Fishing Report

Hello, fellow anglers!

Dang, it might have cooled off a little. But the fish are still staying down deep with their mouths closed, because many waters are still pretty warm.

But I have to tell you about a privilege I had a week ago. I was able to fish with two bass-pro anglers on Topaz Lake. And let me tell you—we kicked bass!

We fished for a couple of hours and caught and released 18 smallmouth bass using Rapalas. I also threw a Scum Frog for some topwater action. I fished with 8-year-old Rafael Maugeri and his 4-year-old brother, Santino Maugeri, from Minden, Nevada. Some of the bigger bass required the brothers to team up to reel them in. That was a sight to see, and I tell you, that was some fun fishing!

In other fishing news, I have been all over the Sierras over the last couple of weeks looking for that hot spot. I am sorry to say I have not found it. I will continue my quest because I am a fishin' fool and will never give up.

This week's report is short and to the point. But give it some time. When the weather cools off and gets back into the 80s, the bite will be right back on!

LAKE TAHOE

The fishing has been slow for most anglers. Some have been fishing off either Cave Rock or in the Camp Richardson area.

I spoke to a longtime friend who has fished the lake for years. He has always done well on the shelf off Ski Run, but this year it hasn't been so good.

Most anglers have been pulling a dodger and a live minnow close to the bottom or using tube jigs around the rocks.

CAPLES LAKE

Renee and I fished the whole lake this week. We lead-cored F7 and J5 Rapalas in 30 to 50 feet of water. We also threw out a topline and changed up to various patterns, but we didn't get a single hit.

I could see some big schools of fish when we trolled from Purgatory Cove to the Weeds Creek area, which is not flowing now.

But I must say, we did not get skunked! I did catch and release an 8-inch rainbow.

The lake level is still up, and the water was a cool 69 degrees.

Reminder: On September 12 at the Caples Lake Marina, there will be a free kids' fishing derby. There will be prizes and hot dogs for the young anglers.

For more information, call Caples Lake Resort and Marina at 209-258-8888.

WOODS LAKE

The water is low, and I have not fished it recently. Nor have I received any reports.

Woods Lake is located just 2 miles east of Caples Lake. Basic camping is available right at the lake.

RED LAKE

Which is now... Green Lake!

This time of year, the lake turns over and takes on a nice shade of green. The lake is still quite fishable, and I have reports from a couple of anglers who caught a few small rainbows and a brook trout.

They were using inflated nightcrawlers.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR

The lake has a lot of algae along the shore. If you don't mind cleaning some weeds off every cast, you will catch some nice fish.

But here again, the water temperature was about 75 degrees, and the fish are mostly out in the deeper water. I would suggest fishing off the dam, but watch your step out there.

WEST CARSON RIVER — ALPINE COUNTY

The water level is very low and slow-flowing. There are some decent holes out in Hope Valley, but you need to sneak up on them so you don't spook the fish.

Your best bet would be to venture down into the Woodfords Canyon area for some deeper, shaded places.

EAST FORK CARSON RIVER — ALPINE COUNTY

The water level has dropped a lot, but the river is still very fishable. You just need to do some exploring and walking.

Look for those undercut cliffs and the still pools right below the faster-moving water. I guesstimate the speed of the river this week was about 1.5 mph in the flat water.

Try small Panther Martin spinners in the slower water, or drift a hopper or an Elk Hair Caddis early in the morning or late in the evening.

The Carson River Resort is open for tent and RV camping, with a fully stocked general store. You could also stay in one of their cabins. If you're lucky enough, you might even get to stay in the 100-year-old cabin right on the river.

For more information, call the resort at 530-694-2229.

TOPAZ LAKE

The lake level is still dropping. In just one week, the level went down another 5 or so feet. That makes it nice to drive right down to the boat-launch area and back right in.

I trolled the lake on all sides with various sizes of Rapalas and a few flies. I toplined and took them deep. After four hours without a bite for trout, I went and picked up my two young fellow anglers and went bass fishing.

We caught and released 18 smallmouth bass ranging from 10 inches to a couple of pounds.

But I have to say, I am looking forward to fall weather. The fishing will be off the charts when the temperatures come down a little.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR

The lake level is getting low. Most anglers have been bait or fly fishing over in the Buckeye and Robinson Creek channels.

Trollers have been picking up too much green algae on their lines.

The marina is open for tent and RV camping and boat rentals as long as the water level remains up.

For more information, call the Bridgeport Marina at 760-932-7001.

DOWN SOUTH

Now that we've hit mid-August, the temperatures are cooling a bit and the summer crowds have lessened. Within a week or two, there may even be a hint of fall in the air.

The cooling trend will help the fishing at the local lakes and Upper Owens, while in the backcountry it should remain about the same into October.

GULL AND JUNE LAKES

Ya know, every year there's something goofy going on with the CDFW stocking. Hatcheries shut down, power outages, not enough oxygen to transport fish, not enough truck drivers, the water is too warm (?????), etc., etc.

According to their online fish-planting schedule—which I look at while drinking a big cup of skepticism—the last Gull Lake stocking was the week of July 12, and June Lake was stocked the week before the Fourth of July.

Hence, the number of fish we're catching goes down with each trip out.

Typically, before Labor Day weekend, stockings by the state, the marinas, the June Lake stocking program, and sometimes Mono County provide a boost to the fishing and carry us through into October.

So, we shall see!

All that being said, during recent trips on both lakes, we've been getting 10 to 15 rainbows up to 16 inches and an occasional cutthroat on June Lake.

As usual, our baits of choice are Mice Tails, Garlic Pinch Crawlers, and Salmon Peach and Garlic PowerBaits. Soon we'll add a nightcrawler bobber rig to the mix, as this starts working around this time of year.

UPPER OWENS RIVER ABOVE BENTON CROSSING

As a reminder, this section is barbless flies and lures only, catch-and-release, and open all year.

The recent cooling trend and a slight increase in the flow have improved the fishing here. As the cooling continues into fall—and maybe with a bit more flow by mid- to late September—we should be seeing big rainbows and browns come up from Crowley like we did last year.

For now, using Yellow Spot and Flashback Pheasant Tail nymphs, Caddis flies, Stimulators, Hoppers, Stoneflies, Woolly Buggers, and others, we've been catching a good number of smaller rainbows and browns, along with rainbows and Kamloops up to 20 inches.

Interestingly, the bigger fish, despite the very clear water, are not that spooky compared with the browns that were here in July. As soon as we cast anywhere nearby, those browns were gone.

Here's some hopeful speculation: Since the big winter and ensuing runoff in 2023, there have been no hoppers...until now!

There are a lot of 1/2- to 1-inch grasshoppers populating the grass along the river. So maybe in September there will be a decent "Hopper Season," and/or at least it will lead to next year's regeneration of the yearly season.

Fingers crossed on this one!

BACKCOUNTRY

Our two favorite spots, Mine Creek in Tioga Pass and Upper Rock Creek in Little Lakes Valley, are not fishing quite as well as they have the past few years. But we're still getting 20 to 30 mostly small brookies using Caddis patterns and Black Ants.

As always, these locations offer a ton of fun along with spectacular scenery. They make for a wonderful day of hiking and fly fishing.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

I will continue to keep my line wet, and with cooler temperatures just around the corner, the fishing will be on the hook!

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. I hope to see you on the waters soon.

If you get a picture of your catch, send it to editor@recordcourier.com.

Good fishin' and tight lines!

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you have a question. a report in our local fishing area or have a photo of your catch, send it to nevada@fishreports.com. Hope to see you on the waters. Good fishin' and tight lines.