Hello fellow anglers.
Sorry I have been away so long, but now I'm back to tell you of the annual Mac-the-Naw ice fishing get together. It will be Feb. 18 if the weather cooperates. If the weather is questionable it will be moved to the next day.
It will be at Red Lake off of Highway 89 approximately five miles past the Blue Lakes turnoff.
There will be no start time but I usually get there around 8:30 a.m. and continue to about 1 p.m.
This is not a derby, but a way to find out all you wanted to know about ice fishing. You need nothing special, I will have my gas powered auger. Things you need to bring include warm clothing, a regular spinning rod and reel, jigs such as kastmasters, thunderbolt spoons, or any small spoon will work, nightcrawlers if you want to use bait, a chair to sit on if you want, or you can bring a 5-gallon bucket to carry your gear down with and then turn it over to sit on.
Most seasoned anglers use a sled to carry their gear. Must-have items are good polarized glass, a hat or beanie, sunscreen and bottled water to keep you hydrated. Save the beer until you get home to be safe.
As of last Sunday, my friend Jack Henry Wright and I fished for three hours and we both caught fish, some cutthroat but mostly brook trout.
We brought the warm gear but ended up in long sleeve shirts ( always dress for extreme temperatures, you can always layer off ). A word to the wise - you will need an extension on your auger as the ice and compacted snow was four-feet thick. All are invited, from first timers to veterans of the ice, just come have fun. If you have questions, call the Naw line at 267-9722.
Now for a brief fishing report:
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: As reported from the Sportsman, not many anglers going out. But those who do have been fishing the keys area. Flashers and a live minnow have been most productive. For more info call the Sportsman at (530) 542-FISH.
NORTH/EAST LAKE TAHOE: Cal-Neva and dollar point areas have been good, 150 to 300 feet of water right on the bottom with a dodger and a minnow with a short lead. Also, jigging has been productive with white herring jigs 2 or 3 ounces, average size mackinaw 2 to 7 pounds. Last week Gene St. Denis was fishing on the Ski Run Shelf in 60 feet of water and caught a 16.6-pound mac then 45 minutes later he caught a 10.2-pound brown in the same area. Gene was trolling large silver and black rapalas. Gene told me both fish had kokanee and large crawdads inside. For more info call Blue Ribbon Charters at (530) 544-6552.
CAPLES LAKE: As of last week, I spoke to our game warden and he told me that the ice was 4 to 5 feet thick here. Again, you may need an extension on your auger.
BLUE LAKES: I have spoken to two different people that snowmobiled in and said they could not get through the thick ice.
INDIAN CREEK: I fished it two weeks ago and had no success. The lake is clear of ice and with our warm temperatures, the fishing should pick up.
TOPAZ LAKE: As for tagged fish, I cannot get any info on if any have been brought in. As for fishing there have been a lot of fish in the 3- to 4-pound class. In talking with Chuck Fields he weighed a stringer of four fish at more than 11 pounds. For shore anglers, the north end has been better. For the boaters, the south end has been most productive. Right now rapalas in orange or chartreuse, or Thomas buoyant spoons in peach or copper and red pattern. The lake is 8 feet from being full. For more information, call the Topaz Marina at 266-3550.
PYRAMID LAKE: Starting to pick up a little as the fish are moving into the shallows, mainly the area of the nets.
Reports I have is that with warmer weather the trollers will start picking up fish.
If you have any questions in our fishing world call the Naw line at 775-267-9722, good fishin' and tight lines.
n Doug Busey is The Record-Courier's fishing columnist. He can be reached at 267-9722.
