June Lake 10-4 to 10-8

[Olderone]

Left Simi Valley about 3 am Sat., Oct 4th. Stopped in Bishop for gas. Filled up and went to the Casino. Donated $40. Got to June Lake Campground around 8:30. Met my friend Dave who drove down from Carson City. There was only 1 camp spot open! Talked to the camp host, Mary. Even she was a bit surprised so many people were there this late in the year. She thought it was a combination of the Brewfest in June Lake, the beautiful changing leaves, and the forecast for perfect weather. As it turned out, the only site available was a spot subject to reservation and, as luck would have it, about an hour after we set camp up, Mary said the site had been reserved for the next 5 days and we’d have to move tomorrow. Mary, bless her heart, scouted the campground and found a site that would be leaving shortly and it was big enough to accommodate my van and Dave’s truck.
We broke down site 1 and moved to site 17 which turned out to be a much better site. We almost always camp in site 18 but it was occupied for the week.
We never fish the 1st day. Gives us time to get acclimated to the high altitude and to adjust our attitudes. At our age, it takes some time to adjust……….both altitude and attitude. Built a fire and BS’d for a while, catching up since our last trip in May. BBQ’d a couple of nice steaks, fixed boiled potatoes, fried some mushrooms, and made some corn. Yum! Oh, and time for a couple of Vodka & Tonics. (Helps with the attitude).
Got a boat at Big Rock Marina in the morning and headed for the west end reeds. Dave landed a nice one in the first 5 minutes and after that, it was a slow pick. About noon, we went back to camp and had a snack or 2 and relaxed. Went back out around 2 and fished until 5. Ended the day Dave 5, me 3. There were a few at 2 to 2 ½# but most were the stocker variety. So for the next 3 hours, I had to listen to his smack talk. I vowed to get even the next day. Trout, fried potatoes, & green beans for dinner. Nothing like fresh trout cooked outdoors.
Monday arrived early with a definite chill. 32 degrees. A nice fire with coffee helped a lot. Got the boat and again headed to the west end to start. This time, we fished a little shallower and were rewarded with a non-stop bite for the 1st 2 hours. Caught and released at least 15. Kept a couple for another meal or take home. After it slowed a bit, we moved to the fallen juniper on the north shore. Couple of guys were fishing about where I wanted to anchor so we stayed a bit west in 10-15’ of water. Fished just over the drop off with Gulp 2” Pinch worms for nothing. I started tossing a Thomas Bouyant in shallow water and caught 7 or 8 in hour. Kept 2 of the larger models and released the rest. Dave only got 3 or 4 so, I think I redeemed myself and wasn’t going to listen to his crap tonight. Tiger Bar for dinner and a couple of beers. Hit the bed around 8:30.
Tuesday morning was the same, 32 and chilly. Delayed taking the boat out until about 8 when the sun was on the water in a few places. After about 10 am, it was sweatshirts off and shirt sleeve weather. Fished several places for good luck everywhere. Gulp worms and Thomas bouyants were the ticket. Released many again. Kept enough to round out limits so we both had fish to take home.
For the 5 days I was there, the weather was absolutely perfect. 72-75 during the day, just a light breeze, caught a lot of quality fish. No slugs this time though, just solid 1 ½ to 2 ½# as well as the usual stockers. No pics, damn camera died and I was too lazy to get new batteries.
All released fish were lip hooked and handled properly to ensure their survival. We didn’t feed the Eagle that was surveying us during the day.
Can’t wait for May to go again.
Tight lines, be safe, and protect the environment.
Bob (olderone)

[pcuser]

Left Simi Valley about 3 am Sat., Oct 4th. Stopped in Bishop for gas. Filled up and went to the Casino. Donated $40. Got to June Lake Campground around 8:30. Met my friend Dave who drove down from Carson City. There was only 1 camp spot open! Talked to the camp host, Mary. Even she was a bit surprised so many people were there this late in the year. She thought it was a combination of the Brewfest in June Lake, the beautiful changing leaves, and the forecast for perfect weather. As it turned out, the only site available was a spot subject to reservation and, as luck would have it, about an hour after we set camp up, Mary said the site had been reserved for the next 5 days and we’d have to move tomorrow. Mary, bless her heart, scouted the campground and found a site that would be leaving shortly and it was big enough to accommodate my van and Dave’s truck.
We broke down site 1 and moved to site 17 which turned out to be a much better site. We almost always camp in site 18 but it was occupied for the week.
We never fish the 1st day. Gives us time to get acclimated to the high altitude and to adjust our attitudes. At our age, it takes some time to adjust……….both altitude and attitude. Built a fire and BS’d for a while, catching up since our last trip in May. BBQ’d a couple of nice steaks, fixed boiled potatoes, fried some mushrooms, and made some corn. Yum! Oh, and time for a couple of Vodka & Tonics. (Helps with the attitude).
Got a boat at Big Rock Marina in the morning and headed for the west end reeds. Dave landed a nice one in the first 5 minutes and after that, it was a slow pick. About noon, we went back to camp and had a snack or 2 and relaxed. Went back out around 2 and fished until 5. Ended the day Dave 5, me 3. There were a few at 2 to 2 ½# but most were the stocker variety. So for the next 3 hours, I had to listen to his smack talk. I vowed to get even the next day. Trout, fried potatoes, & green beans for dinner. Nothing like fresh trout cooked outdoors.
Monday arrived early with a definite chill. 32 degrees. A nice fire with coffee helped a lot. Got the boat and again headed to the west end to start. This time, we fished a little shallower and were rewarded with a non-stop bite for the 1st 2 hours. Caught and released at least 15. Kept a couple for another meal or take home. After it slowed a bit, we moved to the fallen juniper on the north shore. Couple of guys were fishing about where I wanted to anchor so we stayed a bit west in 10-15’ of water. Fished just over the drop off with Gulp 2” Pinch worms for nothing. I started tossing a Thomas Bouyant in shallow water and caught 7 or 8 in hour. Kept 2 of the larger models and released the rest. Dave only got 3 or 4 so, I think I redeemed myself and wasn’t going to listen to his crap tonight. Tiger Bar for dinner and a couple of beers. Hit the bed around 8:30.
Tuesday morning was the same, 32 and chilly. Delayed taking the boat out until about 8 when the sun was on the water in a few places. After about 10 am, it was sweatshirts off and shirt sleeve weather. Fished several places for good luck everywhere. Gulp worms and Thomas bouyants were the ticket. Released many again. Kept enough to round out limits so we both had fish to take home.
For the 5 days I was there, the weather was absolutely perfect. 72-75 during the day, just a light breeze, caught a lot of quality fish. No slugs this time though, just solid 1 ½ to 2 ½# as well as the usual stockers. No pics, damn camera died and I was too lazy to get new batteries.
All released fish were lip hooked and handled properly to ensure their survival. We didn’t feed the Eagle that was surveying us during the day.
Can’t wait for May to go again.
Tight lines, be safe, and protect the environment.
Bob (olderone)

