This is my annual reminder that a whole bunch of California waters will close to fishing on Nov. 15. That's nine days from now, so, if you want to try any (or some) of them, one last time, you better get the lead out because you're rapidly running out of time.
Those waters will not re-open until the last Saturday in April, 2009. That date is April 25 and that is a long, long time to wait.
With that as a "Heads Up," here are a number of California waters that will close on Nov. 15:
Most of the East Carson River, the West Carson River, Red Creek, Markleeville Creek, Silver Creek, Wolf Creek, the West Walker River, Bridgeport Reservoir, Upper and Lower Twin Lakes, Robinson Creek, Kirman Lake, Virginia Lakes, Lundy Lake, The June Lake Loop (Grant, Gull, June, Silver Lakes and Rush Creek), Convict Lake and Convict Creek, Roosevelt and Lane Lakes, Fremont Lake and the Truckee River, just to name a few.
However, don't despair:
The good news: Is that there will still be a whole bunch of California waters that will remain open:
The East Walker River from Bridgeport Reservoir to the Nevada state line, The East Carson River from Hangman's Bridge to the Nevada state line, Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, Boca Reservoir, Stampede Reservoir, Frenchman Reservoir, Davis Lake, Indian Creek Reservoir, Red Lake, Caples Lake (if there is any water remaining from the water draw-down to repair the water gates at the base of the dam), Silver Lake, Frog Lake, Winnemucca Lake, Kinney Reservoir, Upper and Lower Kinney Lakes, Upper and Lower Blue Lakes, Upper and Lower Lost Lakes, Twin Lake, Meadow Lake, Tamarack Lake, Upper and Lower Sunset Lakes, Wet Meadows Lake and Summit Lake, just to name a few.
The bad news: Is that during the upcoming Winter months and most of the Spring months, you will need snowmobiles (where they are legal to use), cross country skis or snowshoes to reach many of those open waters.
And, for darn sure, you had better have warm layered clothing, insulated waterproof boots, thick wool mittens, ear muffs or wool cap, a big thermos of hot coffee or hot chocolate, plus an ice auger to cut through the ice.
So, here are several suggestions for where you might want to fish in the next nine days in waters that will be closing on Nov. 15:
Upper and Lower Twin Lakes (from a boat): About 11 miles west of Bridgeport via a paved road.
They both have brown trout, rainbow trout and Kokanee Salmon. You'll catch mostly rainbows, an occasional brown and maybe, even a small Kokanee.
If you're not aware of that interesting fact, the last two California state record browns (25+ pounds each!) came out of both Upper and Lower Twin Lakes.
Who knows, with a boat with the right lure at the right place at the right time, you just might catch the next record brown from either lake. It's worth a try!
For information, call Annett's Mono Village at Upper Twin Lake at (760) 932-7071.
The June Lake Loop (just west of U.S. 395 about 100 miles south of Carson City):
At that complex of four lakes and one creek, you can catch brown trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout.
All kinds of places to catch all kinds of fish from either a boat, float tube or from shore.
Geez, how can you go wrong?
For information, call Ernie's Tackle Store at the Town of June Lake at (760) 648-7756.
The East Carson River (near the Carson River Resort):
Upstream from Hangman's Bridge, just out of Markleeville, has been red-hot, lately, for lots of very nice sized rainbows, especially for the fly fishermen.
If you're not sure where to fish or what to use, stop in at the Carson River Resort and ask Todd or Chad where and how to fish.
Then go back to have your photo taken with your catch.
For information, call either Todd Sodaro or Chad Machado at the Carson River Resort at (877) 694-2229.
Kinney Reservoir (near the top of Ebbett's Pass on S.R. 4, if the road is still open due to snow):
Good fishing for a mix of rainbows and brookies. Walk across the dam and go to the far end of the lake for two reasons: Better shore fishing there, and you will be out of the wind if it should come up. Try an inflated nightcrawler or either Chartreuse or orange Power Bait.
For information, call either Todd Sodaro (the Manager) or Chad Machado at the Carson River Resort at (877) 694-2229.
Red Lake (near Kit Carson Pass on S.R. 88):
Has brookies, cutthroat and rainbow trout, but it has been especially good for brookies in recent weeks. I suspect many of the brook trout being caught are those that were transplanted as the Caples Lake water level was being drawn down this Fall.
Fish anywhere from shore near the dam with an inflated nightcrawler, floated just off the bottom.
For information, call Dave Kirby at the Woodfords General Store at (530) 694-2930.
Virginia Lakes (west of the top of Conway Summit on U.S. 395, which is south of Bridgeport, if the road is still open due to snow):
You can try your hand at fishing at a number of small lakes in that area including Big Virginia, Little Virginia, Trumbull, etc.
You'll be at high altitude (9,000+ feet), so go dressed and prepared for cold weather and snow.
Be advised that both Big Virginia and Little Virginia Lakes are very popular destinations for fly fishermen in their float tubes.
For information, call Jim Reid at Ken's Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport at (760) 932-7707.
Finally:
Saturday, April 25, 2009 is a long, long time from now, so you better get in all the fishing that you can in the next nine days before many of those California waters close on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Good luck if you go, and, don't forget your camera if you should get super lucky.
Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you where I plan to be fishing between now and Nov. 15.
If he grins and says, "Don will be trolling from at boat at Pyramid Lake, Nevada with Don Hettrick of Carson City and Rich Bachle of Fernley," he could be one of those two friends of mine.