June 15th Fishing Report

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Kokanee ** Trout ** Smallmouth bass *

There is more and more interest in the high country lakes with several boats witnessed heading up the hill on the weekend. The best areas remain Black Rock, the Island and Stevenson Cove, and Nichols has been loading his downriggers with pink Super Hootchies or chartreuse Fat Bugs behind a Shaver Lake Dodger. Trout Busters behind a Mountain Flasher at depths from 10 to 17 feet are working for both rainbows and kokanee. A Department of Fish and Game trout plant is scheduled for this week, in addition to the 1,200 trophies planted by Southern California Edison and DFG. The smallmouth bass bite has yet to emerge in the cold water. Tickets for the inaugural Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project Sportsmen's Dinner on Aug. 13 can be purchased at Shaver Lake Sports, Young's Sporting Goods and Shaver Kep's Liquor Store. For $20 each with a maximum 160 tickets to be sold. Guest speaker will by Roger George, editor of the Fresno Bee Fishing Report. Huntington Lake is ready to open with the parking lot at the launch ramp plowed and road access to the back side of the lake. Shaver has risen to 78% capacity, and Huntington is rising quickly to 90%. Call: Dick's Fishing Charters 841-2740;

Wishon/Courtright

Trout ***

Chuck Crane of the Wishon Village RV Park said the ramp is open, and cold water in the high 30s and low 40s is rushing into the lake. As a result, the best action has been on the surface with Needlefish, Speedy Shiners, Thomas Buoyants, and blade/crawler combinations for planted trout in the 10- to 13-inch range. A few trollers are scoring with silver/black Rapalas on the surface in the early evenings. Shore fishing continues to be best at the inlet at Short Hair Creek or across from the Dam with pink or orange Power Bait or inflated night crawlers. Crane said, "The creeks are difficult to fish as there are streams that haven't run in years with the high water." He advised using wet flies under an indicator as the best option. Courtright is still inaccessible due to high snow levels as there is still 2 to 3 feet of snow in the parking lot. Courtright is around 9 feet from full, and Wishon will fill quickly once Courtright starts to spill. A trout plant is scheduled at Wishon this week.

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

Brown trout *** Trout **

Road access is open to both Edison and Florence, and Merritt Gilbert said there has been quite a bit of interest in the Kaiser Pass lakes with brown trout to 20 inches reported out of Cold Creek and rainbows and browns in the 13- to 15-inch range in Edison with Power Bait or night crawlers. A few anglers have been walking the banks tossing small Rapalas. Portal Forebay will receive a trout plant this week. Edison is at 49%, Florence at 50%, Mammoth Pool at 100% and Redinger at 92%. Mammoth Pool will open June 17 at the completion of the annual deer migration closure.