Mac the Naw: Fall fishing in the Sierra has arrived, cold nights if you're tent camping

Hello fellow anglers, fall has fallen and brought the down the temperatures with it. Last week camping with the Ness family, we hit a whopping low of 24 degrees one night. That is hardcore camping when you are in a tent. For those that want to get in a few last camping trips, you have better hurry up.

All of the U.S. Forest Service campgrounds have closed already for the season and many other local areas will follow. Fall also brings the opening of Pyramid Lake fishing season on Oct. 1 and the closing of Topaz Lake the same day. Fishing season is never really over for the avid angler, we are just getting started.

SILVER LAKE: The water is down a little, the fishing has been fair. The campground area will close on Oct. 10, 2017.

CAPLES LAKE: The lake level is highest it has been in seven years for this time of year. The resort will be open until Oct. 22. They will be closed for the winter season. Fishing has picked up for shore and boat anglers. Boaters have been doing well with flashers and a worm. Shore anglers have been using worms or Powerbait with good success. The boat launch and general store is open. for more information stop by the Caples Lake Resort on Highway 88.

BLUE LAKES: The road and campgrounds are still open. Due to weather they can close at any time. Fishing has been good for average rainbow trout. A young lady named Mya Roberts caught a 2.5 pound brook trout on the upper lake earlier this month. That is the largest brook trout I have seen this year.

BURNSIDE LAKE: The road is open, but again this time of year can close at any time due to weather. Fishing has been very slow.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake level has dropped five feet over the last few months. The weeds and algae are plenty. Best areas to shore fish are by the dam and the campground area. I fished a few hours last week and caught one 12 inch bass and a small rainbow. The campground area will be closing on Oct. 9. You still have a time to get in one last trip. The boat ramp still open and very accessible.

MARKLEEVILLE CAMPGROUND: Closed for the season.

WEST FORK CARSON RIVER CALIFORNIA SIDE: The water level has come down making more areas fishable. Alpine County planted 1800 lbs of 2 to 4 pound rainbows two weeks ago. Mice tails and salmon eggs have been most productive. Fishing the faster waters with a Panther Martin spinner has also been productive. For more information stop by the Creekside Lodge.

EAST FORK CARSON RIVER: The water flows are still up and the clarity is rising. Alpine County planted the river last week with 1800 lbs of rainbow trout, with many in the 2 to 5 pound class. I spoke with Angel from the Carson River Resort. Angel reported a few anglers came in with good catches. With the largest weighing in at 6 pounds. The bite was off for awhile with the dipping temperatures. With our daytime temps now back up the bite should pick up very well. The resort is open for camping, RVs and cabin rentals a s well as a general store. For more information stop by the Carson River Resort.

TOPAZ LAKE: I fished last week with Tom Blotter for the last time of the season. On Oct. 1 Topaz Lake will close to fishing until Jan. 1, 2018. Fishing was not on fire, but it was a good day of fishing. We trolled Rapalas on the south end and caught 23 rainbows with a few small brown trout mixed in there.

Saturday will be the last day for fishing. But it will be a little crowded, the first annual WAVE ( welcome all veterans everywhere) fishing derby will be going on from 7am to 3 pm. Grand prize is $2,5000 if you can catch the gold tagged trout. $1000 for silver tag and $500 for a bronze tag. There will be 50 other prizes worth at least $50 each. For more information call 775-781-4849. The entry fee is $50 and all proceeds go to raise money to assist veterans.

JUNE LAKE AREA: June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726, Big Rock Resort (760) 648-7717. Oregon trout put in earlier this month. Both shore and boat still fishing working well. Trollers scoring some nice 'Bows and Cuts 8 to 9 colors lead core. The Tasmanian brown trout pattern seems to be a good choice along with the usual. June Lake Marina has hot showers available. Purchase tokens at the marina office.

Gull Lake: Gull Lake Marina 760)648-7539. My buddy "Hipper" and I were on Gull in a rental boat last Fri. and slayed 'em. Caught and successfully released a couple dozen CDFW stockers and each brought in a 3 and 4lb Oregon Rainbow to make up two sweet stringers with the stockers we kept. "Hipper" used garlic Powerbait while I rolled dough mostly with yellow garlic glitter. Had a blast! According to William at the marina Desert Springs Rainbows were dropped in Sept. 7th. and the catching has been consistently great all summer. He claims and I agree the daily breezes we commonly get this time of year that create a bit of wind chop improves the fishing. Don't ask us why, it just does.

Silver Lake: Silver Lake Resort 760)648-7525. So I was looking at their Big Fish Book and photos yesterday and man there's been a bunch of beautiful 2 to 5lb Oregon Rainbows hauled in last week including a 5-3 chucking a "Tommy Boy" from shore. Jerry from Garden Grove brought in a 5-8 out of nearby Rush Creek also using a "Tommy." Leslie and Pedro at the Resort say the catching has been off the hook if you will since mid August when 2 tons of the Oregonians were delivered and should continue with more coming this month and Oct. Take a break from fishing to enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Resort Cafe just a short walk from the lake.

Rush Creek: Along with that 5-8 Rainbow the creek had been fishing great all season with baits, lures, flies, Sierra Slammers, etc. Flows are pretty much normal now so access is good. I'd target the stretch alongside the USFS campground downstream to Aerie Crag day use area throwing Thomas Buoyants and Panther Martins.

Grant Lake: No phone service at Grant so check in with Shaun or Ritchie at the Marina. Talked with some of the "old timers" that stay in the campground all summer. Trolling has been best early mornings 6 to 9 colors for the larger Browns and 'Bows. Shore fishing is working mainly at Privy Point, The Narrows near the boat ramp, and "upper" section from Narrows to Rush Creek inlet. The Archer Family from Anaheim all got some nice 2 and 3lb Rainbows off the shore using mice tails. The big Browns that reside here should start to activate with the arrival of Fall and move into the "upper" lake and creek. Again, help us sustain these "residents" with catch and release methods.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a photo of your catch, send it to jeff@carsonnow.org. Have a question or a report in our local fishing area, call the Naw- line at 775-267-9722. Good fishin' and tight lines.