Hello fellow anglers; it’s just hot, hot, hot. Even the fish are saying it’s too hot to bite.

Last week, Renee and I decided to go up Highway 4 to camp along the river and fish. We found our spot after looking for an hour or so, due to the amount of other people with the same idea in mind. Some were fishing, but most were rafting and playing in the water to cool off. I ventured off the beaten path through a few streams to a hole I wanted to fish.

It was a little treacherous getting in and down through the rocks, but I made it and was in heaven with plenty of fish to catch. Between the trees and the bushes, I had a couple feet on both sides of me to maneuver my angling skills. I caught a couple small trout when I heard a crash in bush behind me — thinking I was in bear country, I quickly got in defensive mode.

Not paying attention to the ground underneath me, I swirled around only to lose my footing and balance — and found myself going toward a head-plant directly into the rocks. I extended my hands to brace myself; when I landed, I realized my middle finger had taken the brunt of the fall.

For those wondering what the crash was, it was a man and his son trying to find the same hole the hard way. I think they saw how the terrain was and turned around without saying a word. Funny thing is, I will go back and fish that spot again, with a different pair of waders.

That fall, my fellow anglers, means I am typing this week with only two fingers and will cover the main areas in our local area. Here’s the local report:

LAKE TAHOE: Fishing has been very good for anglers that get on the water before the sun rises. As soon as the sun touches the water, it slows down. Mackinaws have been coming in on the north end of the lake just east of Tahoe City — start on the drop offs in 110 feet of water and move out as the sun starts to rise. Flashers and a minnow right on the bottom has been the most productive.

Kokanee have been showing up around Camp Richardson. They have been located in 160 to 200 feet of water suspended down about 60 to 80 feet. Reminder: Cave Rock boat ramp will close Aug. 1 for one to two months.

CAPLES LAKE: Water level has been going down a little each day; both the El Dorado Irrigation District and Caples boat launches are open. Fishing has been fair for rainbows in the 12-to-14-inch range. California Department of Fish and Wildlife planted the lake recently with catchable rainbow trout, which will get the mackinaw more active in the early morning.

Fished here with friend a couple weeks ago and caught a 2-pound mackinaw deep lining with a Rapala No. 5. Most anglers have using medium flashers with half of a nightcrawler.

BLUE LAKES: Lake is getting low and fishing has been rated at slow. CDFW planted the lake a couple weeks ago; I have not received any positive reports recently.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK (California side): Flow is perfect in the Woodfords canyon area. Fishing has been good for those that do not mind a little hike. Drifting salmon eggs into the lower holes has been most productive. Alpine County Fish and Wildlife planted last week with 800 pounds of trout ranging from 12 inches to 4 pounds.

I recommend starting at the east side of Hope Valley and working back across the meadow. Word to the wise: do not cast a shadow on the water, or your luck in that hole will be done.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK (California side): Planted by Alpine County last week with 900 pounds of trout ranging from 12 inches to 4 pounds. I would recommend fishing here on weekdays if you can; weekends have been extremely crowded.

I would like to wish a happy 60th birthday to fellow angler Rocky Walling, who caught a nice brown trout while fishing the river last weekend — a special gift for Rocky, as well as a gift he gave back after releasing it. Most anglers have been using Powerbait in the deeper holes; I used a small silver spinner in the faster moving waters last weekend and caught and released a few myself.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: Lake level going down a little and algae has taken over a majority of the lake. I fished here last week and caught a 13-inch rainbow on rainbow Powerbait. Make sure you have polarized glasses so you can see the weed beds — there are two main beds, and if you can cast over the second one you will have better success.

If you have any questions in our local fishing area, call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. Have a photo of your catch? Send it to dprice@recordcourier.com. Good fishin’ and tight lines.