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.

COOS RIVER, Coos Bay, Ore.-Still in the early stages of the king run, but some boats are getting as many as 10 fish a day, and it will be getting better in the upcoming weeks. Look at Marshfield Channel for trolling plug cut herring. There’s a number of launch ramps for easy access to fishing areas.

COQUILLE RIVER, Bandon, Ore.-WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service has been fishing mostly on this river and finding consistent action on nice kings. He’s expecting it to improve substantially soon, and suggests fishing it two hours before high tide to an hour into the outgo. A fresh batch of silvers came into the river on Friday’s evening tide. Sept. 1 marks the day that anglers can keep one wild coho a day with a maximum of five per year.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.-Plenty of fish, but still very slow fishing, although some guides have moved up into the permit-only area and are doing better than those trolling in the estuary. Over the weekend there was a tournament with 131 boats and 300 anglers, and only 22 fish were caught. Of course, the boat traffic would have impacted the bite, but even on normal days, the average is maybe 18 fish per 100 boats-not good. The fish that moved upriver are holding in the deeper slots. Halfpounder action on summer fish is good.

ROGUE RIVER, Middle-Water temperatures here at at 64 degrees with a low flow of 1830 cfs, but there are still kings moving through. For those after summer steelhead, toss Panther Martins with the black body and yellow spots, with a gold blade, according to WON Field Reporter Dave Pitts.

ROGUE RIVER, Upper: Upper river anglers are seeing hoo ups on summer steelhead and some spring king salmon action. Anglers should note between Gold Ray Dam and Dodge Bridge remains open, but between Dodge Bridge and Cole Rivers Hatchery is closed.

ROGUE RIVER, above Lost Creek Reservoir:The stretch of river above Lost Creek Reservoir is renowned for its trout fishery. This section of the river will be stocked weekly with rainbow trout through Labor Day. Most campgrounds and high use public access sites are stocked, and a map of stocking sites is available.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Some decent numbers of smallish smallmouth are available to the angler throwing minnow-imitating lures or spinners. Rafters and kayakers were way down with the cooler weather this past weekend, giving the anglers a well deserved respite.

UMPQUA RIVER, Reedsport, Ore.-A great salmon bite here a week ago slowed to “a trickle” over the weekend, according to WON Field Reporter and guide for River Secrets Guide Service, Curtis Palmer. But it was picking back up, and a lot of huge kings tipping the scales to 50 pounds and more were caught.

TRINITY-KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-Fishing for adult salmon perked up again last week, at least before the weekend, when heavy boat traffic and a small front moving through seemed to slow the bite down somewhat. Anglers caught adult salmon to 35 pounds, jacks and some nice adult steelhead. Most of the fishing was concentrated from Klamath Glen up to Blue Creek, but some folks ventured into the estuary just above the mouth and caught salmon coming into the river on the tide swings.

KLAMATH RIVER, Weitchpec-Tom Wilson of Spey-Ghee Guide Service reported some nice steelhead were now being caught just below the mouth of the Trinity River on spinners.

TRINITY RIVER, Weitchpec-Salmon fishing was still slow in the lower end of the Trinity according to Ed Duggan of “D” Guide Service, with fall run salmon yet to show in any great numbers. Temperatures were hot. However, there was a bit of a cooling spell toward the end of the week, and some steelhead reported around Weitchpec, so fishing should pick up significantly any day in the lower river.

TRINITY RIVER, Junction City-The spring salmon run is about over, and fishing was only fair last week in the upper end of the Trinity. The fall run has yet to show in any great numbers, but some brighter salmon should be showing up in decent numbers in a week or so.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-Flows are still low and fishermen are finding some nice rainbows and browns in the deeper pools on the Middle Fork around Georgetown and below the dam at French Meadows.

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is at 70-percent capacity. The whole area had been evacuated due to a big wildfire, but the Forest Service lifted the evacuations on Sunday morning. Emerald Cove Marina was closed at press time and local authorities are strongly advising that people stay out of this part of Yuba County. There are road closures in effect and only residents are allowed in.

