Caples Lake Official Report

Thank you to all those who made the treck to Caples Lake
What can I say, for the 50 anglers (plus family and friends) the weather was beautiful, the scenery was spectacular the friendships were awsome. However the fishing was slow at best. It appears that in all the planning for this event I overlooked the most important thing of all .... TO INVITE THE FISH 
I would like to thank the sponsors who have been so generous with the prizes this year, this truly is the icing on the cake. Also want to thank Jamie Flores for the hookup at the Rockstar Lodge. 
As I stated above, the fishing was a little tuff but a few persistant anglers were able to produce a little magic on the mountian and come out with a fish or two. Of these few the top three were;

3rd Place
   Dillon Gibbons (Sacramento)
    with 12 inches (of fish  )

2nd Place
   Frank Nunes (Livermore)
    with 12.5 inches (also of fish )

1st Place (Top Angler)
   Anthony Benzinger (Ripon)
    with a massive 13inches (yes, of fish )

Well as tough as the fishing was, there is no plase else I would have enjoyed getting SKUNKED as I did here.

A few asked why I chose this lake, the truth is Tahoe was my original plan but when someone seggested Caples, I knew it would have to be as this was one of the last few places I fished with my father before he passed a few years back. 

Thanks for joining me,
Eric / Yakhopper

More porn from the lake

More porn

In memory of my Pop
Love Ya Dad 

Thank you again Eric!

My kids had a great time competing in their first kayak tournament. I had a ball seeing all of our friends, and helping all of them out where I could.  Met some new people, and some friends I have not seen in a while. We are already making plans for next year!

Thanks Eric,
  Had a great time even though the fishing was slow. Both days I was there the weather was great. One fish on Sat and none on Sun. Oh well, that's fishing. Should have tried a few more than the 50 different ways I tried. Also thanks for he hook up on the rooms. See you next time at Tiki.

Thanks for the update and congrats to the winners!

Sounds like you pulled off another great event, Eric - WTG!

Beautiful scenery there and it looks so peaceful and relaxing. I am envious I couldn't make it. 

I think Caples lake was/is a good choice for the tournament.  Tahoe has better fishing, but with much less boat traffic, smaller wind waves and less crowded facilities; Caples is a much better spot for a family oriented event.

The fishing wasn't great, but the fish are there and it will just continue to get better unless it is drained again.

Great job as always! I can't wait for Tiki lagoon, where you will draw my name for a new ultra 

I am convinced its just about fishless! I threw/trolled everything, panther martins, mepps, kastmasters, cripplures, swimbaits, rainbow rapalas, tipped with worms, garlic scent,  top water, midwater and bottom, ended the day fishing worms and even rainbow power bait for not even a nibble 

I agree, hard to beat that visual and camping, we had a great time!

Congrats to the top 3 "catchers" . A BIG "THANK YOU" to Eric for another successful event and hope to make the next one. Let's do our best to support Fishermans Warehouse and to all the other sponsors that made this event possible.

The "fishing" to many was tough / slow......I think of it as challenging  I'll be back there again. Perhaps, do a Fish n' Chill event before the year ends. I like the fact that there are no water skiers or Personal water crafts disturbing the peace and quite. The scenery and water clarity is tough to beat! (I'm taking my stand up paddle board next time).

Special thanks to:

- to those that gave me $ donations - thank you for your support
- Jeff / iroelikethat (which I now have nicknamed him "I.road.rage.like.that"  ) for letting me stay at his condo for a couple of nights.
- Agarcia and Pacifico for "baby sitting" me on the drive home. I was feeling weak at the end of the day and they both offered to drive my truck so I can ride shot gun with one 'em on the other truck. How cool is that.
* Special mention to Rich / Montana for offering everyone help with their kayaks despite his bad back - you have a  big heart my friend Hope your back heals completely brother!
 
 

My first Yak tournament and I came in tied for seventh!!!! Whoo Hoooo!!! well I guess tied for eighth if you count the person who trapped those minnows for bait.  Still I am going to take that top ten to the bank.  Maybe get some t-shirts made.  Now, if I can figure out how I'll add it to the bottom of my posts "Fishermans's Warehouse Yakhoppers Kayak Tournament tied for 7th place finisher".

My second donut for Caples.  Beautiful place to get skunked though.

My favorite parts:  Using the Mormon-Emigrant road on the way up in the pitch black darkness (sky clarity for days) and on the way back - beautiful and no traffic.  Being my first event outside of a couple of Hookups, finally getting a face to screen names.  People are even nicer in person.  Getting my hog trough and meeting Mooch.  Hot dogs after a lot of scenic paddling.  Now having some history so that in future events I can say, "yea- fishings been tough.  You remember back at that Caples Lake Tournament..." and to be able to not sound like such a newbie.  Winning a swag bag.  Looking forward to the next event at Tiki. 

Thanks for all your efforts Yakhopper and all those who contributed.

Had a great time Thank you to Eric and all of the sponsers!!!!! Fishing was REALLY slow but pops managed to still get one it was 11 1/2 inches tie for fourth oh well he missed it by a half inch for a tie for 3rd. Great day on the water couldnt have asked for better conditions or better company. The best part of the trip was getting to introduce my Dad to kayak fishing and all the nice people I have met through this site. I still have yet to get the women out but still working on that one im convinced its gonna take a Raptor or A.I to get her out she doesnt have the best balance and isnt to fond of water yet............ Oh well tournament was awesome got a swag bag too, and had a great time fishing with everyone, hope to make the next one !!!!

Thanks again Eric and all of the Sponsors! It was my first NCKA event and I had a GREAT time! Its to bad I caught my two fish the day before though! My 9 year old son got to fish as well and it made his whole weekend winning a raffle bag! It was really cool to put some faces to the screen names. It was a great group of people! I look forward to the next outing. I wont be able to make Tiki Lagoon but you can let me know where to pick up my new Ultra ....