Bishop Creek Canyon

Fish & Trail Report

w/ Photos Galore

8-30-23

--The Big Picture--

Boy oh boy, the last few weeks have been pretty exciting huh? Despite rapidly changing conditions that noticeably slowed down visitation last week, the Bishop Creek Canyon overall is still enjoying a summer buzz. We still have 1/3 of the season left ahead of us, and even though the calendar is edging us closer and closer to fall, we are very much enjoying ourselves with pretty much everything from fishing to hiking to water levels and trail access currently at the apex of the season…..or to speak more plainly, more activities and places are at or close to their best right now than they have been or will be. Big fish of the season thus far was weighed in this week – a whopping 9.72lbs!!! WOAH!

--Weather & Water--

So…hurricanes and tropical storm warnings? Well, that was new! Aside from the copious amount water falling from the sky that we observed, it’s been otherwise gorgeous out there. Daytime highs have fluctuated between the high 60’s just after Hillary rolled through, to the mid/high 70’s we have at present. The nights though are noticeably cooler suddenly with just enough bite in the early morning to remind you that fall is on the way. Still, very pleasant weather for playing in the mountains. One can still enjoy paddleboards in bikinis or fishing in flip flops mid-day, then pajama pants and hoodies by the campfires at night – I have zero problem with this arrangement. The Black Sheep Fat Trout coffee we serve is better on a cold morning anyway.

Water conditions are excellent if you enjoy fishing the lakes, a bit challenging if you prefer streams. Both South Lake and Lake Sabrina spilled after the tropical storm moisture and while they aren’t spilling today, they’re as close to full as anyone could ask for. The reservoir storage forecasts we’re privy to indicate that there are no plans to drop the reservoirs beyond a couple feet between now and the end of October so we expect to fully operate the boats at both reservoirs until the end of the season.

Intake II is down several feet, not sure why and have admittedly been too busy to inquire with the powers that be, but it’s something to be aware of.

Both the middle and south forks of Bishop Creek are running high, especially the South Fork, but there are many fishable areas.

--Trail Conditions--

The conditions up high are as good as they’re going to get folks…so if your mid-summer plans were abandoned and you’ve been waiting for the conditions to improve, NOW is the time to get your hiking or backpacking fix. People are getting up and over most of the passes without special gear, the lakes are thawed (most of them) and with most of the schools back in session, the crowds are lighter, especially during the week. The other reason to go now is that we aren’t very far away from things potentially moving back towards winter…for example, a few weeks ago one of our staff was up in Humprey’s Basin over Piute Pass and the area where he had fished the first day was frozen back over the second day. Crazy stuff for mid-August.

The point is, get it while you can – good conditions tomorrow, next week, or next month aren’t guaranteed.

--Fishing Reports—

--Lake Sabrina—

There is no shortage of fish in the lake right now. DFW has done their job and the private stockings we’ve done have kept things rolling, even at the peak of the summer crowds. Most people are catching, and some are crushing it. Not too many skunks out there thankfully. The trophy parade is about to start with the lake recently loaded up with big fish and the holiday weekend a few days away.

The Hot Stuff – Nothing new, Thomas Buoyants red/gold, Sierra Slammer jigs (pick a color any color), nightcrawlers and kastmasters.

The Hot Spots – All three inlets are holding fish, the dam, the points near the channel. All fishing well.

At report time we had 5 pontoon boats and 13 motorboats available for rent. We also have Kayaks, a canoe and NEW TO SABRINA Stand Up PADDLE BOARDS for rent!!! Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online at www.lakesabrinaboats.com

--South Lake—

Our sister lake is rocking and rolling and kicking out a lot of big fish in the 5lb to 10lb range. DFW stockings haven’t been as robust as we’d hoped, but we are getting what could be considered as average loads but with the fish from Wright’s Rainbows and BIG loads from Desert Springs in Oregon – fishing has been exceptional.

We still have 5 TAGGED TROUT left, only half have been weighed in, so things will get interesting over the next month. If you’re lucky enough to catch at tagged fish at South Lake you need only turn in the tag to our staff at South Lake or Parchers Resort to be entered in a drawing for a bunch of prizes including cabin stays, paddle boards at Sabrina, RV hookup site at Creekside RV Park, a guided ½ trip on Crowley Lake, custom local artwork by Oceans to Mountains Art and more. No entry required, just go fish and maybe get lucky.

The Hot Stuff – Thomas Buoyants, crawlers, jigs, any bead-head flies fished under an indicator.

The Hot Spots – We have 5 inlets flowing at the moment, all good spots. The Rock Slide, dam and boiler cove are also worth a stop. Most of the big fish are coming off the Rock Slide or the Long Lake Inlet for some reason.

--Bishop Creek--

The water is fast but the slow spots have fish…no shortage of fish actually - but given the conditions pretty quiet as far as fishing pressure. DFW has continued stocking the slower areas and ponds when possible, and the majority of the Idaho ‘bows are still hanging out waiting for y’all….including the second load dropped in quietly just a few weeks ago.

--Intake 2—

Weekly plants, easy access, excellent fishing. Shoreline is kinda muddy in some spots. I’ve seen quite a few folks with waders fishing the inlet creeks.

--North Lake—

No Report.

--Backcountry Angling--

Still not many serious anglers reporting – just the usual WFO small brookies below Bishop Pass.

---Fish Stocking Update—

More details soon on more Oregon fish for both South and Sabrina, and fish from Wrights Rainbows in Idaho are coming soon as well. DFW has been stocking regularly. Just from a fish stocking perspective alone, the fall fishing outlook is outstanding. Click Here

Lake Sabrina Store & Boat Rental Schedule

Summer - 7am – 6pm Daily

Boat reservations highly recommended. Click here or visit www.LakeSabrinaBoatLandinglcom

FALL HOURS starting 9/3 – 8am – 6pm daily

You also email or call for availability. Current fleet is 5 pontoons, 8 motorboats, 3 kayaks, 1 Canoe….and PADDLEBOARDS are here!!!!

The Waterfront Café at Sabrina

Coffee, Pie & Beer Counter

8am – 6pm daily

We were finally able to complete the repairs to the water system so pie & coffee starts this weekend. And we’re now serving “Fat Trout” coffee by local roaster Black Sheep Coffee Roasters.

Kitchen

8am – 3pm Fri-Sun

Happy Hour each Friday from 4pm-6pm

South Lake Landing Schedule

7am – 6pm Thursday through Monday

Closed Wednesday & Thursday

Boat reservations highly recommended. Click here or visit

For Cabin Rentals visit our lodging website at Parchers Resort . The Parchers Store on the South Fork of Bishop Creek is open daily from 8am to 6pm. We have a great stretch of creek adjacent to the resort so fish the creek and stop in to say hi!

--Roads--

Everything within the canyon is open. Trailheads are open. Launch ramps are open. Bring it on!!!!

--Campgrounds--

Closed: Mountain Glen, and Willow.

Open: Everything else.

Weather Updates and Forecasts for Our Specific Longitude and Latitude Can Be Found at www.LakeSabrinaBoatLanding.com and clicking the puffy little cloud below our phone number.

Until next time……

Jared, Seth, Steve, Judy and the rest of the Lake Sabrina, Parchers Resort & South Lake Crew

Sierrally,

The Parchers, Sabrina, South Lake Crew