Hello fellow anglers. The weather is hot and the fishing has slowed a little. Which it tends to do this time of year.I recommend getting up and on the lake by no later than 5:30 am and fishing  until 11am. This way you can get off the lake before the heat gets you, and it's a perfect time for lunch.

Before we get to your report, I have some important information, and a real pet peeve I have. As far as the pet peeve. I see too many people dragging their chains on their boat or RV trailers. First of all, it's fire season, then again it is illegal to do so. It is a really easy fix. If your safety chains are a little too long, twist them a couple turns. Just enough to allow you to make safe turns, and get them off the pavement, as not to cause sparks. I have never been loud and verbal to any person on this issue. But I have educated a few people, who were thankful for the information.

On another couple issues. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has set  stage 1 fire restrictions. This means that no campfires, stove fires (which include charcoal) unless in a developed recreation site that has approved fire pits and grills.  Also included setting off explosives (common sense), welding or the use of a gas powered chainsaw can be used from the hours of 1PM to 1AM.

This restriction also includes smoking outside of an inclosed vehicle. Unless you are in a secured clear area with at least 3 feet of non combustible materials around you.  Alpine County Ca has suspended all target shooting activities due to wildfire danger.

Now for your local fishing report.

LAKE TAHOE: Jason Blanchette went out with his family and had good success on the south end  trolling from Cave Rock to the Logan Shoals area. The Camp Richardson area to Emerald Bay area has also been productive. I recommend being on the lake before O-dark thirty as the bite turns off when the sun hits the water. For more information go to rubyjeancharters.com or email j3blanchett@yahoo.com.

CAPLES LAKE:  I fished this week with Renee (my better half). We fished deep from 30 to 55 ft for lake trout from 7am to 1pm with no hits. We also toplined with Raplas and caught and released a couple average sized rainbows. I spoke with one angler that did catch a nice lake trout the evening before. The rainbows were suspended in the top 10 to 15 ft of water around the lake. We did pick up some good blips on the screen in the deeper waters, but could not get them to bite. The lake level is still up. But be cautious of the bottom and keep an eye on your depth finder. You can  be fishing 35 ft of water and before you know it, you find one of those boat eating rocks right under you. For more information go to capleslake.com

BLUE LAKES: The road is open to the lower lake. I have not received any reports over the last couple weeks. If you have not been up to the lake. It is a long 8 mile dirt road with basic shore launching for small boats, canoes or kayaks. There is a small primitive campground at the far side of the lake. For more information on when the upper lake will open. Go to PG&E's website.

LOST LAKE: The lake is still up and the fishing has been good to fair. I received a video from my friend Russ while he was reeling in a nice cutthroat trout. Small spinners or salmon eggs are most productive.

HIGHLAND LAKE:  The fishing has been fair in the morning for brook trout. Small kastmasters or spinners are most productive. The lake is located off of highway 4 in Alpine County on top of  Ebbetts Pass.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The water level is low in the Hope Valley area. There are still a few good deep holes in the middle of the meadow. Best areas have been in the Woodfords canyon area. Flys or drifting a nightcrawler has been most productive.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The water level has dropped, but for those that don't mind a little hike. There are some good eddies and deeper holes up above the resort. The fishing has been hot for the last few weeks, but then cooled off with the hotter temps.  I prefer a yellow and black with a silver bladed Panther Martin spinner. Many anglers have been drifting a mini night crawler with a split shot with good success. For more information go to carsonriverresort.com.

TOPAZ LAKE: The lake level has dropped and the fishing has slowed down. Here again is where that early morning fishing is more productive. I would recommend getting your presentation down deeper with either a lead line or a down rigger. Shore fishing has been fair for anglers on the south end with powerbait.

RECENT NDOW FISH PLANTS: Desert Creek, Galena Creek, Spooner Lake, Thomas Creek.

RECENT CDFW FISH PLANTS: Alpine Lake, Mosquito Lake, Silver Creek. Also a reminder that the next free fishing day in California will be on August 30th.

FISHING WAT DOWN SOUTH: Backcountry:As the fish have become more active both at Mine and Rock Creeks the fishing is excellent now with 35 to 45 small Brooks each trip. Caddis flies are working but most of the fish caught are with the Black Ant. This should remain the same through Summer into Fall.

Gull and June Lakes: I want to say that when compared to the previous few years fishing is down as far as the numbers caught. Typically in July we see 20 plus days but so far it’s been more like 6 to 10. This is probably due to one of the hatcheries that serves this area going down in May because of a power outage resulting in less frequent stockings by CDFW. The Rainbows that are being caught are mostly those brought in from Oregon by entities other than the State including 5 to 8 pounders. We’ll see if this trend continues through this month and August leading up to more of those Oregon fish being put in before Labor Day.

Upper Owens River: We haven’t fished the Upper much lately while focusing on the local lakes and backcountry. As of a couple weeks ago, in the Longears section, we were getting a few small Browns and Rainbows mostly on Caddis flies. Temps are in the 90s out there so we’ll get back to it when it cools down a bit and keep our fingers crossed for a decent hopper season in August.

Sorry for the short report. But the fishing this time of year can be a little slow. Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a picture of your catch. Send it to sports@recordcourier.com. Hope to see you on the waters soon. Good Fishin' and Tight Lines.