NDOW has planted another 5,000 rainbows. Shore anglers have done well with inflated night crawlers or a long leader and Powerbait. Trollers have been doing well with Thomas Buoyant spoons ( with a snap swivel). Or the old fashion way with small blades and a threaded nightcrawler. My advise if you are a troller. Get up there as early as you can. By mid morning the jet skiers and water skiers are everywhere. But I will admit, 95% of them are very courteous of anglers. Its the other 5% you need to watch out for.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR: The place to be this week. Many nice rainbows from 1 to 5lbs have been coming in to the marina. Bets areas have been by rainbow point or by Buckeye and Robinson creek area with inflated nightcrawlers or Powerbait. Trollers have been using a small dodger and a threaded nightcrawler or f3 or f5 Rapalas. For more information call the Bridgeport Marina at 760-932-7001.
UPPER OWENS RIVER ABOVE BENTONS CROSSING: Fly fishing here is hit and miss as it has been since early June. High daytime temps into the mid 90s and a decrease in the flow from about 120 CFS in June to about 60 CFS now (LADWP varies the amount of water they send from Grant Lake and other sources through a tunnel system that terminates at East Portal on the Owens) resulting in very clear and warmer water making it difficult to get what few fish are there to grab a dry fly, nymph, or streamer. We’ll be fishing other locations until, if and when, that flow increases or until later in August or September when things cool down.
GULL AND JUNE LAKES: Most anglers have been fishing Gull mainly due to recent stockings by the CDFW and Gull Lake Marina bringing in Desert Springs Rainbows from Oregon getting limits of the state stockers and an occasional 4 to 5 pound Oregon Rainbow. Our favorite baits (all floating on a Carolina rig) are Salmon Peach, Garlic, and Chartreuse Garlic Powerbait, Mice Tails, and Garlic Pinch Crawlers. We start out using each one until finding which are working the best that day. For example, the last two trips Garlic and Chartreuse Garlic were the hot baits. Also, we are fishing deeper water than in June since the Summertime high temps have kicked in.
Now I received a tip for a good friend and fellow angler of mine Scott Champion AKA “Knot”: There’s an old saying…… Don’t leave fish to find fish! If you’re on a spot and getting fish don’t leave until they stop biting.
There are days we’ve been on the same spot all day. And, it is unwise to think of leaving that spot and coming back later because you now know there are fish there. More often than not it just doesn’t work. Very wise words from a very wise angler. Good luck on your next fishing adventure.
As I said, a small report. I only tell the truth of what is, and was is not a place to fish at this time and place. But it all could change with good weather coming our way. If you get a picture of your catch. Send it to editor@carsonnow.org. I hope to see you on the waters soon. Until then. Good fishin’ and tight lines.
