California season approaches

Hello fellow anglers.

I have some good news for both anglers and hunters in this article.

In just 29 days most of the streams in California will open to fishing once again. With the exception of all streams leading into Lake Tahoe, i.e. Taylor Creek, Upper Truckee River and Trout Creek, these will open as of July 1, 2006.

As of last Sunday, the Carson rivers were flowing perfect. But we do have a lot of snow up in the higher elevations. Now for you hunters, here is an opportunity of a lifetime.The Casper chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has been granted a 2006 Wyoming Commissioners License.

Basically what this is, is you can submit your bid for this tag. If you are the lucky winner, you may choose any location in Wyoming, except for Teton Park. The purchaser of this means you are guaranteed the license, but you must still pay the license fee. It may also be used in addition to any other big game tags legally held for this year.

You will have your choice of an elk, deer, or antelope hunt. To participate in this fundraiser and be able to choose your own species and area for your Wyoming dream hunt in 2006. You can contact Lee Blake, Casper chair person of the R.M.E.F at (307) 234-2124 or (307) 267-4170.

And please back up your call with an e-mail to earhaven9@yahoo.com, so they have an on-file copy of your bid for the record.

But for the record, you can use the "buy it now" option for $15,000 at that time all bidding will stop and you will be the proud owner of this Wyoming Commissioners tag. Sale will be completed on May 1. Now for your fishing report.

LAKE TAHOE: Mackinaw action when you can get out has been fair to good, with average size 2 to 4 pounds. Best areas have been Dollar Point, Agate Bay, Sugarpine Point, or the Ski Run shelf. The browns are starting to move down and toplining has been fair for anglers using Rapalas or AC plugs in 20 to 35 feet of water.

Last week Mark Wiza caught a 7-pound, 22-inch brown as well as a 10-pound, 31-inch mackinaw. For more info call Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters at (530) 544-6552.

CAPLES LAKE: Richard from the resort called me last week. He told me one of his guests, Reese Maclusky, caught a 14-inch and an 18-inch mackinaw through 5 feet of ice on the lake. He drilled his first hole with the help of a head lamp. That is dedication.

RED LAKE: Last Sunday, Steve Lightfoot met me at the lake where we encountered 7 feet of snow to climb over to get to the lake. After building a stairway, we got to the top of the dam seeing only one other angler on the far side of the dam fishing. I dug down 3 feet of snow and slush then drilled a 5-1/2 foot deep hole and could not break through. We were too close to shore where the ice is too thick. We were going to move out but decided to enjoy the day another way. Yard work.

INDIAN CREEK: Not much action going on due to snow in the area. One angler, John Mandoki from Carson City, caught a 4-1/2 pound rainbow. He was using red powerbait. The fly anglers have been doing fair for small rainbows using black or green wooly buggers. For more information, call the Sportsman at (530) 542-FISH.

TOPAZ LAKE: Boaters have been limiting out mainly trolling the south end going east. They have had luck using Thomas Bouyant lures catching fish up to 2 pounds, with the exception of a 3.4-pound tagged fish. The NDOW, as of March 23, planted 2,499 tiger trout 9.5 inches long. For more information, call the Topaz Marina at (775) 266-3550.

PYRAMID LAKE: Boaters have been doing well fishing deep using spoons to kwikfish. Some have reported 6-to-30-fish days, weather pending. Fly anglers have done well at the nets using black, chartruese wooly buggers.

FRENCHMANS LAKE: Fishing continues to be good. Many limits have been coming from Lunker Point. Anglers have been using nightcrawlers and green glitter marshmellows. Larry Mitchell caught a nice 5.75-pound rainbow at the dam on March 24 using worms. For more information, call Wiggins Trading Post at (530) 993-4683.

Good luck in your fishing adventures. Do not forget to set your clocks ahead Saturday night, so you get that extra hour of fishing in. Good fishin' and tight lines.

-- Doug Busey is the fishing columnist for The Record-Courier. He can be reached at 267-9722.