Manzanita Lake

**Adam Grace** · 06-21-2006, 12:12 PM

Yesterday Gregg and I fished Manzanita Lake, located at the north-western end of Lassen State Park, right near the junction of Hwy 44 and 89.

The weather was wonderful, a little windy at times but a very comfortable day. We were hoping on fishing through a callibaetis hatch but they never emerged in large amounts.

We tubed around the lake for a while but the banks were the key to our sucess.

Wading along the bank stripping callibaetis nymphs proved to be somewhat effective for me. The catching was sporatic, all of my fish came from the nymph. The majority of the fish were small 12" or smaller

We both caught a nice trout. Here's a nicely spotted rainbow that took the nymph using short strips on a long leader and floating line.

Gregg switched to a dry fly to sight fish along the bank, he hooked into a nice brown on an ant but lost it. After that he switched to a hopper and caught a nice rainbow.

Gregg prefered wading the banks because of the sight fishing possibilities and becaue I caught a nice 20" brown trout after spotted it cruising along the banks.

That fish was alot of fun. All in all a great day, no major callibaetis hatch like we hoped for but we had a ton of fun. We got a late start, we fished from 11-dark, we stayed until dark to see if the mototrboat caddis were emerging. Gregg saw one but that was all, no evening hacth.

Both Gregg and I enjoyed the beautiful lake and the scenic soroundings. I recommend taking a trip to Manzanita, maybe you'll find the callibaetis to be much more active.

SullyTM · 06-21-2006, 02:02 PM

Nice report Adam...I've always wondered how the shoreline fishing would be. Did you use any of those "thin profile" nymphs of yours?

Later...Thom

**Gregg** · 06-21-2006, 03:58 PM

SullyTM-

We, well, I, ran out of thinner mayfly nymphs (I seemed to struggle with knots yesterday...doh!) They were definitley the hot ticket. I had a boxful of thicker nymphs, but we dug through trying to find anything that fit a more slender profile. I'm gonna sit down tonight and retire 3/4 of my nymph selection in favor of more sparse imitations. Thinly (is that a word?) tied callibaetis nymphs were some of the only flies to draw fish, so I'm definitley a believer now...

SullyTM · 06-21-2006, 04:36 PM

Gregg...I have a few I tied when Adam first posted the pattern. I'm tying some more up for an upcoming trout hunt. BTW...from shore, how far out were your max casts. If I remember correctly, shoreline wading is possible...

Looks like the snow on the mountain is just about gone...

Later...

**J.R.** · 06-21-2006, 09:02 PM

Can anybody tell how to tie these thin profile nypmhs. They could really come in handy on my next fishing trip and because my nypmh box consists only of a few damsel nypmhs and brassies at this point.

John

**Gregg** · 06-21-2006, 11:57 PM

SullyTM-

For sight fishing, we were casting just feet off the bank. There are enough trees to hide behind to get within range, but it definitley helps to have an accurate roll cast... There is a trail which circles the lake and you can see big browns and bows cruising along. I counted 6 sizeable fish in a 15 foot section of water, so the opportunities are abundant. Manzanita was cool because there is so much structure. Plenty of downed trees or stumps to strip nymphs by, enough glassy flat water to drop dries onto, and some great manzanita/tree stump islands to slap terrestrials down from (by far my favorite...). Adam was getting into fish by wading 15-20 feet out and casting nymphs then stripping them through groups of underwater stumps. From the boat launch (facing the lake) we went left along the trail and found plenty of opportunities. We found fish thoughout the entire lake, but spent considerable time crawling through taller grass with a hopper or ant pattern rigged.

**Adam Grace** · 06-22-2006, 02:34 AM

I was casting about 40-70' away from the bank out towards the stumps an into the drop offs and stripping the nymphs back in short exagerated bursts with slight pauses. I will take a picture of the thin callibaetis nymphs later for an example for you guys.

I waded out from a couple feet to about 30' away from the bank at times to reach the drop offs, manzanita islands and farthest stumps. I needed proper casting room to launch a healthy amount of fly line. I like to cast.

SullyTM · 06-22-2006, 07:16 AM

Gregg/Adam...Sound like you guys have Manzanita down pat. 70 foot casts! On a good day I might hit 50 feet...I've been practicing and I have access to free lessons once a month...Hopefully, I'll be a better caster by years end...

Later...