The Fish Sniffer

(Elko) Before cold weather and snow hit the area, anglers fishing at Wildhorse Lake experienced really good fishing for rainbow trout., reported Robert Misiti, park supervisor at South Fork Reservoir State Park.

The daytime highs went up into the thirties, while the night temperatures declined to 15 degrees at press time. “The lake hasn’t frozen over yet nor does it have ice on the edges, but we expect to do so soon,” said Misiti. “The boat dock has been taken out of the ramp.”

Beofre the latest storm, one angler reported catching a new lake record wiper, along with two other fish weighing 9 and 8-1/2 pounds, noted Misiti. He didn’t have the guy’s name or what it was caught on yet.

For rainbow and bowcutt trout, anglers should fish from shore in the coves on the east side of the lake, in the shallow flats at the south end of the lake, and along Jet Ski Beach, according to Joe Doucette at theNevada Department of Wildlife. Fish are being caught in less than 10 feet of water all around the lake.  

The main boat ramp cove is fair to good for trout. Unlike previous weeks, fishing appears to pick up later in the morning instead of at first light, so anglers can sleep in a bit if they want.  

 If fishing with chironomids, work in two to six feet of water with a very slow retrieve.  The fish appear to be moving into the deeper water as the sun starts to climb in the sky about mid-morning and anglers should either use a 12 to 15 foot leader with chironomids and slip strike indicator or switch to a sink tip or sinking line with buggers, leeches, or hare’s ears to reach them.