Fishing: Time to put out the fires

Hello fellow anglers.

Let's talk about bozos, yes I said bozos. The people that continually break the law, and put our lives at risk.

I'm talking about campers. Last weekend Renee and I ventured up Highway 4 over Ebbetts Pass to Highland Lakes.

On the way I saw many people enjoying the great outdoors next to the East Fork Carson River with their tents and their campfires.

What part of "No campfires outside of designated campgrounds" do they not understand?

The rules are very specific for everyone's safety. Campfires are only allowed in designated campgrounds with fire rings, plus in many counties you are required to have a campfire permit also.

To add to this, you may not even have a charcoal barbecue in most campgrounds. This is put in place to protect ourselves, our homes and our forest lands.

We do not need another careless camper or homeless person or partier starting a disaster.

Please read and abide by the regulations, they are in place for all of us.

We need to be the educators for those that do not read the paper or turn on the news each day.

In my last column, I told you of a new Nevada state record Wiper, which reminded me of another record that was broken over 30 years ago.

This was done by two young anglers about the age of 14 in 1972, at a small reservoir called Stevens Creek nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains of California.

The two anglers were told by the park warden that the lake was to be drained soon for repairs.

The warden told the anglers to see if they could break the record. Later that day, the two had a new record according to the warden. They caught 394 crappies.

Their names were Mike Kunz and Doug Busey. What reminded me of this, was a visit I received from my longtime friend Mike Kunz last Tuesday.

Mike and his family are camping at the Fallen Leaf Campground until Sunday.

If you run into him, tell him congratulations on a crappie record.

Now for our local fishing report.

LAKE TAHOE NORTH: Dollar and Cal/Neva points are still the most productive in 75 to 250 feet of water. Average mackinaw trout have been 3 to 7 pounds. Start early or you may miss out. Some rainbows have been caught trolling rapalas around the Cave Rock area 50 to 70 feet. For more information, call Blue Ribbon Charters at (530) 544-6552.

LAKE TAHOE SOUTH: Kokanee action has started to show up around the Camp Richardson area to the Keys. Fish in deep waters 200 to 400 feet placing your jig or blades at 40 to 70 feet. Average size has been 12 to 13 inches with a few in the 16 inch range. The mackinaw bite has been O-dark-30 until the sun peers over the mountain tops, then it dies. Dennis Mitchell caught a nice 18.4 pound mackinaw drifting minnows with 6 pound test. For more information, call the Sportsman at (530) 542-FISH.

CAPLES LAKE: Fishing for planters has been real good. The brown and brookie action still hasn't come alive yet. Right now the boat launch is OK for all boats. The water has been dropping and in a few weeks smaller boats will be recommended. For more information, call the Caples Lake Resort at (209) 258-8888.

RED LAKE: Fishing for brook trout and a few nice cutthroat trout has been very good according to Jack Martin from the Sportsman of Lake Tahoe. From trolling in a boat with flashers and a worm to casting lures or crawlers from the shore.

BLUE LAKES: The upper lake has been most productive for both boaters and shore anglers. While the lower lake has been slow for anglers.

CARSON RIVERS: The east fork is running a little higher, they have started letting a little water from Kinney. As Todd says, you can almost walk across the river there is so many fish in there. Anna Webber, 9, caught a 4.1-pound rainbow, Wayne Tree caught a 4.6-pound rainbow. Justin and Joshua Thompson caught a nice stringer of rainbow trout. On the west fork, Evan Meedan caught a 3.5-pound rainbow, Roger Benson of Gardnerville caught a 6.5-pound rainbow trout. For more information, call the Carson River Resort at (877) 694-2229.

INDIAN CREEK RES: Although the lake is a big salad bowl, I will still be up there Saturday evening. It is a quest to find the Big 8- to 13-pound fish that are still in the lake. No reports this week from any anglers. For more info call the Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters at (530) 542-8208.

TOPAZ LAKE: Linda Fields reports jets skis, water skiers and sunburn. Young Janee Welch of Minden, daughter of R-C columnist Lisa Welch, was fishing with her family and caught a nice 2-pound rainbow trout. For more information, call the Topaz Marina at 266-3550.

LAHONTAN LAKE: Don Quilici and Don Hettrick trolled flasher blades followed by a yellow roostertail lure. They got tired of catching fish when they reached the 200 mark. They were catching 8 to 15 inch white bass.Reports of Walleye have been showing up from beach No. 4 to No. 12. Water is low, use caution while in a boat.

If you get a photo of your catch drop it off at the The Record-Courier. If you have any questions in our fishing world, call the Naw-Line at 267-9722. good fishin' and tight lines.