Early
return to Sabrina
Lake Sabrina
June, 2004
After leaving Virginia Lakes, we scooted down highway 395 to visit Lake
Sabrina. Normally, I visit Sabrina later in the summer., when most
everything else south of her is too warm and we don't want to travel
further north.
Surprisingly,
the temperature seemed somewhat warm for this time of year. But,
then again, it may have only seemed that way because we had travel south
from Virginia Lakes.
Arriving late
in the afternoon, I decided to check out the creeks around Camp Sabrina
and hike up to the lake the next day. As always, the creeks were
filled with trout running to 12", but averaging around 8-9".
The next
morning, during a short hike to the lake, many stream anglers could be
seen. In talking to some of them, they were having mixed results ...
but all were enjoying themselves.
We
fished along the north shore of the lake. Almost immediately, we
were getting strikes and catching healthy trout running to 12".
Conditions must have been perfect, as the trout seemed both plentiful and
eager. With hopes of catching trout in the 12-16" range, I
tossed back anything <12". Which was most of the catch.
Rainbow
powerbait on a sliding sinker rig seemed to work the best. Though I was
able to get takers for every lure I tossed. It's frustrating to have
a group of following trout follow the lure to your feet, and then break
off the pursuit when they see you. A boat or float tube would have
been perfect. But my partner insisted that the fishing was just as
good from shore. And, at that moment, I'll admit it was good.
Still, a voice in my head kept telling me the trophies were in the deeper
waters.
Speaking of
float tubes, a flotilla of tubers started cruising just before noon.
I envied them, as I watch them float along dragging flies and catch one
after another. I could see, however, that they were mostly fishing
near the surface., and I couldn't help thinking they should have trolled
deeper. This was confirmed by their gleeful shouts, "Got another
small one". Small meaning 11-12".
The bite died down around
noon. No doubt, the warming shoreline waters had given the trout
cause to go deeper. While enjoying our picnic, the tubers continued
to drift, troll and catch.
The afternoon
bite was one of those lazy afternoons when the fish seemed to be taking a
nap. Actually, they were most likely patrolling in cooler and deeper
waters. As evening approached they slowly returned to the shoreline
areas and could be seen rising.
The next
morning we fished from the island. The low water level had turned
the island into an accessible peninsula. In the early morning the trout
could be seen rising in the deeper waters., with very few risers near
shore. We were able to catch a few 11-12" trout before leaving
around noon.
While
cleaning our humble catch, a boating couple joined us with full stringers
of trout in the 14-18" range. Real Beauties! They had
achieve these limits within 3hrs of trolling powerbait 10-15' deep.
No doubt, they were able to pick their keepers. So there you have it
... rent or bring a boat!
About the water
level:
The water level at the lake was considerably less than I'm use too, since
I normally visit Sabrina in late August. However, the warm water and
minimal remaining snow give me cause for concern. To the right is a
picture taken last August/2003. Note the water level in relation to
the island and docks. My guess is that the lake needs to come up 10'
by August. I only hope we have enough snow melt runoff left to
achieve it. Time will tell. We'll visit the area again in late
August or September and see.
Water level
aside, the fishing is good!
We'll
be back
