Hello, fellow anglers!

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but it’s getting darker a little earlier each day. In fact, we’re losing about one minute of daylight each day until we reach the winter solstice, which occurs around December 21. But then again, cooler temperatures mean cooler water, and that can bring on a better bite.

Before we get to our local fishing report, I need to make a correction that was brought to my attention by a fellow angler, Terry Cuyler from Gardnerville, NV. I was incorrect when I stated that Blue Lakes had only a primitive campground area. The lake actually has a well-defined camping area for both tent campers and RVers. They have bathroom facilities, running water, a picnic table at each site, and a camp host to help with any questions you may have. The road from Highway 88 to the lower lake is approximately 8–10 miles of dirt road. However, the road is clean and well-defined, with only a few washboard areas here and there. I wanted to correct my error in mislabeling the camping area in my last report, and I want to thank Terry for pointing it out to me. I never want to deter anyone from enjoying our local back lakes and rivers because of something I have written.

This report is a little shorter than usual because I was ill for a short time and haven’t been out fishing as much as I normally try to be.

LAKE TAHOE

The kokanee bite is going strong on the south end of the lake. Many anglers have been getting limits of 12-inchers. The Mackinaw bite has also been doing well near the Camp Richardson area and around Taylor Creek, mainly because the fish are chasing the schools of kokanee. I would throw a rubber or spider jig right into the middle of the schools. For more information, call Jason at 775-233-5055 or visit RubyJeanCharters.com.

TOPAZ LAKE

The lake level has continued to drop, which makes the fishing just a little better in my book. There are a few spots that can be difficult to fish when the water is high. Most trollers have been doing well with silver/black or perch F3 or F5 Rapalas while toplining. The old standby flashers have also been doing well with a threaded half a nightcrawler. The shore action has been hit and miss—three or four fish one day and one the next. Inflated crawlers or salmon peach or sherbet PowerBait, fished with an 18-inch leader, have been productive.

CAPLES LAKE

CDFW recently planted the lake with catchable rainbow trout, and the fishing has been good due to the cooler temperatures. Trolling flashers and a crawler or using a Thomas Buoyant spoon has been productive. Remember to use a very small snap swivel with a spoon, or your line will get twisted. Now that the temperatures have cooled down, the Mackinaw fishing should start to pick up. Make a note that the resort will be closing on 10/11 to prepare for the winter season. You will have to use the public ramp to launch. For more information, call Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.

RED LAKE

The lake is still green, but a few anglers have picked up some small brookies using spinners or salmon eggs. I myself will be waiting for the ice-fishing season this December, which everyone will be invited to join.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR

The lake is still a little green. There haven’t been many reports coming out, and I have not been able to get up there myself. But I will be up there next week to give you a full, on-the-spot report. Right now, both roads are open to the lake.

WEST FORK CARSON RIVER — ALPINE COUNTY

CDFW has planted some catchable rainbows over the last couple of weeks. The water level is still low but very fishable. When fishing the Hope Valley area, you need to sneak up on the deeper holes out in the valley because the fish are easily spooked. I would recommend either fly fishing or using a micro pinch weight with half a crawler or a single salmon egg. The best areas to fish are still down in the Woodfords Canyon area, particularly around the deeper holes.

EAST FORK CARSON RIVER — ALPINE COUNTY

CDFW recently planted the river with pan-sized rainbows, and Alpine County Fish & Game planted some nice rainbows as well. Mike Dirks caught a nice 3.5-pound rainbow this week. Fishing has been doing well for both fly anglers, using a Copper John—my favorite—or spin casters using Panther Martin spinners. For more information, visit CarsonRiverResort.com or call 530-694-2229.

BLUE LAKES

Fishing has been good to fair. CDFW planted the lake a couple of weeks ago. Most anglers have had the best luck using inflated crawlers or salmon peach PowerBait. I would highly recommend their camping area, as I will be doing myself in a couple of weeks. Maybe I’ll see you up there!

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR

The lake has finally reached the point where the marina had to pull the docks out of the water. But, as many anglers know, you can still launch from shore down by the dam. Be aware, though, that the sand can be a little soft. Also, as a reminder, you must have an inspection sticker on your boat before launching. If you don’t, it could cost you a hefty fine.

NDOW LOCAL FISH PLANTS

Bailey Pond, Wilson Common Pond, Marilyn’s Pond, Mitch Pond, Mountain View Pond #2, and Seeman Pond.

GULL AND JUNE LAKES

The Labor Day weekend trips on both lakes were tough going due to high winds. Friday on Gull Lake, we had no fish and bailed after about three hours. On Saturday, we were able to fish longer and managed to get only five fish. At June Lake on Sunday, once we found a spot where we could keep the boat stable and avoid drifting in the wind, we brought in seven rainbows up to 16 inches. At both lakes, we are using the usual suspects bait-wise (see previous report) and had some success tossing a red-and-gold Thomas Buoyant. We’ll be back out on both lakes later this week, hoping for less wind and better fishing.

UPPER OWENS RIVER ABOVE BENTON CROSSING

For most of the summer, the flow here—the flow changes depending on how much water LADWP is sending from Grant Lake—has been in the mid-50 CFS range, increasing to 66 CFS a few days ago. We like the flow in the 80- to 100-CFS range. Looking back to last year, which is always an iffy proposition, we’re hanging our fishing hat on what happened then. With the coming of fall and lasting into early November, the big brown and rainbow fishing—20 inches and up—was the best we had seen in the past 10 to 12 years. As we head there on each upcoming trip, we’re hopeful for a repeat this year and an increase in the flow. Flies we have been using and will continue to use include Yellow Spot and Flashback Pheasant Tail nymphs, midges, olive and black Woolly Buggers, E.C. Caddis and Stimulators. We’ll also be adding egg patterns and San Juan Worms to the mix.

BACKCOUNTRY

We have not fished our two favorite spots, Mine Creek in Tioga Pass and Rock Creek in Little Lakes Valley, much lately. This season, we’ve seen fewer fish overall, but we’re still getting 20 to 30 small brookies at Mine Creek and about the same number at Rock Creek, along with a few browns and rainbows. We’ve been using primarily Caddis and Black Ant patterns. At Mine Creek, many of the brookies will be migrating from the lakes into the creek to spawn as October approaches.

TENAYA AND TIOGA LAKES

Having never fished either lake, we jumped in the truck one recent day to check ’em out. Driving west on Highway 120 toward Yosemite, we went past Tioga Lake before the park entrance and made it to Tenaya Lake, traveling through Tuolumne Meadows along the way. Oops! Upon arrival, along with Mango the dog, we saw signs everywhere, including a big electric roadwork-type sign flashing, “No Paws Off Pavement,” warning that no dogs are allowed on the trails and beaches. To avoid what could potentially be a federal offense, we headed back to Tioga Lake.

While shore fishing there, we caught a couple of rainbows using Kastmasters and Panther Martins. We then switched to scented floating baits like we use at Gull and June Lakes and started getting rainbows one after another, up to 16 inches. We kept a couple and released the rest.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. I hope to see you on the waters soon! Renee and I will be out next week exploring and fishing all the lakes and rivers in Alpine County. If you get a picture of your catch, send it to editor@recordcourier.com.

Until then, good fishin’ and tight lines!