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.

COLUMBIA RIVER, Portland, Ore.–Bonneville dam is seeing a decline in summer kings passing over, as fishing it is clearly on the decline. Anglers are reporting 80% of the fish being hooked are wild fish, but on an impressive note, many anglers are seeing a good showing of steelhead. Reports over four days showed 9,000 plus, with the apex of the steelhead run still on the horizon. Downstream from Portland, bank anglers wetting lines for both Kings and steelhead had good action, the tides have been perfect. Even sockeye from the bank was fair. Sturgeon action continues to be slow. Anglers should expect the catch to pick up. Some boats are reporting four to eight fish on some days with fish up to 47 to 55 pounds.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.-Almost as soon as the spring run of kings was over, the fall fish began staging in the estuary, and the action is picking up nicely day-to-day. The tides are important, and if you’re there when the big fish come in, you’ll hook up, otherwise you won’t. Trolling is working, but so is mooching a herring or anchovy in the right spot.

RUSSIAN RIVER-There’s some good smallmouth bass fishing very early and very late if you get out on the river before all the water lovers. Not many big fish, but some good, steady action on fish to a pound or 1 1/2 pounds.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork; Glide, Oregon-
The hot summer days are starting to take there toll on the spring Chinook, according to guide WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. Not very many are being caught and the ones that are being dragged to the bank are very dark and in bad shape. There are a few summer steelhead still being caught. There should be more steelhead showing up in the upper section of the river, so do not give up on catching one of these acrobatic fish.

TRINITY-KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate-Air and water temperatures have really heated up, and trout fishing has really slowed down. Wait until fall when salmon and steelhead return to the upper stretches of the Klamath below Iron Gate.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-A few steelhead were being caught mostly on spinners and nightcrawlers, between Blue Creek and Johnson’s but fishing was still slow. Fall run salmon, accompanied by more steelhead should start entering the river in good numbers by the end of the month.

TRINITY RIVER, Junction City-Salmon fishing continued to be excellent, and many anglers, especially those fishing with guides, were catching their limits of dime bright Chinook (2 adults and 1 jack). Quite a few large fish were being caught, as well, weighing over 20 pounds. The bait of choice has been roe, although some salmon were being caught on backtrolled Kwikfish early in the morning.

TRINITY RIVER, Burnt Ranch-A few straggler springers were still being caught in the Burnt Ranch Falls area, but fishing was slow.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-Fly fishers were scoring multiple hookups of striped bass up to 10 pounds on Clouser minnows according to Morgan Thalken of American Fly Fishing. A few were even crashing topwater poppers very early and late. Anglers using conventional gear were casting Pencil Poppers, jerkbaits, swimbaits, as well as soaking sardines and crawdads. Watt Ave. to Paradise Beach offered the best odds of hooking a striper, and there were even some schools of shad hanging around above the Sunrise Bridge. Flows were still holding around 4,000 cfs.

FEATHER RIVER- Unlike on the Sacramento River, a fair number of decent-sized striped bass were being caught in the evenings from Boyd’s Pump on down to the mouth. Anglers were tossing swimbaits, jerkbaits, and surface lures to sandbars and structure, while trollers worked Bombers and Yo-Zuri’s. Most of the fish weighed 6 to 10 pounds, but larger fish were reported being caught, as well. A few small steelhead were being caught on nightcrawlers with a bead, in the Low Flow Section, but the key has been to get on the water very early, since the bite, such as it is, turns off within a couple of hours as the sun hits the water and it starts heating up.

FOLSOM LAKE-Fishing at Folsom can be described in one word-slow. The lake is now dropping, albeit fairly slowly, and bass have moved deeper, except for occasional early morning forays into the shallows. Few anglers are reporting anything better than a fish or two per outing, and those having the most success are soaking minnows not using lures. The best chances for success are to fish the edges of flats and rock piles from 15 to 30 feet deep at the edges of underwater channels Many anglers are reporting skunks. As for fishing on weekends, forget it unless you are willing to get on the lake extremely early. At least it’s a more pleasant fishing experience on weekdays. .

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-There’s very little change from last week. Lots of little bait stealing baby stripers and very few keepers (18 inches and over). A few were being caught at Miller Park and the Turning Basin. It’s no trouble to catch a mess of catfish in slow spots near shore along the river and in side sloughs. .

