Bishop Creek Canyon

Fish & Trail Report

7-8-23

--The Big Picture--

It’s summer. Finally. It feels like summer, looks like summer, and the amount of visitors has ramped up to feel closer to normal after a somewhat subdued June thanks to access limitations over the 9000 ft range. But the high country world is opening up for us folks! The lakes are filling, the fish are biting, the trails are thawing, and the wildflowers are popping. 

--Weather & Water--

After what’s been a very long drawn out cooler than average June (thankfully for the runoff situation!), we finally got up into the high 70’s this week…heck, it might have even hit 80 degrees at the lake. For us that’s a scorcher…oh to be home in high country heaven! 

The peak runoff is still coming or….is here… hard to tell but the spring creeks are running, and we’ve seen some water coming down into the lake in places we usually don’t. There is still a grip of snow up top and while we’ve been fortunate with the daytime highs being mild and evening temps being rather brisk for the first several weeks of the season, the heater was bound to turn on at some point and this was the week. 

Thankfully we haven’t seen much in the way of creek flows raging out of control up here, quite the opposite. Don’t get me wrong, there’s lots and lots of water coming down from the big deep snow filled bowls and the buried alpine terrain above 11000 ft or so, but one of the few advantages of having reservoirs atop the So. Fork (South Lake) and Middle Fork (Lake Sabrina) is that the runoff doesn’t get to roar down the mountain unchecked…there is a buffer between what’s coming down from the passes and what’s flowing down to the valley below. That ladies and gents, is why the lakes aren’t already full….water managers are trying to prevent our neighbors and infrastructure in the valley from getting washed out.(more)

With the return to normal summer temps, Lake Sabrina has been charging up the shoreline daily and is well up on the concrete ramp at this point. It’s hard to say when “full” might happen but with the peak of the runoff happening or soon to be, it won’t be long. 

South Lake FINALLY thawed out completely last week and I know it’s hard to believe but the lake went from pretty much minimum pool to touching the launch ramp in only a couple weeks. We’re talking about a remarkable mount of water coming into the lake and now, finally….we get to PLAY!!! 

Although common sense is enough for most, a general lack of familiarity with moving water by many visitors makes it necessary that we underscore the immense power moving water has, and especially when given a drop in elevation. Be careful out there!. Use extra caution around the fast stuff folks. Don’t swim in the creek, this is not the time. Don’t risk your kid, pet or your own hide being careless. Stick to the slower water, and there is a lot of it…because “hint hint”, that’s where the fish are stocked anyway.

--Trail Conditions--

There is a lot of snow in the 10000 – 11000 ft range but it’s melting quickly. There are places and areas that have opened for the day hikers, but I certainly wouldn’t consider the conditions ideal in a general sense. But still, a short hike to Grass Lake or a longer hike to Green Lake are totally possible without any special gear. Just be ready for some sloppy conditions should you encounter them. Take care of your feet people. 

The wildflowers are showing everywhere below 9000 ft but they’re soon to be splashing color all around up here shortly. I’ve seen some insanely impressive blooms in my years up here, but I’ve already seen flowers in unfamiliar quantities in places usually barren if not for sage. 

Be extra careful of stream crossings….even smaller spring creeks can take your feet out from under you and the rocks can be slicker than a 

It's worth noting that pretty much every day is a new day up here. Snow disappears, flowers appear, trees leaf and sheets of ice become shimmering lakes. Stay tuned. 

--FISH REPORT--

--Lake Sabrina--

Three loads of fish in less than 10 days, including some rather sizable fish from Idaho, has the bite quite good out there. Lots of limits and the occasional lunker are a welcome sight for sure. Some holdover Oregon from last fall have also made a showing, which is very good news since we stocked at least 1 fish well over 10lbs last September that still has not be caught to the best of our knowledge. 

The Hot Stuff – Tomas Bouyants casted or trolled, salmon eggs at the inlets, jigs, crawlers. 

The Hot Spots – Boaters are accounting for the highest catch counts. The main inlet is the most popular spot per usual, but the little George and George Lake inlets on the southeast shore are also producing. Trolling on top is solid to. Shore fishing has been decent around stocking days from the far side of the dam, the point beyond the island and for those willing to make the trek the inlet. The trail is in very rough shape so keep that in mind…it’s not a walk in the park anymore. 

At report time we had 7 pontoon boats and 8 motorboats available for rent. We’re currently taking reservations online or by phone. 

--South Lake—

Fishing has been slow for most but a few have done well despite the lack of stocking. We’re hoping for some extra love from DFW over there since we haven’t seen stocking since fall 2020, but we’ll see. Now that the water is up to the ramp, the fish will come and the boats will be out. Aiming for next weekend to reopen. YAY!

--Bishop Creek--

Not sure what DFW is has been putting in but we put in a bunch of Idaho fish this week and we really loaded it up. We primarily stuck to the slower moving sections for both the safety of the fish and the safety of the fishers. We stopped at over a dozen places from Weir Pond to the ponds below Sabrina. Not a lot of fishing pressure on the stream, which is probably a good thing so the fish can spread out in those meandering slower sections, but they’re there. FISH ON 

--Intake 2—

Weekly plants, easy access, decent fishing.

--North Lake—

Mostly wild. Browns and Brookies up there at present….the fly guys & gals are doing the best. 

--Backcountry Angling--

I’ve seen some pictures trickling in from nearby areas but not much in the way of intel on the fishing yet…. pretty dang good I’d guess. Late thaw, hungry trout. 

---Fish Stocking Update—

More fish from Wrights Rainbows in Idaho are coming in a few weeks and DFW should be ramping up their stocking as spring runoff conditions and lower lake levels give way to more normal conditions For a schedule visit the DFW website and search “fish planting schedule”.

The Idaho fish are paid for by a co-op of the Bishop Creek Canyon Businesses in conjunction with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce. When the fleet goes out on South Lake we’re planning to stock some jumbos from Oregon– so let’s hope that water comes up soon! Naturally South won’t get all the lunker love!!! 

Lake Sabrina Store & Boat Rental Schedule

7am – 6pm Daily

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

You also email or call for availability. Current fleet is 7 pontoons, 8 motorboats, 3 kayaks, 1 Canoe….and PADDLEBOARDS are coming to Lake Sabrina next week!!!!

The Waterfront Café at Sabrina

Coffee, Pie & Beer Counter

8am – 6pm

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.

Cafe Kitchen 

July 15th we’ll start our galley menu (just the basics) to break in the kitchen and if all goes well the full menu the following week. Thank you everyone for bearing with us, it has been a wild one this year.

For Cabin Rentals visit our lodging website at ParchersResort.net 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! 

We did have a few last minute cabin cancellations for this coming week so if you'd like to jump into one of the rare July openings in Cabin 24 or 25, visit this link for availability and pricing. https://www.parchersresort.net/bookonline .

--Roads--

Everything within the canyon is open with exception to a section of North Lake Road. The last report I received prior to writing this was that North Lake Road is open to the first lot with bathrooms and closed beyond there. Hard to say if that will change soon or not. 

--Campground

Closed: Sabrina Camp, North Lake, Mountain Glen, and Willow.

Open: Bitter Brush, Big Trees, Forks, Bishop Park, Bishop Park Group, Intake II, Four Jeffrey and Table Mountain (I think. – I’m seeing cars there anyway.)

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 Parchers Resort & Lake Sabrina Crew

Sierrally,

The Parchers Crew