Red Lake - Hot, East Fork - Not

First on of all, I wanted to thank everybody for commenting on Tuesday's post.

Yesterday I had a little spare time (After mowing the sides of our 900 foot driveway), so I ran down to the fly shop in Sacramento. I wanted to replace the Royal Wulff's I lost on Tuesday and while I was there, I also picked up a few new Prince Nymphs and some Yellow Humpy's that Glenn (you know, Retired Sheriff, Glenn) suggest might work up there.

I've been watching the DFG trout plant and this week they were to plant both the East and the West Forks of the Carson. My plan was, East Fork, fly rod, dry flies. Jetted out of the house at 0645 and stopped for coffee at Cooks Station (old habits die hard). Got to the East Fork at about 0800. It's a bit of a drive. and stopped at one section I've fished before. Put on waders, grabbed my fly rod, and carefully made my way down the side of the hill to the water. Found some slow water and put out a Yellow Humpy, then a Royal Wulff, Prince Nymph under an indicator and even tried a size 12 Wooly Bugger. Alas, twas not to be.

So I moved to another location. When I got there, there was already a couple of guys fishing in one area, so I made my way to the area in the picture below. I could see some slow areas, and a good pool just around the bend. Fished everything except the kitchen sink and still nothing that looked like a fish. Water looked good though.

On the way back to the truck I ran into the two guys I saw earlier and the usual banter occured. "Full creel?" "No, I think you guys got them all before I got here". Turns out neither of us got anything. We swapped flies used (what a coincidence, the list was the same), chatted for a bit and then we all called it a day. I decided to fish one other spot, but nothing again. By then they were gone and I was on my way. I noticed that they were walking toward another area below the resort as I passed. Hope they got something.

Thought I might stop on the West Fork, but when I got to the 88 - 89 turnoff, there were so many vehicles parked I didn't even stop and it was wall to wall people.

The other place on the DFG stock site noted was Red Lake. On the drive back from the West Fork, the wind was blowing at what looked like about 15mph sustained. I figured Red Lake would be white caps and impossible to fish, but I pulled in anyway. There were a couple of people fishing, but it didn't look like any catching. I noticed the spot were I usually fish was open, so I grabbed my spinning rods, tackle box, and net (never go fishing without a net or Annette). After all this time, I'm still not sure about that one. Set one pole out with the slip sinker rig and Rainbow Power Bait. This time I added a little something extra. Remember Sam & Kimberly from Pedal Boat Adventure? Mentioned that some guy told them about using a little Anise on the PB. Just happened to have some Pro-Cure Anise in my tackle box and put a dollop on. Dollop, one of those cool words. Barely got the second rod in and "fish on". A nice 13" Cutt. Over the next hour (only an hour, 11:30 - 12:30) I caught 6 more Brookies. Put the Cutt and 4 Brookies in the cooler and headed home. Bob's (I plow for fish) stash is getting a bit thin.

Fly fishing on the East Fork of the Carson was a bust, but Red Lake seemed to be back to it's Brookie self. Might be because DFG stocked it this week too. Who knows.

Can't complain about today. I'll wait until next time. Till then.

Mark (Shoreman)