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Knight’s Landing-A 32-pound striped bass was landed and released at Knight’s Landing on a minnow, but that was the exception, small bait-stealers were more the rule. And, it was worse the farther upstream you went.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff-No change. Trout fishing continued to be good from Red Bluff to Redding with trout to 3.5 pounds even taking dry flies in the evening, although not every night. The best fishing was still on nymphs under indicators or Glo-Bugs.

UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir-Flows have dropped into near ideal conditions and the whole river is producing nicely, even on dry flies in the evenings. Prince nymphs, copper Johns, pheasant tail nymphs, and hare’s have been good wets, while stimulators and elk hair caddis are scoring in the evening.

YUBA RIVER-Trout fishing has been good in spite of high flows (3,100 cfs), especially on big dry flies like hoppers. The best bet has been to launch a driftboat at the Highway 20 Bridge and take out above the Daguerre Dam. However, it’s a private takeout, so most anglers will have to walk downstream (currently high flows makes for difficult hiking upstream).

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-The runoff has slowed down enough to make the river fishable. The water clarity is good. The fish are in the deeper pools and require some hiking to get to. Watch out for SNAKES!!

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is now at 89-percent capacity. Heavy recreational boat traffic, especially on weekends, has made it very hard on trollers-try during the week for the best chance at success. Some kokanee are still being caught in deep water up in the Garden Point area. A houseboater reported catching some kokes on bait off the back of the boat while tied to the shore at about 100 feet, according to Emerald Cove Marina.

CAMP FAR WEST-North Shore Resort reported that the bass bite was best on crankbaits around the trees up in the Bear River arm, either very early or late. The bass have been running 1 to 2 pounds. Recreational traffic is very heavy!!

COLLINS LAKE-The fish are moving deeper, but the higher than usual water level is keeping trout within reach of shore anglers who frequent the docks, dam, and the bridge. Trollers are doing best very early in the morning in the middle of the lake over the channel at 25 to 40 feet. Catfish have been making a big showing at night with a 15 3/4 and 11 pounders weighed in this past week. Some bass limits are coming in for anglers using nightcrawlers and plastic worms. Bluegill and redears are keeping the kids entertained around the trees and bushes submerged along the shores.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is down to 91-percent capacity. Very hot weather and heavy recreational boat traffic has made it tough for trout anglers. Bass are still cruising the banks all over the lake, as are the bluegill. Mid-week trollers might try the area from the dam to Black’s Ravine at 35 to 50 feet for a chance at some holdover rainbows.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 81-percent capacity. The roads are open and in good shape, but there may be some delays up to 20 minutes for construction activities at the dam. Fishing here has been very good, according to Foresthill resident and WON staffer Bud Neville. Early morning is best for trollers using Wedding Rings, Rapalas, and flasher/worm combos. Shore fishing has been slower with the dam area best with Power Bait and nightcrawlers.

FULLER LAKE-Shore anglers should be doing well at the dam or the day-use area by the boat ramp. Trollers need to get out early with a flasher/worm or Needlefish combo. The lake has not been planted since before the July 4th holiday.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 95-percent capacity. The roads up to the lake need maintenance, and drivers need to be aware of lots of big chuck holes, especially those towing boats-drive slow to avoid breaking an axle! A 22-pound Mack was caught this past week by a troller using a yellow/red dot J-Plug at 70 to 75 feet. Kokanee are harder to catch and limits are getting tough to come by.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is at 74-percent capacity. Bass, catfish and coho salmon are all providing good action for boaters. Bass to 5 pounds are hitting jigs and minnows on main points at 20 to 30 feet. Catfish to 14 pounds have fallen for crickets, crawdads and minnows in Dark Canyon and North Branch coves at 25 to 30 feet. Coho to 2 pounds were reported taken from the main body points on small white minnow plugs at 30 to 40 feet.

