Topaz Lake opener a success

Hello fellow anglers.

Let's get right in and check out our local fishing report.

LAKE TAHOE: Gene St. Denis reports red hot to good mackinaw fishing. Gene has been fishing at Dollar Point, Sugar Pine Point and the Ski Run areas, trolling in 100 to 220 feet of water.

Best action has been on dodgers and a minnow or bomber long A lures. Mackinaw have averaged 2 to 9 pounds, with many limits this last week or two.

Toplining at Cave Rock has been poor to fair for rainbow trout averaging 1 to 3 pounds, and mackinaws 2 to 5 pounds.

In my book, it always pays to seek a professional guide if you are not familiar with Lake Tahoe. Call Blue Ribbon Charters at (530) 544-6552. Now, if you don't fish, there is always a gift certificate for those who do.

CAPLES LAKE: Last report was 8 inches of ice from Richard, the Caples Lake general manager. They have also recieved about 8 feet of snow over the holiday season. Use caution if you venture out to ice fish, conditions can change and be unstable.

RED LAKE: In talking with Dave Kirby from the Woodfords Station, he told me a few anglers have come in with reports of good fishing, and 8 inches of snow on top of 4 inches of ice with 2 inches of slush and another 4 inches of ice. I will be venturing up to Red Lake this Saturday to check out the conditions.

Again, always use caution on ice covered lakes. I will let you know in the next article how the ice condition is, first hand. If all works out, the annual ice fishing get together will be on Jan. 24, weather permitting.

INDIAN CREEK: Dave Kirby reports that no one has stopped by after going to Indian Creek. This time of year the roads front and back can be a little dangerous with ice and snow.

TOPAZ LAKE: What a great opener it was this year. Most all anglers caught their limits or close to during the first three days of the opener.

Renee and I ventured out on Sunday to a picture perfect day, almost. I must bow down to say I, as well as every one we saw, were skunked. Linda Fields reported many happy anglers from the 1st to the 3rd. Fish averaging up to 3.5 pounds were brought into the marina. And to top it off, the Topaz Marina is open for launching boats. For more information, call the Topaz Marina at 266-3550.

TOPAZ LAKE CASINO DERBY: Diane from the general store reports too many happy anglers. Many fish over the 2 pound limit were weighed, which entitles them to double their jackpot that day in the Casino. As of Sunday afternoon these were the top five anglers reported: Jeff Alexander, 5.15 pounds; Mary Johnson, 4.15 pounds; Vick Burgard, 4.0 pounds; Vienna Gandee, 3.8 pounds; and Thomas Well, 3.1 pounds.

There is also a chance to catch one of those tagged fish from years past from $25 to $1,000. For more information or reservations, call the Topaz Lake Casino at 266-3338. This derby will last until April. Don't forget to bring in your license to the casino for your free derby hat.

Good luck in your fishing adventures. If you have any questions in our fishing world, call the Naw line at 267-9722.

If you get a photo of your catch, you can email it to jcrandall@recordcourier.com or

simply drop it off at The R-C.

See you at Red Lake. Good fishin' and tight lines.