Hello fellow anglers; I want to tell you of a place overlooked by many for years. Many of us pass by it as we journey through Hope Valley in Alpine County; some may view it as a rest stop at Picketts Junction.

The All Access Wildlife Path was built in 2001 through a partnership between California Fish and Wildlife, Alpine County and Friends of Hope Valley. The path is located at the junction of highways 88 and 89 in Hope Valley, California.

The facility has a parking area with a kiosk and restroom, along with concrete path that leads to the edge of the west fork of the Carson River. At the end of the path are two wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms for anglers.

Recently, Friends of Hope Valley went on a mission to clean and trim trees in the area to open the access road. Afterward, the river was planted with rainbow trout Tuesday, July 12, for the first time in a long time.

I am hoping that the avid angler that has the ability to walk the rivers will fish away from the area. This will give disabled anglers the chance to enjoy fishing the river for a long while.

Now for our local report:

LAKE TAHOE: Mackinaw action has been very good for early morning risers. Anglers have been fishing the north end of the lake, starting in 110 feet of water and moving to 240 feet as the sun rises; flashers and minnows have most productive.

The Cave Rock boat launch facility will have the south end of its parking area closed until the end of the month, which will cause a little congestion. On Aug. 1, the launch will be completely closed for at least 30 days due to construction and remodeling of the Cave Rock tunnel.

Other options for boat launching include Lake Forest, Obexers and Tahoe Keys Marina. Kokanee have started to show up around the Camp Richardson area.

UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER, TAYLOR CREEK, TROUT CREEK: Fishing has opened for the season; I suggest lures or flies with barbless hooks here. These are good places to practice catch-and-release to help sustain the population of a good fishery in Lake Tahoe.

CAPLES LAKE: CDFW has planted the lake with catchable rainbow trout, and El Dorado Irrigation District has planted the lake with catchable-to-trophy-sized rainbows. The EID day use and boat launch opens at 6:30 a.m., and Caples Lake Marina is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fishing has been slow, but is picking up — it has been good near the Woods Creek inlet and dam area for shore anglers while trollers have been going in the middle of the lake with Rapalas or flashers and worms.

WOODS LAKE: CDFW planted the lake this week with catchable rainbows. No boat access here except for inflatables, kayaks and canoes.

BLUE LAKES: Upper and lower lakes planted last week with catchable rainbows by CDFW. The road to the area is open for camping and fishing, and has plenty of day use areas.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: Lake starting to lower a little, with algae starting to thicken in areas. Last weekend, Renee and I were blown off the lake with winds in excess of 30 mph; a fellow angler told me of a 3-pound brown caught on a Rapala. The lake has plenty of large fish due to the plant by Alpine County last month.

HIGHLAND LAKE: Fishing for small brook trout has been productive at the far end of the lake, with anglers using salmon eggs or small flies with a bobber.

CARSON RIVERS (California side): Both rivers planted by Alpine County this week, and CDFW planted an additional 800 pounds of catchable rainbows. Renee and I ventured up last weekend after being winded off Indian Creek; we caught five rainbows up to 16 inches long using small spinners in the faster moving waters of the east fork.

TOPAZ LAKE: Lake level starting to drop. Some anglers have been productive fishing early and deep on the south end; Rapalas have been most productive. Anglers using flashers and worms have been catching a few while trolling close to shore.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a picture of your catch, send it to dprice@recordcourier.com. Have a question in our local fishing area? Call the Naw line at 775-267-9722. Good fishin’ and tight lines.