ROLLINS LAKE-Colfax resident Steve Carty caught the big fish of the week, a 16-pound catfish, on nightcrawlers at the Bear River inlet. The Bear River inlet has also been the most reliable place to try for rainbows due to the heavy recreational traffic on the main lake. Use salmon eggs and worms for the trout. Some small bass have been caught on nightcrawlers along the dam.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-Will Fish Tackle reported that one customer trolled at the inlet of Deer Creek with a Sep’s Half-Fast dodger trailing a threaded nightcrawler on a short 8-inch leader at 30 feet, and landed an 18-inch brown and a couple of 12- to 14-inch rainbows. Smallmouth bass action has been best along the Cascade shores area using plastic worms and Panther Martin spinners for fish running 1 to 1 1/2 pounds.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-Trollers do best in the evening with Rapalas, Needlefish, and threaded nightcrawlers, with and without a dodger. Shore anglers do best either very early or late with Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers. Bass fishing can be good from the boat ramp to the dam with small plastic worms and nightcrawlers.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Shore anglers and trollers are still catching planter rainbows. Trollers are doing better in deeper water with flasher/worm combos. If shore anglers can get out to deeper water they will improve their chances of success-try the dam.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-A 14-pound brooder rainbow was caught by Randy Kerwitch on minnows by the bridge. The Wilbur Rd boat ramp area kicked out 5- and 6-pound trout for Bobby Zack on minnows and worms. No word on the bass action, but it should be good early and late along the tules.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-Bass fishing turned tough again this past week, with fewer fish caught but their sizes held up. Baits that worked included 5- and 6-inch Senkos in watermelon and green pumpkin colors fished wacky or Texas style for numbers. “Topwater action on frogs, spooks, and Ricos were good for a few larger fish but it was a lot more inconsistent.

LAKE BERRYESSA- Kokanee limits were found from 45 to 55 feet in the morning and then out from 55 to 70 feet in the warmer afternoons. It took a little longer to get them but they were nice fish from 16 to 19 inches. The weed beds and edges of them were good for smaller bass but the bite held all day. Try plastics through the day and go for the topwater bite in the mornings.

UPPER BLUE LAKE-The Narrows produced some trout at 25 feet down on flashers and a worm or a woolly buggers with an action disk. Head to the shady shallow areas under the trees, for bedding bass where sight anglers are teasing them with plastic worms.

LAKE SONOMA- A few small trout are still being taken by trollers up by the dam. You’ll still find a few bedding up in creek arms but most are moving out again. Weightless Senkos, drop-shot worms, and tubes in 4 to 7 feet of water will be the way to start and then move out with the heat of the day.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-Great striped bass fishing in and around the mouth of the bay, the week’s action topped by a 47 pounder caught on the Happy Hooker. That fish took over an hour to land, and the crew tried to revive and release, but the fish didn’t make it. Striper counts were good for the boats that tapped the main bay rocks, or just outside the bay. Bottomfishing was best at the Farallones, where limits were the rule until Sunday when the wind came up.

BODEGA BAY- Solid rockfish action all week with limits the rule, whether boats fished north or south. Some big halibut were also possible, the flatties hitting for anglers trolling off of 10-Mile Beach. Salmon was slow or non-existent all week until Sunday, when the Miss Anita picked off 10 kings for six anglers, and the New Sea Angler scored five fish on a combo trip that also produced limits of rockfish.

EMERYVILLE-The fleet ran trips to the Farallon Islands and in the bay, with the island trips scoring consistent rockfish limits until the weather conflicted on Sunday. There were some impressive fish caught, including striped bass in the 20-pound class and halibut over 20 pounds. The boats combined their trips to find rockfish limits, then often they would stop by the North Bar and drift for halibut on the way in, often getting a few flatties to go.

EUREKA-Wind came up later in the week, but otherwise, the bottomfishing action is top bet at Cape Mendocino, while the Pacific halibut continued to bite in the deep waters offshore. No salmon to speak of. Inside the bay, where the fleet dodged the wind on the weekend, the California halibut started showing up, offering an option.

FORT BRAGG-Crab combos are still producing excellent quality crabs, with about half limits on short soaks. Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar had 70 for 16 on Sunday, along with half limits of rockfish. The bottomfish bite was better earlier in the week. “We’re seeing some blue rockfish in the area, the first we’ve seen in two years!” said Thornton. “That’s good news, because they often fill in the gaps to limits.”

HALF MOON BAY-Bottomfishing rated “excellent” said Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat. The focus has been quality Bolinas, vermilion and china rockfish, with a few school fish in the mix. “Everyday, we’re catching some lingcod,” he said. Top spots are Martins Beach and Tunitas Creek in 140 to 160 feet of water. Bars with teasers, and shrimp flies are top offerings. He credited the good action to warming water temperatures, which were at 57 degrees.

