Manzanita Lake Fishout, July 22 to 25

By Chuck Hammerstad

 

The beautiful Lassen National Park and Manzanita Lake east of Redding is the location of our popular fishout in July.  Manzanita Lake holds wild Rainbow and Brown trout for catch and release fishing of these naturally reproducing fish.  We will be camping in the “A” loop, which is the loop closest to the lake and within walking distance, if you wish to carry your float tube.  If you need to drive to the lake, there is ample parking at the boat launching area.  You will be required to wear a personnel floatation device (either a vest type or inflatable suspender type) when on the water in any type of floating craft.  This is a safe lake to float tube with the newest designs and I recommend this lake to those new to float tubing.  I will be holding an orientation session on Friday and Saturday mornings for those who have never fished the lake or would like to learn more about the lake.  I have fished this lake for many years and I hope to share with you my experience and the experience of others.  For those who would like to spend a day fishing another location, Baum Lake and Hat Creek have good fishing and are close enough for a day trip.

I have 4 campsites reserved and some members have reserved their own campsites that they are willing to share.  Let me know if you wish to car pool and I would recommend carpooling due to the campground requirement of just two vehicles per campsite.  The cost is $45 for 3 nights of camping (with an option for Sunday evening) and food and drinks for all meals from Thursday lunch to Sunday lunch.  For more details on what to bring, see the write up in the fishout section of the club web site.  I will be taking signups at the July club meeting and I will have some handouts.  If you are only able to come for part of the period, let me know and I will accommodate your needs.  Non fishing family members are encouraged to come since there is a lot to see and do in the park.  I would encourage new members as well as long time members to join in on a great fishing experience.

Subject: a day trip fish out to the middle Tuolumne river area on Cherry Lake Road above Groveland on Hwy 120 has been planned for May 18th.. There are 4 rivers along Cherry Lake Road within a 10 mile stretch and a 30 minute drive and they hold a variety of trout; both wild rainbows and browns as well as planted rainbows..  These 4 rivers are quite diverse in their flows and always offer good fishing on two or more of them, even in the middle of spring runoff.  Elevation is from 2200 - 3000 ft.

The first two rivers, the South Fork Tuolumne and Middle Fork Tuolumne, are smaller and free flowing and fish best in spring and early summer when bigger rivers can be blown out. While these two rivers are heavily stocked at the bridge crossings, short hikes up river from the bridges will find wild fish. These two rivers use standard Sierra district regulations.

The South Fork of the Tuolumne River features easy fishing access where you can pursue a mixture of planted and wild trout and remote reaches to to get away from the crowds and catch wild rainbows and browns. You can fish near San Jose Family Camp for planters or drive about a mile past the Cherry Creek (Turnoff to Family Camp) and turn  left on Evergreen Road.  Drive up Evergreen for about ¼ mile to the first bridge and park on the right. You can walk up the South Fork for over a mile to a waterfall fishing pockets and runs for wild trout on both small dries and nymphs. A 3 wt is ideal for this area.

The main fork Tuolumne is designated as a wild and scenic river and is the biggest river in the area flowing out of Hetch Hetchy reservoir. This river offers two sections with different flows. Above Early Intake at Kirkwood powerhouse, the flows are lower and the river is managed as a wild trout fishery with artificial lures and barbless hooks only. There is a day use parking area and a well defined river trail going up river for many miles. Below Early Intake, the river has higher flows due to release from the powerhouse and uses standard Sierra district regulations.