Mac-the-Naw: Time running out to fish California waters

Hello fellow anglers.

Well, here is your final weekend of fishing for many California waters. Starting Nov. 16, all waters in Mono and Inyo counties will be closed to fishing. In Alpine County, all rivers will close, including the Carson River's east and west forks, Silver Creek, Wolf Creek and Markleeville Creek.

There is one place which will stay open to fishing all year. That would be the East Fork Carson River from Hangman's Bridge down to the Nevada state line.

There are special regulations to abide by. The limit is zero, artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks only. The weekend looks to be nice and clear, so get out and enjoy while we can.

As a note, the lakes in Alpine County remain open to fishing all year. Which means real soon we can all go ice fishing at Red Lake and Caples Lake.

Speaking of ice fishing, the ice fishing get together will be in early January. Keep an eye on the Naw report to be a part of some thing new this year. But I will not say what until that very day.

Now for our local waters and what's going on.

LAKE TAHOE: Action has been rated as fair to good for mackinaw trout. Best areas have been, Sugarpine point, Dollar point or Cal/Neva point. Starting in 80 feet of water going to 200 as the morning progresses. Average fish is 2 to 4 pounds with a few in the 9 pound range. The fish are coming off of the spawn and are getting hungry. Fishing should pick up with in the next couple weeks.

For more information, call Blue Ribbon Charters at (530) 544-6552.

CAPLES LAKE: The resort is closed to get ready for the winter season. Expected to reopen around the end of the month. Don't let that stop you. Fishing has been great the last couple of weeks. Anglers throwing rapalas or Kastmasters from the spillway or the dam have caught numbers of fish. Eric St. Denis hand painted a trophy stick lure and caught a nice 8 pound-rainbow from the dam area. Some anglers have caught rainbows and browns using worms or power bait in the same areas. As of last week the lake had a little ice forming around the edges.

For more information, call the Caples Lake Resort at (209) 258-8888.

RED LAKE: The lake is still a little slimey from the algea that is starting to turn over. With our colder temperatures the lake should clear up soon. Fishing has been slow. Few anglers have reported catching small brook trout on gold Kastmaser lures.

BLUE LAKES: As of Nov. 11 the road was still open. No reports have come in from either upper or lower Blue Lakes. Remember that weather conditions can close the road in a day with out notice. Be winter wise when traveling in the high country

CARSON RIVERS EAST AND WEST FORK: Both east and west fork were planted with 1,500 pounds of rainbow trout,with the fish weighing from 2 to 6 pounds. Remember that Sunday is your last day top fish these rivers, except below Hangman's bridge to Nevada state line. Fred Jones from Grass Valley caught a limit of five rainbow trout. The total of the five fish weighed in at 15 pounds. They were caught on salmon eggs on the east fork. For more information call Todd at the Carson River Resrt at (877) 694-2229. They are now open all year.

For more information, call the Carson River Resort at (530) 694-2229.

UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER, TAYLOR CREEK AND TROUT CREEK: All closed to fishing for the season. But head up to Taylor Creek to see the salmon run up. It is a sight to see and remember.

INDIAN CREEK: At 9 a.m. I met my friends for fishing. There were 21 vehicles, nine float tubers and three boats on the lake. Most all caught a fish or two. At one time the boaters and tuber were at the unimproved launch ramp and it reminded me of a breakfast cereal (Cheerios). Weather was great, little chilly here and there. Largest fish of the day I saw was 2.5 pounds, the smallest was 6 inches. Most fish caught were rainbow and a couple brown trout. Anglers were mainly using power bait, all colors were working fair. Night crawlers were also productive. Warning to all. The bathrooms are locked for reasons I have not found out why. As most know, the camp ground is closed for the season.

Good fishin' and tight lines.

Doug Busey is The Record-Courier fishing columnist.