Hard Fighting Eagle Lake Rainbows (Lassen County)

I get out to fish Eagle Lake for the first time before the special season ends on December 31st. It was a fun Christmas Eve!

[@angelogarciajr5356]

In my younger days, I never missed an opener. Best fighting, best eating trout there is! Nothing better.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. My big go to for the Monday after opening weekend was lake Crowley. I did that for several consecutive years. I wanted to go to Eagle lake this year but the snow was intense and I simply didn't make it. Hopefully I can bring you some of that action this year if you can't make it out yourself.

[@ImJustAfunBBQ_r]

I started Fishing there in 1992 as a kid. Thanks for the video!!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I didn't even bother this year because of the snow on the road. I know there is another way in that I'm not familiar with but the route I like to take just North of Susanville was hopeless with snow. In all fairness, I've only fished there once so my experience is very limited. Like what I've seen so far.

[@ImJustAfunBBQ_r]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 Best way in is through A1 bringing you into the south end of the lake. The south end has the only functioning boat ramp, but with your setup you can essentially launch anywhere.. This June should be good fishing.!!

[@jdoza5184]

This video was the “icing” on my Christmas cake. Thank you for all your videos.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I'll have a Christmas bonus up before the end of the night! Thanks for tuning in.

[@anatoliyzong]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 Truckee?

[@Popcornbeetle]

Nice job with taking only what you need! You’re one of a kind with the fish naps...never seen that before! Merry Christmas!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

If you see that big stuff sack with me, I've got my napping materials! Just when I lake fish. Merry Christmas!

[@richfisherman2664]

Always nice to have fun while your fishing. We are still young at heart. Happy fishing bro. 🎣🎣🎣

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I feel like a kid when I'm hiking through the mountains and fighting a fish! Time machine! Thanks for checking out the clip.

[@richfisherman2664]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 nice at 56 I'm still out there hiking and fishing. It keeps us young. Happy fishing 🎣🎣🎣

[@Brewdiver82]

Try flipping that fly rod right side up lol

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

It all worked out fine!

[@andytucker6783]

Have u been a unnamed lake yet? U could name it Amani😀 there's plenty especially around west mono. I found one in tehama

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I have not been to one. I think I would like an "Amani Lake"!

[@brucechin6900]

Well done. Always enjoy your videos. Merry Christmas!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas to you as well. That was a cold day but the fish warmed me up!

[@williamparker6649]

Merry Christmas🌲 Thank you for all of your wonderful and inspirational videos🙏

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas to you as well. Thanks for the kind words.

[@johnnyhannon6510]

Every time you catch a fish feels feels like I’m right there with you!!!!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right! I feel like the viewers are with me! It's almost sort of crazy!

[@johnnyhannon6510]

I bet if there was a way to skydive and fish at the same time you’d be all over it!!🤣🤣

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

@@johnnyhannon6510 I am not a fan of heights! But I'll go through just about anything to catch a trout!

[@yabadabdooo2022]

Powerbait and nightcrawlers as usual when you were fishing from shore ? Heading out to eagle lake this weekend for the season opener! Also, Davis lake prouduced some fatties last weekend 💪

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Lake Davis is solid. Yeah, that's my usual one two punch when bait fishing for trout. I adjust the details but the approach is generally the same.

[@djregius]

I fly fished there with my Dad and a guide. Caught a few including a 20" rainbow. Good times.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I had never been there before. I wasted a few hours trying to figure out where to fish. I think I got it scoped out for next season. Thanks for watching the clip.

[@kobegrassi4298]

I gotta ask, why in the world are you holding your fly rod upside down?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

No reasonable answer other than on that occasion, that's the way I was holding it. My fly rod consists of components of two different backpacking rods put together because I broke the tip off one but didn't like the handle of the replacement I got! I'm not a textbook fly fisherman. I fish nymphs in alpine lakes and never use a strike indicator. I manage to catch quite a few fish though. That's all I care about.

[@kevinhay6680]

Amani nice video...catching them from the shore and boat nice work!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I'll take em' any way I can get em'! Thanks for checking it out.

[@Machster10]

Love the upside down Pflueger!!!!! Hilarious!!!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I flip it around sometimes when I'm in my boat.

