Hello, fellow anglers! We’re out of the frying pan and right into fall. With Labor Day this weekend, it’s time to plan ahead for your next adventure. Some areas of the Sierras have already been getting into the 30s at night, while daytime temperatures remain 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, keep in mind that as of this week, the BLM has tightened up fire restrictions. We are now in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Under these restrictions, it is prohibited to build, maintain, attend, or use a fire. This includes the use of wood, charcoal, or any other materials to build a campfire or stove fire, except for 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 three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. Driving or parking over dried grassy areas is prohibited, as is driving motorized vehicles off designated roads. These restrictions apply both in and out of designated campsites and recreational areas.

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 current restrictions. Each area around the Sierras may have different enforcement of these rules. Some may be a little more lenient, while others may be more restrictive. Our fuels are dry as a tinderbox, as we have seen over the last month or so. We have had too many fires in our local area. Some were accidental, such as lightning strikes, while others were caused by carelessness. If we all do our part, our next visit can be just as enjoyable. For example, I used to love camping at Indian Creek Reservoir for years. But fire took that from us, and to this day, the campground is still closed.

A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way

Before I get to this week’s fishing report, I would like to share some very important information that I had to learn the hard way. I lived in South Lake Tahoe, California, until about 1988. I then moved in with my girlfriend, who lived on Kingsbury Grade in Nevada. At the time, I had the option of buying a lifetime California fishing license for $600. A non-resident license was only $39, so with financial restrictions—and the price not being all that terribly bad—I opted for the non-resident license.

I wish I had the fortitude to look into the future! Today, I have to pay almost $200 for a non-resident California license each year. So, if you are planning on moving from California to Nevada and still plan to fish in California, look into the lifetime license before you move. It hurts every 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 lifetime license. I looked into that as well.

Fishing Reports

LAKE TAHOE

With the cooler temperatures, the fishing should start picking up. It has been a little slow over the last few weeks. For the first-time angler fishing the lake, I would recommend hiring a guide or stopping in at Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters or Big 5 Sporting Goods. Anglers using a dodger and a live minnow, or a rubber minnow with Pro-Cure gel, can fish the Camp Richardson area or from Cave Rock to the east in 50 to 150 feet of water. Downriggers are a must.

Lead core line will not get you deep enough for lake trout unless you are going after rainbows and browns. For those species, use the appropriate colors and fish an F5 or F9 rainbow or black-and-silver Rapala in 20 to 40 feet of water. But you need to start early in the morning.

CAPLES LAKE

Fishing has been very slow. The lake has rainbow, brown, and lake trout. The resort offers boat launching and boat rentals. They also have nice cabins right on the lake for rent and a fantastic chef for an evening meal. The lake also has a public launch ramp available. Remember the elevation. Renee and I were up there a week ago, and there were still small patches of snow on the higher peaks. For more information, call Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.

WOODS LAKE

Woods Lake offers tent camping and day use. The lake has rainbow, brook, and Lahontan cutthroat trout. Inflated night crawlers or salmon eggs work well. Morning and evening hours are best 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 are no boat-launching facilities, so it is float tubes, canoes, or kayaks only. Last week, the lake had a nice tint of green over the water. Salmon eggs, night crawlers, or throwing a small Kastmaster are the best tickets for this lake.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR

The lake offers primitive camping on the south side of the lake. The campground area is closed, and no campfires are allowed. Right now, the lake has an algae bloom. There is a primitive boat launch for small aluminum boats, kayaks, canoes, and float tubes. Get out to the deeper water near the campground, and fishing should be good for both trollers and fly anglers.

WEST FORK CARSON RIVER — ALPINE COUNTY

Fishing is almost nonexistent in Hope Valley due to low water. There are a few spots down in Woodfords Canyon that still hold fish. There are also a few areas along Highway 88 for primitive camping. No campfires are 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 or tail end of the deeper pools. Carson River Resort offers full hookups for RV camping. They also have tent camping right on the river. The store is stocked with all those items you may have left behind or forgotten to bring—from drinks and food to fishing supplies. Check with the resort for current campfire restrictions. For more information, call the resort at 530-694-2229.

TOPAZ LAKE

The lake level has gone down a little more, but there is still plenty of water to play in and on. I fished from shore this week with my better half, Renee—which, as always, she schools me! We fished with PowerBait on the south end for four hours and did not get one bite. I spoke to a couple of trollers this week, and they did catch a couple of small rainbows using Rapalas or flashers and a crawler.

The lake does have a ton of fish in it from NDOW, but the water temperatures have kept them deep. Douglas County Park offers tent and RV camping and boat launching. Topaz Marina offers launching and boat rentals. As an angler, I would recommend starting at O-dark-thirty and fishing until about 11 a.m. Then come in and relax while the water skiers and jet skiers enjoy the lake.

BLUE LAKES

Blue Lakes is located off Highway 88, just outside of Hope Valley. The dirt road into Blue Lakes is about 10 miles to the lower lake and another two miles to the upper lake. Primitive camping is available at both. Check with the camp host for current campfire restrictions. The lakes have rainbow, brown, Lahontan cutthroat, and brook trout.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR

Here is a report I received from Ken’s Sporting Goods this week. The reservoir is still fishing very well, as long as you are up in the inlet channels. Anglers have been reporting 15 to 40 fish to the boat using Mice Tails, PowerBait, inflated crawlers, and pinched crawlers. I haven’t heard anything about trolling. This probably won’t get better for another few weeks. As the weather cools, both trolling and shore fishing should improve.

TWIN LAKES

Another report from Ken’s Sporting Goods: The Twins fished pretty well this week, with a 7-pound, 10-ounce brown from Lower Twin being the biggest fish we heard about this week. Trolling with Rapalas, Needlefish, and Thomas Buoyants has been good, as has 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 Buoyants, as well as using bait such as PowerBait and Mice Tails. I personally like to use an F5 or J5 perch-colored Rapala. Boat launching is available at Twin Lake Marina.

Have a Safe Labor Day Weekend!

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@recordcourier.com. Hope to see you on the waters soon!

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.