NORTH COAST RIVERS

North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. The DFG’s Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is 707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, call (707) 944-5533. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886. Many streams closed, and others change to artificial/barbless only on March 31 and others on April 25.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower, Gold Beach, Or.-Windy and no rain for a week, according to WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. The surface temperature of the river is 60 degrees with a clarity of 6 feet. This has the spring Chinooks spookish when traveling upriver. Most of the salmon that are finding their way into the fish boxes are being caught in the faster water. Look for water that has a minimum of a ripple on the top to break up the visibility from above. Deeper water is also going to make the salmon more comfortable. A few of the boats catching salmon in the area are fishing water that it is taking 5 ounces to keep the baits down on the bottom.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Flows are about 400 cfs, but it’s too late for the shad run, which has about run it’s course, and only a few being taken here and there up and down the river. Smallmouth action is improving, but not on the summer bite yet. The dam is in at Johnson’s, and the Vacation Beach dam will be going in during the next week or so.

UMPQUA RIVER, Main, Sutherlin, Or.–The shad fishing is “fabulous” from the bank or boat, according to Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. Most anglers are using light line with shad darts or fly’s. These fish make some of the best crab bait to be found, and some can them, but most release them. There are more reports of smallmouth bass being caught this last week. One father and son team landed 27 smallies and they didn’t count anything under 12 inches.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.–Fresh spring Chinooks are still coming into the system. Winchester Dam is a great place to watch fish moving through in the viewing windows. Windy Rock at Idlewyld has been doing very well for bobber fisherman, according to Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. Swift Water Bridge is another favorite spot for bobber fishing and it has some of the best access for the handicapped, including concrete paths, rock walls and a pipe rail fence for safety purposes along with one of the best holes on the river. “Makes it hard to think of fishing on any other river,” Palmer said.

TRINITY-KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate-Salmonflies are now hatching in full swing, but fish are still keying on nymphs. There should be some dry fly action to start soon, but don’t wait until you hear about it unless you can drop everything and jump in the car. It’s so short-lived a phenomenon you really need to “bet on the come,” to have the best chance of getting in on some of the most amazing fly fishing that exists.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-The river is now perfect-perfect level and perfect color. This the time to make the trip, but it doesn’t last too long. But, remember, it’s not fast fishing. One fish per rod for a long day is the norm. Spinners are transitioning to gold and brass as the water clears. Starwin and Blake’s riffles, and Terwer Creek are three of the better spots.

TRINITY RIVER-The Trinity River release is still at 2,000 cfs, still high but a few anglers are starting to try for salmon. Fishing should really turn on when the river drops toward summertime flows at the beginning of July.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-The Middle Fork is still running high, but isn’t muddy, just off-colored. Fishing is still tough due to the heavy flows and abundant food washing into the river for the fish to eat.

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is still at 98-percent capacity. Spotted bass action is still good, especially in the brush and trees that have flooded with the lake nearly full. Plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and live bait are working well. Some small kokanee are hitting for trollers up in the North Yuba, not in the main lake as in past years. Crappie and bluegill are showing up in the brush-use worms, minnows and jigs.

CAMP FAR WEST-Spotted bass, 12 to 15 inches, have been hitting junebug/chartreuse tail and salt-and-pepper worms in the brush in the main body and Rock Creek. The Bear River arm is too cold for good bass action due to the run-off. Lots of crappie and bluegill are showing up in the brush.

COLLINS LAKE-Warm weather has finally arrived and driven the trout into deeper water. Trollers are working Sling Blade/Cripplures, flasher/worm combos, and Rapalas in 30 to 40 feet of water for rainbows to 4 3/4 pounds. Boaters using bait in deeper water are doing fair at the power lines and the east side. Shore anglers are doing fair, 2 to 3 fish per person, on Power Bait at the boat docks, power lines, dam, and campgrounds. Bass, catfish, and redear sunfish are getting increasingly active and hitting a variety of baits. Chicken livers and crawdads have been working well for the cats, crawdads and worms are good for bass, worms and minnows are best for sunfish and crappie.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is full and big mats of debris are floating all over the surface, including some big trees. Boaters need to use caution while running. Trout action was slow this past week. Bass and bluegill are active in the shallows.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 82-percent capacity. All the campgrounds, except Talbot, and the boat ramp are open. Trollers have been doing well at the dam, and at the mouth of the creek near the boat launch on copper/red Dick Nite’s worked .8- to 1.2 mph, according to Will Fish Tackle in Auburn. Most fish are 12- to 14-inch rainbows. Dam construction has not been hampering access.

