The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Well, this year's opener was less then stellar for me. I was totally prepared for a new year of stillwater fly fishing. Bought a new reel, sinking line, all the flies only to find out the lake is so low that the tules at the end of the runway in Spaulding were in 2 - 4 feet of water. I came quite close to beaching my boat a couple of times. The north end of the lake is way low. Some fish were holding off of rocky Point but the majority of the fish and fisherman headed South to the deeper water. I never was able to hone into what the fish wanted. I threw all kinds of flies - scuds, lake dragons, snails, wiggle tails - but just didn't do well. I didn't even get a bite. I must have been doing something wrong. Some people around me were catching fish but they were all using bobbers and/or trolling and I just don't understand that method yet. Guess I've been fly fishing too long to remember how to fish like that. At any rate, they're predicting that the lake will be at it's lowest in July - September and they think it will be a record low for the lake in quite some time. Hopefully it will recover for next year. I just love going up there every opener.

Have a great time at the Bash.

Louie

This drought has the lakes in my area in the same condition with record low levels,
Trinity lake is only about 50% but from what I've heard lately the fishing has been good
as they say the fish are more congregated but with the warmer temps the fish are now moving
to deeper water usually out of reach for a fly rod but I may give it a go with conventional gear,
I think I could still use that stuff if it still works ??? been in the corner for years gathering
dust and cobb webs

Mark