Doug 'Mac the Naw' Busey's Lake Tahoe and Sierra area fishing report

Hello fellow anglers. Now that our evening daylight is getting shorter, take advantage of as much fishing time you can get. On the bright side, on Dec. 22, the days will start getting longer by 1 minute each day. Also remember that you have until Saturday, Nov. 15, to get in your last bit of fishing on the California rivers and streams as the season will come to a close.

There will be some areas on the Carson River and the American River that is open to fishing all year long with restrictions of zero limit and a barbless hook. Check your regulations for these areas.

As a note, the Carson River that runs from the Douglas County area through Nevada is open all year long.
Always check your state's fishing  regulations for seasons for any body of water you will be fishing.
For instance, all of the waters on the south end of Lake Tahoe have a different fishing season than Alpine County.
Always be aware that this time of year road closures can happen overnight in the higher areas. As of Nov. 12 there were no road closures in Alpine County.

In talking with my friend Peter, he ventured up to Highland Lakes last week. Peter said there was an inch of snow on the ground and very cold. Make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you will return. May sound stupid, but it also may save your life. Now for your local report.

LAKE TAHOE:  
The Cal/Neva and Dollar Point areas have been most productive. Anglers have been fishing 120-200 feet of water. Average mackinaw has been 2-6 pounds with a few up to 12 pounds. Trent Green from Incline Village was fishing with Gene St Denis and caught a nice 8 pound brown while trolling for mackinaw. The Cave Rock and Sand Harbor areas have been fair for anglers trolling flatfish or Rapalas. Average rainbow has been 1-3 pounds.
For more information call Blue Ribbon Charter at 530-544-6552.

CAPLES LAKE: 
The lodge and marina are closed and will reopen for the winter season towards the end of this month.
The water level is still high and the fishing has been good for anglers that brave the elements of the weather.
This time of year is favorable for larger rainbows and browns.
Floating night crawlers or throwing Rapalas by the dam or spillway areas have been most productive.
I am already gearing up for ice fishing towards the end of December.

RED LAKE:  
A couple anglers told me they were throwing Kastmasters off the dam and caught a couple cutthroat trout last week. This time of year is good for brook trout using salmon eggs. Best area has been right in the middle of the turn on the dam. Just a note, the cutthroat trout caught out of Red Lake come from Heenan Lake.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK CALIFORNIA:  
Anglers have been doing well with salmon eggs or throwing Thomas Buoyant spoons in a red/gold pattern.
A report from Todds Bait and Tackle says anglers have done well using jelly squids. The Alpine County Fish and Game planted the river last week for the last time for the year. For more information and the best burger stop by Todds Bait and Tackle in Woodfords, Calif.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK CALIFORNIA:  
Action has been good for big rainbow trout. Mainly because The Alpine County Fish and Game planted last week with over 1000 lbs of 2 -5 pound rainbows.
With the weather we had a week ago the water temperatures have changed.
The fish are very lethargic and require a lot of patience. But the reward is worth the wait. Ask Geary Ness from Minden. It took him 5 hours of his time to catch 5 rainbows all over 2 pounds, that my friends, is worth the wait.
Hope to see you on the river Saturday one last time until next year.
For more information stop by Creekside Lodge in Markleeville.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:
The water level is still good and the weeds have subsided. Renee and I fished with Steve Lightfoot last weekend. The biting was good but the catching was bad. I saw a couple anglers catching a lot of small 10" rainbows with power bait. But one thing I will tell you is they literally were casting over 100 feet out with a ten foot pole. Whatever works.

The campground and boat ramp are closed. I do have a couple of questions though. I would like to have the address of the people who were there before us and threw dirty diapers on the shoreline. That is what trash bags are for.
And last question, why do some float tubers feel they have to go right in front of people (within 30 feet from shore) when there is an entire lake to fish on?

TOPAZ LAKE:  
The lake is closed until January 1, 2015.
The water level is very low and as of right now Topaz Marina and the county boat ramps will not be open.
The NDOW has planted the lake so far with about 5000 pounds of trout.
I spoke to the Topaz Lodge and the derby will be starting as usual on January 1st. I will have all the information on the derby in my next article.
So, I would start making reservations now by calling the Topaz Lodge.

TROUT CREEK-TAYLOR CREEK-UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER:
All located in South Lake Tahoe. Closed to fishing and will reopen on July 1. Good luck on your next fishing adventure.

Don't forget to ask Santa for a new fishing license if you are a California angler. If you have a picture of your catch send it to donquilici@hotmail.com.

If you have any questions about our local fishing world call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. Good fishing and tight lines.