By Bruce Ajari ·
Fred Wickman of Tahoe City on Antelope Lake after an early morning launch ·
Antelope Lake lies north of Truckee and is about a 2½-hour drive on Highway 395 toward Susanville to the town of Janesville, and about another 18 miles to the Long Point Campground located on the southwest side of the lake. Located at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, it is home to both trout and two strains of bass.
We traveled there with a large group of Tahoe Truckee Fly Fisher members on the second annual outing to this great lake. We were targeting the Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) on these trips. They grow pretty large, according to some regulars at this lake. We saw a nice 7-lb. Largemouth that someone had caught during the trip this year. Fly-fishing for Largemouth bass is a relatively new experience for most of our members, myself included.
While Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) also inhabit this lake, they do not achieve the size that the Largemouth do. Rainbow trout also are found in this lake.
When we saw the number of bass boats on the water, we realized that this is indeed a great bass lake. There is great shallow water habitat with mats of weeds where these bass may be found when the water temperatures are right.
What we are all drawn to is the fact that you can target these bass with top water-style flies. These bring violent surface strikes similar to dry fly-fishing for trout.
Two types of flies are used. Surface poppers that chug along the surface, and divers that will dive below the surface and rise back to the surface. Both can elicit tremendous top water explosions. It often looks and sounds like someone has thrown a bowling ball into the water.
On the first trip, we went last August. The fishing was slow so the group planners decided to go earlier this year in July hoping to change our luck. Unfortunately, the fishing this year was slow again. We did manage to have some opportunities, and a few bass and nice trout were caught.
We all expanded our knowledge on fishing for Largemouth bass from those experienced anglers in the group. Whether it had to do with casting, fly presentation or fly tying, the group learned a great deal.
These outings that the Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers put on are always a great time. There were 20 of us on this particular one and, in spite of the slow fishing, it was a great outing. If you are interested in learning more about fly-fishing and getting together with others who have the same passion, check out the club’s Web site at ttff.net.
The Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers will hold its Annual BBQ on Aug. 9 at the Truckee River Regional Park River from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a casting demonstration by Jamie Lyle, a representative for Sage and Redington fly rods and a master caster. Additionally, the club will host a raffle with tickets $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Check out the calendar on the club Web site where you can make reservations to attend.
FISHING REPORT
(For water levels visit troa.net)
Boca | Inflow is at 47 cfs and the outflow is 260 cfs. Try powerbait or nightcrawlers. Throwing lures from shore has been working. Fly-fishers have been catching some fish near the inlet, mostly nymphing and with streamers.
Donner | Fishing has been good. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the bait of choice. Mackinaw and Kokanee fishing has been fair. Fly-fishermen are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | The Lake within 300 feet of a tributary is closed. Tributaries are only open July 1 to Sept. 30. Fishing has been fair to good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use inflated nightcrawlers.
Little Truckee River | Flow is at 47 cfs; this is a pretty minimal flow. Fishing has been fair. Keep an eye on water temperatures here with these low flows. Try a dry dropper rig here. Hoppers are showing in good numbers.
Martis Lake | Zero kill. Catch and Release only with barbless artificial lures or flies. Some small cutthroats and an occasional large brown or rainbow can still be caught here. Smallmouth bass have been introduced in this water. It is probably too warm for fishing now. Wait until fall to give this spot a try.
Prosser | The lake is fishing fair to good. Powerbait and nightcrawlers are the best bait. Lure and fly-fishermen are also taking some fish from shore and near the inlets. Smallmouth Bass fishing is fair to good.
Stampede | Stampede continues to drop. Fishing has been fair to good from shore. Kokanee fishing has been good. Mackinaw fishing has been good. Smallmouth bass fishing is fair to good.
Truckee River | Flowing out of the lake at 180 cfs. The flow through Truckee is at 184 cfs as of July 27. Fishing has been good, but temperatures are well above comfortable levels for the fish. If you must fish, do so early in the very early morning, but it is best to avoid fishing here and try for other species such as bass or carp. Nymphs and streamers have been the most effective
Other Waters | Davis and Frenchman have been fair to good. Fish are being caught on blood midge and Callibaetis. Streamers fished deep can also be productive. Water is very warm.