FULLER LAKE-The lake received its first DFG trout plant this past week. Shore anglers did well at the dam and near the launch ramp on Power Bait and worms.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 96-percent capacity and filling fast. Boaters heading up to the campground at the mouth of the Rubicon River are catching limits of 16- to 18-inch browns from shore on small rainbow Rapalas, according to the Georgetown Ranger Station. Trollers have been catching mixed rainbows and browns, and limits of 10- to 13-inch kokanees. Code Blue dodger/orange hoochie combos at 20 to 40 feet were working well for Ken Mathis of Ken’s Custom Tackle for kokanee at the dam.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is still rising slowly and is at 76-percent capacity. Bass action is good. With the cooler water, the bass are shallower than normal at 10 to 25 feet. 6-inch Roboworms in green craw, Morning Dawn/chartreuse tail, and Aaron’s Magic worked well for spots from 9 inches to 2 1/4 pounds for guide Larry Hemphill. Spinnerbaits are working on submerged brush on main body points for fish to 3 1/4 pounds. Worms and crawdads are picking up a mix of bass and catfish in the Lime Saddle area in the brush. Coho are still hitting Sling Blade/pearl hoochie combos at the Green Bridge and minnows under a bobber at the dam. Catfish action has been very good on crickets around newly-flooded brush for fish up to 10 pounds, though most are 1 to 2 pounders.

ROLLINS LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Spotted bass and trout have been active in Freeloader’s Cove for shore anglers using nightcrawlers. One spot measured 20 inches, with most running 12 to 16 inches. Trollers are having a tough time due to the heavy recreational boat traffic.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-Smallmouth bass action is good for fish to 2 pounds on tube baits in greens and browns. One angler had a limit that included three 2 pounders. Shore anglers are picking up a few planters on Power Bait. Trolling has been very slow according to the marina staff.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-The DFG plant last week made a good bite better. Shore anglers using Power Bait and worms are catching limits of 12- to 14-inch rainbows by the launch ramp-doing much better than the trollers.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Campgrounds are all open, according to the Georgetown Ranger Station. The DFG trout plant this past week helped the bite for rainbows. Shore anglers are doing well with Power Bait and worms. Trollers have been catching their share of fish on flasher/worm combos and small Rapalas.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-One angler reported catching six bass to 3 1/2 pounds on jigs and frogs and three catfish to 2 pounds on crickets along the tule banks.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-It’s been hard to keep up with the changes in flows, and now they are down to a very fishable 5,000 cfs. Hopefully they’ll stay steady there for awhile. Rex Carpenter of Sacramento Pro Tackle said that an angler has been coming in buying jumbo minnows and consistently catching striped bass around Watt Avenue. His largest last week was 30 inches long. In addition, shad fishing has remained good, and should even be better in the lower flows now that it’s easier to get down to the fish. The water is warming up now, too, and that should also help perk up the bite.

FEATHER RIVER- Fishing for shad has come to an end below Shanghai Rapids, striped bass were biting on minnows, Hair Raisers, and Pencil Poppers there, while trout and the occasional steelhead were taking nymphs fished on 8-foot long sinktips below the Highway 162 Bridge in the Low Flow Section according to Craig Bentley of Huntington Sports. The water warms quite a bit during the day, so it’s important to get out early before trout drop back into deeper water to sulk.

FOLSOM LAKE-Not much change. Fishing has turned tougher now that recreational boaters have turned out en masse, especially on weekends, and the water is warming up. Trout and bass are moving into their summer pattern where it’s important to go deeper for trout, and vital to get out on the water early in the morning. Some bass are being caught on topwater, crank- and jerkbaits early in the morning, but as the sun rises, it becomes a game of patience, dredging the depths drop-shotting and jigging on flats adjacent to submerged stream channels.

