Happy Holidays fellow anglers. I think old man winter is still on vacation. I feel the chill, but where is the snow? We took a little trip around the area to check out a few spots. A nice sunny day at the end of November.
On the way home, we decided to stop in at the Genoa Bar for a couple root beers and sit around the fire and talk with people. Then as the sun started to go down, I thought “wow” is it 4:30 p.m. already. Have we been here that long?
We started home and realized it was only a little after 2 p.m. I then remembered that the closer you are to the east side of a mountain, the sun goes away much faster. So when you’re out in those deep gullies fishing the rivers, prepare yourself for a lot of shadows and darker moments.
As far as the fishing, I was hoping to get up to one or two of the higher lakes to do some ice fishing by the end of December. This year, I do not think that will be happening, as you will see in this report. But, as you check out the reports, you’ll see that Santa came early to one area.
Before we get to the report, November was a month to remember for Carson area resident Lew Souder, who had been sheep hunting. While fishing at Wild Horse Reservoir in northern Elko County, Souder wasn’t having any luck on the water. He decided to hunt instead and got himself a beautiful big horn sheep. After collecting his trophy, he went back to Wild Horse Reservoir (the same trip) where he landed a 9.5 pound rainbow trout, making it a fish and hunting trip to remember.
Here’s the latest report:
LAKE TAHOE: I checked in with Jason from Ruby Jean Charters today. He said that the Mackinaw bite was decent. They were using live minnows behind blades. They were not hitting any of the lures they sent down. The mackinaw action seemed to be active into the midday as the sun came up and heats up a bit. They were able to get a few browns and rainbows up in the shallows off the rocks. For more info or to set up a trip. Go to rubyjeancharters.com.
TOPAZ LAKE: The bite has been slow in the morning. But does pick up as the sun gets a little higher. Trollers have been using flashers and a crawler or various Rapalas. The shore action has been mostly on the south end of the lake. Anglers have picked up a few on salmon peach or chartreuse Powerbait. Some have been using inflated crawlers. Use cation early in the morning when launching. There has been a little ice on the lake as well as the launch area. Watch your step.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The fishing has been hit and miss. The lake has been getting some ice on it early AM and hangs around the edge most of the day. If you can get out past the ice, the fish are there.
RED LAKE: A little ice on the lake periodically. Not enough to venture out on though. Just enough to mess up an early morning fishing trip. If you can get out to fish it, use salmon eggs off a bobber. Or throw a gold Kastmaster by the dam.
CAPLES LAKE: This is very disappointing to me. There is no ice forming on the lake as of this week. Some anglers have done fair on the south end by the spillway or off the dam. Panther Martin spinners or Kastmasters have been fairly productive. As a note, the lake is closed to all boat launching until next year. On the other side of that. The Caples Lake Lodge and restaurant will be opening on the 18th of this month. I will keep you informed on when it will be safe to do some ice fishing this year.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR: The lake is closed for fishing until the last Saturday in April.
CARSON RIVER WEST FORK: The river is running low and slow. There are a few spots in the canyon and out in the meadow that still hold fish. Remember that this time of year is catch and release with artificial lures or flies only with barbless hooks.
CARSON RIVER EAST FORK: The river is running very well and the fish are biting. Remember that little bit I told you about Santa’s gift. Well, The Alpine County Fish and Game Commission just planted 1500 pounds of 2 to 5 pound rainbows all up and down the river. This was a gift from them to promote the winter fisheries and fellow anglers.
Remember too, catch and release with artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks only until the last Saturday in April. Now if you want a treat to get away, the Carson River Resort has cabins for rent all season long. I personally would ask if the river cabin is available. For more information call 530-694-2229.
BLUE LAKES ROAD: Is closed for the season.
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 OWEN 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, it becomes our winter fishing grounds, mainly lure fishing and sometimes fly fishing. We made one trip there 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’s 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: 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 CDFW Regulations as to what sections are open and when. Good luck on your next fishing adventure. Make sure to have a full tank of gas and a few bottles of water and some snacks. You do not want to get caught out there with a mishap in this cold weather. Hope to see you on the waters soon.
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.
