Fishing: Mix-up with regulations at Caples Lake cleared up

Hello fellow anglers.

First I would like to clear something up. I have recieved too many phone calls from people that do not communicate with each other very well.

In regards to the camping issue at Caples Lake, I spoke last Monday with Roger Ross from the California forest service.

Ross told me that the area that is on forest service lands surrounding Caples Lake is closed by their office for all camping, because of the trash and the human waste problem.

They want to keep Caples Lake in a pure and clean state.

Now, the day-use hiking trail is open to the general public. There are also Eldorado Irrigation District lands in the area.

To find out any special camping regulations on their lands, you can log onto www.eid.org.

This also covers other Sierra Lakes in the area. I hope this will clarify the regulations in this area, I apologize for any confusion.

Let's check out the fishing in our area.

LAKE TAHOE: Kokanee action is still on in the Cascade Creek area, anglers have been jigging 2-ounce Krippled Herrings or using Buzz Bombs in 80 feet of water. The rainbow action has been fair for anglers trolling Rapalas in the shallows near Ski Run or Baldwin Beach areas. Mackinaw action has been fair around the Baldwin Beach to Camp Richardson areas. For more information, call the Sportsman at (530) 542-FISH.

CAPLES LAKE: The water is still up and the fishing has picked up with the cooler temperatures. Mainly brookies and rainbows with an ocassional brown trout. Both boat and shore anglers have done well. For more information, call the Caples Lake Resort at (209) 258-8888.

RED LAKE: In talking with Jack at the Sportsman, the lake is starting to turn, which means it's getting a little green. But if you have a small carry-down boat or canoe, troll a silver dodger followed by a night crawler.

CARSON RIVER: On the west, Carson River waters are low but that didn't stop Cort Harner of Carson City from catching a 5-1/2- and a 6-1/2-pound rainbow trout recently.

As for the East Carson, I have been up there for the last two weeks and have had good success on a brown bead head crystal bugger fly or just using half of a night crawler with two split shots in the deeper waters.

HEENAN LAKE: On top of Monitor Pass, special regulations apply to this lake. Read the tour book before going. Renee and I went up last Friday on the supposedly good information that the lake was clear this year, which means I took the shorter fly rod and the light spinning pole and did not bring any floating gear, i.e. a float tube, raft or canoe.

TOPAZ LAKE: Get this anglers, one angler caught and released 40 rainbows in a day. Average size up to 1-1/2 pounds. He was using flashers and a night crawler. Shore anglers have been doing well using Rooster tail lures. Last week, Chuck saw eight limits come in. With the cooler temperatures, the fish are more active and closer to the top. In fact, most fish are being caught in the top 10 to 12 feet of water. For more information, call Topaz Marina at 266-3550.

Good luck in your fishing adventures. Good fishin and tight lines.

-- Doug Busey is the fishing columnist for The Record-Courier. He can be reached at 267-9722.