Fishout Site:  Heenan Lake

Fishout Date(s): Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007

Fishout Leader: Chuck Honeycutt

Phone: 916-203-6092

Email: cp824@sbcglobal.net

Meeting Time: 8:30AM

Meeting Location: Heenan L. Parking Lot

Max. # Attendees: Unlimited

Directions: The lake is located just past Markleeville on Highway 89.  It is 4 miles from the junction of Highway 89 and 4, on the road to Monitor Pass.  It is easy to miss the dirt road to the right, so set your odometer at the junction and look for a dirt road on the right at 4 miles.   I might camp the night before at Grover Hot Springs State Park (530-694-2248), located near Markleeville.  The campsites are excellent and hot showers are available.

Website(s):

http://www.gbflycasters.org/conservation/projects/Heenan%20Lake/Heenan%20Lake.htm

http://cvff.org/heenan-9-00.htm

http://www.danblanton.com/viewmessage.php?id=71840

http://www.danblanton.com/viewmessage.php?id=52649

http://www.danblanton.com/viewmessage.php?id=71862

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/articles/heenanlake.pdf

Fish: Lahontan Cutthroat Trout

Fishing strategy: Stillwater - Float tube, Pontoon boat

                            Stream - Wading

Tackle:

Rod Wt(s)

Line

Leader

Tippet

Other

Flies:

Patterns:

Other gear:

Waders

Float Tube

Wading staff

Wading Boots

Fins

Personal Flotation Device

Polarized sunglasses

Pontoon Boat

LUNCH

Dress Warm, gloves, hat, etc.

Anchor

Just outside Markleeville lies a very special fishing spot --- Lake Heenan.  Lake Heenan is special because of the type of fish that lives in the ecosystem --- the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.  It is also special that you can only fish this lake from the Friday before Labor Day to the last Sunday in October ---- and only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!  Other special requirements are that you can use only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks, catch and release fishing only, no boats with trailers allowed, only electric motors on watercraft and fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset.  Sounds like a great place to float tube and fly fish!  Check the internet for more details on Lake Heenan.

On Saturday September 22, I am leading a fishout to Lake Heenan and ALL GBF members are encouraged to join me.  If you have not fished Lake Heenan, this is your opportunity to learn from others at a stillwater reservoir that produces many fish in the 18 to 24 inch range.  Heenan is Fuller Lake on steroids!  No wimpy wussy planters – Forget the 3 wt – Bring a 5/6 wt – and be ready to rumble.

Here is the game plan.  The other GBF fishouts in September are multiple day events and far away from Sacramento.  This fishout is designed for one day, but if you want, it can be expanded to 2 or 3 days.  Lake Heenan is 2.5 hours drive time from Folsom.  The lake is located just past Markleeville on Highway 89.  It is 4 miles from the junction of Highway 89 and 4, on the road to Monitor Pass.  It is easy to miss the dirt road to the right, so set your odometer at the junction and look for a dirt road on the right at 4 miles. 

Let’s meet at the Lake Heenan parking lot at 8:30 am --- so that we can be in the water by 9 am.  Lake Heenan fishing is typically stripping woolly buggers – or something similar – on an intermediate line.  You may want to have a full sinking available too.  Occasionally, there might be a hatch and an opportunity for dry fly fishing.  So be prepared for everything.  The lake elevation is 7084 feet, so be prepared for a chilly morning followed by a hot afternoon. Once again, be prepared for everything, including a thunder storm.

I am willing to bring food for a sandwich type lunch – deli cold cuts, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. plus chips and soft drinks.  The cost will be $5 per person.  I might camp the night before at Grover Hot Springs State Park (530-694-2248), located near Markleeville.  The campsites are excellent and hot showers are available.  

I will be at the September GBF meeting and we can discuss final plans.  My cell phone number is 916-203-6092, if you have questions.

Chuck Honeycutt