I made a quick trip to Cold Creek after dropping Evan off at school. The Nevada Department of Wildlife has yet to make their spring stocking (usually in mid to late March), but there are still a good number of trout present. I arrived about 7:30 am to find a heron on the northern bank near the brush (I assume a great blue heron as they are common to our area, but then I’m not an Audubon member…). His three-toed tracks in the pond shallows were evident all over. When I stepped out of the truck he flew away. Later he circled and landed to the east of the pond. I was unable to track him to take a picture in flight, but I did manage to get him hiding amongst the sage. His presence meant that he was finding fish food, and thus a good omen.
At that time of the morning the temperature was about thirty-six degrees, and there was a trace of ice on the edge of the pond. A little breezy at times, but otherwise calm. I took my usual first position on the little peninsula. On my first cast I let my size fourteen hares ear nymph sink a good twenty seconds, and I was promptly rewarded with my first trout of the day. Over the next sixty minutes or so I landed four more, all very deep although there was occasional surface activity, but nothing significant.
With the legislature in session I’ve had to travel to Carson City and work on a few bills. One in particular was to require the county and cities (under certain conditions) to allow one-stop licensing over multiple jurisdictions. The legislative staff had a little trouble converting our language into “legalese,” and our lobbyist was playing the go-between as we sent text back and forth. I was afraid he would call me early this morning assuming I was home, so I texted him late last night to “not call my home” as I might be fishing Cold Creek for a few hours. Naturally, he just had to bust my serenity by calling me while I was fishing (cell service does reach the town of Cold Creek). I instantly forgave him as, after all, he was in the office and I was fishing in wonderful solitude.
For the record, I was using my seven and one-half foot, four weight fly rod, casting a full sinking line. In addition to the hares ear mentioned above I used a size sixteen green scud pattern.
I almost headed up that way but saw the wind picking up in the valley and begged off. I still need to put the finishing touches on my trout truck.I picked up a container of Zap-a-Gap at Bass Pro yesterday and was going to try the knotless leader treatment on my new lines. Summers coming.John in LV
John —
I wish you would have come this morning; I would like to have met you. By the way, although a little bumpy, a passenger car can make the short drive on the dirt road.
I'm starting to plan my first real trip with my new Outlaw Escape, likely Wayne Kirch. The NDOW says the ice is pretty much gone now. I've also got Kolob, Panguitch, Illipah, and maybe Ruby Marshes in my sights this summer. Speaking of the Rubies, check out this link, new Nevada record rainbow from the Ruby irrigation ditch: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/field-notes/2011/03/rocket-scientist-breaks-39-year-old-nevada-rainbow-trout-record .
All the best.
— Mark
Thank you for making me aware of this fun little spot just out of town. I have enjoyed a few good trips and a few interrupted by people with bad manors. I have done well there with mudders and my fast sinking line from fishing lakes back in Washington. Thank you again for sharing this small jem.
John
Mark, Thanks for posting information about Cold Creek! CC is my favorite "local" fishing spot. This is Gene in IT. I really appreciate your comments. I've seen you leaving a few times as I was headed down to the pond. I plan on taking a group of Scouts this weekend (4/1/11). Is it normal that there are many fish through the winter? They probably do not make it over the summer though… I pray for your success on all those fishing trips this summer!
Gene —
Glad to see Cold Creek is a favorite local adventure. It's a great area to take scouts; lots of stuff to see around the area, including fairly tame wildlife.
As to the trout, yes, they can usually hold over the winter. The pond is usually stocked in October and March each year (although the NDOW site doesn't show a spring stocking yet… maybe this week?), and if the pond maintains a decent level and the winter doesn’t get extremely cold they seem to survive. The summer is the killer, I believe. I think the pond is too shallow to survive the blistering heat. The elevation is only about 5,800 feet, and with no depth or cover in the pond I think the oxygen level drops to fatal levels for trout. However, last year some of us caught trout at late as mid-June.
Have fun with the Scouts and we will pray for a safe trip timed perfectly with an NDOW stocking! And thanks for the prayers!
— Mark