I did get out on the pond Thursday but will be in and out of town for the next 10 days.

We woke to mostly cloudy skies this morning and the wind came up early with gusts to 21 mph before it calmed down in the evening. By about 5 PM we started seeing snow fall. We only got a light dusting of snow but temperatures did rapidly drop into the 30's very quickly. Roads will probably be slick in the morning.

At this time (7 PM Friday) the snow had quit falling and the low clouds are starting to move out. But the low temperature Saturday morning is predicted to be 24 F....and that may even drop lower. Expect to see some fog form on the water on Saturday morning.

Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 65 but Sunday night we have another chance of showers. Sunday is also expected to be breezy with gusts possible to 35 mph. It looks like it will be a rough day on the water.

Water Temperature

South basin: Currently 57 F to 58 F from 62 to 63 degrees F last weekend, pH 9.39
North basin: 51 F to 54 F from 59 F pH 9.55;
Middle basin: 51 to 52 in early AM to around 54 to 55 F PM from 58 to 60 last weekend pH of 9.44.

Lake Conditions

We are starting to see more weeds on the surface but the shifting winds keep pushing them into different areas. The north side of Pelican Point is fairly weedy on the surface in many areas but there has been some clear channels. The north basin also has some nasty weedy areas.

One thing that we have now is that we are seeing a lot more color in the water from the microscopic algae's dying off from cooling water temperatures. This will remain with us for a while. But the shallower north and middle basins are actually a little clearer than the south basin.

Buoys are on the lake. But, this being a natural lake not all the hazards are marked. Lassen County Sheriff Department will probably start removing buoys soon. It's a good idea to GPS the rock piles. I'm working on a few way points to post so folks can plug in the coordinates for caution. One of the buoys marking the long rocky point on the south side of Pelican is missing a buoy (it's sitting in the rocks about a hundred yards east of the Broccoli tree.

Rock piles north of Pelican Point and off the airstrip in Spalding are very close to the surface. The point along the airstrip in Spalding is very shallow, don't attempt to go between the tules this fall, swing the point wide before cutting back towards the tules. There are two rock piles about 200 yards northeast of the Broccoli Tree (North side Pelican Point) that is unmarked and will be a very nasty surprise when a lower unit hits it.

Fishing Locations and Depths

The fishing has been tough for the average angler but better reports of folks coming in with a few limits here and there. If you are fishing the deeper south basin cover the water column from 10 to 30 feet deep. Or, move into shallower water of 10 to 25 feet deep and fish 10 to 12 feet deep. Sometimes the fish lay on the bottom in 18 to 24...if you see them there, get the lines down to them.

The deep water of the south basin isn't holding large numbers of trout right now but a few have been caught there this week. But, when these fish decide to start moving around, that's just what they do. Fishing is usually best in the twilight of early morning but it has been improving. Once the shallow basins water temperatures drop into the mid 40's the majority of trout head back down south to warmer water temperatures more to their liking. Let's hope the temp in the shallow basins holds in the 50's for a while longer. Hopefully it doesn't reach 40 by the time DFG starts planting our fall allotment of trout.

Some trout are starting to move over and north of the Miners Point ledges and towards the Biology Station and the south side of Pelican Point.

We are also seeing increase numbers of trout on the north side of Pelican Point but their location changes daily. But they are there and hard to catch. One day I find them off the buoys on the north side to the tip of P Point and the next day they can be out in the middle of Delta Bay out towards Rocky Point. It's just a catch 22 right now for the average angler but 10 to 13 feet of water has been the ticket.

The water is shallow this year at an average of 5 to 7 feet deep (5 to 6 at the edge of the tules off the airstrip) and the moss beds are only a couple feet from the surface in some areas, so trolling this area will be tough. More fish are starting to be caught in the tules but one might have to move to different holes periodically. But some nice fish were caught there this week 2.5 to 4 pounds. A couple fish to 5 pounds have also been caught this week...even though the number of fish being caught is low (but improving), the quality of the few have been good.

Some fish are still being caught from the Springs to Miners Point on the east side of the south basin but they are very scattered right now. It's been tough for everyone in just about every location. Some people are in the right place at the right time....and that can be just about anywhere and anytime. The beginning of the fall transition.