LOCH LOMOND-“The last of the catastrophic minus tides are behind us,” said Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star. “We had a tough week, but when the tides started settling down, we ended up finding better action,” he said, resulting in nearly one around with a mixed halibut and bass catch. Before the tides got too fast and muddied the water, his anglers were catching fish up to the 20-pound class in the traditional deep water spots in the bay like Alcatraz and Angel Island.

POINT SAN PABLO-Captain Frank Miller on the Fury reported improving action on bass and halibut, his top spots the Brothers for the bass, and the Berkeley Flats and Southampton for the halibut. “It’s like we got a surge of striped bass down from the rivers, and they are heading out to the ocean,” said Miller. Saturday’s trip on the Fury found three halibut and seven stripers for six anglers.

SHELTER COVE-Captain Trent Slate on Bite Me got into some Pacific halibut finally, scoring some over 50 pounds. Salmon fishing was decent for the commercial boats working deep water, plus the sport fleet caught a few. Bottomfishing remained very good with limits the rule on rockfish, plus a few nice lings caught.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BLUE LAKES-There were big crowds here over the weekend after PG&E planted trout in both Upper and Lower lakes. Shore anglers did well on nightcrawlers and Power Bait, according to Woodfords Station.

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 74-percent capacity. The bite is very early or very late in the west side coves or at the inlet for rainbows running 12 to 14 inches. Try the dam very early with small Rapalas for browns up to 20 inches.

CAPLES LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The public is welcome to attend the official opening of the EID Boat Launch Facility on July 23 at 10:30 a.m. The big EID trophy rainbows brought in from Nebraska last year are still being caught-a 9 pounder was caught by Walt Frey at Wood’s Creek on Power Bait. An insect hatch on the lake, possibly ants, has slowed the bite because the fish are eating the insects and not many of the angler offerings.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-Alpine County is scheduled to make another plant of 2- to 2 ½-pound average rainbows with some big fish running 8 to 10 pounds. DFG made a plant into Markleeville Creek and Silver Creek this past week and fishing was reported to be outstanding, with one angler catching-and-releasing 52 trout.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 66-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Trollers are still catching 15 to 20 fish averaging 14 inches on copper/red Wee Dick Nites at 8 feet deep form the island heading north. Fly casters have been doing well in the Jenkins area on damsel hatches. Shore fishing has been slow.

DONNER LAKE- The lake is at 98-percent capacity. The rainbow trout fishing is wide-open. It’s a “no-brainer”, according to Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports, for shore anglers using nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, and Power Bait at the public piers. This is a great place to bring the kids for sure-fire action.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON- Still some big rainbows, 20 to 22 inches, coming out of the Caribou Powerhouse when the generators are running. Most anglers are using a water-filled casting bobber and a nightcrawler to reach the far shore. Some good fish are also being caught in the deeper holes in the North Fork. Mike Hanson from Caribou Crossroads Resort fished the main Feather River, above and below the junction with the North Fork, and caught a dozen smallmouth bass on Kalin brown/purple flake grubs. Most of the smallies were 13 inchers, but he had three 2 pounders. The smallmouth bite is good a Butt Valley Reservoir, no word on the trout-they’re going deep.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 49-percent capacity. Trolling with a Thomas Buoyant has been excellent for 15- to18-inch rainbows in the Lunker Point area. Ed Dillard of Dillard’s fishing guide Service hit the lake with a buddy and used fly gear to land 19 fish in 4 hours on beaded PT nymphs, 5 to 6 feet under an indicator, at Lunker Point.

GOLD LAKES BASIN- Packer Lake was scheduled for a DFG trout plant this past week and Lower Sardine is scheduled for a plant this week.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 92-percent capacity. The bite has been tough and the fish have been small, 8 to 10 inches. Most anglers are heading up to Loon Lake.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-The campgrounds closed starting July 12 for repaving and are scheduled to reopen on August 11. Access to the lake will still be available from the dirt roads running along the east side of the lake. No current reports were available from Woodfords Station

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-Brett Brady of Bare Bones Guide Service hit the lake this past week and had 40 fish by noon running 14 to 16 inches. They trolled Rocky Mountain dodgers trailing threaded nightcrawlers, Uncle Larry’s Pro Spinners, and 2-inch brown and green grubs at 25 to 35 feet in the Middle Fork Yuba River arm on the main points.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)- The lake is still full. 14- to 16-inch planter trout action is still pretty good in the Narrows and at the first dam for shore anglers using Power Bait. A local angler picked up a 5-pound largemouth bass this past week.

