Doug 'Mac the Naw' Busey's Lake Tahoe and Sierra fishing report: Season ends Nov. 15

Hello fellow anglers. Another season has come but not over yet. There are plenty of places to fish in our local area, the rivers in Alpine County do not close until Nov. 15, 2015.

I would like to give you some background on all those fish that are planted each year in Alpine County. There is a lot more to planting fish than just calling up the truck and telling them where to put fish. It takes team work from many individuals and most of all, money.

The Alpine County Chamber of Commerce works in tandem with the Alpine Fish and Game Commission with regards to fish plants throughout the county. The Chamber allocates approximately $40,000 towards these plants each year.

Which equals six full loads, and one half load along with business donations and AC F&G at the end of the season.
The AC F&G receive their funding from South Tahoe PUD.

They plant first starting in April and continue until their funding is depleted and then the Chamber takes over.
These waters include the rivers in Alpine County as well as Indian Creek Reservoir and Alpine Lake. 
Last month the AC F&G approached the Chamber to plant the East fork of the Carson River in California. It was the Chamber Board's decision not to plant the East fork of the Carson due to low water and high temperature, and was not the decision of the AC F&G as I stated in my last article. Teresa Burkhauser stated ," it was a tough decision for the board due to the potential hit our businesses would take. Fishing is an important activity in Alpine County."

My hat is off to Alpine County to take the initiative to make that decision.

Fishing is an important resource to Alpine County, but the health of the fish they plant is also as important to them. Next time you are in Alpine County, stop by the Chamber of Commerce and say "thank you." We also need to say thank you the South Tahoe Public Utility District for their partnership with Alpine County Fish and Game Commission for keeping our local area full of beautiful trout. now let's check out our local fishing area.

LAKE TAHOE:
I have not received any reports from anglers in the last few weeks. But I can give you some good locations for fishing. As the lake gets colder the mackinaw start coming in  closer to shore, November and December are the best moths for big mackinaws.
This time of year I prefer to top line a No. 12 or Magnum Rapala in 40 to 150 feet of water. Best area I have fished is from Camp Richardson to just past the mouth of Emerald Bay. The Tahoe shelf off of Tahoe City is a good place to set your down riggers fishing in 150 to 230 feet of water. I prefer a dodger or flashers followed by a live minnow. But, my all time favorite is to drift a live minnow near the Cave Rock or Logan Shoals area.

CAPLES LAKE:
The resort has closed their marina and general store for the season. They do have cabin rentals available until December. At that time they will reopen the resort for the winter season. John and Curt Gaare caught a couple 2 pound rainbows a few weeks ago. Matt Nolan from Pleasanton, Calif., caught a 4 pound Brown on a brown pattern Rapala. While Branbon Burrell caught a 2 pound rainbow on white power eggs. I have not received any information from the El Dorado Irrigation District on regards to when their ramp will close. With our recent weather activity, I would guess they have closed for the season also. For more information call the Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.

CARSON RIVERS IN CALIFORNIA: 
Although they have not been planted, the fishing continues for those that do not mind  a little walk.
Mike Sadler from Brentwood, Calif., caught a couple nice 2 pound rainbows this week. Mike was using salmons eggs or Power bait for his catch.
I took a walk along the east fork and caught and released seven small rainbows in two hours.
Fishing is still good if you work for it.  George Greenlee from GG River Rods took Susan Alger from Indiana and her friend Carolyn Hopkins from San Clemente, Calif., up to Alpine lake a couple weeks ago. The gals caught five small rainbows and had the time of their lives. Russ Reid from Discovery Bay caught  some nice rainbows on the east fork as well. I have received no reports on the west fork. For more information call the Carson River resort at 530-694-2229.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:
The water is still up, the campground and boat ramp is closed for the season. You still can launch small boats from the east side of the lake. Trini from the Carson River Resort told me. One of their guest's, Bobby Franks caught 5 small rainbows this week from the shore. This is my favorite time of year to fish the lake, next to early spring. As the water temperature cools down the fish become more active.

UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER, TAYLOR CREEK, TROUT CREEK:
Closed to fishing for the year.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Closed for the year. Will reopen n January 1, 2016. In just the last month, the Nevada Department of Wildlife has planted 8000 pounds of rainbow trout in the lake.

ALPINE COUNTY BACK ROADS:
As of October 21st,  Silver hill was the only road closed. That can change quickly this time of year.

HEENAN LAKE:
This will be the last weekend the lake will be open for the year.Good luck on your next fishing adventure.
If you get a picture of your catch, send it to donquilici@hotmail.com. If you have a question or a report in our local fishing area, call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. See you on the waters. Good fishin and tight lines.