[@TedDBear9431]

What is the shoreline area you were fishing? Thank you!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I went in from the direction of the 395 and launched my boat at that closest launch ramp. I am too familiar with the lake for this was the first time I had been there. About a quarter to a half mile out from the ramp on the right side is where I beached my boat and the other action I got was out on the lake beyond that on the same side. The water is fairly deep on that side as far as I went. I didn't go around the entire lake. The other side of the lake, across from the ramp where I launched, had really shallow water but a lot of people were fishing from shore so I'm not sure about that.

[@bayarea5168]

Thanks for sharing! Looks like a fun outing!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

It was a great day out there. That's a lake I heard about my entire life but only made it out there for the first time yesterday. I'll be back!

[@genesato9689]

Beautiful Bows, nice catch on the fly. Merry Christmas, be safe, and tight lines.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. First time I went out there. I dig it! Merry Christmas.

[@rudyperez7773]

Thank you for another great video. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄👊🏼

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas to you as well. If you keep watching, I'll do my best to keep putting them up! Thank you.,

[@rudyperez7773]

Absolutely sir👍🏼

[@michaelherzer4349]

Nice fish. hope Santa is good to you tomarrow.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

It was a cold day but those fish were worth it!

[@brettmorton6513]

Hey brother, how much horse power on your suzuki>? I wonder if you have ever fished the American river w your boat> Brett

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

It's 2.5 horsepower. I have a clip about my boat on one of my playlists. I think it's 'outdoor safety and products I use'. I have not fished the American but I have been thinking about putting my boat in a river at some point.

[@hamptonsudduth621]

Fishing for Christmas? Sounds like a Christmas miracle! Nice catch buddy! I got a 8 pound brown out of the truckee the other day, made all the slow fishing worth it! Got a clean release so she still in there for ya! Lol thanks for the vid!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That sounds like a beast! Fish like that will get your heart pounding!

[@gersonmorales1937]

What bait do you used bro?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I was fishing power bait and inflated crawlers from shore and then I got that rainbow drift fishing a whooley bugger on my fly rod. I go into detail about how I rig up for bait fishing for trout on my 'trout fishing tips' playlist for my channel. My clips "rigging up for reservoir trout" and "my general technique for deep water reservoir trout' both have overlapping information and explain exactly what I'm doing in most of my bait fishing videos.

[@gersonmorales1937]

What works best at Eagle Lake?

[@WyattStark-o4t]

Your not using the fly rod the right way 😂

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I get that all of the time. I don't use a strike indicator in rivers too. That puzzles people as well. Bottom line, I have dozens of videos on my backcountry fishing, reservoir fishing, and river fishing playlists where I catch all of the fish I could possibly want on my fly rod so as far as I'm concerned, I'm using my fly rod just fine!

[@JUNationFishing]

Nice! Merry Christmas! 👍🙏🎣⚒

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas!

[@martybraga4832]

That place is awesome, been going there for 25 years. Never been there during the winter, looks great having the place to yourself!! Merry Xmas, thanks for sharing! 🤘

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That was my first time. I spent a few hours trolling the far side of the lake which was shallow. Got nothing. Now I now where to go next season. No beating around the bush! Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas!

[@martybraga4832]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 Nightcrawlers inflated off the bottom or under a bobber is a go to, also try trolling a orange/gold rapala or an orange trolling fly or woolly bugger. Also try small nymphs under an indicator when the wind picks up. The fish move all over the lake throughout the year and can be hard to locate, but once you do find them, you can have some epic days!! Been enjoying videos, wish I was able to get out half as much as you do!!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

@@martybraga4832 Next season!

[@echoone9915]

Great Videos!! Happy Holidays!! Stay safe!!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

River will be icy in the morning but I'll do my best to make it out in one piece!!

[@hookedwithmishchuk]

Damn beautiful rainbow on the fly

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That thing was battling!

[@edmusa7117]

Great video once again Amani. Merry Christmas !

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for checking it out.

[@jeffjeff5845]

Cool lake Those fish are strong good fight

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yeah, it's up near Almanor. Heard about it for years but never made it out there. Glad I finally did.

