A Guide's High; Lake Davis 10/27

[Troutstalker55B]

The snail population first started to collapse in 2003 when Division of Water Rights (DWR) planned on dumping a bunch of water so the Forest Service could repair both Camp 5, and Honker Cove boat ramps. Despite a formal complaint filed by the Baiocchi family and The Anglers Committee to stop the project knowing full well that it would be bad for the aquatic insects and the like, it went through. They lowered the water of the lake very rapidly and left millions of snails high and dry on the bank. The reeking stench for weeks to follow was all the proof one needed. The second treatment was the nail in the coffin in my opinion. As far as the crawdads go, they were there back in the 90's when we had prolific snail populations. Could crawdads eat all the snails? Many questions, few answers.

Hey Pete when that back of yours heals up go over to Frenchman's and get a few buckets full of snails and dump them in Slaughter House Cove for us

[Troutstalker55B]

Here is a pic of a 5 pound rainbow I caught the day before the first treatment in the fall of 97. This rainbow was one serious animal as it took me a long time to bring it to the net, towing me around in my tube for quite some time. Its belly was full of snails. I hope someday these brutes will be back.

[Rockman]

I have an opportunity to fish Davis again this Sunday, my question to you guys who get to fish it much more frequently is: With a strong low pressure system coming in and pretty cold temps, snow, should it shut down the nice shoreline bite we have been having? or due to the cold, the fish get more aggressive to fatten up for the winter. Any thoughts? With the temp. predictions for Sunday, it could be a challenging day. Opinions on this are welcomed.
One other question regarding the lack of snails. Has anyone put a proposal with DFW to re-introduce the snails? Maybe " borrow" some from Frenchmans?

Rockman

[Troutstalker55B]

Rockman,

To answer your question, yes, the fish will still be in the shallows and will continue to be until the shore ice creeps in and covers the coves. There are two factors that the fish like this time of year, first off the shallow water heats up quicker and trout like to be comfy. Secondly, much of the food is in the shallows; That's is why they are there! The trout at Davis will start to trickle down to the south end of the lake as more ice forms and colder weather sets in. Eagle point, Catfish cove, and Mallard cove come to mind.

There are so many ways to catch fish at Lake Davis right now as they are on the gorge to fatten up for winter. It's really up to the angler; what game do you want to play? At Eagle Lake, air temps do not dictate poor fishing. I've caught many fish when it was minus degrees. Davis and Frenchman's are a little more sensitive but you can still hook trout in cold weather off the bank.

DFG helping with snails? They've spent enough money up there and I doubt they would ever consider something like a project of that sorts. It would interesting to see them do it and to find out how long it would take for the snails to repopulate. See you up there on Sunday as I have a trip scheduled; One thing for sure it will be time to bust out the backpacking stove and the cup-o-soups to stay warm!

[vaughn]

Last year at this time I caught two fish up at Mosquito packed with snails- crunchy bellies and all. I posted a couple of stomach content pics. Since then I've caught countless Davis fish without a hint of a snail. Very strange.

Vaughn

[Troutstalker55B]

Off to the lake in the am with clients, we will be hiking in as the lake has received 10-12 inches of fresh pow so no more boat for the season. This could be the end unless we get a huge warm up. Report to follow...

[Troutstalker55B]

Despite what I was told the day before about Lake Davis getting 10-12 inches was false. The lake got about 2-3 inches of very light pow. When we arrived it was 20 degrees, the sun was out and it really was not all that bad as no gloves were needed for the hike out.



There was a precarious creek crossing with a chance of falling through. in just a few days of cold weather the ice was thick enough to withstand my weight. Shore ice had formed in various areas and some coves were locked in solid. There was plenty of open water in productive buckets thanks to the coots being active next to the shore and keeping the ice from forming. Air temps increased and it was quite pleasant out, there was not a puff of wind to be had for most the day until a very slight breeze came out of the south east.



Mario was into a fish right away and averaged about 10 fish an hour. About 60 fish were touched and 50 to the bank. Water temps ranged from 38-44 degrees. The rainbows were moving through in big pods and the action was great all day. The top fly was a burnt orange wiggle tail #12. A stomach sampling revealed damselfly nymphs (some were still alive!), daphnia, and a few crawdads. Mario was amazed at how many fish he caught standing in one place without even wading off the shore - They were in close!



An average sized rainbow. Today the fish were 17-20" and clean. I was amazed at how many fish were rising for midges despite the very cold water temps.



Fishing pressure was light and the roads were in great shape. I expect the cold temps at night will keep what ice has formed to stay but average daytime temps for the upcoming week will thaw most of this. If the lake gets any wind it will help break up the ice and keep the fishing access open off the bank.

Mario had never fished here in the fall but now knows why I get SO excited for this time of year. In one word he described the fishing today - "INSANE!"

[fishnbeatsworkin]

That fence line looks familiar. Sounds like a great day.

[gene goss]

Great post Jon....nice to see that those trout are still in the skinny water.....is that a float tube in the back ground?

[Morgan]

Awesome report! So much fishing around us up here its hard to decide where to go. Lake davis is still on my wish list. That looks like a blast! Anyone care to pm me a good hike in location for tommorw?