LAKE TAHOE-Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported limits in 2 hours on Sunday fast trolling Rapalas from 90 to 130 feet deep for Macks running 5 to 9 pounds. The deeper water seems to be producing a tougher bite for smaller fish. Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners has been doing well jigging Williamson Benthos and Vortex jigs in 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-ounce sizes at 170 feet for limits of 2- to 5-pound Macks. Kokanee are hitting the standard rigs in orange or pink at 25 to 55 feet.

LOON LAKE-The lake is at 89-percent capacity. Some Georgetown locals did well catching limits of browns and rainbows while casting lures and drifting Power Bait from their canoes as the paddled around the lake. Mini-flasher/nightcrawler rigs toplined in the morning then put on the downrigger at 30 feet during the day are picking up limits of rainbows to 18 inches and browns to 21 inches, according to Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is at 77-percent capacity. The smallmouth bass bite is good from 4 p.m. to dark for anglers tossing small Rapalas or jigging tubes and worms. Fly casters have been doing well on the smallies from 7 p.m. to dark on poppers. Rainbow action has been best from the point between the creek arms and near Hobart Mills. The inlet area is best in the early morning, while afternoons are best in the main lake out from the inlets in deeper water

PYRAMID LAKE-Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters fished the Hell’s Kitchen area in 35 to 40 feet of water and landed 32 Sacramento perch with the bulk of them running 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. He had a couple of 2 pounders in the bunch and they were all caught on yellow/black marabou jigs on 4-pound clear line. For more info on this fishery call Joe Mendes at 775-574-0900.

RED LAKE- Shore anglers picking up some brookies and a few cutthroats on worms, according to Caples Lake Resort.

SILVER LAKE-The lake is full and will receive a 1600-pound Kirkwood Meadows/EID sponsored trout plant this week. The bite has been slow except for a 22 1/2-pound Mack caught early this past week on a Kwikfish.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR–The lake is at 66-percent capacity. As the weather and the water get warmer, limits of kokanee are getting much tougher to catch-more than one-half of all anglers are getting skunked! Shore fishing has been very good for shore anglers using inflated nightcrawlers or ‘crawler/marshmallow combos along the dam. The kokanee action has slowed down with eight out of ten boats doing poorly, while two boats are catching them. Just have to have the right bait combination in front of the school of fish that are in the mood to hit. The kokes are being caught on dodgers with a short rigged hoochie in white, pink, or red/green at 50 to 65 feet, with the best bite coming at 50 to 55 feet.

TOPAZ LAKE-High water temps and very heavy recreational boat traffic has made it tough on fishermen. The only place for a chance to catch a trout right now is at the inlet, still fishing at 25 to 30 feet deep with inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Few, if any, limits are being caught.

TRUCKEE RIVER-Flows were increased from the Little Truckee, Boca and Tahoe City for the summer rafters. Consequently, the water temp has dropped from 58- to 54-degrees slowing the insect hatches. The best action is coming on little yellow stones and caddis patterns with some golden stones and PMD’s showing through the day. The best fishing is early in the morning, though you will find PMD activity in shady spots. Lure fishing is best early in the morning with dark colored spinners and spoons.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 93-percent capacity. Kokanee are scattered near the dam and hitting a dodger trailing a Wee Tad, spinner, or Marnie Bug on a 6- to 8-inch leader at 30 to 40 feet, according to Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle. Several large Macks, 15 to 18 pounds, were reportedly caught by Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle on dodger/herring or Double Flutter rigs at 90 to 110 feet deep over 140 feet of water.

WEST WALKER RIVER- The West Walker River and the Little Walker River are scheduled for DFG trout plants this week. The West Walker is running at 600 cfs-optimum flow for bait fishing is 500 cfs, and for fly fishing, its 300 cfs. The river is fishable and the rainbow bite is “phenomenal”. Big fish so far for the “How Big is Big Trout Derby” is a 5 ½ pounder, but this fish won’t last long at top with a load of 3 to 7 pounders that was planted early this past week. The river should be in excellent shape for the weekend.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-A good trout bite was found in the evening based on the hatch, from the dam down the west shore with bait. You can also head to the underwater springs as trout are transitioning there and troll but keep your baits small. There is a lot of food available right now. Finesse tactics were key here this past week.