RANCHO SECO LAKE-Some bluegill on worms under bobbers. A few bass, mostly just seen swimming around, but not biting. But, it’s fun to toss topwater and swimbaits early and late. You never know. Even one blowup is a thrill to last more than a day.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Rex Carpenter of Sacramento Pro Tackle said that fishermen soaking bait like sardines and bloodworms at Bryte Beach are catching a fair number of stripers. That’s the good news. The bad news is that almost all of them are shakers under the 18-inch size minimum. The occasional keeper is measuring up to around 23 inches, no bigger. Not exactly in the whopper class.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa-Bob Bradbury of Johnson’s Bait and Tackle Reports that striped bass are still around and biting minnows. Streamer flies are working early in the a.m. too. They are mostly smaller fish, but the occasional 20 pounder is being caught. Shad fishing has been rather tough for both fly and spin fishermen. But, flows are finally steadying and shad should be around for another month at least. Move to another spot when the bite dies. Drift small jigheads with 1-inch curly tails with just a splitshot or two.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-With flows finally stabilizing around 11,000 cfs, trout fishing should take off, especially for fly fishermen. The Redding area is good, but it’s a short stretch of water unless you have a jet boat, because flows are too high to go under the Cypress Bridge. Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service said small Glo-Bugs and Hot Shots have been working for the non-fly fisher.

UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir-Flows were still too high to fish, according to Bob Grace of Ted Fay Fly Shop, but, are coming down fast and the river could be in good, but high, fishable shape by July 4. Fish the lower half of the river with bigger than normal prince nymphs and rubberlegs.

YUBA RIVER-The shad that were in the Feather have largely moved into the Yuba all the way to Daguerre Dam.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-The topwater bite is starting to pick up and with all the weeds, the frog and horny toad type baits are going to be the best bait. Work a popper or stick-type bait through the open pockets. Weightless Senkos, drop-shot worms, and tubes are doing the trick in 4 to 7 feet of water around the lake for those sight fishing. Some catfish moved into the shallows. That bite should really pick up now with warmer weather. Look for rocky areas near deep water where the cats will congregate to spawn.

LAKE BERRYESSA-Trolling the cliffs by Skiers Cove, and the Big Island found koke limits with ball flashers and a Rocky Mountain Tackle hyper plaid dodger or Uncle Larry’s copper orange spinners. There has been a good topwater bass bite, fishing the weed lines and mats on the east bank of the main body.

UPPER BLUE LAKE-Try a flasher and a nightcrawler in the east basin as the last trout have spread out. There were also reports of bedding bass.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-The north wind again made fishing tricky, persistence and trying different tackle were key. The water is clearer than normal and ant and midge hatches have continued, making the fish very selective. The fish are full from longer than expected hatches. Stay in an area where they are known to feed, rising fish is what you are looking for. Red Magic Needlefish that has been sun bleached was best but the point is you don’t want bright, as it will spook them.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-Fish should be frequenting the shallows for a while, so search out the cruising fish for some fast action along the shoreline. Fly fishing with crystal buggers, prince nymphs and hares ears should produce for the float tubers off the flats near the dam. Worms and lures like Kastmasters and Z-Rays should also work well.

BAUM LAKE-Fly fishermen mainly used pheasant tails, Wiggle-tail Zugs, callibaetis, and PMDs. Little yellow stones have also started to show. Lots of fish being are being caught. Lure fishermen seemed to prefer Kastmasters or Panther Martins, but minicrawlers and salmon eggs were doing well also.

BRITTON LAKE-The crappie are biting and some good bets included crappie jigs, crappie nibbles, or crappie magnets. Color does not seem to be an issue at the present time. Regulation changes now include bluegill and perch in the 25 fish limit on crappie, so be sure to count them in your total catch.

BURNEY CREEK- Caddis and callibaetis above the falls. Below the falls, try a pheasant tail, copper john, bird’s nest or hares ear.

BUCKS LAKE- Bucks Creek has been good for brown and rainbow trout. but trolling the main body also produced limits of them, as well as kokes. In fact, one group caught and released over 50 kokanee, rainbows, brookies and browns one day last week.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Lots of fishermen and they were finding good results. Nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, lures were all working well. Fly fishermen did well on PMDs, little yellow stones, callibaetis, caddis and pt’s and copper Johns were favorites for nymph fishermen.

EAGLE LAKE-Troll the shallow ridges south of Shrimp Island as the water is warming and fish are in there feeding between 5 and 8 a.m. schooling up and feeding on shrimp and snails before heading back out to deeper water as the day warms. The Youth Camp shoreline, just south of Pelican Point in the “Broccoli Tree” area, and Wild Cat Point were also good. Baits included trolling flies in olive or orange patterns and bright orange spoons. Early was key off the Youth Camp or in the bay south of Shrimp Island. Anchoring 15 to 20 feet and fishing nightcrawlers 7 to 8 feet deep below a slip bobber. Launching was not a problem in Spaulding or for small boats out of the Gallatin Marina at the south end.