Between Wildcat Point and Shrimp Island (Lake of the Woods): the rocky ledges on the west side has slowed down a bit for a lot of folks, but I have seen fish in shallower water along the west side. I didn't see the number of fish in the deeper water this week, however I have seen a few small "pods" here and there.

Trolling

NOTE TO TROLLERS: SOME COMPLAINTS FROM SHORE FISHERMEN AND ANCHORED BAIT FISHERMEN REGARDING TROLLING OVER THEIR LINES. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE.

Some trollers are doing better than others but some limits are still being caught. Now that we have a lot of color forming in the water, it is important to use an attractant for a scent trail and lure colors that will show up better. Generally, chartreuse starts working when the water is in this condition so don't be afraid to tie one on. We are working shallower water now that water temperatures have cooled down. Fish are spooky in the shallows and on the shallow rock ledges. Let out at least 100 to 125 feet of line out behind the boat.

Trolling nightcrawlers has probably been the most effective method of catching fish this last week. But some lures have done okay too. The lures have varied but one thing they have had in common is having some chartreuse color on them.

Orange and brown leech pattern trolling flies have been the best for us but the tui chub fly is starting to get more attention north of Pelican Point. I do have a chub

The trout we have been catching are feeding on leeches and shrimp which are typical for that area, minnows are still in deeper water but I have seen many schools around the Youth Camp and Bio. Station as well as having a few at the docks in Spalding.

How trollers can avoid catching tui chub: Most trollers don't usually catch chubs because the chubs generally don't "chase" fast moving objects, however if you are trolling too slow you can catch the heck out of them. The key is to bump up your trolling speed by 50 to 75 RPM's and avoid catching them. That's all it takes and stay in the zone of the trout. The more chubs your are catching the less time you are fishing for trout. Please release these special fish safely, they are of great importance to the ecology of the lake. Tui chubs also show up as a massive school of fish stacked up on your depth finder. If you observe the adult chub when they come into the north and middle basins to spawn, you will see that the entire school moves in unison (note the minnows at the docks). Seldom do they separate. Trout show up as more singles farther apart.

Hot Lures, Flies and Grubs

Lures: Large "Red Dog" Double Jointed Sure Catch lure is doing well and medium "Goldie locks" (florescent orange and brass) has been working well too. I also like the German Brown Medium Sure Catch this time of year. But good old Needlefish were in the top 3 producers. No doubt that florescent orange is a hot color on this lake and various lures of that color often work, but today the rainbow trout pattern out fished them all. Rainbow Runners have also been known to work well up here. Often, what is hot in one area is not in another. The red dot frog and crocodile patterns in size 2 and 3 have also been productive lures. It is near the time when minnow imitations from rapala's to rubber wigglers will be real effective (time to try ???em now).

Trolling plain nightcrawlers is also a favorite and was indeed a very affective method for many anglers. But, if I am only catching trout on small brown flies I would suggest worm trollers use mini crawlers (on smaller #8 or #10 straight eye bait hooks) over large ones and don't leave a long tail. Use of flashers can be more productive in late summer and fall. The clarity of the lake decreases as the water temperatures drop in fall. Flashers really help during that time and best where schools of tui chub minnows are the food of choice. (Flasher tip for Eagle Lake: shorten leaders up to 14 to 15 inches from the flashers. These fish often come from behind so quickly that they can miss your bait and hit your flashers. If you are getting lots of strikes without hooking up, your leader is too long.)

Grubs: Brown, Black, orange, amber watermelon, white and root-beer have been catching a few fish this week. Some folks prefer to run wiggle or action discs ahead of the grub.

Trolling Flies: The plain Jane brown and florescent orange are catching fish but the brown leech (a very passive rather than aggressive fly) has gotten more attention on flat water. The tui-chub pattern works better in some areas (this time of year) than in others but it is starting to get attention. I prefer a smaller hook than what is commercially available this time of year...later in September and October size doesn't matter. The ones I tie have more white than olive on them. Olive leeches are starting to pick up a few fish here and there but in general olive works better down by Pikes Point and the jetty...brown has been the most affective for us at every location, however the orange is catching fish for us as long as there is a ripple but once the pond goes flat, the brown has been the best.

