Sierra fishing report: Make campfire safety a priority during overnight fishing trips

Hello fellow anglers. We are all praying for the firefighters to fight the Davis fire here in Washoe County and to be safe in doing so. Too many times I have been out camping to see people having campfires on windy nights. I have heard some say, "I paid my dues to camp here, I can have a fire if I want to. I've been camping for 20 years, and I know what I'm doing."

Renee and I returned a couple weeks ago from the Walker, Calif., area. We camped, fished and barbecued. We had plenty of wood to have a campfire, we even brought a gas fire pit. We were in an area that had no trees and was private land. But, my fellow anglers, the wind came up one hour after we set up and did not go away for four days.

We all know that embers can carry miles away. But did you know that even after you douse your campfire, the hot coals can stay in the ground for 2 to 5 days? We witnessed this many years ago at Indian Creek Reservoir. We set up camp and I gathered some pinecones and put them in the fire ring.

I then went out and gathered some more. When I returned, my previous pine cones were gone. Renee asked why I started the campfire so early. When I told her I had not, it then appeared that my pine cones had ignited from embers still in the fire ring. We then noticed that the previous campers had used dirt to put out their campfire. That is a big NO-NO! Never use dirt to extinguish a campfire, water is the only thing you should use.

I talked with the camp host and found out that no one had been in our spot for three days. That was how long those embers were smothering. Lets just play it smart and use common sense when camping. I do have a proposal for designated camping areas. They need to have a red flag and a green flag at the entrance to tell campers if campfires are permitted for that day. But remember, a green flag does not excuse you if you start a forest fire. Here we are again, right back to common sense.

Before we get to your fishing report, a reminder that Highway 395 from 10 miles north of Bridgeport to SR 108 is still closed due to construction of the wildlife byway. The road is due to open on Sept. 19 at 6 a.m. To detour around the area, you can use 208 to the Wellington cutoff to highway 338 into Bridgeport.

This weekend I will be at the Alpine County Kids Free Fishing day at Caples Lake. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Caples lake Marina. There will be volunteers to help net and bait lines. All young anglers are requested to bring their own fishing poles.

The Alpine County Fish Commission is working on getting a few loaner poles. Prizes will be given out during the event. The Douglas County Kids Fishing Derby committee has donated a large amount of night crawlers for the event. The lake will be stocked that morning by the Alpine County Fish Commission. If you need more information, call 209-258-8888. Hope to see you Saturday morning. I will be the one with the big net.

Here's the latest report:

CAPLES LAKE: The fishing has picked up a little with the cooler weather. This time of year is when the browns and the mac's start biting more. Inflate crawlers or powerbait by the dam has been most productive for shore anglers. trollers have been using small flashers and a crawler 12" behind the blades. Black and gold F5 or F7 Raplas have been productive. I would start at a slower troll at 2 mph and then move up to 3 or 4 mph. The Alpine County Fish Commission is scheduled to plant the lake with nice sized rainbow trout.

BLUE LAKES: The lake has started to get a little low. Shore anglers have done fair for rainbows with spinners or Thomas Bouyants in the early morning or evening hours. Powerbait or salmon eggs are your best for shore fishing during the day hours.

BURNSIDE LAKE: The lake level is still up and the fishing has been fair to slow. I spoke with a friend that fished last week and caught a couple small rainbow with chartreuse Powerbait. Note, the road is a little rough in areas.

WEST FORK CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: The river is running low. The CFS this week was undetectable. Anglers have done fair in the Woodfords Canyon area. Drifting salmon eggs with a small split shot or throwing a black gnat through the rifles have had best success. For more information stop by the Creekside Lodge.

