Anglers catch an ideal opening day (w/slideshow)

Click to Enlarge Matt Pierce of Meyers reels in a rainbow trout while angling in Hope Valley on Saturday during the opening day of fishing. Jim Grant / Tahoe Daily Tribune

Jim Grant, Adam Jensen and Steve Yingling, jgrant@tahoedailytribune.com
April 28, 2008

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It wasn't like any stream-fishing opener that Doug "Mac-the-Naw" Busey can remember.

Anglers were in shorts and short sleeves, and a few even brought out their waders Saturday for the opening day of California stream fishing outside the Tahoe Basin.

With temperatures warming into the 70s, anglers flocked to the Carson River on Saturday morning.

"Weatherwise, it was the best opening day we have had in a very long time. I remember every opening day, there has been frost or snow on the ground," Busey said. "One thing that was really nice to see was all the campers stretched along the (Carson River's) west fork, enjoying Mother Mature. The river was perfect, from the flow to the clarity."

Fishing license information

Where do you get a license? California fishing licenses are available at Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters, Mile High Fishing Charters, Tahoe Sportfishing, The Sportsman, Kmart, both South Shore locations of Longs Drugs and both South Shore locations of Raley's Supermarket. O'Malley's Fishing Charters and Tahoe Sportfishing in Zephyr Cove also sell California fishing licenses, according to the California Department of Fish and Game. How much does it cost? California residents can get sport-fishing licenses - valid until Dec. 31, 2008 - for $38.85. Single-day licenses cost $12.60, and two-day sport-fishing licenses are $19.45. Nonresident California licenses - valid until the end of the year - cost $104.20. A 10-day, nonresident sport-fishing license costs $38.85. New for 2008 is a $12.10 second-rod stamp, which allows an angler to fish with two rods or lines in inland waters, excluding those in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used, according to the Department of Fish and Game.

Busey spent the opener socializing rather than pursuing the elusive trout. He hiked along the west fork of the Carson River near Pickets Junction with his wife, Renee, and visited with many empty-handed anglers along both forks of the river.

"We met many anglers on our journey. They all seem to say the same thing: 'No, I haven't seen any,'" Busey said. "In the 52 miles we drove that day, I only heard of one nice fish caught. No one was bragging, but everyone was happy. I know there were more fish caught, but usually you see a couple of anglers walking along the roadway proudly dragging that stringer of fish."

Todd Sodaro, who operates Carson River Resort, said opening-day conditions were ideal, and many anglers caught their limits.

"It was dynamite all weekend," Sodaro said. "Water conditions were probably the best I've seen on opening day. The water was 40 degrees, and the flow was perfect."

Many anglers were clustered around the bridges, trying to enhance their chances of catching the rainbow trout planted by Alpine County and the California Department of Fish and Game. Both forks of the Carson River, Silver Creek and Markleeville Creek were planted in the week leading up to the opener.

Earlier Saturday morning, a handful of anglers had great results along the Carson River's west fork in Woodfords Canyon.

"The fishing has been pretty good. I've caught maybe six so far," said Matt Pierce of Meyers.

"Everybody in my group (six people) caught their limit. The weather and river is beautiful," said Scot Spangler of Topaz, Calif.

Larry Gilliland of Morgan Hill, Calif., noted that many of the fish that he caught were small.

"I come up every year with some buddies. Fishing is good, but they are small," Gilliland said. "We're doing catch-and-release and have caught nearly 20 fish, mostly on eggs."

Even the anglers who let a few slip off their lines were enjoying themselves.

"I brought seven kids up to fish, and almost all had hits. Some caught a few, and some lost a few. We all had a good time, and that is all that matters," said Chris Smithen of Gardnerville.

The rivers and streams flowing into Lake Tahoe remain closed until July 1.

Complete 2008-09 California fishing regulations are available at dfg.ca.gov/regulations.