Frenchmans on fire

[B Kane]

I haven't been there myself but several of my buddies have been fishing Frenchmans and have been getting mega fish numbers. One of them landed 135 in one day all by himself. They don't get over 17' but if you like watching your bobber go down that's the palce to be right now.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Lots of trout lakes are taking off now with this warm weather.

[loose_shoes]

Hmmmmm....

Frenchmans is fishing OK, a bit better than Davis at the moment, but "on fire" is hardly the phrase to describe it. I was there this weekend and caught a few but I certainly didn't need a fire extinguisher!

135 in one day? If your friend were a Fish & Game biologist who was electroshocking the lake for a fish census then I might believe it. But throwing a fly? (or a worm or PowerBait!!) Yeah, nice try...

Davis and Frenchmans have been slow the past few weeks. If we get a week or two of warmer weather then they will both be fishing better.

[michaeln]

That would pretty much mean being continously hooked-up all day, wouldn't it? If it took three minutes to cast out, get bit, land the fish, resuscitate it, release it, and recast then 135 fish would take almost 7 hours.

I bet that guy was tired. :rolleyes:

[jbird]

my bigger question is, how do you keep count?? Wear a beaded necklace and push a bead over for every fish? LOL I lose count after 10 or 11 fish.

The other thing to consider in the theoretical 7 hours is, he had to have hooked and lost a buch. Thats just part of the game. That takes time too....

[Scott V]

Maybe he kept track of the fish by counting on his toes.

I lose track after 3 fish. But I can honestly say I have had a couple days that might have pushed 100 fish. There were times on Fuller Lake that I would catch 7 or 8 in a row many times. Me and Shig have had some crazy number days there so I can believe a number that high. I actually had a guy on shore tell me that he saw me catch over 25 fish in just the time I was there by him at the dam, he wanted to know how many fish I had caught and told him I had no idea. That was the day that no one on shore was catching anything and me and Shig were catching fish after fish for hours. the bait dunkers were pissed.\\:D/

[ted1]

135 is definitely doable. I've landed over 200 bluegill in 4 hours. Fish counter is the way to go. Definitely doable under perfect conditions. I think 3 min per fish is a pretty high estimate. I've done 2 or 3 fish in one minute.

[Reno Flytyer]

I've been fishing Frenchman for years. I have a pretty good idea of what to use and where to go & I catch more than my share of fish. 135 fish in a day? Right. I love Frenchman, please don't post such ridiculous statistics & contribute toward ruining a decent fishery. It was OK over the weekend, but not on fire. Same last weekend. I'd suggest the only thing you got right was the size of the fish.
RFT

[SHigSpeed]

These fish must've escaped the Truckee River basin (remember _THAT_ post?) and made their way to Frenchman somehow... ;^)

Scott, I kept religious count and my most insane day at Fuller (and it was better than any day we fished) was "only" 60-65 fish or so. Double that? Hmm...

_SHig

[Ed Wahl]

I'm kind of the opposite of you Shig. I purposely lose count. For me competition detracts from the fun.

"How many did you catch?"

"A couple."

"Did okay."

"Caught my share."

"Slayed 'em."

Those are really all the numbers I've ever needed. Unless I was keeping, then you better believe I was keeping count.

Ed

[SHigSpeed]

I'm kind of the opposite of you Shig. I purposely lose count. For me competition detracts from the fun.

"How many did you catch?"

"A couple."

"Did okay."

"Caught my share."

"Slayed 'em."

Those are really all the numbers I've ever needed. Unless I was keeping, then you better believe I was keeping count.

Ed

Ed,

I only count because I log all stats in my fishing database - not out of any anatomical comparison contest. I generally never display my kill stickers publicly. Remember, I'm an engineer. I don't operate on qualitative analysis (except when I'm protecting my honey hole!) :^)

I guess the worst offenders are guys who lose count combined with forum glory seekers (who spread tales of epic heroism). ;) Yes, I use a measure net as well so as not to be guilty of the 20" trout syndrome.

