Lake Davis 6/9/12 update

[Troutstalker55B]

Live - unreal sight fishing right now in the shallows, the damsels are hatching in good numbers! It's on! More of an update later...

Jon.

[FRSam]

Jon posted this from the shores of Lake Davis today while it was actually going on...that's dedication! We had a great day...the damsels are in the water and the fish are after them!

Pete

[FRSam]

Forgot to post the picture...Jon with a nice fish on...Lake Davis

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r6/FeatherRiverSam/DSC00872.jpg

Pete

[gene goss]

Great picture.....glad to hear the damsels show up for the party....i bet madison was watching.

[Troutstalker55B]

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/lakedavis608_4_1.jpg

I did not expect much Saturday at the lake, Colder temps and a good north wind 10-20 mph would not be the greatest of friend to the hatches. As I rolled into the camp 5 parking lot I could see white caps and big water pushing in from the north east. Boaters were already taking out and some men stalled at launching their craft. This day was my only "Jon Time" day, as for the last 6 weeks as I've been burning the candle at both ends working weed abatement and guiding anglers. Despite the cold conditions (gloves and gore tex for the ride out!) I was excited to get out on the boat - Much needed therapy. I called Pete and he was already fishing Fugawi cove with a few hook ups. "Hey buddy, I'm gonna find shelter and put this wind at my back" I said.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/lakedavis601_8_1.jpg

We found a bank along Freeman Creek that provided a "soft window"of water in front of us with a hope of a riser or two. We caught a few fish on blood midge pupa #14 with floating lines. Water temps were 55.6-58.7. The lake has experienced many warm windy days and periods of cold weather with some dusting of snow over the past month. This is good as it stalls out and spreads the good fishing that is coming upon us now for the month of June.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/lakedavis626_7_1.jpg

About 9:30 am we started seeing a damsel nymph or two, nothing to get excited about and I was surprised at the time that we even encountered some on such a cold day. I began seeing more as time went on, and now some splashy rises here and there. By 11am damsel nymphs were pouring into our bank, I saw more nymphs yesterday than I ever saw all of last year. It was happening, a hatch was in full swing!

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/LakeDavis606_3_1.jpg

This the most unusual rainbow I have ever caught at Lake Davis, Pete caught one too. No spots as well, who's got a clue? Rainbows ran 17-19 ", clean for the most part, red hot runs and into the backing with a few!

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/lakedavis623_6_1.jpg

Today was special for we had sight fishing opportunities! I had 12 players in 1-2 feet of water on the mud flats. My theory on why these rainbows come into the mud flats is this; The dark damsel nymphs stick out like a neon flag waving in the wind. I really think they can see them better. Pete had the hot rod of the day and missed so many fish.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/LakeDavis612_5_1-1.jpg

There was a line up of boats that formed after we had our spot on the banks. These guys were bangin fish left and right as I saw dozens of fish caught. I did not see any indicators whizzing back and forth and can only guess they were using Int. lines with damsels or blood midge. What was also interesting was the fish were moving in small and large pods from east to west, and west to east in Freeman Creek. These anglers in the boats would have good fishing for a while and then it would shut off, only to get good again. We experienced the same thing on the bank.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/lakedavis603_1_1.jpg

Welcome damsel fans, it's showtime now at Lake Davis with daily shows 9am to 2pm. I have no idea how good the hatch will be this year or when it will peak. I know, I know...It's not what it used to be like back in day - Is anything as good as it was back then as far as fishing goes? I do know this - As I age with my fly fishing I'm at the point in my life that quality over quantity is where it's at for me. Seeing the damsel hatch, the fish and birds responding, sight fishing, good friends and trout dogs - Simple pleasures for a simple man.

Jon.

[Scott V]

Great report John, you got me pumped for Friday. Hope to see you on the water Friday or Saturday, if you see a blue fishcat 4 float tube with a rod rack on it stop by and say hello!

[Troutstalker55B]

Gene - You just know Madison was watching, every time I get a hook up I can hear his legendary bark!

Scott - I have river trips this Friday and Sat. on the MFFR, but I may have a trip lined up for Sunday. Good luck up there!

Jon.

[Mark Kranhold]

Hey John, is there still a Kamloops strain in Davis? I heard back in the day before the poisoning that these trout were in there, or is it all Eagle lakes now. Years ago I hooked this red hot trout that did blistering runs and leaps and did not look Eagle lakeish at all. This fish had almost a black back and big black spots almost the shape you would see on a Chinook and many below the lateral line. The tip of the tail fin had a silver/ transparent edge. Just curious if that was a kamloops or if they ever existed in Davis? Nice report and thanks for sharing. I will be in Cromberg next weekend and might have to bust out the Fish Cat 4 and head over to Davis:-D Thanks, Mark

[catch&release]

Very professional report. So glad to hear the damsels are coming back.

I have always wanted to come up and fish that hatch but didn't make it before the last poisening.

Maybe I can make it up there this year and fish it with you.

[Troutstalker55B]

Fyshhead - I have no Idea. I do know after both treatments they put in all the leftovers they had stocked up, lots of boots. When it comes to Eagle Lake rainbows I wish the DFG would only put those special trout back in their home waters, it's a sad state up there right now with the low water.

Ernie - I'm sorry too I had to bail on Eagle but to drive so far for just a few hours fishing did not add up, I have like a third of travel time you would've had but still you understand. The weed abatement job ends the 22nd of this month, so I'll have a lot more time to cast to willing targets. I think this damsel hatch will be on the light side this year but it may last until the end of July despite the water temps. Hope all is well you brother!

Jon.

[jayclarkflyfishing]

Yes there were Kamloops in Davis after the first treatment. They were a riot to catch. These days there are a number of strains in the lake. Jon_ that spotless rainbow looks like a cutbow or even possibly a cutthroat to me. Glad to here about the damsels as I have basically given up on Davis and the small fish there these days. I get more enjoyment out of the wild fish on the Big T and the Middle Feather.

Jay

[Blueracer]

Yeah, what he said