The month of August is typically referred to as the Dog Days due to the warm temperatures that it produces and the corresponding water temperatures that make things uncomfortable for trout. As a result, fishing is usually a bit tougher for fishermen during this period.
Trout fishing is usually confined to early morning or late evening periods when water temperatures are usually conducive to the fish. At water temperatures more than 64 degrees, the water does not have enough dissolved oxygen for the fish. As a result, if an angler is catch-and-release angling, there is a good likelihood that the fish will be severely stressed at temperatures higher than 64 degrees. Releasing a fish that is played to exhaustion in these conditions will likely mean that the fish will not survive.
The religious use of a thermometer should be employed in the summer to prevent this occurrence. When temperatures exceed 64 degrees, an angler should seek other alternatives.
About a decade ago, someone introduced smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) into Prosser and Stampede reservoirs. The lakes provided ideal habitat for them and they began to flourish. The world record smallmouth bass was an ounce shy of 12 lbs. caught in 1955 in Dale Hollow Lake on the Tennessee/Kentucky border. The California state record was 9 lbs. 13 oz. caught in Pardee Reservoir in 2007. Today, the bass have reached some substantial size and many people are targeting them during the summer months. Bass to 7 lbs. have been reported.
I am a relative newcomer to smallmouth fishing, but I have done quite well this summer. Some call the smallmouth bass the best fighting game fish pound for pound of any sport fish. I have to say that they certainly pull hard and do not seem to want to give up easily.
Smallmouth bass prefer areas with rocks. As a result, both Prosser and Stampede have an abundance of such structure. In fact, both dams are lined with rock and bass may be found holding close to these areas. Rocky points also are prime areas for these fish during the summer months. Smallmouth bass prefer to eat insects, crayfish and baitfish.
The smallmouth bass that I had caught previously were mostly by accident. I did catch a large one in the fall once while fishing for trout on a pheasant tail nymph in about 10 feet of water. At nearly 5 lbs., it was quite a battle. I duplicated that feat by catching a 4½-lb. specimen this season.
This year, I was able to catch more and larger bass by concentrating on them. My go-to fly has been a small crayfish imitation that has been really good this year. I tied my own version of one that my friend, Andy Burk, had shown me a couple of years ago.
I began using a 6-weight rod and a floating line, but have found that an 8-weight rod may be a better choice. Using a strike indicator with flies allow me to control the depth of the fly, which appears to be critical in fishing for smallmouth.
FISHING REPORT (See Sightseeing for water levels.)
Boca | Inflow is at 59 cfs and the outflow is 71 cfs. Try powerbait or nightcrawlers. Throwing lures from shore also 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 |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 now at 59 cfs. Fishing has been fair to good. Hopper dropper set-ups were working well. Leave the fish alone during this period.
Martis Lake | Zero kill. Catch and Release only with barbless artificial lures or flies. Some small cutthroats and an occasional large brown and rainbow may still be caught here. Smallmouth bass also have been introduced in this water.
Prosser | The lake is fishing fair to good. Powerbait and nightcrawlers are the best bait. Smallmouth bass are biting well with the warmer water. Lure and fly-fishermen also are taking some fish from shore and near the inlets.
Stampede | Fishing has been fair to good from shore. Kokanee fishing has been fair. Mackinaw fishing has been good. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good. Fly fishermen have been doing well near the inlets with nymphs and streamers for trout and in the coves for Smallmouth bass.
Truckee River | Flowing out of the lake at 364 cfs at Tahoe City. The flow through Truckee is at 368 cfs as of Sept. 1. Fish have been caught on nymphs, emergers, dries and streamers. The main hatches now are Caddis and terrestrials, ants, beetles and grasshoppers. Flies imitating these have been the most productive. Streamers also have been good. Crayfish patterns should be a top producer this time of year. A hopper dropper set-up also is a good combination. Cooler evenings have helped keep water temperatures down into the mid afternoon. Carry a thermometer and limit your fishing to cooler periods. Try and fish early in the morning to midday for the best results. Fishing from Boca downstream should still be your best bet now.
Other Waters | Davis and Frenchman have been fair to good. Fish are being caught on blood midge patterns and Callibaetis imitations. Streamers fished deep also can be productive. Water is now warm at these lakes and fish have gone deep as in most of our area waters.
Bruce is a long-time area fly fisherman and past president of Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers.