_SHig

[waynesyn]

I think taking 3 minutes to land most California 12 inch trout is way too much time. Even 14-17 inch trout. With 4x or 5X tippet, almost all trout at Frenchman can be landed in well under a minute. More likely under 30 seconds. This is good for the fish and there is little reviving needed.
This is a very interesting thread. There are guys out there that keep count and guys that don't. The guys that I know that keep count do so with a counter. When they tell me how many fish they got I believe them. I have no problem with either. For me, when I get a "fishing report" from friends I prefer to hear how many fish they caught so I can decide whether to fish there or not. If I hear "I had a great time" or "I caught my share" or "I did OK" or "the fish are there", to me, that is not enough information to decide if I want to go or not. For some people a great day is getting 10 trout. So when I hear numbers it helps me analyze the fishing better.
I'm sure I will get an earful from this board but that's MHO.
WS

[Rodney D.]

Good insight waynesyn. In my Bass Tourney wanna-be days, numbers were everything and when I started thinking I had a "bad day" because I only caught 10 fish, I had to start thinking about why I was fishing. Now, I am happy catching one 10" bluegill in my kayak on the fly.

[OceanSunfish]

I think taking 3 minutes to land most California 12 inch trout is way too much time. Even 14-17 inch trout. With 4x or 5X tippet, almost all trout at Frenchman can be landed in well under a minute. More likely under 30 seconds. This is good for the fish and there is little reviving needed.
This is a very interesting thread. There are guys out there that keep count and guys that don't. The guys that I know that keep count do so with a counter. When they tell me how many fish they got I believe them. I have no problem with either. For me, when I get a "fishing report" from friends I prefer to hear how many fish they caught so I can decide whether to fish there or not. If I hear "I had a great time" or "I caught my share" or "I did OK" or "the fish are there", to me, that is not enough information to decide if I want to go or not. For some people a great day is getting 10 trout. So when I hear numbers it helps me analyze the fishing better.
I'm sure I will get an earful from this board but that's MHO.
WS


Let me preface by saying that it's possible...... And, I agree with the assessment of time needed to land a trout of 17 inches.... Grab, hop it into the rubber net, barbless hook falls out and it swims away. A 3 minute battle for a 17 inch trout at Frenchmans is not good.

I personally think that reports of "135 fish" are of no service to forums like this whatsoever. Such reports only create doubt, feelings of inadequacy, envy and set unrealistic expectations in most cases. They may also be false or their intent malicious as to bring unwanted or undeserved attention to a location or even a person.

Let me start again by saying that I'd rather know the skill sets required for such a successful day rather than the actual fish count.... Fish count is moot if I don't have the skills required, etc.

With that said, such reports are helpful IF you personally know the source of the information, know how they typically fish and how you stack up to that person's skill sets.... For example, if person A typically catches 70% of what person B typically catches, all other things being equal, which, when it comes to fishing, is never the case, then you can deduct how you would've done had you been there, etc. Then, you can make a decision to go or not go, which is what waynesyn was refering to, I believe.

BTW, does anyone know how those trout taste out of Frenchmans? Taking home a limit of 5 certainly sounds like it isn't going to hurt. I sure like a peppery seasoned BBQ/smoked trout.

[michaeln]

Look guys, I said 3 minutes but that was from one hookup to the next, not fighting the fish for 3 minutes.

But if you guys want to believe this 135 fish story, have at it. I don't believe it.

[huntindog]

is this the same guy that was fishing the Truckee last week?

[michaeln]

is this the same guy that was fishing the Truckee last week?

Are all the fish gone?

[jbird]

This is actually an interesting discussion. The three minute/fish assessment may vary but you guys have to judge this in a real world situation. If you stayed in the same spot and did nothing but catch one fish after another, you could easily catch 300 fish in a day. But the reality is...

1. Fish generally dont let you pick on them in one spot all day. So moving is a necessity, that equals time. If in a float tube or pontoon, maybe quite a bit of time.

2. Most flies are not going to last for more than 20ish fish. Tippets get beat up, etc. = time

3. Everyones gotta pee. Some of us even have to do the "#2". If your in waders and a float tube...= time. (dont let your mind wander on that one....thats just gross!)

4. most of us get a little hungry and thirsty. Did you leave your lunch in the car? = time

Theres so many factors that are going to impede on true fishing time. We're not talking about fighting a fish for 3 minutes. Its an average.

[OceanSunfish]

Look guys, I said 3 minutes but that was from one hookup to the next, not fighting the fish for 3 minutes.

But if you guys want to believe this 135 fish story, have at it. I don't believe it.

