Favorite trout California Stillwaters

[Terry Imai]

I was kicking this concept with everyone's five favorite California trout stillwaters. Criteria to be on this list are:

1. Nice size fish with minimal stocking;

2. Free public access. When someone pays $$ to fish a private water with stocked sterile
trout is aliken to going to a house of ill repute and bragging that you "got lucky";

3. Match the hatch fishing. No endless trolling with wooly bugger patterns.

4. Should have a period of at least one week of very good fishing rather than one day a
year.


Here are my choices in no particular order:

1. Davis Lake-Matching the Damsels can drive you crazy plus good fall fishing

2. Manzanita Lake-Proves that trout don't live in ugly places. Good variety of bugs.

3. Lewiston-When the conditions are just right, totally awsome.

4. Eagle Lake-Pigs live there

5. Pyramid (I know it's not in California but it's close enough)-trophy Cutt fishing

6. Bridgeport Reservoir-Good variety of bugs keeps you on your toes.

[Reno Flytyer]

Great idea...let's hot spot the best freebee stillwaters now & we'll have to come up with 5 new ones in two years. OK, here are mine:
1. Boca
2. Martis
3. Pyramid (who cares?)
4. Virginia Lake (Reno, closer than Pyramid)
5. Davis Lake Campground (Washoe Valley, also closer than Pyramid)
Good luck.
RFT

[Ed Wahl]

1 The Forbidden Pond

2 Unnamed Lake

3 The Big Pond

4 The Pond at the Wildlife Area

5 The Slot Pond.

Freakin Lists.:\\

There's mine, I believe they contain all of your requirements in spades, have at 'em ya'll.

See ya on the bank.

Ed

[SHigSpeed]

Great idea...let's hot spot the best freebee stillwaters now & we'll have to come up with 5 new ones in two years. OK, here are mine:
1. Boca
2. Martis
3. Pyramid (who cares?)
4. Virginia Lake (Reno, closer than Pyramid)
5. Davis Lake Campground (Washoe Valley, also closer than Pyramid)
Good luck.
RFT

Really? 1: Boca, 2: Martis?

Hmm... Seems like some obfuscation going on here! :)

How about:

1: Fuller
2: Jenkinson
3: Caples
4: Folsom
5: Amador

;)

_SHig

[YEM]

My five favorite trout lakes - with fishing tips:

1. Flax Pond - Famous flax hatch in March.
2. Lake Shermie - Midge City! Watch out for bats.
3. Undisclosed Beaver Pond - Sorry, I was sworn to secrecy!
4. Blue Lake - Float tube or boat needed. Limited shore access.
5. Country Club Lake - Mouse patterns are the ticket here.

[Frank R. Pisciotta]

Thus far no one has mentioned...hush-hush... Milton Lake :-$. Possibly because 1) it is a smallish, tailwater pond of 12-13 acres 2) there is no potable water available there 3) there is all of one pit toilet 4) there are no improved campsites; only a couple fire-rings on the north-east side 5) there is limited shoreline angling; making it ideal for self-propelled floating devices (no gas motors...maybe electrics?) and...this time of year there are some very aggressive mosquitos!

For those who have not ventured there, be forewarned, it can have a schizoid personality; being unpredictably hot or cold even within consecutive days. Nevertheless, the scenery & it's beautifully colored & conditioned Rianbows & Browns make your trip worthwhlile. Special regs are heavily enforced; barbless artificial hooks, NO BAIT and MAXIMUM 12"...two take (which no one does).

Get there before deer season because blasts from log-barreled rifles can be a bit distracting :paranoid: when your focus is delicately presenting a midge-pupae imitiation to consistent risers or wind-drifting a beetle pattern to an imperceptible snout-sip that appears along the rock-outcroppings or tules along the shore-line.

Frank R. Pisciotta

[michaeln]

Del Valle
San Pablo
Honey Lake
New Melones
Spicer

:lol:

[jayclarkflyfishing]

Don't believe Frank as there are no fish in Milton!

One thing I do disagree with Frank on is enforcement of regulations at Milton.Enforcement has been lacking there the past few seasons and poaching has been rampant.What once was a trophy fishery has been reduced to dink city.Most fish are in the 12" range with a smattering of larger fish.Not as many rainbows this season either.

My list:
Davis
Unnamed pond #173
Your Favorite Lake
That One Lake
Big Fish Beach

[WhipperSnapper]

1. Coyote Lake
2. Stevens Creek Reservoir
3. Campbell Perk Ponds
4. Lake $#@%%^*

Don't go to the mountains... Come to the bay area. Things are in full swing!
Right now there is no pressure, but hurry before the word gets out!

[gilligan]

About Milton-Back in the early 90's before the first time they poisoned the lake the place was unbelievable. I can remember casting to big cruisers and having them pick off my Calibaetis pattern, it's just not the same now.

www.gilligansguideservice.com
www.gilligansguideservice.blogspot.com

[Mike O]

don't forget Lake Solano!! I hear that place is rockin!! At least that is what was promised when it lost its stockin'!

[Ralph]

Regarding Milton - have a plan B.

It is a very small lake and just a handful of anglers can make it feel REALY small if they are the kind that enjoy long distance conversations from their float tubes. It is also popular with the stick-throwing dog crowd.

Mosquitos are ferocious right now and probably will be all season because of the late melt. Bring a head net if you will be fishing in the morning or evening.

[Red Perception]

1. Lake Tahoe
2. Lake Tahoe
3. Lake Tahoe
4. Lake Tahoe
5. Lake Tahoe;) Good luck, Eric:)

[WhipperSnapper]

don't forget Lake Solano!! I hear that place is rockin!! At least that is what was promised when it lost its stockin'!

Yeah, but at least it lost it's bait soakers too. It's not gonna turn on like it's on a switch. Give it a few years.