Doug 'Mac the Naw' Busey's Labor Day weekend Lake Tahoe and Sierra fishing report

Hello fellow anglers, welcome to Labor Day weekend. It seems as though the summer flew by again, and here we are going into September. Last week Renee and I spent a few days in Alpine County. We set up base camp at the Carson River Resort. The resort is centralized in the area we enjoy fishing the most. We started on the East Carson River and worked our way up to Wolf Creek and Silver Creek. The water flows have slowed down but are still very fishable.

The rivers still have a green tint to them due to the excessive rains they had last month. Second cast and we caught a nice 1.5 lb rainbow from the Carson River.

When we got up to Wolf Creek we were amazed at the extensive mudslides that had happened in the area. Some parts of the river we have fished for years had changed so dramatically. A six foot deep pool was now only 6 inches deep, filled with sand. A bend in the river that was 30 feet across was now only 15 feet wide due to a landslide.

The county has been working very hard to keep the road open, use caution when driving in the Wolf Creek area. The roads may be cleared but there is a chance more debris can come down off the side of the road.
On a good note, Saturday morning Renee and I were joined by Dave Price sports editor for the Record Courier and Erick Studenicka former sports writer for the Nevada Appeal and who is now with the Nevada National Guard.
We ventured up to Highland Lakes over the top of Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4. There we fished for brook trout. It was a beautiful morning and a crisp 59 degrees and clear. We saw many fish breaking the surface and we hoped for a good day.

I threw some flies and lures to no avail, Dave threw a Kastmaster lure for awhile and changed to a bubble and a fly to no avail, Erick tried a variety of lures along the shore to no avail. Renee tried every color of Power Bait, then salmon eggs and worms. It was beautiful day of fishing with friends, the catching was a different story. Later on in the day Renee and I walked over to the other end of the lake where we saw a couple anglers who had caught a few brook trout about 10 inches long, They were using a bubble and a worm.

Highland Lakes are located 1.2 miles over the top of Ebbetts Pass on a 5 mile dirt road. They have a primitive campground area with fishing and hiking. In fact for those who enjoy a good hike, the entrance to the Iceberg wilderness is located just above the upper lake and only a few hundred feet from the camp area.
Now let's check out other waters in the area.

LAKE TAHOE:
Mackinaw fishing had been very good off the Tahoe Shelf are as well as Sugar Pine Point. Anglers have been using flashers or dodgers followed with a minnow right on the bottom in 150 to 220 feet of water. They have been averaging 3-4 pound fish with a few in the 9-15 pound class.
Also a good trick is to find a school of Kokanee and drag your presentation right under the school to entice the big hungry Mac's.
For information call Gene St Denis from Blue Ribbon Charters at 530-544-6552.

SILVER LAKE:
The water level has dropped a little, the boat ramp is open. The Eldorado Irrigation Dist is scheduled to plant this week with trophy sized rainbow trout.

CAPLES LAKE:
The lake level is still only six feet down from being full. The general store and marina is open daily.
The EID public boat ramp and day use is open daily. Fishing has been good for shore and boaters. Shore anglers have been using corn yellow power bait or inflated night crawlers. Boat anglers have been using rapalas by the Woods creek area and into Emigrant Cove. One angler caught a 3.5 rainbow in Emigrant Cove with a night crawler. The Eldorado Irrigation Dist is scheduled to plant trophy sized rainbows this week.
For more info call the Caples Lake resort at 209-258-8888.

BLUE LAKES:
Fishing has been fair for shore anglers using small silver spinners or night crawlers.

RED LAKE:
No recent reports.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK ALPINE COUNTY:
The water is much clearer than the east fork.
A few anglers have been hooking up with 1.5 to 2.5 lb rainbows, They have been fishing the Woodfords Canyon area and the Blue Lakes Road area. The river will be planted this week by Alpine County Fish and Game.
For more information call Todd's Bait and Tackle at 530-694-1900.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK ALPINE COUNTY:
Last week the river still had a green stain and visibility was fair.
The river is running very good considering the amount of snowfall we had last year. get out of the deeper holes and through a small white roostertail into the faster moving waters. Or drift a salmon egg with a small pinch weight in this same area. There are al ot of big fish in only a few inches of water.
Alpine County Fish and Game will be planting the river this week with nice sized rainbow trout. 
For more information call the Carson River Resort at 530-694-2229.
The resort offers RV spaces, tent camping, and cabin rentals.
They have a general store for all the items you need or forgot to bring.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: 
The lake level has gone down and the weeds are abundant. If you can deal with cleaning a few weeds off your line from time to time. This lake holds rainbow trout up to and above 6 pounds as well as brown and cutthroat trout. Now for those who like a challenge there are also largemouth bass in the lake.

The lake offers a dry RV camp area with heated showers and they offer tent camping right on the lake. This lake has a boat ramp located below the tent camp area. Good luck on your next fishing adventure.

If you get a photo of your catch send it to donquilici@hotmail.com. If you have a question or a report in our local area call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. Good fishin and tight lines.