I'm not defending the person, etc. But, I will say it's possible tho....

In my days as a single man with no kids, a day's fishing at, lets say a Davis Lake, would be all available daylight! Which today could be as much as 14+ hours?!

So, 12 hours of fishing at 9 fish an hour is 108...... That's not too hard to believe based on who I know personally.

Again, I'm defending the plausibility, not the actual fish counting perception, etc. I don't enjoy that aspect any longer and fish for far more other reasons..... when I get to or want to actually fish.... <grin>

[RenoLipRipper]

Was at Frenchman's yesterday for a couple of hours. Only got one bump. Fished the upper end. I was there late, like 11:00am or so. Some others said it was good earlier. The area I fished was very open, when in a tube I find I like either small lakes or smallish coves where I can seciton it off. Might try the other end next time, seems like more coves. Last time I fished Snallygaster Pt. or something like that, and got 4-5 nice fish, I liked that area as it is a cove type of place. Wind was up and I got a bit tired and bored so I went out exploring to other places.

Was at Indian Creek Res. on Monday, got 4 hits but was asleep or to slow or the barbless hook didn't set. But did manage to get one to net. Nice fish, maybe 18 in or so. Strong. The wind started to come up strong. Fished for about 5 hours.

I know you can catch fish (135) especially that size. With barbless, the hook comes out so easy, then back out and bang, fish on, surf em in so the little fish don't get to messed up, don't touch em and back out real fast.

Some days it (the fishing/catching) is really on.

My two cents.

[Reno Flytyer]

Ocean...the trout from Frenchman are the best I've ever eaten. That being said, I just started eating trout again about a year ago after deciding I didn't like 'em. I've been supplying an older gentleman friend of mine with trout from Frenchman for maybe six or seven years. He can't get out and thoroughly enjoys trout, but he won't eat them from any where but Frenchman. A year ago football season, I brought him two bows from Frenchman...he only wanted one, so I cooked the second one up at a tailgate party and my friends went nuts! I've been keeping a couple now and then ever since...they are excellent! We ate four of those caught Sunday, Monday night (my daughter, son in law, grandaughter, war department and I...terrific eating fish.


Waynesyn, good points, bump.

RFT

[OceanSunfish]

Ocean...the trout from Frenchman are the best I've ever eaten. That being said, I just started eating trout again about a year ago after deciding I didn't like 'em. I've been supplying an older gentleman friend of mine with trout from Frenchman for maybe six or seven years. He can't get out and thoroughly enjoys trout, but he won't eat them from any where but Frenchman. A year ago football season, I brought him two bows from Frenchman...he only wanted one, so I cooked the second one up at a tailgate party and my friends went nuts! I've been keeping a couple now and then ever since...they are excellent! We ate four of those caught Sunday, Monday night (my daughter, son in law, grandaughter, war department and I...terrific eating fish.


Waynesyn, good points, bump.

RFT

Great to hear! I think most of us started trout fishing as young'ns and always brought some home to consume.... The ones from Grant Lake in June Lake Loop were always pretty nice too as are the ones from Eagle Lake as well. Cherry Lake fish weren't too shabby either way back in the 70's and then there were those kamloops from Lobdell back in the mid 90's.. Those were the best smoked trout I've ever consumed! I'd love to see Kamloops stocked in Davis and Frenchman if Eagle Lake trout weren't an option.

Gee, I don't think we've ever had a thread on this forum regarding the best eating trout in CA?

Glad to read your report too.

[wineslob]

Lolz, I love "reports" like this. The best I've EVER done was 25 fish in 1 1/2 hours. After that I lost count.
It was a fall night at Butt Lake in 1995 or 6 (the winter they tore down the dam). Most of the fish were in the 5-6 lbs range, some up to 10. It took a little bit to bring those hogs in. :-D

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I would love to have my customers that are new to fly fishing get into a situation that is a wide open bight so they can catch some fish.

For me now I am just happy with a few fish in a day now.

Maybe a 15# Steelhead on a dry fly on the Dean River.

A 10# Bonefish wading some white sand flat somewhere in the tropics.

Then a 30# Tarpon on an 8 weight rod in 4 feet of clear water in the Yucatan.

A 18" wild Rainbow trout on a small dry on a spring creek?

A 5# Large Mouth Bass on a top water bug in the Delta.

