Doug 'Mac the Naw' Busey's Sierra area fishing report for week of April 14

Hello fellow anglers, my fishing partner Tom Blotter and I had a challenging time at the Hook Line and sinker Derby last weekend at Topaz Lake. On the lake by 6 am Saturday, and the fishing was on. We had 20 fish day for each of us.

We were trolling Rapala's deep and long linning them. The action was on both lines, we had a triple hook up once and a couple doubles during the day. When we came off the lake at 6:30 pm Tom weighed in a 3.7 pound trout and I weighed in a 2.57 pound trout.

Day one I had 13th place and Tom was in 5th. We fished through the calm water in the morning to white caps and pouring rain and wind through the afternoon and into that evening. Sunday we started at 5:45 on calm water with no wind in site. Using the same techniques and struggled to get fish in the boat. As the day progressed the weather stayed calm and the fishing got tougher.

Tom had released four smaller fish and I had only one long distance release. By the end of the derby at 4 pm, the result were in. I was fortune enough to get 20th place while Tom took a 6th place finish. The Winner of the 2016 Hook Line and Sinker went to Tricia Kermodle from Minden NV with an 6.23 pound 22.5 inch long rainbow trout, which was caught from the shore on a night crawler. Tricia took home the 2016 Polaris Sportsman ATV worth $9500. I have not received a complete list of the qualifying winners as of today. When I do I will print them in a future article. Now lets check out our other local fishing areas.

BEAR RIVER RESERVOIR: Located on highway 88 just west of Silver lake. On March 28th, the lake was ice free.

SILVER LAKE: Report from Dave Price as of last Tuesday. The lake had some blue areas in the middle of the lake, with open water on the west end of the lake. Which is located by the lodge area.

CAPLES LAKE: The area around the Woods Creek area has open water and there was a little blue toward the middle of the lake. I personally will put away my ice fishing gear for the year. The lake may still have a few feet of ice in areas, but is unstable this time of year. Caples Lake usually becomes ice free about 6 weeks after Bear River Reservoir ice's off. I would say about mid May the lake will be clear of ice. As the ice clears, the open areas around the shore become very active for browns and mackinaw trout. Throwing Kastmasters, small spinners or a fly usually produces some nice fish. For more information, call the Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.

WOODS LAKE: Closed.

BLUE LAKES: Closed.

RED LAKE: The lake as of last week was still iced over. I would recommend to stay off the lake due to unstable conditions this time of year.

EAST AND WEST FORK CARSON RIVERS, MARKLEEVILLE CREEK, WOLF CREEK, SILVER CREEK: closed until April 30 2016. All located in Alpine County, Calif. I will have a full report for you in a special opening season article.For more information call the Carson River resort at 530-694-2229.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:
Both roads are open, the water level has come up. Fishing has been good to fair. The algae is starting to form on the bottom. Fly anglers have had success with brown and green woolly buggers from a float tube. The shore angler have been using rainbow , salmon peach or garlic Powerbait. A couple reports of anglers throwing gold Kastmasters off the dam has produced some fish. The campground is closed at this time.For more information call the Creekside Lodge at 530-694-2511.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Week 13 derby results. first place went o Sam Sliger with a 3.3 pound 20 inch rainbow. Second place went to Glenn Tsushemto with a 3.2 pound 18 inch rainbow. Week 14 went to Tricia Kermodle with a 6.23 pound 22.5 inch rainbow. Second place went to Amy Silsy with a 3.72 pound 19 inch rainbow. Remember, this is the last week of the Topaz Lodge Fishing Derby. The drawing will be this Sunday at 7pm sharp, and you have to be present to win. For more information call the Topaz Lodge at 775-266-3338.

TROUT CREEK, TAYLOR CREEK, UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER:
All located on the south end of Lake Tahoe are closed to fishing until July 1, 2016. Make a special note, these waters do not open on April 30th with the rest of the California season.

MONITOR AND EBBETTS PASS:
As of April 13 they were still closed. Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a photo of your catch, send it to jeff@carsonnow.org. If you have a question or a report in our local fishing world, call the Naw line at 775-267-9722. Good fishin' and tight lines.