FALL RIVER-Reports show good hatches, which should improve with the sunny skies. Good numbers of PMDs are coming off, but callibaetis cripples are a good bet also. Wiggle-tail Zugs are a favorite for nymph fishermen.
UPPER HAT CREEK-Panther Martins in gold and black were good producers for brook trout in the 3-to 5-pound range. Limits of rainbows were also common. Fly fishing on the upper creek has improved slightly with a number of fish taken on buggers and bead headed nymphs.
HAT CREEK (wild)-Little yellow stones have started, most nights females have been the target, but make sure you have a few males as well. Callibaetis cripples and PMDs are also a good bet. Nymph fishermen did well on hare’s ear, birds nest, and pheasant tails.
IRON CANYON RESERVOIR- The lake is up and currently is fishing well.

KESWICK RESERVOIR-Most anglers are avoiding the lake until the ramp re-opens sometime this month.

MANZANITA LAKE–Fishing good to great lately, and with the weather warming up the first callibaetis hatches were seen. Most fish are still coming sub-surface on damsels, buggers, or midges. When the callibaetis start hatching, fishing a callibaetis nymph on an intermediate line in the top 2 feet is deadly. Cast towards the rise rings and bring your fly back in with either a slow hand twist retrieve or short 4-inch pull ‘n’ pause and hang on.

MCCLOUD RIVER-Still dirty coming out of the dam, but a little clearer the lower down you go. The river has a milky color to it, but that can be a good thing if there is 3 to 4 feet of visibility. Some of the best days of the season are when the water is off color, so if you are planning to come up and fish you should be okay. The tributaries are mostly clear, which is improving the clarity the lower you go. Last week Bollibokka had better water conditions than up by Ash Camp, and the fishing was awesome. The Upper McCloud near Fowler’s Camp was high and fishing ok. The clarity is much better than the lower river, so fishing is possible just maybe a little difficult.

PIT RIVER-Reports show good hatches, which should improve with the sunny skies. Good numbers of PMDs coming off, but callibaetis cripples are a good bet also. Wiggle-tail Zugs are a favorite for nymph fishermen. Road crews are moving upriver to just below Pit 4 dam this week and it will be closed until July 2, when the crew will take the holiday off and the road will be open to the Pit 4 Dam. The road from Lake Britton dam downstream to below the Pit 3 Power House will remain construction free until July, when road construction will progress slowly upriver. The road is closed across the Lake Britton dam, but access to the Pit 3 area can be reached via the north Clark Creek Road above Lake Britton. The flows are going to increase in early July, so get up here; we may not have water this low in the future.

LAKE SHASTA-The plankton bloom is still a good bet in the Pitt Arm but the main part of the lake in front of the McCloud River arm, and east of the Pitt River Bridge was good for trout trollers from the surface down to 20 feet. Salmon moochers headed for the dam. The bass are coming off their spawn and feeding back out on main points in 15 to 25 feet, but also from the shore out to 40 feet has been productive. Senkos in light shades such as natural shad and baby bass were good as bass are feeding again after their spawn as was MF in crawdad colors.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-Captain Jim Smith on the Happy Hooker found a good halibut bite at Angel Island on Friday, but the best day of the week was Sunday when 31 anglers put 41 halibut and seven bass in the boat, topped by a 28.7-pound flattie. That action came from behind Red Rock on the north side.

BODEGA BAY- Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler reported good bottomfishing since the opener, and some king salmon action as well. He found some rockfish down at Point Reyes, but the best bite was north around Fort Ross where limits of rockfish including some jumbo vermilion, Bolinas and coppers, with a mix of blues and blacks filling sacks. Some incidental salmon caught on the trip to Point Reyes encouraged a trip for kings, and eight anglers on Monday caught five kings, with several silvers released. On Friday, Captain Powers did an exploratory salmon trip with two crew members and they caught five kings to 18 pounds, quitting at 1 p.m. due to windy conditions, one short of limits.