A 12# Striper on a Pole Dancer in the Lower American River.

A 18# Roosterfish on a Pole Dance out of La Paz.

A 12# Peacock Bass on an Airhead in Brazil

You can have those 100 fish days.............

[1flyfisher]

I'm with you. I catch 2 fish on Eagle Lake I had a great day. Anything more is gravy. I have had huge buckets and big numbers but those are rare days. They don't come often.
I have had plenty of days with nothing.
I read so much BS reports on Davis, Frenchmans, Eagle it is laughable.






I would love to have my customers that are new to fly fishing get into a situation that is a wide open bight so they can catch some fish.

For me now I am just happy with a few fish in a day now.

Maybe a 15# Steelhead on a dry fly on the Dean River.

A 10# Bonefish wading some white sand flat somewhere in the tropics.

Then a 30# Tarpon on an 8 weight rod in 4 feet of clear water in the Yucatan.

A 18" wild Rainbow trout on a small dry on a spring creek?

A 5# Large Mouth Bass on a top water bug in the Delta.

A 12# Striper on a Pole Dancer in the Lower American River.

A 18# Roosterfish on a Pole Dance out of La Paz.

A 12# Peacock Bass on an Airhead in Brazil

You can have those 100 fish days.............

[wineslob]

+1 Bill. That one night at Butt Valley was the only one like it since I started fishing it in 1987. It was awesome, but after an hour and a half.......I got bored. I went back to camp and had a few shots.
Last week I fished the NFF, only got one fish, but seeing that take is still fresh in my mind. It brought back that old excitement I felt as a kid. :grin:

[Hairstacker]

+2 Bill. I like getting into 'em as much as the next guy but I think I get the most excitement out of those 1st trips of the season when I get that 1st decent topwater take by a good bass. All it takes is one to re-new and re-live all the excitement that drew me to that kind of fishing in the 1st place and my day is made whether I catch another or not.

[B Kane]

I guess I can't say it's on fire but it's still pretty warm on a certain lake near Portola. My two nine year old godsons fished there last Sat. in a huge wind for six hours and on their own landed 45 fish. They had a blast. Thanks for all the interest in the last report. Love to see the responses.

[michaeln]

I guess I can't say it's on fire but it's still pretty warm on a certain lake near Portola. My two nine year old godsons fished there last Sat. in a huge wind for six hours and on their own landed 45 fish. They had a blast. Thanks for all the interest in the last report. Love to see the responses.

That's called trolling, and you did quite well. ;)

[B Kane]

I'm not sure what trolling is but here's a shot of the boys with a double.

[Dean Y.]

I'm not sure what trolling is but here's a shot of the boys with a double.

Sweet! If I may ask, how old were the boys when they learned to fly fish?

[Reno Flytyer]

That lake is closer to Chilcoot than Portola.
RFT

[B Kane]

They started flycasting over a year ago with bobbers but for long casts like Almanor we'd cast for them and they would retrieve. You should see them cast a spinning rod, wow. They cast a better loop than most guys I see on the stream. They are really lucky kids because their dad takes them fishing a lot and they really like it. I guess they were a late 7 early 8 when they started flycasting.

[OceanSunfish]

They started flycasting over a year ago with bobbers but for long casts like Almanor we'd cast for them and they would retrieve. You should see them cast a spinning rod, wow. They cast a better loop than most guys I see on the stream. They are really lucky kids because their dad takes them fishing a lot and they really like it. I guess they were a late 7 early 8 when they started flycasting.

Nice Pic.

Actually, the "dad" is lucky (er) that the boys like to go fishing (what kid wouldn't if they get expertly guided on each and every trip) since we all know that as soon as we become parents are own interests take a big back seat to our kid's interests..... Most often, they are not one in the same... It's all good tho.

[Scott V]

I'm not sure what trolling is but here's a shot of the boys with a double.

I am pretty sure what they mean by trolling is throwing the lines out and driving the boat around slowly. Basically not casting and stripping in.

[SHigSpeed]

I am pretty sure what they mean by trolling is throwing the lines out and driving the boat around slowly. Basically not casting and stripping in.

I'm pretty sure that's not the type of trolling he was talking about... ;)

_SHig

[Reno Flytyer]

Ditto that Shig. Sheesh.
RFT