Crittenden Reservoir, Nevada, Part 1
Crittenden is fed by springs and one of the few lakes I found in relatively good shape. Many lakes and reservoirs have been significantly impacted by a severe western drought. Although lake levels were 8-10 feet lower at Crittenden due to summer irrigation for the cattle ranch, I still anticipated good fishing.
Harvest full moon over Crittenden
As the sun set, I found myself basking under the glorious glow of the harvest moon rising above the horizon. I usually avoid fishing the day before, day of, and the day after a full moon as it normally negatively impacts the bite. However due to scheduling requirements this year, this was unavoidable.
The moon lit up the lake and illuminated the evening sky. Suddenly, the water burst with activity. Rings formed and signs of trout feeding close to the surface dotted the lake. A vigorous feeding frenzy began and lasted well into the night.
It was though a lighted “Free Food & Beer!” sign had been hung out on the 4th of July; everyone showed up for the picnic! The lake teemed with activity. Witnessing this feeding frenzy makes clear the reason why the bite goes south during the three days of the full moon – the stomachs of the fish are full after their glutinous nights of feeding.
The following day, as could be predicted, the bite was off, and the trout held at 14-20 feet. I left a day earlier than planned and headed to Piedmont Reservoir in Nevada.
Piedmont Reservoir, Wyoming, Part 2
Water levels were significantly lower at Piedmont Reservoir than they had been in the spring. I estimate that the water level was down a minimum of 10-15 feet. My Yellow Predator Minnow was productive landing trout along the dam early before the morning sun hit the water.
The lake had a significant algae bloom and the five fish I caught were not in good shape. They appeared beat up and many had lost all the coloration in their eyes. Once the sun hit the water, they moved into 14-20 feet of water for the rest of the day.
Due to the low water levels, this is the first time in 25 years that Piedmont did not stock the lake. For me, future trips will depend upon water levels returning to normal and the resumption of fish restocking.
Trout landed on my yellow Predator Minnow
Crittenden Reservoir, Nevada, Part 3
Heading back to Crittenden, I fished the reservoir another three days. The bite did not start until 10 A.M. when the water temperature hit 53 degrees F. My Burnt Orange Predator Bugger was productive when I trolled it in 8-10 feet of water.
Trout caught on my Burnt Orange Predator Bugger
Close to noon the bite stopped. I began observing porpoise rises along the willows that reached out of the lake revealing their location in the water. The trout had moved up from the deeper areas, and were now feeding on pupae in the shallow sections of the lake around the underwater willows dotting the shallower north end of the lake.
Switching to my Blood Red UV Midge, I landed 8 large trout. I used my Blood Red UV Midge with a 7-foot intermediate sinking tip line. This line is effective in presenting the pupa stage of aquatic insects and maintains the fly in the top few feet of the water column. The sink tip line also kept my fly well above the forest of underwater willows. Big feisty trout use these willows as a safe retreat when hooked, often entangling your tippet and fly.
Trout landed with my Blood Red UV Midge Pupa
In my experience, I find trout demonstrate an affinity for blood red midge patterns during the early fall. This is due to prolific numbers of red midges common in the fall in algae laden and lower oxygenated stillwater habitats. Referred to as blood midges, they live in muddy or silty environments which contain little or no oxygen. To survive, they generate hemoglobin within their iron-based blood system. The hemoglobin allows the midge larvae to store oxygen within their bodies. During the fall months I reduce the midge size to a #12. Using a 0X leader and 1X tippet is not overkill for these large, behemoth feisty trout like those I landed at Crittenden.
If you want to know more about any of my patterns, click here for links to PDFs which describe how to fish each of my flies. Call me if you have any questions. Good fall fishing!
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