Sunday, July 3, 2011

Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake Fishing Report
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Howdy Folks,
Good fishing this week, but things are changing. The summer pattern is starting to get underway. In my experience, one of the first indicators of the summer pattern is the fish move from the west side of the south basin to the east side. This is not exclusive. There will of course, be fish in various spots/locations on the west side, but the trolling bite really starts to pick up in and off of Miners Bay about this time. That is happening now.

Along with the trolling, but the bobber fishing starts to get going on the east side too. That began to happen this week also.

Trolling:
The trolling remained pretty good on the west side of the south basin between Shrimp Island and Wildcat Pt until Thursday of this week. Then the fish moved out. They showed up Saturday and today off Miners Bay. Troll in 50-60 feet of water with baits down 12-20. Watermelon grubs, red spoons, and night crawlers are all working. The early bite is the best bite.

Bobber Fishing:
Bobber fishing was still good this week between Shrimp Island and Wildcat Point, EARLY! Anchor up in 10 feet of water and set your baits from 6-8 feet deep. Later in the week, I got reports that the fish are starting to bite for bobber fishermen on the east side off Eagle's Nest. Anchor up in 55-60 feet of water and set your baits between 18-25 feet deep. Early is best here too.

Fly Fishing:
We are still hooking good numbers of trout fly fishing on the west side of the south basin. This bite can last into the late morning, early afternoon.

Launching:
Launching is no problem at the Spalding Launch facility.

On a personal Note: This will be my last report for a couple of months as I will be away from Eagle Lake the months of July and August. I will return to guiding at Eagle Lake in September for the rest of the season.

Shameless Advertising:
Fish Traveler Guide Service is available for one or multiple day Guided Fishing Charters on Eagle Lake. We launch from the Spalding Marina daily. All you need to get on board is your lunch, drinks, and a fishing license. We provide all fishing tackle, rods and reels, and baits. Check our website at www.fishtraveler.com for Guided Fishing Rates. There is also contact information for Lodging, RV Hookups, and camping on our website.
If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Translation: You don't have to book at trip with me to get your questions answered.
Best Regards,
Tim Noxon
Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake, Ca
530-825-3524 (Eagle Lake residence)
916-201-4648 (cell)
tnoxon@gmail.com
www.fishtraveler.com

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake Fishing Report
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Howdy Folks,

Even with the heat spell we had this week, this was the best fishing week of the season so far. We caught limits every day fishing all methods, bobber fishing, trolling, and especially fly fishing.

EARLY (fishing by 4:45-5:00 AM) for trolling and bobber fishing. I do not usually go bobber fishing, however when circumstances demand it (when you have grandpa and four grand children on board), I utilize this method.

This week the fly fishing was outstanding and we would not fill out our limits trolling nor bobber fishing. Instead we would purposely "short ourselves" 2-3 fish shy of our limits so we could go fly fishing. (this, of course depends on the the number of anglers on board, the number of two rod stamps, etc.)

Trolling:
The best trolling is still on the west side of the lake between Pelican Pt. and south, on down to Wildcat Pt. We are still trolling over structure in water averaging 8-12 feet deep with our baits set at 5-6 feet deep on the downriggers. Sep's #2 Watermelon grubs have been the ticket. For those trolling later in the morning, move to Shrimp Island and troll between there and Wildcat Point in 40-50 feet of water with your baits set between 6-20 feet deep. Red and gold #2 Needlefish have been good.

Bobber Fishing:
Bobber fishing was good this week between Shrimp Island and Wildcat Point, EARLY! Anchor up in 10 feet of water and set your baits from 6-8 feet deep.

Fly Fishing:
One of the best fly fishing weeks of the year. We are landing 15-25 fish a day.

Launching:
Launching is no problem at the Spalding Launch facility.
Shameless Advertising:
Fish Traveler Guide Service is available for one or multiple day Guided Fishing Charters on Eagle Lake. We launch from the Spalding Marina daily. All you need to get on board is your lunch, drinks, and a fishing license. We provide all fishing tackle, rods and reels, and baits. Check our website at www.fishtraveler.com for Guided Fishing Rates. There is also contact information for Lodging, RV Hookups, and camping on our website.

If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Translation: You don't have to book at trip with me to get your questions answered.

Best Regards,

Tim Noxon
Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake, Ca
530-825-3524 (Eagle Lake residence)
916-201-4648 (cell)
tnoxon@gmail.com
www.fishtraveler.com

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Fish Traveler Guide Service, Eagle Lake Fishing Report for Sunday, June 19, 2011

Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake Fishing Report
Sunday, June19, 2011

Howdy Folks,
Early this week there was a lot of "muck" on the surface. It seems the lake was turning over. We had some pretty good afternoon winds mid-week that blew a lot of it shoreward. This cleared up the fishing (trolling) lanes and we were back in business by Thursday. Surface temps are around 61 F in the mornings and warming. The best bite is still early, especially if there is no cloud cover or a chop on the water.

