Manzanita Lake Fishout

Manzanita Lake Fishout

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Fishout Site:	Manzanita Lake		Fishout Dates:		Wednesday, June 18, 2008	Fees: campsite fee
Fishout Leaders:	Denny Welch Hans Geyer		Phone: 916-786-2070 916-996-4361			Email: Denny Welch Hans Geyer
Meeting Time:	7:00 AM		Meeting Location: Manzanita Lake Parking Lot			Max. # Attendees: unlimited
Directions: see the Google map and website links below
Website: Manzanita Lake at www.recreation.gov for RV camp site reservations
Fish: Trout	Fishing strategy: Stillwater, Float tube, Pontoon boat. Catch & Release only; artificial lures
Tackle:	Rod Wts:	4, 5 or 6 wt. (bring 2 rods, one with floating line and one with intermediate sink line (clear or camo)
	Line:	One rod with floating line and one rod with intermediate sink line (clear or camo)
	Leader:	9' or shorter if fishing deep with clear line
	Tippet:	4X, 5X or 6X
	Other:	Camera
Flies:	Patterns:	Olive and brown Woolly Buggers and damsel flies, Ant patterns, baetis nymphs – there MAY be a Callibaetis hatch between 10am and 2pm.
Other gear:	Wading staff Waders Wading Boots	Float Tube Pontoon Boat Anchor		Personal Flotation Device Fins Polarized sunglasses		Suntan lotion Sun Hat with wide brim Insect repellent with hi %age DEET

When the girls were young, Rosemary and I would haul out the tent trailer and make our annual pilgrimage to Lassen National Park and camp out for a week at the Manzanita Lake Campground. We did that for many years because it was one of our favorite places in the world to camp and to fish. The girls got older and the tent trailer finally gave out so we quit going. It’s probably been 15 years since I’ve fished Manzanita.

Manzanita Lake is located less than ½ mile from the entrance to Lassen Park off of Highway 44. It’s located about one hour east of Redding. It’s one of the prettiest lakes you’d ever want to see. It’s smaller than Fuller Lake and you can probably hike around it in 30 minutes or so. The large paved parking lot is right next to the lake which makes it easy to get your float tube, pontoon or pram in and out of the water. The lake itself is a fly anglers dream. Crystal clear and usually full of hungry rainbows, the lake has a healthy dose of subsurface vegetation which leads to good angling.

For those who want to camp, the campground is located within walking distance of the lake. The campground is big, RV friendly and clean. It even has its own small store.

If you can stay up there for a few days the park is full of other small lakes. For those with more energy than me the park has numerous hiking trails and other points of interest.

Update:

1.       “Meeting time”…7:00 a.m.

2.       “Flies”…go to www.theflyshop.com/streamreport.html#manzanita

3.       “Meeting location”…Manzanita Lake parking lot.

4.       “Tippet”…4X, 5X or 6X.

5.       “Other gear”…suntan spray or lotion, wide brimmed hat, filet knife (just kidding), insect repellant, camera

6.       “Rod wts”…4 or 5 wt.

7.       “Other”…Kent Ripley did a little more research and suggests Campground “C” might be the best bet if you plan on camping.

Hans Geyer and I are leading this trip. We’ll have a sign up sheet available at the June meeting and will also have a posting on the message board. Feel free to give either of us a call with any questions. Hans…916-996-4361 or me at 916-786-2070.

Until next time,

Denny

Click on the map or link below it to enlarge or to go to google for directions:

View Larger Map

Special regulations for Manzanita Lake: Catch and release only; only artificial lures and single barbless hooks can be used. Emerald Lake, Manzanita Creek, and the part of Manzanita Lake within 150 ft of the inlet are closed to fishing.

Catch and Release Methods:

Play and release your fish as quickly as possible.
A fish that is played to the point of exhaustion may not survive.
When you're about to land the fish, avoid removing it from the water.
Keep the fish in enough deep water to protect it.
Do not let the fish flop in shallow water over rocks and never on dry land.
Cradle the fish gently with two hands, one supporting the belly and the other just ahead of and underneath the tail section.
Keep your fingers out of and away from the gills. Gills are delicate and full of blood vessels. Once a fish begins to bleed from his gills, it is likely to die.
Pressure against a vital organ will often prove fatal.
Use soft wet gloves or at least wet your hands before handling a fish.
If you wish to photograph a fish, have a camera ready and take the picture quickly. Get someone else to take the picture or hold the fish. If possible, keep the fish in the water by cradling it or by keeping it in a net.
Always try to remove the hook quickly and gently, keeping the fish underwater.
Firmly grasp the hook with your fingers, or better yet a long-nosed pliers or hemostat, and roll or back the hook out of the fish's mouth.
Never throw, drop or kick a fish back into the water. Cradle it gently, well behind the gills, and lower it back into the water.
Revive a stream fish by pointing its head into the current until its gills are working and it maintains an upright position.

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