Hello fellow anglers and welcome to Memorial weekend. Before I get to our local report, I have to tell you about some great people.
As many have heard, due to the lack of rain in the Carson Valley, the 26th annual Lampe Park Kids Fishing Derby was going to be moved to Mitch Pond. I am here to say, due to the generosity of the Carson Valley Ranchers, they have collectively agreed to give the amount of water needed for the five day derby event. That my friends is what community is all about. I tip my hat to the Carson Valley Ranchers for stepping up and making a difference for the kids.
In appreciation I will be wearing my big black hat on Sunday during the derby. The derby will be held June 6-7. Registration forms are available at the Douglas County Parks Department or for more information Call Heather Gertsch at 775-684-9018.
For those that would like to volunteer call Rachelle Dumas at 775-309-3873, if you would like to become a sponsor for the event contact Steve Hamilton at 775-392-3579. You can also get all the information via email at kfdvolunteers@aol.com.
I will have a special article in next week's fishing column. Now let's check out what's going on in our local fishing world.
LAKE TAHOE:
John Shearer reported a 15 and an 8 pound mackinaw caught this last week.
They have been fishing the south and west shores of the lake. John said they have been fishing 120 to 180 feet of water bouncing the bottom with live minnows. Many limits have come in with the average size 2-5 pounds.
For more information call Tahoe Sport fishing at 530-541-5448.
CAPLES LAKE:
The rain and snow has been good to the lake, it is now at the 58 foot mark, that is only 4 feet short of the high water line.
One angler was fly fishing near the Woods Creek inlet and caught a nice 8 pound mackinaw. While other anglers have had good luck with flashers and worms. Shore anglers have had good success by the spillway or on the dam using inflated nightcrawlers. The Caples lake Resort is open for the season. The boat launch and general store is open, cabin and boat rentals available.
The Eldorado Irrigation District Boat ramp and day use facility is also open. The Caples Lake campground is scheduled to open this weekend. For more information contact the Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.
BLUE LAKES:
As of May 14th the road is only open to the 4th gate, approximately 7.5 miles in to Charity valley.
WOODS LAKE:
Open as of May 14th. Use caution and bring plenty of warm clothes with you. We may be almost in June, but the nights up there get mighty cold.
BURNSIDE RD, WOLF CREEK, PLEASANT VALLEY:
Open as of this week.
HIGHLAND LAKES, MONITOR PASS AND EBBETTS PASS:
Closed as of May 19.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:
The water level has come up about two feet, the water is clear and the algae has started to thicken on the bottom.
Hunter Wheatley from Carson City was fly fishing with a friend last weekend and lost a few and caught a nice 13 inch rainbow. Shore fishing has been slow, I fished for a couple hours last Sunday with no luck on lures or bait. I spoke to few anglers and they reported the same luck.
The campground and boat ramp is open.
I do recommend that you adhere to the bears sign warnings. Make sure you put all food and anything that may smell like food in the bear boxes at night.
CARSON RIVER EAST FORK CALIFORNIA:
The waters have been clearing up a little, but that can change with the weather we have been having.
Many anglers have been doing well with spinners or salmon eggs.
Robert Lewis from the Carson River resort told me his son Travis caught a 3.5 pound rainbow using salmon eggs.
The Alpine County Fish and Game Commission has planted the river with a mixture of 12 inch to 4 pound rainbows.
The resort is open for cabin rentals, RV and tent camping with general store for all the things you forgot to bring.
For more information you can contact them at 877-694-2229 FREE. Or stop by and let Robert take a picture of your catch.
EAST FORK CARSON CALIFORNIA:
The river is flowing good and clear. A few anglers have reported some nice catches in the Hope Valley area through Woodfords Canyon. Most anglers have using nightcrawlers or silver spinners.
The Alpine County Fish and Game Commission has planted the river with a mixture of 12 inch to 4 pound rainbow.
For more information you can contact the Creekside Lodge at 530-694-2511.
Good luck fishing. I will be around taking pictures along both rivers this weekend. If you get a picture of your catch send it to donquilici@hotmail.com.
If you have any questions or reports in our local fishing area call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722.
Be safe as there will be a lot of people on the roads this weekend. Good Fishin and tight lines.