CAMP FAR WEST-One angler reported catching 30 to 35 bass 1 1/2 to 2 pounds on plastic worms. The angler said that the mid-day action was better than early morning. Shore anglers are reporting lots of catfish action at night on chicken livers and anchovies or sardines. The main boat launch is still useable. The South Shore Resort will close after the Labor Day weekend.

COLLINS LAKE-The lake is holding at 17 feet from full. Catfish made a big showing this past week with only a few trout weighed in. Catfish to 12 pounds were weighed in by anglers fishing at the marina docks, powerlines and east side with sardines, crawdads, chicken livers and worms. A Lincoln angler did catch trout up to 6 pounds trolling Rapalas at the dam.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is at 89-percent capacity. Planter rainbows are still being caught by trollers in the marina working between the moored houseboats. Houseboat owners are catching trout off the backs of their boats on worms. The rainbows are shallow-10 to 15 feet deep.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-According to Will Fish Tackle in Auburn, the bite has slowed way down here-even the locals are having a tough time.

FULLER LAKE-Still good action on planter rainbows and browns at the dam for shore anglers using Power Bait or worms. Trolling with flasher/worm combos or small spoons is producing for small boaters.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that 12-to14-inch kokanee are still falling for trollers using dodgers and white hoochies at 60 to 80 feet near the powerhouse and the dam. Macks running 2 to 10 pounds are hitting 3-inch frog Lyman lures at the dam at 80 feet. Browns have been hitting the frog Tasmanian Devil trolled at 2 mph at the powerhouse and the inlet.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is at 59-percent capacity-already down 110 feet. Bass fishing is fair at best with 6 or 7 fish rating as a good day. Main points around the dam and Bidwell were producing bass to 3 1/2 pounds on Senkos and Roboworms fished at 25 to 35 feet. Some nice coho are being caught in the main body of the lake at 50 to 65 feet deep on Sling Blade/Yo-Zuri Pin Minnow or Rapala combos. Most of the coho are running 16 inches, though a few are up to 3 to 4 pounds.

ROLLINS LAKE-Lots of action reported at Long Ravine Resort. Bass, crappie and trout have been hitting at the docks. The Bear River inlet area has been producing fish also. An 8-year-old landed an 8-pound catfish at the inlet on nightcrawlers.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-Lots of little bass, smallies and largemouths, have been caught on flukes and plastic worms. Most of the bass are measuring 10 to 12 inches with a few keepers. Some trout action on Panther Martins was reported at the inlet.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-Slow for trout since the DFG hasn’t planted in weeks. Hopefully as the weather cools, more plants will be made this fall.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Still a few trout coming in for anglers throwing lures at the Pilot Creek inlet.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-Dan Morelock landed a limit of bass that included a 5 1/2 and two 3 pounders on frogs. Other anglers reported picking up fish in the 4- to 5-pound range on worms and buzzbaits thrown along the tule banks.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE- Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, plastic worms, and Senkos are all being used by successful anglers. The bite continues to change daily–one day you can catch fish on a crankbait and the next day you might not. The deeper bite has been a little more consistent, but even that bite doesn’t really work each day.

LAKE BERRYESSA-With the hot weather, the bass bite slowed, but kokes are still on tap. The kokes have moved off structure and are in deep water, try where the two channels come together.

UPPER BLUE LAKE-Bass will continue to be a better bet until the lake is planted with trout, but no word on when that will be. Warm water and weather has trout deeper and the bite slow.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-Trout are being marked at the A-Frame and on the east shore north and south of the Dorado Inn. The usual shoreline fishing has been slow as the cooler waters never forced trout into the Hamilton Branch area. If you want to try, roe, crickets or a garden worm will be the way to go. The north fork of Feather River that runs through Chester had a recent plant and shoreline fishing was good from the railroad bridge and down.

ANTELOPE LAKE-Trolling Rapalas, a flasher/worm, or different colored Needlefish in 15 feet produced a lot of trout. An excellent trout bite continues here for as many fish as you want, but just keep five. Bass, catfish and panfish are also options here. During the week there have been fewer boats, but go early on the weekend and that shouldn’t be a problem either.

