With warm summer temperatures trout fishermen find that they need to look to alternatives to catch trout. Streams get too warm and in the lakes fish head to deeper waters that afford them the cool temperatures. These warm temperatures make it a stressful time for trout.
As a result, anglers willing to walk a little into the back country can still find some willing trout in cooler waters.
Trout in this environment feed pretty aggressively due to the short season that they have between ice out in the spring or early summer and the next winter. They are opportunistic feeders. Hatches tend to be fewer and whatever insects blown into the lakes and streams from upwind drafts from below are quickly consumed.
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“Anglers willing to walk a little into the back country
can still find some willing trout in cooler waters.”
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The back country does take a little more effort to reach. There are no roads, so one has to rely on walking in to reach these waters. Anglers should be in reasonably good condition to attempt to fish in the back country.
Those making the effort will find an abundance of rainbow, brown, brook and golden trout in these waters, some within easy walking distance. There is also plenty of written material out there to guide you.
Ralph Cutter’s book, “Sierra Trout Guide,” is a great primer for those seeking out fish by doing a little hiking. He talks about hiking, fishing and also tells you what species to expect in these waters. It is a great book to get you started on your quest to fish these waters.
Another good book for one of the areas that we enjoyed fishing was the Desolation Wilderness. “Lake Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness Fishing Guide” by Jerry Yesavage provides an in-depth guide to fishing the waters located with this wilderness area.
The Desolation Wilderness was given full wilderness status by Congress in 1969. It lies within the El Dorado National Forest and covers 63,960 acres. Permits must be obtained to hike its trails for day use or overnight camping from the U.S. Forest Service Office in South Lake Tahoe. Visit fs.usda.gov for information.
The lakes in this region were once stocked by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This was discontinued due to the impact fish were having on populations of the endangered yellow-legged frog. As a result, only those lakes with self-sustaining populations still have trout in them. Some lakes have had fish eradications in areas where there have been identified populations of the frog.
It has been my experience that Forest Service personnel have been helpful in determining the presence of fish. Dust off those hiking boots, get a little exercise and catch some great fish.
FISHING REPORT
Boca | Inflow is at 335 cfs and the outflow is 251 cfs. Powerbait, nightcrawlers and lures are all working. Fly-fishers have been catching some fish near the inlet with nymphs, streamers and dries.
Donner | Fishing has been fair to good. Kokanee fishing has been good although the fish are small. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait. Mackinaw fishing has been good. Fly-fishermen are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | 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 | The flow is at 335 cfs. Be prepared to share the water with a lot of anglers. The LT has been busy so far this season. With the water at this level nymphs are your best bet. Hatches similar to the main Truckee.
Martis Lake | Zero kill. Catch and release only with barbless, artificial lures or flies. Fishing is best early in the season and again the fall. Smallmouth bass are now part of the fishery here.
Prosser | Fishing has been fair to good. Anglers using bait, lures and flies have all caught fish. Fly-fishermen have done well near the inlet areas. Bass fishing has been fair.
Stampede | Fishing has been fair from shore. The lake level is dropping fast as more water is being released. Nightcrawlers, Powerbait and lures have all produced from shore. Fly-fishermen have been doing well near the inlets with nymphs and streamers. The Kokanee fishing has been fair to good for those getting out. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair.
Truckee River | 100 cfs from Tahoe City to 429 cfs at Boca Bridge. It is not flowing out of the lake at Tahoe City. The flows through Truckee are at 130 cfs. Fishing has been good. Keep an eye on water temperatures. Carry a thermometer and check it. Consider fishing alternative water when it gets more than 64 degrees. Caddis imitations, PMD, Little Yellow Stones and streamers are working. This is special regulation artificial only with barbless hook water. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged in this section, but an angler may keep two fish with a minimum size of 14 inches during the regular trout season from the last Saturday in April to Nov. 15.
Other Waters | Davis and Frenchman are slowing down with warmer temperatures. Boat, shore and fly anglers are catching a few fish. Reports from Davis are only fair. The damselflies are waning. Blood midge and Callibaetis imitations are also producing. Frenchman fishing has slowed, as well. Try the same hatches as in Davis.
Bruce is a long-time area fly-fisherman and past president of Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com to read more.
