Hello fellow anglers.I am so excited to see this weekend come. Main reason is that the rain and thunderstorms here in the sierras are going away. It really makes a person realize what paranoid really means, when you're waving a six to nine foot rod in the air under a thunder cloud.

Now for another great reason this weekend is so special. Saturday August 30th is free fishing day in California. You need not have a fishing license on this day. But you must abide by all rules and regulations for each water you fish. IE; bag limits-bait lure and hook restrictions- catch and release areas. You can check the CDFW regulation book, or check in at the local tackle shop in the area you fish. Now for those who will be out camping. Make sure to check the area you are in for fire restrictions.

Many areas here in the sierras are under a stage 2 restrictiction. This means no wood campfires allowed. Portable gas fireplaces are accepted in most areas. If you're not sure, check with your camp host or check the area you are going to online.

For those going to the Bridgeport CA area. They are holding their 16th annual Western Night at the  Bridgeport Barns and Terrace off Twin Lakes Rd. They will have live music by Reckless Envy, a BBQ and raffle. Doors open at 6pm and the cost of tickets are $60. Grand prize this year is an EU2200i Honda generator. All proceeds go to the Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation. For more information contact Ken's Sporting Goods or purchase your tickets online at fmfcharities.org. Now for those youngsters.

The Alpine County Fish and Game, along with the Caples Lake Resort will be hosting a free kids fishing day at Caples Lake starting at 11 am to 3pm on September 6th. All bait and tackle will be provided during the event, but you need to provide your own pole. They will also have a special guest appearance from Smokey The Bear during the event, so bring your camera's and hope to see you there.

LAKE TAHOE: The fishing has been good for Kokanees from early  6am to about 9am near the Taylor Creek area. The Mackinaw bite has been slow, but you can see them suspended in many areas. They just have lockjaw right now. I personally like to use an F9 or F11 in a black and silver or a vampire pattern. There have been a couple nice macs caught near the Camp Richardson area, but no pictures yet. For more information go to rubyjeancharters.com.

CAPLES LAKE: The lake level has come up a little. Flasher and a worm is always a good go too for trolling. I prefer the F3 or F5 blk/gld-blk/slvr or the hot steel Rapalas. shore angles do well by the Woods Creek area or by the spillway using spinners or inflated nightcrawlers. The Caples Lake Resort is open for cabin and room rentals. for more information on the resort or the kids fishing day. Go to capleslakeresort.com

WOOD LAKE: Open for camping with stage 2 fire restrictions. Fishing has been fair for anglers using salmon eggs on the bottom, or small gold kastmasters.

BLUE LAKES: The road to upper and lower  Blue lakes is open. I would use some caution as they just got a boat load of rain in the area. It's gonna be a little muddy in areas. I would recommend staying on the main road so as not to get stuck. I have not been up to the lake over the last couple weeks and have not had any reports on fishing due to weather. The campground is open with stage 2 fire restrictions. They do have pit toilets for your convenience.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR: The resort is open for launching, but they have taken up their docks for the season. You will have to beach it. Or you can launch by the dam at the bathtub.Fishing is still good for anglers long lining or using lead core with rapalas.  For more information call or stop by the Bridgeport Lake Marina.

TWIN LAKES: The lake level has dropped 12 to 18 inches over the last week. This was due to water rights downstream. Fishing has been fair for shore anglers and trollers.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The campground is still closed. There is primitive camping by the dam. Fishing has been fair to slow. The algae has started to take over the lake. Stage 2 fire restrictions apply to this area.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The water has come up a lot over the last couple weeks. I would recommend you stay out of the Woodfords Canyon area due to high water. The Hope valley area has been doing fairly slowly. Flies-small spinners or drifting salmon eggs have been most productive. be prepared to get wet and watch your step in the meadow. There are some deep water pockets throughout the valley.

EAST FORK CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY:  The river is running good. Small spinners or drifting nightcrawlers into the deeper pools have been productive. Deo Tira from Sacramento CA was fly fishing a couple weeks ago and caught and released a nice 4-5 lb rainbow. Now even though the water is stained from the rains. The fishing is still doing good and by this weekend, the river should clear up. The CDFW planted the river recently with catchable rainbow trout. For more information call the Carson River Resort at 530-694-2229.

TOPAZ LAKE: The lake has risen a little due to rain runoff from the Walker river. The fishing has been fair to good. The south end is cloudy, but should settle down soon. Good friend of mine Geary Ness from Minden Nv has been fishing with me for years. He told me he has never caught a bass in Topaz. But I can tell you, he has caught many large rainbows in the past when we fish the lake. He called me last week and told me that he had caught a bass and was very proud of his catch. The bass was not weighed due to its size, but did come in at about 3 1/2 inches. The bass was released to catch another day. It's not about always catching the biggest fish. It's about getting out, relaxing and enjoying the sport of fishing with friends.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a picture of your catch, send it to sports@recordcourier.com. I hope to see you on the waters soon. Good fishin' and tight lines