Amador Flyfishers

Four members of the Amador Fly Fishers and one guest ventured up and over Carson Pass to fish Indian Creek Reservoir. With clear blue skies, fresh sparkling white snow and temperatures in the 20's, the drive was enjoyable without have to put on chains and or drive in 4 wheel drive.

Arrive before 9 am we were disappointed to find that the restrooms at the lake were all locked.  Those in need found a tree to take care of their present need!  Next came the unloading of the trucks, inflating of tubes, putting on waders, sunscreen and the stringing up of the poles.  Common conversation consisted of questions like "what is the report on the fishing?"  "What flies did they say were being used?"  "What type of line are you going to use?"  As fishmaster I had done my homework and had Googled some of the answers:  Fishing had been O.K. with some fish being taken, some as large as 18" inches; flies consisted of black and brown wooly buggers, and I recommended intermediate sinking lines.

Down to the water we went.  Looking out across the lake one could see and feel the affects of a stiff breeze that would later in the day turn into a 10 to 15 mph wind and with gusts up to 20 mph.  Putting in at a favorite cove on the east side of the lake.  Ron Calvert was first in the water and the first to hook up on the north side of the cove.  I expect in about 4 feet of water.  Ken Brown was next, landing a 18" inch beautifully colored Rainbow. 

Barbara Price and guest Jordan Murphy joined Ken and Ron in the cove and experienced the difficulties of negotiating their floating devices around in the wind and trying to get a cast out against the wind.  Dennis, last to get into the water, experiencing the same difficulties managed to pick up a 13" and 16" Rainbow.  Meanwhile, Ron had decided to leave the cove and kicked against the wind to the south end of the lake.  The four of us continued to fight the wind, trying to stay out of the weeds along the bank and untangle line that somehow got tangled in our fins. I remember one of our group commenting "I hate the wind!" 

Dennis' grandson, Jordan, meanwhile had changed lines to a Teeny 150 grain full sink line and had kicked out into the lake and water that varied from 9' to 13 feet of water.  Here he landed a small rainbow, lost a fly and had a couple of other strikes.  Might be assumed that with the increasing winds, the north edge of the cove where all the fish had been caught had stirred upthe bottom as the color of the water had changed and the fish moved to deeper water. Who knows for sure? 

Having enough of the wind each of us took time out to beach our water craft and eat lunch.  Sitting there looking across the lake experiencing the wind in your face and a clear blue shy, one could only remember what Ken Brown had often reminded us "the worst day of fishing is better than the best day of work!"  Venturing eyeward to the sky on could only see the vapor trails of commercial jets streaking across the sky to such places as Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles or San Francisco/Sacramento.

After a salami and cheese sandwich, some sour creme and ranch potato chips, it was back to fishing. Having fought the increasing winds for over 3 hours, the group set out to fish from the banks of the cove and lake shortline. The wind was still a factor but with proper positioning one could manage a 30'- 40' cast.  Dennis and Ron had tried the south side of the cove but with no strikes.  Moving to the north side, Ron and Ken walked over to the next cove and Dennis decided to fish the north side of the cove.  Again no strikes, so he moved out to the point where the cove ended and the lake began. Climbing up on a roack pile he made a cast with his floating line and a size 10 Halebop Leech.  The fly hit the water in about 5 feet of water and within to strips their was felt a tug, signs of "fish on"  Elevated on the pile of rocks presented a great view of the fish as it appear about 20 feet out in the crystal clear water.  Concern now was the landing of the fish.  A good 2 feet below the rocks and without a net did present a problem.  Being 72 years of age and not as limber or agile as one once was didn't make getting down to the fish any easies.  But, keeping tension of the line and slowly sitting down the fish was brought to hand.  In hand was a 19" silver in color, devoit of brilliant rainbow colors, hen Rainbow Trout.

That was the last fish caught for the day.  Ventured back to the trucks for wine and beer and the discussion of where our next adventure would be?  Again, It was Ken who said "fish were caught and the worst day of fishing is still better than the best day of work!"  Enough said.  Until next time ..... get those bass poppers out, find your 5 to 6 wt fly rod and both a floating and sink tip line and let's go fishin'. 

Next Amador Fly Fishers Outing, Wednesday, April 18, Arroyo Seco Ponds.

Dennis Larson

Outings Chair person