BAUM LAKE- Fish are still keeping to the deeper waters during mid-day. As usual, Power Bait, Power Eggs and nightcrawlers were favorites. Fly fishermen have been doing better with the cooler temperatures and the hatches in the evenings have been fairly good. Red copper John’s or brown or olive colored wooly buggers, Panther Martins and Kastmasters were productive as well.

BRITTON LAKE-Good bets continue to be crappie jigs, crappie nibbles and crappie magnets for crappie. Regulation change now includes bluegill and perch in the 25 fish limit on crappie, so be sure to count them in your total catch. The bass bite should start to pick up some with cooler weather also cooling the water.

BURNEY CREEK-The bite here has been consistent all summer on caddis and callibaetis above the falls or attractor patterns. Below the falls a pheasant tail, copper John, bird’s nest or hares ear worked best.

CASSEL FOREBAY-A little slower this past week, but lots of fish are still being caught. Mornings continue to be better than evenings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch fish. Worms and Power Bait are working well with some people preferring lures. This holiday weekend will be busy, but the fishing should be excellent. Fly fishing in the morning continues to produce with slower activity in the evening. Pmds and Adams were enticing a good number of fish.

EAGLE LAKE- Due to cooling weather, trout are already migrating northwards into shallower water in the middle basin. Fish are in transition and scattered from 30 to 3 feet on the west side from Pelican Point south to Slough Point. Best baits this past week included Sep’s brown grubs, olive colored trolling fillies and nightcrawlers.

UPPER HAT CREEK-Fishing was phenomenal with low pressure and lots of fish, including lots of large brook trout in the 3- to 6-pound class. DFG ramped up the plants preparing for the upcoming Labor Day. The typical catch was mostly brookies with a few rainbows. Quite a few 3-pound plus brookies were caught as well. Worms and Panther Martins were the baits to use but salmon eggs also did well.

HAT CREEK (wild) – Nymphing is the best, but callibaetis cripples can yield some good results. Nymph fishermen doing best on hare’s ear, birds nest, pheasant tails.

LEWISTON RESERVOIR-Finesse fishing at the south end where it is deeper took a few fish. As the weather cools the fishing should heat up. There are some big trout in here.

MANZANITA LAKE–Fishing was very tough this past week due to higher winds and cold, rainy weather over the weekend. A midge dropper under a stimulator was still taking some good fish. As weather warms before the holiday the bite should improve. Surface activity is typical both early and late. Although large swings in temperatures this time of year slow the bite, cooler water temperatures will start to bring on increased feeding by the bigger fish before the winter. Remember to heed the special restrictions on this lake.

PIT RIVER-Downsize your flies and target the faster white water. The fish push up into those areas because there is more oxygen for them. Adding another splitshot or two is a good idea and will help you get down to the fish. The road to Pit No. 3 will be open for this holiday weekend only. Then it will close for more repairs until October, but the flows will be increased.

LAKE SHASTA-According to Ben Raimondi of Fish’in Comfort, a 19 1/2-inch salmon was caught using a UV blue Sling Blade with a red/white/blue Humdinger and scent. Both salmon and trout were caught at 60 feet near No Name Island and the Pitt River Bridge. A 6-pound bass was also taken on the troll at 60 feet by the Pitt River Bridge.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-Depending on which species they were targeting, anglers were catching some halfpounder (12 to 18 inches long) steelhead and striped bass. While they congregate in different kinds of water, the steelhead are in faster riffles and the striped bass in slower deep holes, except for very early and late, both species were spread throughout the river. Fly fishermen were drifting prince nymphs, birds’ nests, Foxes pupa, and egg flies for steelhead.
Spin fishermen were drifting nightcrawlers and swinging spinners. For stripers, fly fishers were swinging Clouser minnows, and spin fishermen were throwing soft plastic swimbaits, Pencil Poppers and jerkbaits. Soaking soft shell crawdads was also a very effective method. Flows have dropped to 1,750 cfs.