EAST FORK CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: The river is running low at 53 CFS, but very fishable for those that do not mind a little walk. Power eggs or salmon eggs and a split shot have been most productive. James Blume from Pioneer CA was staying at the Carson River Resort with family and caught a nice 2.36 pound rainbow using a Mepps spinner. The CDFW and Alpine County Fish and Game planted the rivers heavily a couple weeks ago with nice rainbows. Special note; from Hangman's bridge downstream to the NV state line. There are special regulations. Artificial lures or flys only with barbless hooks. You can keep two fish 14 inches and bigger. For more information stop by the Carson River Resort.

HEENAN LAKE: The lake is not open from sunrise to sunset. Catch and release only with artificial lures or flys only with barbless hooks. Also note that the inlet stream is closed to fishing. The first week was very good fishing, but has tapered off a little. You can use a carry down canoe-boat or float tube. Electric motors are allowed, but no gas powered motors allowed. The lake is located on top of Monitor Pass.

TOPAZ LAKE: The lake level has been going down about a foot or so each week. Fishing for trout has been slow. But the smallmouth fishing has been productive.

WALKER RIVER WEST FORK: The river is running low at 35 CFS, but very fishable. Renee and I did a little walking upstream from the town of Walker. I caught about 10 small trout on a yellow and black Panther Martin spinner. Renee used power eggs and was having the same luck. We did keep a couple 13 inch trout for dinner one night.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR: The lake level has gone down quickly. The fishing has been slow for trollers. The fishing up by the canals has been productive for anglers using inflated nightcrawlers. The perch bite has picked up a little for anglers using worms or casting small spinners or jigs. The Bridgeport Marina has closed the ramp area for the season due to the water level. But the Rv and camping area will remain open to the end of the season. I would call ahead to see if they will be putting rental boats along the shore area. For more information, stop by the Bridgeport Marina.

TAYLOR CREEK, UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER, TROUT CREEK: Allocated on the south end of Lake Tahoe. Is open to catch and release with artificial lures or flys with barbless hooks until Sept. 30.

JUNE LAKE AREA: I spoke with my friend and fellow angler "Knot" and he told me, Gull has been fishing better than June Lake so we’ve been there mostly since July using the same methods except with 5’ to 6’ leader at Gull due to the weeds, 4’ or so at June when fishing floating baits.

So at Gull, for over a month now we’re seeing 30 plus fish caught (keeping a few, releasing most) days. Over half are those 7” “guppies” put in by the State but enough 12” to 20” to make it fun and some good eating. All the floating baits have been working well including Salmon Peach, Garlic, and Chartreuse Garlic Powerbait, Garlic Pinched Crawlers, and garlic scented Mice Tails. The White/Bubblegum Mice Tails have been the best of all recently but are hard to come by. Might the manufacturer be trying to drive up the price? Floating a nightcrawler under a bobber is working along the weed banks near the reeds.

Upper Owens River: From Benton Crossing bridge upstream this is barbless flies and lures only, catch and release, open all year. Fishing in and around the Long Ears section has slowed since early August with not many Caddis or Mayfly hatches and virtually no Hoppers this year. We’re hoping to see some bigger Browns start moving up from Crowley as we get later into this month and October then bigger Rainbows later in October into November. This is the “normal” Fall pattern so fingers crossed. We’ll be using a few different methods including working downstream with Caddis, Mayflies, and Buggers and upstream with nymphs ( mostly Yellow Spots and Flashback Pheasant Tails), large Stimulators, and occasionally Terrestrials.

Backcountry: Some locations are not open to guide trips due to National Forest and Wilderness Area restrictions. Our favorite locations are Mine Creek in Tioga Pass and Upper Rock Creek above Mosquito Flats in Little Lakes Valley sticking to fly fishing only. Small lures and a fly and bubble rig work well too. Fishing both the same with mostly Caddis Flies and Black Ants getting all small Brooks at Mine Creek and mostly Brooks at Rock Creek with some Browns and Rainbows mixed in. Both spots include creek, lakes, and pond fishing with Beauty Mystical scenery.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a picture of your catch, send it to editor@carsonnow.org. I hope to see you on the waters soon. Until then, Good fishin" and tight lines.