To get in on the morning bite you should be dropping your lines in no later that 5:00 A.M.

Trolling:
The best trolling is still on the west side of the lake between Pelican Pt. and south on down to Wildcat Pt. I like to troll over structure in water averaging 8-12 feet deep with my baits set at 5-6 feet deep on the downriggers. Sep's #2 Watermelon grubs have been the ticket.

As the morning wears on, move away from shore out into water from 20-50 feet deep, depending on where you are on the west of the lake. Drop your baits to 10-20 feet deep, depending on depth of the water you are in and where you see fish on your scope. Remember to set your baits a foot or two above the fish as the trout feed looking up. You do not want your baits below the fish.

A #2 Needlefish in red/gold has also been taking fish.

Some folks are catching fish in Miners Bay fishing from the surface down to 25 feet deep, also on grubs and Needlefish.

A 4lb, 6oz; a 4lb, 8oz; and a 5lb, 1oz fish were weighed in this week. The average fish we are putting in the box runs a solid 2.5lbs with 1-2 fish a day approaching or at 3lbs. The fish are healthy, fat, with orange/red flesh.

Bobber Fishing:
Bobber fishing has not been that consistent since opening weekend. However, it seems as if it is just starting to pick up again with the waining moon. Again, Early, Early, Early. The west shoreline seems to be better for the bobber fishermen at this time, Anchor up in 10-15 feet of water and set your baits from 6-12 feet deep, depending on the depth you anchored in.

Launching:
Launching is no problem at the Spalding Launch facility.

Shameless Advertising:
Fish Traveler Guide Service is available for one or multiple day Guided Fishing Charters on Eagle Lake. We launch from the Spalding Marina daily. All you need to get on board is your lunch, drinks, and a fishing license. We provide all fishing tackle, rods and reels, and baits. Check our website at www.fishtraveler.com for Guided Fishing Rates. There is also contact information for Lodging, RV Hookups, and camping on our website.
If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Translation: You don't have to book at trip with me to get your questions answered.
Best Regards,
Tim Noxon
Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake, Ca
530-825-3524 (Eagle Lake residence)
916-201-4648 (cell)
tnoxon@gmail.com
www.fishtraveler.com

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Howdy Folks,
We found fish this week from Pelican Pt down to Wildcat Pt on the west side of the lake. The weather changed to a more summer-like pattern and the bite changed along with it. This means very early morning offers the best bite of the day. After this period, the lake can become flat, calm with with little or no chop on the water and bright sunlight. These conditions slow the bite. Current surface temperature is 59F and rising a bit daily.

Trolling:
Most days we had 6-10 hookups before putting an average fish in the box of around 2.5
lbs. We are trolling Sep's Watermelon Grubs 5ft deep on the downriggers in water 6-10 feet deep very early. As the sun moves higher in the sky we are moving to deeper water, trolling the same baits at 8-15 feet in water 10-20 ft deep.

Anglers launching from the southern section of the lake have been successful trolling at Wildcat Pt. They are trolling shallow early and moving to deeper water and dropping their baits deeper as the morning wears on. Green trolling flies and watermelon grubs have been effective in this area.

Bobber Fishing:
Bobber fishing is very slow as of this date.

Launching:
Launching is no problem at the Spalding Launch facility.


If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Translation: You don't have to book at trip with me to get your questions answered.

Best Regards,
Tim Noxon
Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake, Ca
530-825-3524 (residence)
916-201-4648 (cell)
tnoxon@gmail.com
www.fishtraveler.com

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Fish Traveler Guide Service, Eagle Lake Fishing Report, Sunday, May 29, 2011

Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake Fishing Report
Sunday, May 29, 2011

Howdy Folks,
Well this is opening weekend at Eagle Lake and I would rate the fishing as very good. Most anglers had limits of Eagle Lake Trout on Saturday, May 28 (opening day). The verdict is still out for today as I have not talked to many other anglers as of this writing. The weather for the opener and today was more like October weather with the nights still in the low to mid 30's and the highs in the mid to high 40's. We had wind, snow, hail, and rain yesterday and mostly light snow flurries and a little more wind today. The fish were cooperative, however.

As I mentioned above, the weather is more October-like. The surface water temperature is 51F, the skies are overcast and the wind has created a pretty good "chop" on the water. These conditions contribute to an "all day bite." If you arrive late or don't limit in the morning, don't hesitate to get out on the water, no matter how late in the day it is. That being said, EARLY is always a good bet at Eagle Lake. If it is going to get windy, it is usually LESS windy early.

Trolling:
Yesterday and today we trolled south of Pelican Pt. on the west side of the lake We caught most of our fish in water 8-12 feet deep trolling Sep's brown and Amber grubs at 5 feet deep on the downriggers. We also took fish on brown trolling flies fished 3 feet under the surface. Yesterday we had 13 fish for three anglers keeping the largest 6 fish to 3 lbs. Today we had 8 fish for two anglers and kept the largest 4 to 2.75 lbs.