FEATHER RIVER-Salmon fishing ended last Sunday, but it went out on a relatively good note, with success rates as high as 3 nice salmon per boat. Of course there were lots of skunks as well, but that’s salmon fishing even in the best of times. Just above Shanghai Rapids proved to be the “hot” spot for catching mostly nice, bright salmon weighing around 14 pounds. Fishing continued to be poor in the upper section of river open to salmon fishing.

FOLSOM LAKE-No change. Boat traffic continued to be heavy, especially on weekends, and even weekday evenings. Bass fishing continued to be a challenge as the lake drops slowly (now below three-quarters full. Bass are deep laying at the edges of edges of river channels and submerged rock piles. Slowly work Robo-Worms in light shad patterns, or darker oranges and browns until you find a pattern that gets the most bites.

MCCLOUD RIVER-Trout fishing continued to be pretty good in the cooler water of the McCloud (relative to the Upper Sac). Anglers could expect half a dozen trout in the 10- to 15-inch range on Mayfly and caddis nymph patterns under indicators, with the occasional hatch allowing some dry fly action in the evening.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Almost all the striped bass being caught around Sacramento continued to be very small, but some larger stripers were being reported among the shakers around Tisdale and Ward’s Landing on drifted minnows, jigs, and Clouser streamers. Fishing for catfish was pretty good in Sacramento, Elkhorn and Lisbon sloughs, but the whiskerfish seem to prefer live minnows and small bluegill rather than the usual stinkbaits, mackerel, and chicken livers. Salmon season opens Sept. 4 and runs through Oct. 3 from the Highway 113 Bridge near Knights Landing to the Carquinez Bridge, although prospects are less than promising, but around the mouth of the Feather River might be one of the better places to try.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff-Fly fishing for trout was fair, Posse Ground area of Redding (boats cannot pass under the Cypress Street Bridge under current flows), and from Bonneview down to Balls Ferry. Dead drift small caddis nymphs under indicators and drift nightcrawlers and crickets.

UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir-Trout fishing was only fair last week especially in the lower stretches of the river. Fish higher in the river and work the pockets with Prince nymphs, rubberlegs, and Foxes’ Poopah.

YUBA RIVER-Trout fishing was very good again last week, and even better, fish continued to key on hoppers, which brought some spectacular strikes. Hike upstream and down from the Highway 20 Bridge or driftboaters to Sycamore Ranch above the Daguerre Dam. It’s private and a fee is required to take out there.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-Captain Bill Clapp of Bill’s Sportfishing and Guide Service reported two good halibut trips mid-week, with some bonus sharks hitting on trips targeting waters outside the Golden Gate on the North Bar. On the Happy Hooker and California Dawn, an Allied Fire Protection dual charter decided to target sharks in south bay due to outside weather conditions, the change up producing plenty of leopard shark action, plus some sixgill cow sharks and soupfins.

BODEGA BAY- Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler reported a great week of bottomfishing, with limits of quality reds dominating the catch. “We tried for salmon on Monday, but switched over to rockfish and caught limits,” said Powers. The king effort netted his group three hookups but no connections, all three fish slipping the hook.

EMERYVILLE-The boats targeted bottomfish, halibut and salmon. When the weather was decent the bottomfishing ruled, but by the weekend, the fleet was forced to fish the Marin Coast due to the outside ocean conditions. A couple salmon trips produced less than one around on the kings, but both trips put blood on the decks, with 8 kings to 22 pounds on the C Gull II on Thursday, and 7 salmon on Sunday on the New Seeker. In-bay trips found tough fishing for halibut, but there were better scores on the boats that fished outside on the North Bar or up the Marin Coast.

EUREKA-Pacific halibut are still an option when the weather cooperates, with the Reel Steel scoring a 58 pounder and a 27 pounder on Saturday. Salmon action is possible, with the occasional keeper mixed with shakers and silvers. Tuna fishing is not likely unless the weather forecast misses.

HALF MOON BAY-Great action on the shallow water rockfish trips, with the Queen Of Hearts reporting plenty of rockfish, some cabezon and the occasional lingcod filling sacks at spots like Pescadero. They did make a run to New Years Island, where one angler caught a 5-pound cab.