EMERYVILLE-The fleet struggled with bad weather outside all week, and tough tide conditions inside the bay, but by the weekend, the bite improved with higher halibut and striped bass scores. There were a few efforts targeting bottomfish along the Marin Coast, where the lingcod bite was pretty good; the Captain Hook had 30 lings on Saturday. In-bay halibut and bass trips were dominated with bass early in the week, but the ‘buts came on later in the weekend with much better scores on Sunday.

EUREKA-While king salmon interest has been lacking, a Pacific halibut effort converted to kings showed that anglers might be giving up way to soon on the kings. WON subscriber Lonnie Dollarhide fished with Captain Tim Klassen on the Reel Steel on Sunday with pal Jim Paradise of Arcata, and the pair limited on kings, and even the captain got a fish. Two other kings were lost at the boat, and they released a shortie. “I hope this is the beginning for all of us!” said Dollarhide. The surfperch bite is great, said Ben Williams at the Pro Sport Center, with some real jumbos hitting clams at beaches north of the Eel River.

FORT BRAGG-While salmon action is “scratchy,” there are some nice kings showing, including a monster 40 pounder that hit for an angler fishing on the Lady Irma II. Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar reported some decent days like Tuesday when his nine anglers caught four kings to 18 pounds, and the day before, one angler caught a 25 pounder on his boat. Bottomfishing has been fair, with cold water temps still slowing the bite, but some good days with a few lings possible.

HALF MOON BAY-Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat got into the kings at the Deep Reef, scoring fish to 18 pounds. The nearshore bottomfishing has been fair, with windy weather impacting fish scores more days than not.

LOCH LOMOND-Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star said the action really picked up for halibut with abundant shakers making for great fishing action, the top bite at Red Rock where his anglers caught over one around on Sunday’s trip. When added to the 50 or so shakers released, that made for an impressive day for his weekend groups.

SHELTER COVE-Captain Trent Slate of Shelter Cove Sportfishing said there is now a working tractor launch at the Cove, with seven day per week operating, and a per-foot launching fee. That’s the good news, the bad news was that he had to cancel the past two weeks due to wind.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 73-percent capacity and was planted by the DFG this past week. The fishing has been best near the boat ramp where the DFG does the planting. Shore anglers do well with Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers are using a Dick Nite with good results for rainbows running 9 to 14 inches. An occasional 3- to 10-pound Mack will hit a Rapala.

CAPLES LAKE-The lake has been thawed for a week and shore anglers and trollers are catching lots of rainbows and browns. Most fish are 8 to 12 inches, but some 4 to 7 pounders hit the net this past week. Trollers have been doing well on orange and chartreuse Rapalas. Shore anglers are using Power Bait and worms at the dam, spillway and Wood’s Creek.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-The West Carson is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Alpine County is also planning a 2000-pound trophy trout plant in the East and West Carson, and Markleeville Creek. These fish will average 3 pounds with some running up to 8 pounds. The East Carson flows were dropping to a “very fishable” level according to Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort. Anglers are catching mostly the DFG planters, and a few 2 to 3 pounders.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 68-percent capacity, but dropping slowly. Anglers participating in the Rotary Club of Portola Trout Derby fought strong winds, but the quality of the fish this year was excellent. The DFG planted 500 pounds of 5- to 10-pound rainbows just before the derby. First place was won by Dwight Peterson of Modesto with a 5.9-pound rainbow that was 23 inches long. Second place was a 6.1 pounder landed by Bob Navarrete of Reno. Ed Dillard is still doing very well trolling the Sockeye Slammer and Dick Nite at 8 to 12 feet near the island for rainbows running 14 to 18 inches, losing a 21 incher at the boat this past week. Read the On-the-Spot in next week’s issue.

DONNER LAKE-Trout bite is beginning to improve for holdover rainbows running 16 to 20 inches. The kokanee bite has been sporadic as has the Mack fishing.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-Trolling for rainbows has been very good at Butt Valley Reservoir. On windy days, troll fast with a Needlefish on 4 colors of leadcore and on calm days use a threaded nightcrawler behind a Sep’s dodger at 20 feet. Fish have been measuring 16 to 17 inches, with a few to 21 inches.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 52-percent capacity. Lots of rainbow action for shore anglers at Lunker Point according to Wiggins Trading Post. Rainbows, 15 to 18 inches, are hitting Power Bait, marshmallows, and inflated nightcrawlers. Some 12- to 13-inch catfish are also being caught on nightcrawlers.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is full and the trout bite is good. Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Guide Service landed 13 rainbows from 6 to 10 a.m. on watermelon grubs behind the Sep’s Side Kick dodger right on top. The fish are running 10 to 12 inches.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-Campgrounds will stay open until after July 4 weekend then close for repaving. Fishing has been slow due to brutal north winds.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-The road from Weber Lake to the east opened this past Friday, though the road from the west is still closed. Boaters have been doing very well trolling fast, 3 to 5 mph, and pumping F-5 and F-7 vampire Rapalas right along the shoreline in the early morning. Rainbows and browns have been running up to 16 inches.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-Mostly shore anglers catching planters here at the first dam and in the Narrows on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.