The trout have been "short striking" meaning that the hook is not penetrating and many fish are getting off before getting them to the boat. Tear (don't cut) the butts off the flies folks...the fish will have to strike higher on the hook....old fly trolling trick that makes them stick!!! Grub trollers add a stinger in your tails or trim them shorter, nightcrawler trollers use mini crawlers and only leave ?? inch of tail.

My best advise for trolling flies is to keep your rod in your hand and set the hook at the slightest difference in your line. If you miss the fish, slap the slack back into the water, if the fish didn't quite feel the hook it will still be following the fly and it will take it again when it stops dead in the water. Dangle it in front of the fish as if you were playing with a cat and a piece of yarn, if the fish wasn't right there once your line straightened out, give it a few seconds longer. Yeah, that's a real tease, but is also very affective. The fish take flies differently than they hit lures. They basically "hold" it in their mouth rather than attack it like a lure (especially the passive flies in brown or olive). You have to sink the barb of the hook in order to land the fish. And, I mean you have to set it hard, and hold your line so the drag doesn't defeat the purpose. Quite often I use the motor to assist keeping pressure on the fish if I run out of hook setting room (rod over 90 degrees), but, don't keep your boat in gear after the hook set. You will lose them every time. Some fish hit harder on the more aggressive flies (orange, gold & etc.) but you still have to set the hook. You can run discs a few inches above the fly but it's not a replacement for holding your rod. Every fish hits a little different...some hammer you, others tease you, some just slap you around others slurp and spit. Knowing when to set the hook has a lot to do with "sticking" the fish.

Bait Fishing

Free lines have been working better than slip bobbers however, every day has been a little different. So it's best to cover the bases and fish the water column from this time forward if you are limited to fishing the south basin. Don't stay in one spot if you are not catching fish, move around and fish the column of water from 10 to 30 feet deep. Many fish are simply foraging in shallower water along the shoreline.

The tui chub have had a good spawn this year and the minnows are prevalent in all the basins. More and more trout are moving into the tules along the airstrip near Spalding. Trollers are having a tough time catching fish but the bait fishermen are doing much better. Even though they are having to move around a little. Having water temperatures in the low to mid 50's north of Pelican Point many trout have committed to the shallows. How long they will stay is a different story that only the fish can tell at this point

The use of commercial attractants has been working well the last few years. Krill and Garlic Trout Gravy are the most effective. Don't under-estimate the garlic gravy, it works.

It is illegal to use minnows as bait on this lake, however many different imitations start working now. Nightcrawlers are the most effective bait used but some folks use insects too. NOTE: It is also illegal to keep live trout in a "live well" for any purpose including resuscitation.

Shore Fishing

Water temperatures just dropped to the low to mid 50's in the middle and north basins and to 62 in the south basin. Shore fishing should be picking up! Our low temperatures are really helping keep temperatures down along the shallow shoreline.

The biology station and the Youth Camp will start getting better but it can be touch and go for a few weeks before it really turns on there. The jetty and the Circus Grounds will be picking up before too long too but fishing has been very tough from shore for the last couple weeks but the water temperature has dropped into favorable temps for the trout. There is a lot of color in the water right now so if your plain worm doesn't cut the mustard, don't be afraid to add some powerbait or garlic gravy to it.

Fly Fishing
Osprey Management Area is open for foot traffic only. No vehicles are allowed below the road. Watch out for mountain lions in this area.

A few trout are rising to the caddis hatch but the hatch has come on later in the morning due in part to cooler temperatures lasting longer. There are a few fish on the shallow ledges but their timing has not been reliable. Having a little ripple in the morning helps. More fish are showing up in the tules along the airstrip but their timing has been a little different every day. Brown was the color they wanted today and is the best color to start with on this lake. Water temperatures should remain fairly stable now. It is advisable to have a float tube or boat so you can reach those trout when they move out. Have a sink tip available.

My favorite flies are basic. #10 and #12 wooly buggers. I prefer brown along Pelican Point and the west side of the south basin. I like olive, gold, orange or black in the tules depending on the time of year. However, the orange is extremely effective when the water temperature drops below 48 degrees F. The shrimp turn orange when the water temperature drops below that temperature.