South Lake & South Fork Bishop Creek Report
Strong winds can't stifle
bite!
Updated
8-28-10
Water/Lake Conditions
The South Lake water level is starting to creep down now but
it is still very high - which is a good thing indeed. Cooler
temps are on the way early next week and we've had a few days of
fall-like wind this week so most of us are hoping for a quick
return of the more typical summer weather for the holiday
weekend.
The 2 tandem Kayaks, 14 motor boats and 4 pontoon boats are
all still available for rent at South Lake.
The parking situation continues to improve as the crowds
lighten....thank goodness.
The flows in the South Fork of Bishop Creek have increased a
bit but it’s still very fishable.
South Lake Fish Report
The crowds have really thinned out, typical now that most of
the schools have started their fall sessions. This of course is
a good thing for those folks that are visiting the canyon right
now as there are less rods competing for the same number of
fish. Add to that consistent DFG stocking and a big load of
Alpers that went in Friday (and these fish were BIG) and things
are really poised to stay hot this coming week if the weather
plays ball. The wind was pretty gnarly on Friday and the tow
rope for our stocking boat broke half way to the island so the
South Lake guys had to unload pretty much the whole load of
Alpers on the Rock Slide. Expect that to be the hot spot for
some huge fish in the next week before those trophy 'bows make
it back to the inlets.
Action at the inlets picked up from last week, especially for
the bait fisherman. The hatchery pellet Powerbait, Salmon Peach
Powerbait and good ol' fashioned Nightcrawlers have been the
most productive baits back there. Nothing huge came out of the
lake this week but we did have a few solid fish to 3lbs hit the
scale. Limits weren't necessarily the rule, but we sure saw a
lot of 'em this week.
The trolling bite was somewhat inconsistent this week with
some folks reporting wide open action and others reporting just
a few bites, even when trolling with the same lures. Those that
did report great trolling action were mostly fishing Blue/Silver
or Red/Gold 1/6oz Thomas Bouyants or various Kastmasters right
on top. Not much in the way of leadcore or deep trolling reports
this week. With the cooler weather in the forecast and the few
days of wind we've had, I would expect the fish to start coming
up a bit in the water column and a fall pattern develop in the
next few weeks. I love fall fishing so I'm hoping that is the
case.
South Fork Bishop Creek
Excellent fishing in the South Fork was reported this week,
especially with worms and salmon eggs (big surprise I know haha).
North Lake
Still a lot of excellent reports coming out of North Lake.
Shore anglers and float tubers alike are enjoying some pretty
good fishing on the usual suspects. Ken from Bishop reported
exceptional action on fish to 19" stripping streamers.
Intake II
Lighter crowds have made for great fishing at the Intake. Few
specific reports on lures/baits etc. but the buzz is good.
Backcountry Conditions
I didn't get out on the trail this week but having only sold
1 bottle of repellant, I think it’s safe to say that the worst
of the skeeter season is past.
Still gorgeous in the high country by all accounts but crowds
are much much lighter, partly due to the late summer lull in the
action and somewhat due to weather. It must have been nasty
above timberline with the wind we saw at resort levels. Pretty
sure the chance of snow above 9000ft might have scared some
folks off as well.
Wildflower Conditions
A few flowers are still hanging tough but most of them are
gone. Its amazing that the season went as long as it did.
Photos of the Week
Adam Testi of Murrieta, CA with a 2lb 12oz
trout from the stream caught using Salmon Peach powerbait.
Chris (left) and Hoyt (right) Huxley of Escondido, CA with a
strong 3lb 3oz rainbow caught using salmon eggs
Kevin Oliver of San Diego, CA with a 3lb 8oz rainbow caught
using a gold Kastmaster
John Montgomery from Orange County with a 2lb 'bow caught on
Powerbait
Adam & Olson Grubb from Upland, CA with a healthy stringer from
South Lake
Ken from Bishop, CA with a 19" 'bow caught at North Lake
using a brown wooly bugger.
