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Mac the Naw: Take caution as weather changes

Doug Busey
Special to the Tribune
Ken Richardson hauled in this trout trolling with a jointed Rapala by Caples Lake Resort Cabin guests Oct. 11. The resort is currently in fall shutdown mode until Christmas.
Courtesy Caples Lake Resort |

Hello fellow anglers; it is that time of year when road closures happen overnight. As of Wednesday, Oct. 29, all roads in Alpine County were still open to public access. With our weather changing this weekend, that may also change quickly.

Many of the campgrounds in our area have already closed for the season — make sure you check ahead of time before you venture out. This is why I include contact numbers for different locations in Alpine County.

Our weather can change from 70 degrees and clear to inches of snow on the ground in 24 hours. I was caught many years ago at Indian Creek Reservoir in that same situation. Always be prepared, tell someone where you are going and when you will return — be safe to fish another day.



LAKE TAHOE: Fishing for mackinaw has been rated very good. Now that the fish are coming off the spawn, they have been hitting harder. Best areas have been Dollar Point and Cal/Neva Point. Anglers have been trolling a white or silver dodger with a live minnow in 100 to 200 feet of water. Make sure you get your presentation right on the bottom. Average mackinaw has been 2 to 8 pounds. Topliners have had good success north of the Cave Rock area — they have been using Rapalas or just a set of flasher blades and a half a worm. Some anglers have still been on the kokanee bite in the Camp Richardson area. For more info, call Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters at (530) 544-6552.

SILVER LAKE: The boat ramp and Kit Carson Lodge have closed for the season. Some anglers have been shore fishing, but not having the best of luck.



CAPLES LAKE: The lake level is only 12 feet from the high water mark. The county ramp was open last week, but may close with our recent weather change. The resort is in fall shutdown mode until mid-November. With cooler temperatures, the fishing has picked up a bit. Chris Jennings was fishing with his son and caught a 3-pound rainbow using pink Powerbait. Ken Richardson was trolling a jointed Rapala and caught a nice 4-pound mackinaw. Sorry to say this so early, but I am looking forward to ice fishing soon. For more info, call the Caples Lake Resort at (209) 258-8888.

EAST CARSON RIVER (CALIFORNIA): My friend Geary Ness and I spent three days at the Carson River Resort a couple weeks ago. The water level is very good for this time of year, and considering our drought situation. We did do a lot of walking up and down the river and fished parts of the river I have never fished before. We were rewarded for our efforts with a nice trout dinner one night. The best areas we found were only a foot deep in the moving water, not in the deeper holes as many would think. Last week, Scott Burke from Sacramento was using salmon eggs and caught a nice 4-pound rainbow. Make a note: the last day to fish the east fork above Hangman’s Bridge is Nov. 15. Below the bridge is open all year to catch and release using only artificial lures or flies with a barbless hook. For more info, call the Carson River Resort at (530) 694-2229.

WEST CARSON RIVER (CALIFORNIA): Water level is extremely low and has been fishing very slow. If you do not mind a little walking, fish Woodfords Canyon between the bridges in the faster waters and not the slack water.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: Fishing has been slow. The water level is low and still has weeds around the shore areas by the dam. The cooler weather should pick up the action in the following few weeks.

TOPAZ LAKE: Closed to fishing until Jan. 1, 2015.

PYRAMID LAKE: Opened to fishing and has been very good. My friend Shawn Lee was fishing last week from the shore — he told me he was throwing different colors of spoons and caught eight fish ranging from 18 to 36 inches. The largest fish he caught was 15 pounds. Remember that a Nevada fishing license is not required, but a tribal permit is. They can be purchased at Crosby Lodge when you get to the lake.

There is a slot limit for cutthroat trout at Pyramid Lake: 17 to 20 inches and over 24 inches. You may keep two in the 17-to-20-inch slot or one over 24 inches and one in the 17-to-20-inch range. Anglers must use artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks and cannot use more than two hooks on any lure — bait or the use of any artificial attractant is not allowed.

NDOW FISH PLANTS: Baily Pond, Mitch Park Pond, Carson River, Douglas County, Walker River east fork, Topaz Lake.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure and don’t forget to turn your clocks back Sunday morning. If you get a photo of your catch, email it to dprice@recordcourier.com. If you have a question in our local fishing world, call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. Good fishin’ and tight lines.


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