South Lake & South Fork Bishop Creek Fishing Report
South Lake and Stringers Get Full
Updated
7-27-10
Water Conditions
South Lake is now within just a few feet of spilling over and
water conditions really couldn't be much better. Mild weather
and light winds made for great access on the lake this week.
Pine pollen is everywhere right now which has reduced water
clarity on the dam side of the lake but the back of the lake is
still pretty clear. The latest news from SCE is that the
lake level is predicted to remain high well into the fall.
There are now 2 tandem Kayaks, 13 motor boats and 3
pontoon boats available for rent at South Lake.
Private boaters can now launch boats of all sizes with ease as the water is on
the straightaway part of the ramp. There is a $5 voluntary
launch fee to help with the South Lake Alpers stocking program.
Trailer parking at the lake is very limited, especially on
weekends now that the backpacking and hiking season is in full
swing. There are multiple spots designated for boat trailers at
the end of the bottom parking lot. Last Saturday every single
spot in both lots were full by 8am. USFS does patrol the lots so
disconnecting a trailer in one of the parking spots is not
recommended - nobody likes a ticket. If the lots get full up,
there is plenty of room to disconnect and park trailers 1 mile
below the lake along the road by Parchers Resort.
The flows in the South Fork of Bishop Creek are still about
as good as you could ask for but look for flows to increase if
SCE decides to let South Lake spill.
South Lake Fish Report
The bite at South Lake continues to be excellent
and a big load of trophy Alpers rainbows on Thursday certainly
didn't hurt. South Lake staffers used their customized stocking
boat to distribute the big 'bows all over the lake to even out
the odds of catching "the big one". The DFG continued their
reliable weekly stocking this week, much to the delight of
canyon visitors and locals alike.
Shore anglers have been doing best between the
boat ramp and the dam or over at Phantom's Throne (far corner of
the dam). Boiler Cove has been a bit on the slow side.
Boat anglers have been scoring fish all over the
lake with the dam and the Rock slide being the most productive
places to fish on the main lake body. Trolling the west shore
has also been very productive with some anglers scoring as many
as 30 fish at 3 colors hauling flasher/crawler combo,
needlefish, thomas bouyants and kastmasters.
Action behind the island has been exceptional
but the fish are stacked up very close to inlets. If you can't
cast to the moving water, you're too far out.
Biggest fish of the week was a 6lber caught by
South Lake staffer Ryan Wischnack but several quality fish from
2 to 5lbs were in the mix.
Crawler/Bobber combo, Chunky Cheese Gulp!, Salmon Peach PB and Lime
Twist PB are all producing for the bait n' wait folks. Please
remember that if you're going to release a deep-hooked fish that
swallowed the bait, keep the fish in the water as much as
possible and cut the line as close to the trout's mouth as
possible.
Fly fishers were just crushing it out at the
inlets this week - especially on the dries. BWO's, Adams, Sierra
Bright Dots and Mosquito patterns were all reported to be
working great, especially in the afternoon at the inlets. Stripping Olive Wooly Buggers is
also very productive right now as is fishing midges or nymphs
under a strike indicator.
South Fork Bishop Creek
Creek fishing remained excellent this week as
flows are still ideal, access is excellent, and the DFG is stocking
every week. Top fish of the week was a gorgeous 4lb 10oz rainbow
caught at Parchers Hole by Ron Hodgson from Apple Valley. Salmon
Eggs, Gulp! Eggs and pieces of nightcrawler are the best baits.
Mini-jigs working well too in the slower moving sections of
stream.
North Lake
No report.
Intake II
Intake is still fishing pretty good with Salmon
Peach Powerbait and inflated nightcrawlers working best. No
reports of huge fish but several solid fish to 2lbs being caught
in addition to stockers.
Backcountry Conditions
The trails are clear, Bishop pass is open, the wildflowers
are in full bloom...life is good.
Bring 100% Deet on all backcountry adventures - the skeeters
are gnarly right now.
Wildflower Conditions
Just when you I thought it couldn't get any
better, it did. The wildflowers right now are as good as I've
ever seen them. The stock trail behind Parchers between Rainbow
Pack Outfit and South Lake is simply stunning. The meadows are
loaded with flowers of all colors. Pretty darn amazing
wildflower season this year, gotta love it!
Photos of the Week
Sydney, Bella and Ariana
from Grand Terrace with a solid 2lb 1oz rainbow caught near the
dam at South Lake on a trout trap
Bennett Nagamoto of
Irvine with a 3lb 4oz 'bow that went for powerbait
Wildflowers behind the
resort 7-17-10
Wildflowers behind the
resort on 7-10-10