LOCH LOMOND-Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star reported good action on trips targeting rockfish and halibut, but weekend weather hurt things on Saturday. “We had a great trip on Sunday outside to the north side between Point Bonita and Point Diablo, with over half limits of rockfish, and then caught nine halibut on the way back in,” said Hough.

POINT SAN PABLO-Captain Frank Miller on the Fury ran Saturday and struggled with the bay’s windy conditions, but managed one halibut. On Sunday, a few halibut drifts didn’t produce so his anglers opted for putting over half limits of rockfish in the boat from near Duxbury.

SAN FRANCISCO-Captain Erik Anfinson on the Bass Tub reported on his first tuna trip mid-week, the focus a temp break out by the Pioneer Seamount. A couple hookups came unbuttoned, but at least they had action. “Everything looked good, we had 60-degree water and lots of life, but the fish didn’t really want to bite,” said Anfinson. On the weekend, the Bass Tub switched to nearshore rockfish and halibut, Saturday’s trip finding 60 rockfish, two lings and a halibut. On Sunday, halibut was the focus, and the 11 anglers on board caught 7 to 20 pounds.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BLUE LAKES-Action was reported to be good for shore anglers using worms and wooly buggers at both Upper and Lower Blue, according to John Voss at Caples Lake Resort.

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 74-percent capacity. Anglers are still picking up some rainbows at the inlet in the early morning on bait and an occasional brown at the dam in the evening throwing small Rapalas.

CAPLES LAKE-The lake is only down 3 feet from full. John Voss at Caples Lake Resort reported that the trout fishing is still good for shore anglers at the dam using Power Bait for 10- to 12-inch rainbows and browns. Trollers are working the middle of the lake with threaded nightcrawlers and F-7 Rapalas.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-Alpine County is scheduled to make an 1800-pound plant of rainbows and browns into the East and West Forks this week before the Labor Day weekend. Fishing over the past weekend was rated “absolutely spectacular” with lots of fish from 2 to 5 pounds, 6 ounces. And, 4- to 6-year-olds have been coming into the Carson River Resort on the East Fork with 2 pounders. Flows are good in the East Fork but very low and clear in the West Fork. Use stealth and light tackle in the West Fork for the best chance at success-the river is full of fish.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 61-percent capacity. Trolling has slowed down, but 14- to 16-inch rainbows are still hitting silver/red Needlefish and Dick Nite spoons fished at 16 feet near the island and off the main points on the upper end of the lake. The area was plagued with wind most of this past week making fishing even tougher. Shore fishermen are picking up a couple of fish in the afternoon at Honker Cove on Power Bait. The recent winds made fly fishing impossible.

DONNER LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The bite should pick up dramatically near the boat ramp after the plant. A Mack may hit the shallower water in search of an easy meal of planted rainbows, so try a big Krocodile spoon in the early morning.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-The North Fork above Hwy 70 is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Trout fishing was very consistent for rainbows and browns up to 23 inches for guide Dick Mason who limited out 8 days in a row at Butt Valley Reservoir. Very few other boats were on the lake. Some incidental smallmouths are being caught by trollers and the bass bite itself is good for fishermen throwing Senkos and darthead worms in browns and greens.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 42-percent capacity. Trolling has slowed here with one angler reporting only 4 or 5 fish using a gold Thomas Buoyant in the Lunker Point area. Rainbows are still running a healthy 15 to 18 inches though.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that there was some decent rainbow action at Upper Salmon Lake since the DFG trout plant this past week. Gold Lake has been producing some big fish in the early morning, but otherwise fishing has been tough.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 91-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Few reports of any action were found here. This plant should make a difference for those fishing near the boat ramp with Power Bait and worms.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-The campgrounds are finally open after the repaving job that went on for the last month. Fishing has been slow and Alpine County will not plant the lake until after Labor Day, according to Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-Mountain Hardware and Sports reported good action for trollers running flashers and worms or Needlefish. Shore anglers at the dam are picking up the recent DFG planters on worms.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-Mike Barrett caught a 21 1/2-inch, 4-pound Mackinaw trolling a Rapala at 60 feet by the second dam. A few scattered rainbows are coming in for shore anglers using Power Bait on the peninsula at the entrance to the Narrows.