LAKE TAHOE-Morning bite was good for Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing on the north end where fish “are stacked up like cord wood.” Self has been trolling wobblers and spoons at 120 to 250 feet deep for limits of 2- to 7-pound Macks. The rainbow and brown bite is slow, but should improve as the water warms and bait schools becomes more prevalent. Mike Neilsen at Tahoe Top Liners did well on Macks at South Shore trolling CD7 black/silver Rapalas and CD11 rainbow trout Rapalas from 195 to 230 feet deep for limits of 2- to 6-pound Macks.

LOON LAKE-The boat ramp opened this past Thursday and trollers found wide open action for 13- to 14-inch holdover rainbows. Dale Daneman of Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service landed 18 fish trolling a brown grub behind a Sep’s watermelon Side Kick from the top to 8 feet deep. The fish are still full of flying ants, but the hatch is over and fishing will just get better

PROSSER LAKE-This lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. There’s great action for holdover rainbows in the Prosser Creek arm by Hobart Mills on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. A good midge hatch has been coming off for float tubers. No smallmouth action yet-too cold.

PYRAMID LAKE-Shore fishing is pretty much over as the fish have moved out over deep water, according to Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters. Mendes has been catching 12 to 26 fish per half-day trip on frog Apex and FlatFish or pearl/red FlatFish at 17 to 25 feet deep over 160 to 215 feet of water. The cutthroats have been running 17 to 22 inches.

RED LAKE-Brutal winds here most of the week according to Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station. Shore anglers fishing worms up off the bottom have been catching a few rainbows and brookies.

SILVER LAKE-Trollers and shore anglers were on the lake in big numbers on Father’s Day. Plenty of action on rainbows and browns for all. Shore anglers are doing well on Power Bait and worms. Trollers have been scoring on Rapalas and flasher/worm combos.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 63-percent capacity. The kokanee bite is still very good but the fish are now down at a depth of 40 to 80 feet. Dodger/hoochie or spinner rigs tipped with corn are working the best. Hoochies in blue, purple, and pink have been good. Rainbow trout are everywhere and will hit the kokanee gear. Brown trout and Macks are hitting occasionally for trollers using a Kastmaster, CD Rapala, or an AC Plug.

TOPAZ LAKE-Strong winds made for tough boating this past week. Check with Topaz Landing Marina for water conditions if making trip plans. Still fishing on the south end of the lake was good before the winds.

TRUCKEE RIVER-The flows are beginning to drop and the water is clearing a little. Green drake nymphs are starting to move to the shallows and should start hatching as soon as the water warms up a bit. Dark nymphs and ant patterns are providing the only action for fly fishermen with rainbows and browns running 18 to 22 inches as reported by Mountain Hardware and Sports.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 94-percent capacity. Local club experienced a good bite on rainbows to 16 inches at the ‘tube’ and at the feeder creek near the boat ramp. Kokanee are hitting dodger/orange hoochie combos at 30 to 40 feet at the ‘tube’. Kokes are mostly 12 to 13 inches, with an occasional fish to 15 inches. Trout are hitting the same rig, at twice the rate as the kokanee.

WEST WALKER RIVER-The “How Big is Big Fishing Derby” will run from July 1 to July 31. The month-long event is sponsored by the communities of Walker, Coleville, and Topaz, and the Northern Mono chamber of Commerce. Prizes are donated by local businesses. Fish can be weighed in at the Walker General Store. Mono County will be planting 165 pounds of Alpers trout averaging 3 to 4 pounds just before the derby starts. Right now though, flows are still pretty high and fishing is best attempted from 2 to 5 p.m. when flows are at their lowest point during the day. Some fish are being caught on worms and salmon eggs. It will probably take a couple more weeks for the river settle down-just in time for the derby!