The fishing at Hell Hole is largely a deep-water proposition. The lake is extremely clear and sunlight drives the fish deep. Periods of low light such as dawn, dusk and overcast days are prime fishing times. At these times the fish become active and move up in the water column to feed. Serious anglers wouldn't dream of fishing Hell Hole without a sonar unit and downrigger. The reservoir's browns and mackinaw relate strongly to structure. The ability to locate drop-offs, submerged points, rock humps and holding fish is of paramount importance.

For brown trout focus your efforts along submerged points and other nearshore structure from the surface down to 80 feet, depending on the season and light level. The No. 1 technique for the lake's browns is fast tolling 4- to 6-inch minnow plugs. Finishes that match the lake's fingerling rainbows and kokanee produce the most consistent action. For a slower presentation try a large Apex or Flatfish in the same color schemes.

If you mark fish but they refuse your trolled lures don't be afraid to try bait fishing. Note the trout's depth and show them a night crawler suspended under a slip bobber. This super stealthy approach has paid off for me many times.

Mackinaws approaching 20 pounds have been caught in Hell Hole. The reservoir's macks suspend in 60 to 100 feet of water near secondary points, vertical drop-offs and rock humps. They can be taken trolling or jigging. For trolling run large J Plugs, Apex, Flatfish and Rapalas 100 feet behind a downrigger. Sick with patterns that match the lake's juvenile rainbows and kokanee.

Jigging is an exciting hands-on approach to mackinaw fishing. Once mackinaws are located, position your boat so it will drift over the fish. Drop a Hopkins Spoon, Gibbs Minnow or large Kastmaster to a depth just above the fish and work it with two-foot sweeps of the rod tip. Strikes, ranging from a spongy feeling to a hard tug, usually come as the lure drops. Hell Hole's macks will be close to rocks. When you hook a fish use your trolling motor to move off the structure over open water while aggressively retrieving line to get the fish moving toward the boat.

Hell Hole is 69 miles east of Auburn. The reservoir offers a boat ramp and four campgrounds, including a boat-in camp. For directions, general information and maps, call the Eldorado National Forest office in Georgetown, 530-333-4312.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR
Stumpy Meadows Reservoir, with only 330 surface acres and a 5mph speed limit, provides an intimate fishing experience. Situated at 4,400 feet, the lake has recently become home to a pair of bald eagles. If you're lucky you might see them diving for fish.

Stumpy has a good holdover population of rainbows and browns. Annually the DFG plants the reservoir with 10,000 catchable rainbows, 2,000 catchable browns and 10,000 brown trout fingerlings. Stumpy's trout run smaller than those at French Meadows and Hell Hole yet fish in the 4-pound range are common. Much larger browns cruise the lake and are occasionally caught. The mouth of Pilot Creek traditionally produces Stumpy's biggest browns.

Stumpy's trout can be taken trolling or bait fishing. The reservoir's trout typically aren't too finicky. Among locals, the top offering at Stumpy is silver blades and 'crawlers trolled slowly. Other trolling baits that produce include Needlefish, Cripple Lures, Blue Fox spinners, minnow plugs and threaded night crawlers fished with only a single spit shot. On a decent day it isn't unusual to do battle with a half-dozen trout in the 12- to 20-inch class. This kind of action won't disappoint the most ardent trout angler.

Natural baits such as worms, mealworms and crickets produce the largest fish, although salmon eggs and dough baits tempt their share of rainbows. Good bait fishing results can be had from boat and bank alike. Baits can be fished off the bottom using sliding sinker rigs or suspended under a slip bobber. If the breeze cooperates a slip bobber allows you to cover lots of water by letting the bobber drift free with an open bail.

Stumpy Meadows Reservoir offers a boat ramp, picnic area and campground. For directions, general information and maps call the Eldorado National Forest office in Georgetown, 530-333-4312.