That sounds about right....

[shinbob]

Great report! I'm also surprised that the campground was so full. Did a spot check on reserveamerica, and it looks like the campgrounds are fairly full next weekend also!

Never been up in the Sierras this late in the year, but love the idea -- hope someday to be able to spend an entire fall up there. Maybe after I retire...

[billy b]

GREAT REPORT ... June Lake is like old home week to me ... probably fished it 50 times. What makes you choose Big Rock over June Lake Marina ... just curious. I've always used J L Marina

[Olderone]

Great report! I'm also surprised that the campground was so full. Did a spot check on reserveamerica, and it looks like the campgrounds are fairly full next weekend also!

Never been up in the Sierras this late in the year, but love the idea -- hope someday to be able to spend an entire fall up there. Maybe after I retire...

I think the late season crowds can be attributed to the nice weather, fall colors and that Reverse Creek Camp is closed. I usually get a trip near the end of October but the past few years the weather has been cold, windy, some rain, and one year, a lot of snow! It's usually the best time for bigger fish and less crowded conditions. Lately, I don't seem to handle the cold as well as I used to.

[Olderone]

GREAT REPORT ... June Lake is like old home week to me ... probably fished it 50 times. What makes you choose Big Rock over June Lake Marina ... just curious. I've always used J L Marina

Thanks billy b. Yeah, old home, comfortable as a pair of fur lined slippers. I've fished just about every wet spot east, west, north, and south along 395 for almost 50 years starting at Tinnemaha (or Goodale....don't remember which is first) up to Topaz Lake.
Many years ago, we went to June Lake Marina but they didn't have anything left to rent that had the seats we wanted, so we went to Big Rock and just kept going back. They've always been extremely nice and helpful.
I see you are in Garderville. I really miss the old Sharkey's. Had a lot of memorabilia and the $2.99 prime rib!

[billy b]

Thanks billy b. Yeah, old home, comfortable as a pair of fur lined slippers. I've fished just about every wet spot east, west, north, and south along 395 for almost 50 years starting at Tinnemaha (or Goodale....don't remember which is first) up to Topaz Lake.
Many years ago, we went to June Lake Marina but they didn't have anything left to rent that had the seats we wanted, so we went to Big Rock and just kept going back. They've always been extremely nice and helpful.
I see you are in Garderville. I really miss the old Sharkey's. Had a lot of memorabilia and the $2.99 prime rib!

Sharkey's is one of my regular watering holes. I have lunch regularly with Dan the Man from Main Street Barbers

What were you doing up this way if I may ask ...?

[Olderone]

billy b - We usually stop there on our way to Carson City to see my friend that chased his ex-wife there many years ago. Wife and I were at Carson Valley Inn over New Years when the heavy rains and floods cut off all access in and out of Gardnerville. Stuck there for almost a week. Couldn't go north or south. My friend's wife was an EMT nurse and convinced the Highway Patrol to provide us an escort over the Carson River overpass north of town. She always was a smooth talker! The only way to get home after that was to go through Fallon to bypass the Walker Canyon.
When my girls were little, they always insisted we go to Virginia City, (with some nudging from my wife I suspect). We went to Hot August Nights for 5 or 6 straight years. It's been about 3 or 4 years since the last time. I may try to go to the big BBQ event in Reno/Sparks next year.
If and when I decide to retire, I'm only 69, we may end up in that area.

[shinbob]

Never really heard of Gardnerville, so looked it up on Google Maps. There are some seriously HUGE houses on HUGE lots just to the west -- multi-million dollar properties at least, I'm sure. Who lives out there? What do those people do to get that kind of money?

[Olderone]

Never really heard of Gardnerville, so looked it up on Google Maps. There are some seriously HUGE houses on HUGE lots just to the west -- multi-million dollar properties at least, I'm sure. Who lives out there? What do those people do to get that kind of money?

I think you looked at Kings Canyon Rd (if I remember correctly). We looked there years ago to buy in anticipation of retirement. Ha! Only if I hit the lottery.
Genoa is even worse. It's formerly called Mormon Station and is the 1st settlement in Nevada and was a Pony Express station where they'd change horses and/or riders. I think it's almost entirely Bed and Breakfast Inns now. Neat little town tucked up against the mountains. If you take the infamous Kingsbury Grade to S. Tahoe, you hit the edge of it. billy b would probably have better insight.
Most of Carson City is more affordable.