November is the big month for Eagle Lake
Many take their annual group trip to Eagle Lake in northeastern CA in November. Terry Thomas at our shop usually has a nice group of friends who head up there about this time of year.
Eagle has one of the largest average size Rainbow trout in the state.
Jay Fair is the most famous fly fisher and guide on the lake. He is getting older now but can probably still out fish most of us.
I have listened to Jay talk about his fishing up there and he can say a lot about it in a short time.
Many just wade the lake while others use float tubes and pontoon boats. Like many, Jay uses a big boat to just get around the lake and then mostly wades it in the shallows.
Jay uses a 9' #6 line rod and has about 3 different fly lines for it.
If it's calm he uses a weight forward floater.
If there is some wind causing a chop he likes the old "Intermediate" line which will not be clear. These are a little hard to find because not too many know what they are anymore. People get confused and think the clear lines are Intermediates but they sink much faster.
For a third line I would have a clear slow sinking line too.
Jay uses a 12' leader to 3x tippet with his small wiggle nymphs which are basically a mini bugger with a long fine marabou tail. I like fluorocarbon tippet material myself.
Jay like to get out really early for the big fish in the shallows.
He doesn't like "blue bird" weather. Overcast with a little breeze is his favorite.
He also moves his fly very, very slow...........
I heard it was already fishing well in October this Fall. December can be good too if you have big arteries.
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