Early Season Trout Fishing Jack Parker
Opening day of trout season is not that far off. True, there is a lot of trout water open year around, but for me the real season begins on that last Saturday in April. This time of year, however can pose some problems. Usually, the weather in our part of the state is pleasant, but there can still be melting snow in the Sierra and even though it is uncommon, it can rain in the mountains as well as lower down in the foothills. Not only can runoff and rain cause high water in many streams and rivers, but often this water will have the unpleasant hue of a strong cup of coffee with cream. Thankfully, I learned, more years ago than I care to remember, just how to get around such water. I think I was 16 at the time. The stream I had intended to fish that opening day was running over its banks, and was actually very close to the above mentioned shade of brown. I was about to head for home without even wetting a line, when I decided to stop the car at a bridge, which crossed a small feeder creek, and have a look. It was running well within its banks and was as clear as a cup of cold spring water. That was all the invitation I needed. I parked the car and was ready to fish in record time. You can bet that day had a happy ending. I caught and released several scrappy little rainbows. Fly pattern did not seem to matter. What did, was presenting the fly, so it floated in a natural manner. I did not see one other fisherman all day. We are fortunate to live in an area, which abounds with small streams. No, not all of them have a normal flow and run clear in the early part of the season, but there are plenty that do. For the last several years, my wife Donna and I have spent opening day with our friends Jim and Carol Peters on a small Sierra foothill stream. During all those years I cannot remember ever seeing more than three or four other fishermen. We usually have the stream all to ourselves. The girls fix a picnic lunch and even though they don't fish, they look forward to our outing just as much as Jim and I do. I know of several small streams that offer not only good early season fishing, but good fishing all season long. Some are in the foothills, while others are higher in the mountains. I can drive the car to every one. Many seasons ago we were camped with some friends a few miles out of the town of Truckee. Our main goal was to fish the Truckee River, but it was running high and was very difficult to fish. One afternoon, we were driving around some back roads hoping to find some fishable water. I just happened to glance off to the side of the road and saw a sparse line of willows at the head of a small meadow. We stopped to investigate. It was a lucky thing we did. What we found was a small spring creek not more than four or five feet wide at its widest. It flowed for only a couple of hundred yards before emptying into a much larger stream, which in this particular part was very shallow and void of all signs of life. There was a fish rising in the first pool we checked in the small feeder. We made a mad dash for the car to get our rods. My friend caught most of his fish on a dry fly, while I did best fishing a wet No. 14 Royal Coachman cast down stream and retrieved with short jerks. So, another small stream was added to my list, and we did not see any sign of the stream ever having been fished. We were very likely the first in many years. How do I go about finding small streams? I am always on the look out. That is the main reason for my success. Never, never pass up a stream without at least checking it out. I can think of at least five streams within half an hours drive from where I live in Roseville, and they all hold trout. I was only told about one of these streams. All the others I found for myself, by keeping my eyes open. I could go on and on about small streams, but space is limited. If you will take my advice and look for your own little streams, chances are, you won't be disappointed, especially in the early part of the season. Originally published in The Leader, March, 1986.
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