By Doug Busey — Hello fellow anglers. Before we get into the fishing report, I want to tell you about a show I watched last week. Seems that a family of four rented a canoe and ventured out on a lake. It was a clear and calm day.  Later on that day, the marina owner contacted authorities to report the family had not returned back at their designated time.

The fish and game officers ventured out on their boat to locate the family. What they found was heartbreak. It seemed the canoe had capsized and all four family members had drowned. They did find life jackets floating around the area where the incident happened. But no one was wearing one. 

I feel that the marina operator should have given strict instructions that all life jackets must be worn when renting one of their vessels, and given proper instructions on how to properly wear them.

I may be wrong, the family may have had proper instructions. But decided to take them off, being that it was a calm day. I cannot stress how important it is to wear a life jacket while on the water in a canoe, and motorized boat, jet ski or even a float tube. I will also agree that the orange and yellow life jackets are not comfortable to wear. But if you do not have any other choice, wear them.

I personally have an inflatable life preserver that I wear each time I go out. My fishing partner also wears an inflatable vest. They are not intrusive and work with a co2 cartridge. If you fall from your vessel, all you need to do is pull the rope to inflate them. But these also need a little training to use them properly.

Now another point of interest, if you were born after Jan. 1 1983 in Nevada, it is a requirement to take a boater safety course before operating a watercraft. I took the Nevada boating safety class online in 1997. I am not required to do so, but I highly recommend it to all boaters.

Now in California, as of Jan. 1 2025, all boaters regardless of age must complete a boaters safety course. You can also do this online. A word to the wise, if you’re caught boating in California without your boaters safety certificate you can receive a fine. First offense is $100, 2nd offense is $250 and third offense is $500. It takes only a short time online to complete your course and you will receive a boaters card to carry with you. And yes, I completed my course a few years ago.

Let’s all just be safe on the water so we can live to tell all of our fish stories. Here is this week’s report:

TOPAZ LAKE: The lake is still producing fish when you can get out. Jointed Rapalas in black and silver have been most productive. If you’re using lead core line, use an F5 or F6 blk/slvr or a perch pattern. Shore anglers have done fair off the north end of the lake with Powerbait or inflated nightcrawlers.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:  Fishing has slowed a little. Powerbait has still been most productive. Some anglers have been tossing gold Kastmasters off the dam area. After this week’s rains, I would not recommend using the dirt road off of Diamond Valley Road. It can be a little nasty.

BLUE LAKES: The road is closed for the season.

WOLF CREEK ROAD: Closed for the season.

BURNSIDE ROAD, TAMARACK AND SUNSET LAKE: Closed for the season.

SCHNEIDER COW CAMP AND POOR BOY ROAD: Closed for the season.

FORESTDALE AND HIGHLAND LAKES ROAD:  Still open at this time. But will close at any time due to weather.

CAPLES LAKE: The fishing has been fair. Not many people are up fishing due to both of the ramps being closed for the season. Some anglers are fishing on the west side of the lake by the road and doing fair using inflated crawlers or powerbait. The Caples Lake Resort will open on Dec. 18.

RED LAKE: Fishing has been slow, but some anglers have been catching some brookies using salmon eggs by the dam. While others have been using spinners or gold Kastmasters off the dam.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: Fishing has been fair for anglers throwing spinners or red power eggs. Average fish has been in the 1 to 2.5 pound range. Special note: As of Nov. 15, the rivers convert to artificial or flies only with barbless hooks, and zero limit. For more information stop by the Carson River Resort. They are open all year for camping and cabin rentals.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The river is running very low. Fishing has been slow and if you want to find the fish. You will have to take a long walk through Hope Valley. There are some areas in Woodfords Canyon that still hold fish. But prepare for a steep climb. As of Nov. 15. catch and release only with artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks only.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR: The resort launch is closed. They are still taking reservations for camping. Fishing has been good when you can get out. Boat launching only by the dam at the bathtub. Shore anglers have had fair luck using inflated crawlers or Powerbait or eggs. For more information, stop by the Bridgeport Marina.

UPPER OWENS RIVER: Above Benton Crossing, barbless flies and lures only, catch and release, open all year. Since September there’s been three sets of big fish runs of Browns and Rainbows coming and going from Lake Crowley.

During the latest run the fish were concentrated in some, but not all, of the deepest bends making them easy targets and resulting in up to six 18” to 24” caught most days using Yellow Spot and Flashback Pheasant Tail nymphs under an indicator about 6’ deep.

During the past week those fish have spread out into the deeper (3’ to 4’) runs for some spawning activity.

The nymphs are only working for an occasional straggler in those deep bends so bacon and eggs (egg pattern with a San Juan worm under an indicator) are on the menu along with casting black or olive Wooly Buggers downstream.

In past years these fish will move back into the bends for some R & R before heading back to Crowley so we’ll see if that’s the case this year. Also, there’s been some decent Caddis and Mayfly activity, hence some good top water action for mostly smaller fish using those dry fly patterns.

LOWER OWENS: River wild trout section: Below Pleasant Valley Campground, barbless flies and lures only, catch and release, open all year. When wind, temps, and snow at The upper dictate the lower, with fall and springlike conditions, our winter fishing grounds become mainly lure fishing and sometimes fly fishing. We made one trip in mid October to check it out getting a good amount of browns and rainbows up to 18 inches.

The brush and reeds are pretty thick in some areas cutting off access to some spots but should improve as they go dormant during the coming weeks. Lure wise, we’re chucking Panther Martins, Thomas Buoyants, and Rapalas with the belly hooks removed. When fly fishing it’s pretty much the same as what we use at the upper. Even in winter, due to the warmer temps, there’s a consistent mid-day Mayfly hatch so that is the time to throw BWOs and/or Caddis patterns.

How ‘Bout those smaller creeks:
Most, if not all of the smaller local creeks are either open all year or beyond the general season closing and then switching to barbless flies and lures only, catch and release.

HOT CREEK: Barbless flies ONLY, catch and release, open all year.

RUSH CREEK: Below Grant Lake: Barbless flies and lures only, catch and release, open all year. Others that remain open. They are Parker, Walker, Lee Vining, and Green Creeks to name a few that switch to barbless flies and lures only, catch and release until the general season re-opens the last Saturday in April.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You MUST check thoroughly the alphabetical listing of waters in the CDFG Regulations as to what sections are open and when. Good luck on your next fishing adventure, Hopefully it will start getting cold enough to start ice fishing by December.

Hope to see you on the waters soon. until then Good fishin’ and tight lines.