LAKE TAHOE-John Shearer at Tahoe Sportfishing reported steady action for kokanee when the winds let up at Baldwin Beach, Cascade and Camp Richardson using a dodger trailing red or green Wedding Rings and kokanee bugs tipped with corn at 50 to 70 feet. The majority of the fish are still in good shape and running 15 to 17 inches. An incidental Mack up to 8 pounds can be caught while trolling for kokes. Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners has been doing well on trolling/jigging combo trips. Nielsen trolls Storm Thunder Sticks for the first hour of the morning for Macks that have been running 3 to 5 pounds, and then switches over to jigging for kokanee. Kokes are hitting in easy limit numbers on No. 2 Buzz Bomb or 2-ounce Crippled Herring. Male kokes are starting to turn red, females are still silver-all are running 14 to 17 inches. Macks are also hitting a jigged Williamson Vortex in the 3 ½-ounce size.

LOON LAKE-The lake is at 69-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Trollers still picking up rainbows on dodger/worms or a brown grub. The plant will improve fishing, especially for shore anglers fishing near the boat ramp with Power Bait and worms.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is at 66-percent capacity. Shore action has been good at the boat ramp and over at Hobart Mills for planter rainbows on Power Bait and nightcrawlers, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.

PYRAMID LAKE-Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters said that the perch fishing has slowed but that on two trips this past week his clients landed 139 and 142 cutthroat trout, 21 to 27 inches, on crappie jigs while fishing for the perch. The trout season is closed and all the fish were released but the clients were worn out by noon on both trips and called it a day.

RED LAKE-John Voss at Caples Lake Resort reported some cutthroat and cuttbows have been caught by shore anglers using worms.

SILVER LAKE-The lake was planted this past week by the DFG and limits of 14- to 16-inch rainbows were easy to catch on bait and lures. Jeff Cole from Sly Park Resort fished here on Thursday from his kayak and easily caught and released a limit trolling a Thomas Buoyant. Cole said he saw lots of people fishing by the old Kay’s boat ramp.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 61-percent capacity. Kokanee action is still good for 14- to 17-inch fish from the dam to the inlet of the Little Truckee River. The kokes are starting to school up and the males are changing color-the females are still bright. Troll dodger/RGT’s at 70 to 90 feet deep near the dam but be prepared to move around to locate schools of active fish. Best colors are pink and chartreuse. Macks are close to the bottom and can be caught jigging Buzz Bombs and Crippled Herring. Trout are hitting kokanee rigs at 45 feet.

TRUCKEE RIVER-The Little Truckee River between Boca and Stampede is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Fishing has slowed some but there is plenty of action on BWO’s, hoppers, crawfish and PMD’s. Lots of 7- to 12-inch rainbows are hitting smaller flies with an occasional 20 incher falling for the big crawfish patterns. Not many hatches coming off the water now, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 79-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Kokanee are still hitting, but they’re starting to turn red. Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle fished on Saturday and landed 17 kokes by 10 a.m. on a watermelon Wild Thing dodger trailing a pink-purple or orange-chartreuse Wee Tad. Neeser said the fish were 60 to 80 feet deep over deep water off Sunset Point and ran 14 to 17 inches. One fish had turned red with the signature green sockeye head. Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle said that Macks, 3 to 10 pounds, are still hitting flasher/herring or Assassin plugs at 90 to 120 feet deep.

WEST WALKER RIVER-The river is still loaded with fish and Mono County will be planting another 165- to 185-pound load of 3-pound average Alpers trout this week before the Labor Day holiday. The DFG planters are now running 8 to 12 inches. Everyone is catching all the fish they want, according to Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel. Fly fishing is fabulous and some anglers are moving to more outlying sections of the river trying to find more challenging action because the planted areas are just too easy.