Hello Fellow anglers. A very happy "Naw" year to you all.  The one good thing I enjoy about the new year is, The days are getting longer by one minute each day. But as we know, the temps still stay the same, just plain Brrrr. I myself fish all year long, but this year it has been a little challenging. The morning temps at my house are averaging 14 to 18 degrees. But then it gets up to a warming 45 by 2pm. One would think, "oh" what great weather for ice fishing. One would think so.

But last week I took a journey to all the higher lakes in Alpine County to check out the ice conditions. You will see in my lake reports, they are still not stable enough to venture out on. Even though they are completely covered in ice, please do not venture out right now.

I was talking to my friend and fellow angler Scott KNOT Champion from down south. He told me, as you can see in the photo. They tried to fish the Upper Owens river. The morning temps were at 3 degrees and the fish weren't biting. But I have to give them kudo's for getting out there. There are still plenty of areas to fish, but you will need some good coveralls and a pair of gloves on some. And don't forget the wool beanie hat.

A reminder to anglers from both California and Nevada to double check the expiration date on their fishing license. They are valid for one year, but depending on when you purchased it. You don't want to have to explain that to the game warden. Now for those that love to fish Topaz lake by boat. The Douglas County Parks Dept are now selling the annual boat launch/park pass. Which entitles you to launch all year and use the day use facilities. For more information on getting a pass and costs, call 775-782-5500 or stop by their office on 1594 Esmeralda Ave in Gardnerville NV. Now let's check out our local fishing report.

LAKE TAHOE: The fishing has been good to fair. Most angler have been fishing shallow along the Camp Richardson area to Taylor Creek. They have been using a silver dodger followed 18 to 24 inches behind with a live minnow. Some angler have had good success with F9 black and silver Rapalas off of downriggers. For more information call 775-233-5055 or go to Rubyjeancharters.com.

CAPLES LAKE: The ice is now covering the lake. But, the edges have been getting a little sloshy in the afternoons. I did not venture out on this trip. I felt it was still too unstable.

RED LAKE: I spoke to an ice angler last week and he told me there was about 3 to 4 inches of ice on the lake. Personally, I like to wait until there is 6 inches or more. The parking area has been plowed behind the lake. But use caution when parking. There were a lot of snowmobile trailers there. Make sure you have a way to get out.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The road from hiway 89 is closed. There is a gate about an 1/8 of a mile up. I did not want to try the dirt road, as it did not look too dirty. It was a muddy mess.

BLUE LAKES ROAD:  The road is closed to the lake. But the Snow park is open for cross country skiers and snowmobiling. But you must obtain a pass to use the area.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: Don't even try to fish the river right now. There is a foot or so of snow in Hope Valley and the Woodfords Canyon area is too dangerous to attempt to climb down.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The river up past Hangman's bridge is perfect for fishing right now. I spoke to a couple fly anglers that had good success for nice rainbows in the 2 to 3 lb class. They were using a copper jon or a hare's ear. The road is closed about 4 mile up from the Carson River Resort over Ebbetts and Monitor Pass. But now that gives you a couple options here. You can bring your snowmobile and your fishing pole, stay at the Carson River resort and make a nice weekend out of both worlds. But if you want to stay in the 100 year old river cabin right next to the river. I would call ahead and make a reservation quickly. For more information call 530-694-2229 or go to carsonriverresort.com.

WOODS LAKE: The road has not been plowed and there is about 3 feet of snow to walk through to get to it. Wait until spring.

TOPAZ LAKE: The lake has come up about 4 ft since my last trip down there. The boat ramp is open and clear. The center dock is the only one available right now. I fished this week with long time fellow angler Don from Carson City.  We started trolling about 9:30 and fished until 2pm. I could see big schools of fish everywhere. But the bite was not there. Don did hook into a few small ones using an 1/8 oz bullet weight and a black and silver Rapala 4 feet behind. He asked me not to talk about one of them, just think of the size of an F9 Rapala and you will understand. But who am I to talk, I did not get one fish to the boat. I did have a few good hits, but that is all I can say. It was a great trip just reminiscing about all the fish we had caught there in the past. The morning was a cool 30 degrees and warmed up to high 40's. And because I had my park pass, I didn't have to pay to launch.

Also as a note, all fish were released for another day of catching.

I wish there were more that I could share with you for this report. But it is winter and not many places to venture out to right now. But I will be out on the waters soon and hope to see you there. If you get a photo of your catch, send it to editor@recordcourior.com.  Good fishin' and tight lines