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July 13, 2011     Indian Valley Record
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July 13, 2011
 
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Bulletin, Progressive, Record, Reporter Wednesday, July 13, 2011 3C Hig, h and Michael Condon Staff Writer Internet@plumasnews.com It has been a most interest- ing, if not frustrating, year for fishing so far. The most successful an- glers are those who have had the opportunity to get to know the water they fish. Every lake and stream changes through the year so getting to "know the water" means understanding the feeding and migration pat- ferns the fish are likely to en- gage in at any particular time. It takes time to learn that. That is why I prefer fishing our local waters rather than traveling far from home to waters I don't know•well. (For those who do travel, even experienced anglers, a guide can be instrumental to learning where the fish are as well as when and what they are feeding on.) But this year has been dif- ferent. Plumas County has experienced record snowfall. Lakes are full, streams are high and recent hot weather is filling our streams and lakes with the remaining snowmelt. Wherever you go, the wa- ter is higher and colder than we have Seen in many years this far into the season. Lake Davis Local guide Jon Baiocclii (baiocchistroutfitters.com) reports that the damsel hatch is finally in high gear. Be- cause of the high water the damsels can hatch anywhere in the lake. Jon the found the best ac- tivity on a large bed of float- ing weeds and debris. The biology of the dam- selfly, which looks much like its larger relative, the drag- onfly, is very interesting. Af- ter damsels mate, the female crawls down a plant stalk and lays her eggs under wa- ter. This is accomplished by drilling a hole in the stalk with a specially designed auger on her tail end. Then she deposits her eggs inside the plant.- This is an exhausting process while holding your breath. When the female crawls back up the plant stalk and cold water reaches the surface, the male damsel flies down and picks her from the surface of the water and deposits her where she can dry and regain her strength. During this whole process these insects are extremely vulnerable to cruising trout or bass. I usually fish a fly that imi- tates an emerging or crippled damsel but fishing adult pat- terns during the egg laying phase can be very produc- tive. I have actually seen cruising trout follow a low flying damsel for some dis- tance and jump out of the wa- ter to catch it. I talk about damselflies most often in relation to Lake Davis. Davis has the best combination of a healthy trout population and many damsels, but virtually all of our local lakes have some damselflies. Look for shallow weedy water. Ideal water tempera- ture is in the mid to high 60- • degree range. It is hard to know how long this hatch will last so the best time to fish it is now. Lake Almanor Water temperature at the surface is rising into the mid 60-degree range. There is still lots of cooler water just 15 feet down and that is where the fish are holding accord- ing to local guide Doug Neal (almanorfishingadven- tures.com). Doug says the lake is in " transition and is starting to stratify. The thermocline ap- pears to be below 15 feet and above 38 feet. That is a huge band of wa- ter for trollers to target. Doug has been finding the fish up shallow early in the day and deeper in the afternoon. Some of the usual places are not producing fish, Big Springs, the Snag and Skinny Dip Beach have all been slow- er than normal for this time of year. With all the cool wa- ter we have this season, the fish have not been forced into any deep holes yet. They ap- pear to be scattered to all four corners of lake. This has resulted in a rather random" bite with no one area that is really on fire. The Hex hatch is normally the big draw for fly anglers. It usually lasts four or five weeks with the peak around the Fourth of July. It hasn't happened in a big way yet this year although there are reports of a few of these giant mayflies starting to hatch ,J, 't them started youn2, Kayden Buell and Tara Newman caught two trout and three catfish at Crystal Point on Frenchman Lake using night crawlers. Photo submitted along the west shore of the lake. Pond smelt fry have been seen hugging the shoreline and under docks. Fish will begin moving in a little According to Tom Mau- moynier of the Lake A1- manor Fly Fishing Company (ahnanorflyfishing.com) the Hex are hatching in good numbers with fish being "If peopl e concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of.fishing poles." Doug Larson, American columnist tighter to shore to feed, espe- cially with most of the spring bug hatches in decline. Cou- pled with the Hex hatch de- lay, expect fish to focus their attention to the smelt until the hex hatch heats up. Small silver Needlefish • could be deadly for evening trolling tight to the bank and near structure like stumps or docks. Finding the bite has been more work lately and the catch numbers are down, but the anglers that stick it out will get fish, just pack an ex- tra sandwich. Butt Valley Reservoir This may be the place to be for the frustrated Hex angler. The power house is running, the creek side is high but fishable. caught by the first camp- ground and spreading in the lake. Stream fishing Most local streams are run- ning high and still slightly off color. There are some in- sects hatching: pale morning Mat Rudd, 10, with help from younger proudly display a feisty rainbow trout Indian Creek. Photo submitted dun mayflies, caddis flies and a few stoneflies (yellow sal- lies and goldens). The key is to fish deep. For fly anglers, try high sticking weighted nymphs. Late after- noon and evenings may see some dry fly action. The swarms of flying ants may be over, but an ant pat- tern fished along the bank, especially on a breezy after- noon can produce good re- sults. Use caution when wading. The fast cold water still pre- sents a hazard, even in the middle of summer. Middle Fork of the Feather River The Middle Fork of the Feather River is well known. It offers everything from a gentle road-side experience Vach, 6, ey caught at to a treache cessible onl hike. It was om first design waters. An( easy to fish If you wa: about the Feather, th Chapter of is hosting a local guide will explair reaches of t best technb will also sh flies that w: next outing rous canyon ac- by an arduous ,f California's lted wild trout it's not always It to learn more iddle Fork of the Feather River ?rout Unlimited presentation by Ion Baiocchi. Jon the different a  rive r, and the It tes fo: each. He )W the various 11 helFmake your a success. The pres ntation will be held at the Monawk Valley Resource Center at the.cor- ner of high,rays t9 and 70 on July 21 at 5t3) p.m There is no charge. ] / i Now Available in Susanville & Surrounding Areas ASPHALT • PAVING CONCRETE BASE ROCK DRAIN ROCK • Call for Free Estimates, A=;phalt pricing (530) 257-4207 o. "WE SPECIALIZE IN SA'I1SFIED CUS'fOMI,:RS" (888) 335-5501 FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESS SINCE 1972