Mac the Naw: Sierra fishing report for July 28 and beyond; Big catch at Tahoe near shore of celebrity golf tournament

Hello fellow anglers, it is hot hot hot. Even the fish are saying it is too hot to bite. This report will be brief due to a fishing experience I had 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. That was due to the amount of other people with he same idea in mind. Some were fishing but most were rafting and playing in the water to cool off. I ventured deep off the beaten path through a few streams and to a hole I wanted to fish. 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 about two feet on both sides of me to maneuver my angling skills. Caught a couple small trout when I heard a crash in bush behind me, thinking I was in bear country I quickly got in a defense mode. Not paying attention to the ground underneath me, I swirled around to only lose my footing and my balance, finding myself going into a head plant directly into the rocks. I extended my hands to brace myself.

When I landed I realized that my middle finger had taken the brunt of the fall. That my fellow anglers is why I am typing this week with only two fingers and will cover the main areas in our local area. If you are 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 with out saying a word. Funny thing is, I will go back and fish it again, with a different pair of waders.

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 the fishing 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. Some kokanee have been showing up around the Camp Richardson area. They have been in located in 160 to 200 feet of water suspended down about 60 to 80 feet. Reminder that the Cave Rock boat ramp will close August 1 for one to two months.

And then there is this, as reported in South Tahoe Now:

Catching a glimpse and photo of favorite celebrities weren't the only things being caught over at Edgewood Tahoe last weekend. Large Mackinaw were also in on the action.

Capt. Paul Mueller and customers on board his Tahoe Sport Fishing charter were fishing in the water offshore from the American Century Golf Championship on Friday, July 22. Fish weren't biting so Mueller was planning on relocating when he decided, at the last minute, to take another pass at the same spot and go at it differently and alter his technique.

Just before 8 a.m., Hilda Schmidt of Mesquite, Nev., one of the charter's customers, alerted Capt. Paul that she had a bite, and for a little over 10 minutes he coached her through the tiring fight.

The reward for their efforts? A 24-pound Mackinaw! This is the largest fish that Capt. Paul has ever caught on his boat and everyone was ecstatic and shocked to see the size of the fish Schmidt pulled onto the boat.

“It was an amazing experience for all involved, and a really good day of fishing,” says Capt. Paul.

The large fish was caught on a long line with a live minnow trolling at around 250 feet outside of Edgewood Golf Course. This is one of the largest fish pulled out of Lake Tahoe all year.

Over the course of the weekend, 10-, 12.65-, and 15 pound Mackinaw were caught by people on board.
Tahoe Sport Fishing has been offering year round fishing on Lake Tahoe for Mackinaw, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Kokanee Salmon since 1953.

CAPLES LAKE: The water level has been going down a little each day. Both the EID and the Caples boat launches are open. Fishing has been fair for rainbows in the 12 to 14 inch range. The temperatures are much cooler at 7000 foot elevation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has planted the lake recently with catchable rainbow trout. This will get the mackinaw more active in the early morning. I fished with friend a couple weeks ago and caught a two pound mackinaw deep lining with a No. 5 Rapala. Most anglers have using medium flashers with a half a night crawler. The bite has been on and off the last week or so.

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

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK CALIFORNIA SIDE: The flow are 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 have been most productive. Alpine county planted the river last week with 800 pounds of 12-inch to 4 pound trout. The CDFW planted the rivers last week as well. I would recommend starting at the east side of Hope valley and work 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.

EAST FORK CARSON RIVER CALIFORNIA SIDE: Planted by Alpine County last week with 900 pounds of 12-inch to 4 pound trout. I would recommend fishing the weekdays if you can. Weekends have been extremely crowded. I would like to wish a happy 60th birthday to fellow angler Rocky Walling. Rocky 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. Gary Cronheart was fly fishing last week with a hares ear and had good success.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake level is going down a little and the algae has taken over the majority of the lake. I fished last week and caught one 13 inch rainbow on rainbow Powerbait. I casted a few Thomas buoyant, but gave up after cleaning to many weeds off my lures.

Make sure you have polarized glasses so you can see the weed beds. There is two main beds, if you can cast over the second one you will have better success. But if you can not reach, then cast just inside of the farthest weed bed. You will need to adjust your leader from 2-4 feet from your weight. You want to get you bait floating above the bottom weeds.

I will have a more detailed report in a couple weeks after my fishing injury heals. 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 jeff@carsonnow.org. I would also like to find the angler that lost a fishing pole at the Indian Creek fishing derby. I have it in safe keeping, call me and identify it, i will get it back to you. Good fishin' and tight lines.