ANTELOPE LAKE-Fish were everywhere except the shallows. Trolling in 25 to 35 feet with woolly buggers in cinnamon produced fish, as did the steep shorelines with chartreuse colored Power Bait.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-Fishing came to a standstill as water temperatures are on the rise and shiners or chubs took over the lake and it was tough to get past the chubs to catch any trout. There were a few good fish working but not many. If this trend continues there will be little to report in the weeks to come. Fast sink line to 30 to 40 feet may be the only way to catch fish if this trend continues. Some huge fish may be taken this way but topwater fishing in general was very slow.

BAUM LAKE- With the heat, early morning and evenings have been best. Reports indicate the fish have gone down to cooler water. Lure anglers used Kastmasters and Panther Martins, while mini nightcrawlers were the choice for bait fishermen. Fly fishermen mainly used pheasant tails, wiggle-tail Zugs, callibaetis, PMD’s, little yellow stones and caddis.

BRITTON LAKE- Crappie are biting, as are the smallmouth bass. 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-No changes here, caddis and callibaetis are still best above the falls and a pheasant tail, copper john, bird’s nest or hares ear were better below.

CASSEL FOREBAY- There were lots of fishermen and lots of fish. Nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, lures were all working well. Fly fishermen did well on PMDs, little yellow stones, callibaetis and caddis while pt’s and copper johns were favorites for nymph fishermen. Try to avoid the heat of the day as fish are attempting to do by finding deeper water.

EAGLE LAKE- There was no pattern to be found this past week except to say you had to fish early in the shallows before the sun was out. The trout are moving from the warming shallow waters into deeper waters but have not quite made it yet. When they do, try 50 feet of water with nightcrawlers at 25 feet.

FALL RIVER-The hex hatch is still on, with reports showing good hatches most evenings and good numbers of PMDs coming off. Black caddis was also a good bet before the hatch started. Wiggle-tail Zugs were a favorite for nymph fishermen.

UPPER HAT CREEK-Fishing was hot and so was the weather. Fishermen reported lots of fish being caught and the big brook trout were on the take as lots of 3-pound fish were caught. Salmon eggs seemed to be the ticket for bigger fish, followed by worms and Panther Martins. Fly fishing was good with crystal buggers in gold and olive as well as weighted stone fly imitations all catching fish.

HAT CREEK (wild)-Little yellow stones, callibaetis cripples and PMDs have been a good bet here. Nymph fishermen did best on hare’s ear, birds nest and pheasant tails.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR–Currently reports show fishing has improved here and lots of fish are being caught.

LEWISTON RESERVOIR– Trout averaged 2 pounds and where taken right off of the Pine Cove Marina here. Trollers found for 1 or 2 fish as did anglers fishing from the docks. Key to many successes was a light leader such as 4-pound test. Pine Cove will hold their annual family fishing derby Saturday July 24, releasing quite a few nice 8 to 10 pounders for the event.

MANZANITA LAKE– The warmer weather has improved the hatches and damsel flies were working well. Callibaetis cripples were also productive. The fishing wasn’t hot but most reported catching some nice rainbows with an occasional brown in the mix. Manzanita seems to be seeing more boating activity which is having an impact on fly fishermen. Remember to heed the special restrictions on this lake.

PIT RIVER-The Pit 3 reach access is now closed until Labor Day weekend, then it closes again until October. The Labor Day holiday will be the last chance to fish this area before the flows are increased to unfishable levels. Hopefully a really wet winter will assist in clearing out some of the vegetation that will be inundated with the increased flows and allow some access in the coming year.

LAKE SHASTA-Trout were the easier fish to catch with fish between 17 and 19 inches in areas such as the Pit River Bridge, in front of Bridge Bay and on the upper Sac arm by Goose Neck. Best bet for bass will be the early and late topwater bite. Try to stay in the no ski zones where waters will be less chewed up.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVIOR-The koke fishing has been red hot here from 40 down to 60 feet down on the south side of the bridge. This year has seen some of the cleanest kokes in many years. If you are marking plankton, that’s where to find the fish, around the outside edges.