[@po3014]

Merry fishmas,tight lines!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas! I'll always take the celebration outdoors over being stuck inside listening to Christmas music!

[@po3014]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 same here tomorrow will be my 3rd day in a row fishing pyramid 🎣

[@gonefishing3593]

Awesome fish!! Apologies on being a bit late to the party but I'm trying to go through all you videos!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Late? I'm just getting started! You're right on time! I've been fishing and hiking for 30+ years in the Sierra Nevada/Lower Cascades. I've only had a camera for a year and a half or so. You can bet there will be a lot more to come! I've organized all of my content in playlists so I hope that makes sorting through everything easier. Thanks for watching.

[@gonefishing3593]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 Thank you for sharing your experiences; I find your contents very informative 👍

[@jeffbelunza3139]

U are badass mr amani fishing for christmas we did the same went crabbing on the coast

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yes, that's good fun! Love crab.

[@jeffbelunza3139]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 trout is still #1 in my book thanks for all the videos merry christmas

[@CSOne_]

Nice Fighter on that Fly. Merry Christmas, Amani.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas. Thanks for tuning and checking out the clip. Cold but sweet out there!

[@jammnjoey]

Sweet catch bro and merry Christmas!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas! Cold out there today! I'm thawed out now! That fish on my fly rod was a brute. Thanks for watching the clip.

[@Machster10]

Don't limit your session of sport fishing to imposed keep limits. Think outside the how many can I keep box. It's about sport not meat.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Fun day out there.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I often mention limits to give people a general idea that there are regulations to consider. There are people who may be new to fishing that probably watch my channel so I mention things like barbless hooks and keep limits to key them in on the fact that regulations are something they probably want to check on before heading out. It's a way of suggesting to them they might want to check regulations without telling them to check regulations.

[@Machster10]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 Don't limit your session to regulations. It's not about meat limits its about sport fishing. Let's all try to think outside of this meat fishing box and start thinking about how to manage sustainable sport fisheries for all people. We will have superior sport fisheries if we start cooperating on managing sustainable catch and release practices.

[@xXGohan02Xx]

Merry Christmas.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@salmonoids]

Merry Christmas!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@AfricanYetty]

Have you tried fishing pyramid lake?? Massive cutthroat there at blockhouse!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Heard a lot about it. Eventually I'll make it out there.

[@davidf2699]

Merry Christmas! I've always heard its more fun to fight fish on fly tackle versus spinning gear, I'd be interested to know your opinion on the difference. Glad to see a video from Eagle lake; I've always wanted to fish there since I was kid growing up in NorCal!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Me Too! I grew up in NorCal myself and I have had stories of Eagle Lake following me all of my life as I moved around the State! I finally went! Next time, I won't spend 3 hours trying to figure out where to fish. That side where I caught the fish was solid! Thanks for checking out the clip. I hope you can go to Eagle Lake next season! Personally, I like catching large trout on light spinning tackle. I have a few river clips up where I'm battling large trout on my tiny 5', light action rod with a small spinning reel loaded with 6lb test. Great in lakes too. Love to hear that drag strip out! Both options have there special appeals!

[@eriklarson4321]

Truth be told I thought that fish was going to break you off in the boat. Held my breath until you netted it...

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I was holding my breath too! I could see the fly hanging out of it's mouth! Nice cap on the day for sure.

[@Krispyant]

What’s your fly rod setup? Any recommendations? Nice video

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

A rod that is made up of of components from two different backpacking rods, floating line, a 6lb test leader, and no strike indicator. I just watch the end of the line! I am not your textbook fly fisherman!

[@housebuyer]

Merry Christmas yo!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Merry Christmas right back at you!

[@michaelherzer4349]

(15)

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Went for it today!

[@SDPBALLCOACH]

Hey brother, Just saw this and wanted to let you know I might be able to score you an electric trolling motor rather than that lil outboard.. It's never been outta the box. Could go cheap. Maybe $0$ you'd have to go up to Doyle to get it.. Lemme know what you think?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I'm all set. I love that outboard. Runs on unleaded and has an internal tank that usually I can get through the day without refilling. Just screw it on and go! Never let me down.