Rainbows, browns and mackinaws targeted by anglers at Caples and Bear River lake
The Carson Pass Region of the central Sierra is one of the most popular areas for Stockton and Sacramento area anglers to target trout in the spring, summer and fall. Rainbow, brown and mackinaw trout are being caught in Caples Lake and Lower Bear River Reservoir off Highway 88.
Caples Lake: After a slow start to the season, anglers are hooking holdover brown and rainbow trout and some mackinaw trout while fishing from shore and boats at Caples Lake, reported Joe Voss at the Caples Lake Resort.
“Anglers fishing from shore with worms and spoons like Kastmasters are catching browns and rainbows in the 12 to 13-inch range at the corner of dam and by Woods Creek,” Voss said. “They’re averaging about two or three fish per rod.”
Boaters have been hooking mackinaws while trolling Rapalas, Flatfish and other lures.
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Tom and Gabby Schaefer from Pleasanton reported catching several quality browns weighing two to three pounds and mackinaws weighing four to five pounds over the weekend while trolling by Woods Creek and off Bruno Point.
Ryan and Justin, two anglers from Gardnerville, Nevada, caught and released 10 mackinaws on their trips to the lake in early to mid-May. Ryan released seven macks between nine and 13 pounds, while Justin released three mackinaws.
The CDFW hasn’t planted the lake with brown or rainbow trout this year to date.
The lake is full and both the EID and resort launch ramps are in the water. Information: (209) 258-8888.
Lower Bear River Reservoir: The Bear River Lake Resort held their annual two-day fish derby on June 11-12.
Floyd Girardin won first place in the event by catching a 4.3-pound rainbow, taking home $700. Justin Lee placed second in the event with a 4.2 pound rainbow, taking home $200 Justin Lee Jr. placed third with a 3.1-pound rainbow trout, taking home $100.
“Most people fishing in the event had boats,” Janette Frasier, owner of the resort, said. “Not many fish were weighed in during the event. The names of anglers who caught fish in the event were put in a drawing bag, getting their first choice of t-shirts, fishing rods, tackle boxes and hats.”
Before the event, the resort stocked 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout from Oregon’s Desert Springs Hatchery averaging 4.1 pounds each. A total of 75 people participated in the event.
“The weather was absolutely gorgeous,” Frazier said. “The CDFW hasn’t planted the lake this year to date, but PG&E stocked 1,000 pounds of trout on May 6.”
Frazier said the lake is full and the boat ramp is in the water.
“Fishing hasn’t been hot, but about average,” she noted. “Anglers did catch some mackinaws after the lake thawed out this spring.” Information: (209) 295-4868.
Delta Costa Bass-N-Fly: Clara Ricabal, outdoor writer and American Bass Association (ABA) tournament director, participated as a captain in the annual Costa Bass-N-Fly, run by tournament directors Captain Maury Hatch and Captain Noel de Guzmán out of Sugar Barge Resort on Bethel Island on June 9-10.
John Sherman and Ric Rodgers won first place and $3,000 with a total weight of 22.37 pounds, with a big fish of 8.64 pounds. Brian Pultz and Greg Holland finished second with 20.01 pounds and a big fish of 3.92 pounds.
Ricabal told us:
The fishing was tough per anglers whom regularly fish the Delta and who fished the event last year. The heat never turned off. Thursday, there were spurts of wind but both days from temperatures over 90 degrees.
This was my very first fly fishing tournament and my partner’s first time ever fishing for largemouth bass. Needless to say, we did not bring home a check.
There were 40 boats with 80 anglers. I was asked to be a captain for a Costa representative who flew in from Florida the day prior (Nick Jones) There were all types of different boats, including bass boats, aluminum, jet, center console, etc.
There were no double digit bass brought to the scales and hardly any limits. Between the first day and second, the rising temperature and the water clarity effected the bite, basically shutting it down past 10 a.m.
It’s interesting that fly fishing techniques for bass mimic the same patterns as conventional ‘Topwater Hopper Droppers’ on heavy cover, and fishing crawdad stripper patterns in open water, much like a crankbait.
I have a ton of practice to put in before next year’s event, but if you know me, you know I do not give up!
Contact Stockton Record Correspondent Dan Bacher at danielbacher53@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Anglers target trout in Caples Lake, Lower Bear River near Highway 88