Other anglers I spoke to caught fish trilling on watermelon and orange grubs as well as night crawlers. Other areas of the lake that were productive for trollers were between Wildcat Pt. and Gallatin Marina, the opening to the North Basin of the lake between Bucks Pt. and Little Truxel Pt., and along the Youth Camp shorline. Most fish were caught in the top 10 feet of water.

Bobber Fishing:
Bobber fishing was very good off the Youth Camp shoreline. Anchor up in 12-15 feet of water and set your threaded night crawlers 7-10 feet deep depending on the depth where your anchor.

Launching:
Launching is no problem at the Spalding Launch facility.

Shameless Advertising:
Fish Traveler Guide Service is available for one or multiple day Guided Fishing Charters on Eagle Lake. We launch from the Spalding Marina daily. All you need to get on board is your lunch, drinks, and a fishing license. We provide all fishing tackle, rods and reels, and baits. Check our website at www.fishtraveler.com for Guided Fishing Rates. There is also contact information for Lodging, RV Hookups, and camping on our website.

If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Translation: You don't have to book at trip with me to get your questions answered.

Best Regards,

Tim Noxon
Fish Traveler Guide Service
Eagle Lake, Ca
530-825-3524 (Eagle Lake residence)
916-201-4648 (cell)
tnoxon@gmail.com
www.fishtraveler.com

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Fish Traveler Guide Service, Eagle Lake, Ca, 2011 Pre-Season Report

Fish Traveler Guide Service
Pre-Season Report for Eagle Lake, CA
Post Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Howdy Folks,
Eagle Lake Opening Day is Saturday, May 28, 2011.
Well, it is the middle of April and I thought I’d send out a note regarding the upcoming season at Eagle Lake. At this point, the indicators look pretty positive. It looks like we will have ample water and a lake that is going to be at a higher level than the last couple of seasons. Friends in Spalding say there is “snow everywhere” that hasn’t melted yet.

Pine Creek, the major feeder creek for Eagle Lake has been running for about a month. Many tributaries that have not had a runoff in several years are flowing into the lake. The snowpack at the higher elevations affecting Eagle Lake are at 150+ of normal with the majority of the snowpack still to melt and flow into the water supply. A good number of Eagle Lake Trout have already run up Pine Creek and into the egg-taking station located in Spalding and they are fat and healthy.

Volunteer crews have been busy erecting weirs at the mouths of the running tributaries mentioned above, to block the Eagle Lake Trout from entering them to try to spawn. The weir at the mouth of Pine Creek, the major spawning creek for Eagle Lake, is being put in place this week. Volunteer crews and Department of Fish and Game personnel have already begun spawning ripe Eagle Lake Trout that have entered Pine Creek and made it to the egg-taking station.

Launching for 2011:
As you know the water levels at Eagle Lake have been receding for the past several seasons making launching difficult at times.
The following are ESTIMATES:
Forecasts indicate that the lake level on opening day, May 28, 2011, should be at least one foot above where it was on the opener in 2010. There should be no problem launching from the Spalding Marina for the entire 2011 season. Most of my reliable sources also indicate that a one foot increase is conservative.

I will be heading back up to Eagle Lake to open up my place in Spalding in mid-May to get ready for the opener on May 28. My phone in Spalding, 530-825-3524, will not be turned on until I get up there. Currently, you can reach me on my cell at 916-201-4648 or via email at tnoxon@gmail.com.

Changes for the 2011 Season:
Guided Fishing Rates:
Daily Rates: No changes. $150/angler, Kids under 16 yrs, ½ price or $75.00 when they accompany at least two adult anglers, $400.00 for the boat for the day.
Multiple Day Discounts:
Two Day Rate: Take the one day rate, multiply by two, and subtract $100.00 from total.
Three or More Day Rate: Contact us.
Guided Fishing/Lodging Packages:
We will no longer be offering Guided Fishing/Lodging Packages as we have sold our lodging property. For lodging I would recommend the following contacts in Spalding, all within five minutes of the Spalding Launch Ramp:
Heritage Land: Lodging Units
530-825-2131
www.eaglelakeheritage.com

Eagle Lake R.V. Park: Lodging Units, R.V. Hook Ups, Camping
530-825-3133
www.eaglelakeandrv.com

Eagle Lake General Store: R.V. Hook Ups
530-825-2191

As in the past, if you are staying in Spalding, we will pick you up and drop you off.

I will send out updates on the water levels and any other info as it becomes available. After the opener, you can expect my usual, Sunday Fish Traveler Guide Service Fishing Reports.

As always, whether you are planning on fishing with me or not, do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance in making your experience at Eagle Lake a good one.

Best Regards,
Tim Noxon
Fish Traveler Guide Service
530-825-3524 residence (Service will not be on until late May, 2011. Use Cell Number)
916-201-4648 cell
tnoxon@gmail.com
www.fishtraveler.com