I fished Crane on August 15, and again this weekend on September 2 and 3. August the WT was 71°F, fairly active damsel hatch although I got my 3 on a Sheep Creek and some peculiar thing I tied up that is similar but a larger body. All Cranebows, 18" -22". Fished out of Quinn in the channel, 9-11' depth. 2x and 3x tippet--I don't even carry anything smaller any more for subsurface fishing as I've found with fluorocarbon it doesn't matter even in gin clear water (like Crane right now). I was using a 10' 2x leader with 3-4' of 3x tippet. Years ago we used to use 25' leaders at Crane, as the fish do seem to be leader shy, but this length seemed fine, even though it was a bit of a challenge to cast with a 7'6" rod. I would not use less, even subsurface. A clear, intermediate line is all you need for subsurface, but carry a floater for emergers and some dries during a good hatch.
This weekend there was a major cold front, and the fishing was tough with the WT at 61°F, dropping from the high 60's the day before. The guide boats were getting 1-2 fish per day. Only one fish per day, 1 23" on a Cascade Special, 1 20" on a callibaetis emerger, #14, both Cranebows. Damsels are gone, very minor callibaetis hatch midday. All fish were top quality, full bodied, great jumps and runs. Got them on a CGR 5/6 glass rod, a Fenwick FF806, glass, and a Mark Steffen 5 wt. graphite rod. So fun, and in my mind Crane is back fishing well without having to use bobbers. Totally worth the 1000 mile round trip from Sacramento, and I hope to do it again in early October. Time on the water average 2.5 hours per trip. Time of day varies--this time of year probably mid afternoons are best. In August, 9-11am was the best, with the bite dying around 1 pm.
On 9/2 there was an ODFW creel checker camped out at the ramp all day. With few people fishing we had a chance to talk, and I learned a lot I wanted to pass on.
In Crane, ODFW stocks three species of trout. The Cranebow in various sizes including fingerlings, triploids, and diploids. Fish ID is easy, and I learned you cannot tell from appearance. Cranebows, a derivative of the Deschutes RedBand, must be released and has no fins clipped. The triploids have the adipose fin clipped. The diploids are usually smaller and have both the adipose and ventral fins clipped. The last two may be kept, limit of 5 I think (as if anyone on here cares). She was surveying opinions as to what species of fish was preferred. Good Lord, who would not want Cranebows? Anyway....
She told me my 23" Cranebow was the largest trout reported that day. That was disappointing, as like the other old guys who have been fishing Crane for a few decades, I remember when anything under 30" wouldn't turn a head. I don't know if those are still around, but I was delighted to get what I did as they were great sport and beautiful, quality trout I rarely see down here any more, save Crowley Lake around Mammoth Lakes, which is about the same quality as Crane with slightly smaller average size but even hotter than Cranebows.
I had mentioned that our CDFW has stopped all brown planting programs statewide, and only the utility companies and some private associations and counties are planting browns now. She said ODFW is headed in the same direction, as they want to keep all plants to native species. She calls the Rainbow native. I don't know if that's true; in California the only native trout is the Lahontan Cutthroat.
ODFW has stopped flyover fingerling plants in the high lakes, due to budget constraints. Same with CDFW as far as we know.
Other Waters Fished:
East Lake (August)--a few very nice Blackwaters, 16"-18" great jumpers, my first, and what could be about the perfect trout. A few kokes, 12" maybe, a couple of generic planters, boring. All on #14 callibaetis emergers. I took a boat out for the day with the fam and a friend the following Monday for a cruise, and saw good trout all over the lake, especially around the slide.
Hosmer--I didn't give it enough time to get anything, but there were plenty of Rainbows being caught earlier on damsels. No one is getting salmon, and when I mentioned to Miss ODFW that I thought they were a very overrated fish she said ODFW agreed and has stopped all Atlantic stocking in Oregon. Too bad I guess--hopefully Hosmer can kick out some brookies in the fall still. Too many kayakers to really want to fish it though.
Wickiup and Davis--didn't fish either as Davis was reported to be a mudhole and Wickiup very low. I am pretty familiar with most of the Cascade Lakes but Wickiup is my pain point. I don't know how to fish it, need to learn when I bring my boat up--kind of large for a tube.
Sidebar: Oregonians should consider themselves lucky to have ODFW--at least they care about the fish. I was impressed with our conversation. CDFW is only about money now. It's nearly all put and take, this year I'm getting mostly 8" triploids, and three years ago they legalized spearfishing for striped bass in the American River! They feel they kill salmon smolt, and aside from license fees, their biggest revenue source is funding from Department of Reclamation for operating salmon hatcheries.
Best regards and tight lines,
John
