Hello fellow anglers. Out of the frying pan and right into fall-like weather. As Labor Day weekend unfolds, plan ahead for your adventure. Some areas of the Sierra have been getting into then 30’s at night, with daytime temperatures in the comfortable range. Make sure you dress for the occasion. Bring a few jackets and sweatshirts.
If you don’t need them, so be it. But if you get caught needing them and didn’t bring them, your trip may not be so memorable in a good way. Also take in mind that as of this week, BLM has tightened up the fire restrictions.
We are now in Stage 2 of fire restrictions, which states it is prohibited to build, maintain, attend or use a fire, which means the use of wood, charcoal or any other materials to build a campfire or stove fire.
The exceptions are a portable stove using gas, jelly filled petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation area, or when stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials as well as driving or parking over dried grassy areas. Drive motorized vehicle on designated roads. These restrictions are for in and out of a designated campsite or recreational area. I recommend checking the rules and regulations for the area you plan to visit, before you leave the house. Check with the camp hosts or resort managers at each site to verify their restrictions.
Each area around the Sierra may have different enforcement on these rules. Some are a little more lenient while other more restrictive. Our fuels are dry like a tinder box as we have seen over the last month or so. We have had too many fires in our local area. Some were accidental (lightening strikes) while others were caused by carelessness.
If we all do our part, then next visit will be just as enjoyable. For example, I used to love to camp at Indian Creek Reservoir for years. But fire took that from us. And to this day, the campground is still closed.
This week’s report provides information on the areas to venture to and what amenities they offer. Now before I get to that, I would like to share some very important information that I had to learn the hard way. I lived in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. until about 1988.
I then moved in with my girlfriend who lived on Kingsbury Grade, Nev. I had the option of buying a lifetime California Fishing license for $600. But a non-resident license was only $39, so with financial restrictions and the price, it wasn’t terribly bad. I opted for the non-resident license. I wish I had the fortitude to look into the future. Because today I now have to pay almost $200 for a non-resident license each year. If you are planning on moving from California to Nevada, and still plan to fish California, look into the lifetime license. It hurts each year when I have to renew my non-resident California license. But on the other hand, the girlfriend I moved in with back then, is still my better half and today she is known as Mrs. Naw.
Oh and as a note, you have to be a California resident to purchase a life time license. I looked into that as well. Here’s this week’s report.
LAKE TAHOE: With cooler temps, the fishing should be picking up. It has been a little slow over the last few weeks. For the first-timer angler fishing at the lake I would recommend a guide, or stop in at the Tahoe Flyfishing outfitters, or the Big 5 sporting goods store.
Anglers using a dodger and a live minnow or a rubber minnow with procure gel can fish the Camp Richardson area or from Cave rock to the east in 50 to 150 feet of water. Down riggers are a must. Lead line will not get you deep enough for lake trout. Unless you are going for rainbows and browns. Then use the appropriate colors and fish an F5 or F9 raibow or black and silver Rapala in 20 to 40 feet. But you need to start early in the morning.
CAPLES LAKE: The fishing has been very slow. The lake has rainbow, brown and lake trout. The resort offers boat launching and boat rentals. They have nice cabins right on the lake for rent and a fantastic chef for a evening meal. The lake also has a public launch ramp available. Remember the elevation. Renee and I were up there a week ago. The were still small patches of snow on the higher peaks. For more information call the Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.
WOODS LAKE: They offer tent camping and day use. The lake has rainbow, brook and Lohontan Cutthroat trout. Inflated night crawlers or salmon eggs work well. But morning and evening hours are for the fly angler. I personally like to use an olive or black woolly bugger.
RED LAKE: The lake has brook and rainbow trout. There is no boat launching facilities. Float tube, canoe or kayak only. Last week the lake had a nice tint of green over the lake. Salmon eggs, night crawlers or throwing a small Kastmaster is the best ticket for this lake.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake offers primitive camping on the south side of the lake. Campground area is closed. (no campfires allowed.) Right now the lake has an algae bloom. There is a primitive boat launch for small aluminum boats, kayaks, canoes or float tubes. Get out to the deeper waters near the campground and fishing should be good for trollers and fly anglers.
WEST FORK CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: Fishing is almost non existent in Hope Valley due to low water. There are a few spots down in Woodfords canyon that still hold fish. There are a few areas along Highway 88 for primitive camping. (no campfires allowed.)
EAST FORK CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: The river is running low and clear. The CDFW has recently planted the river with catchable rainbow trout. I personally like to use a small panther martin spinner at the head of or the tail end of the deeper pools. The Carson River Resort offers full hookups for RV camping. They also have tent camping right on the river. The store is stocked for all those items you left or forgot to bring — from drinks, food to fishing supplies. Check with the resort for Campfire restrictions. For more information call the resort at 530-694-2229.
TOPAZ LAKE: The lake level has gone down a little more, but has plenty of water to play in and on. I fished from shore this week with my better half Renee (which she always schools me.) We fished with PB on the south end for 4 hours and did not get one bite. I spoke to a couple trollers this week and they did catch a couple small rainbows with Rapalas or flashers and a crawler. The lake does have a ton of fish in it from the NDOW. But the water temps have kept them deep. Douglas County Parks offer tent and RV camping and boat launching. The Topaz Marina offers launching and boat rentals. As an angler, I would recommend starting at 0-dark thirty and fish until 11am. Then come in and relax while the water skiers and jet skiers enjoy the lake.
BLUE LAKES: The lake is located off of Highway 88 just out of Hope Valley. The dirt road into Blue Lakes is about 10 miles to the lower lake, and another 2 miles to the upper lake with Primitive camping on both. Check with the camp host for campfire restrictions. The lake has rainbows, browns, Lohontan cutthroat and brook trout.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR: A report I got from Ken’s Sporting Goods this week is the following: The reservoir is still fishing very well, as long as you’re up in the inlet channels. Anglers have been reporting 15 to 40 fish to the boat with mice tails, power bait, inflated crawlers and pinched crawlers. Haven’t heard anything about trolling, this probably won’t get better for another few weeks, as the weather cools the trolling and the shore fishing should get better.
TWIN LAKES: Report from Ken’s Sporting Goods: The twins fished pretty well this week with a 7-pound 10-ounce brown from the Lower Twin being the biggest fish we hear of this week. Trolling with Rapalas, needlefish and Thomas Bouyants has been good, as well as bait fishing with pinched crawlers, mice tails and night crawlers. Shore anglers are also having some success early and late in the day casting Kastmasters and Thomas Bouyants as well as bait like power bait and mice tails. I personally like to use an F5 or a J5 perch colored Rapala. Boat launching is available at the Twin Lake Marina.
I hope you have a safe and memorable Labor Day weekend. Take your time getting to and from your destination so we can all fish and camp again. If you get a photo of your catch. send it to editor@carsonnow.org. Hope to see you on the waters soon. Good fishin’ and tight lines.
