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 close, and others change to artificial/barbless only on, March 31 and others on April 25. Trouble identifying salmon or steelhead? Go to: http://www.swr.noaa.gov/fmd/identify.htm.

COQUILLE RIVER, Ore.- According to guide Bill Divens of Salmon King Lodge, the Coquille is expected to have a banner run of king salmon this year, matching or exceeding the best runs of recent memory. The Coquille is one hour north of Gold Beach, Oregon.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.-According to guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service, spring Chinook fishing is becoming very slow for most sportsmen on the bottom end of the river system. There were a couple days where the persistent angler hit pay dirt with rods bouncing and salmon being netted. This time of the year some late Spring Chinook’s enter the river for their migration. Most days there are only a few salmon being caught. “By the middle of July I expect to be seeing and hearing of large fall Chinook being caught by many of the boats trolling the Bay of Gold Beach,” Palmer said. According to Bill Divens of Salmon King Lodge, he expects the upriver fall fishing to be better than the estuary due to cooler flows-it will all depend on water temperature.

ROGUE RIVER, Upper-WON Staff Writer Pat Young took a trip up here and fished with Brian Fauchet of TripleXXX Fishing and hooked a few small trout, but no salmon or steelhead during a 10-mile drift from Elk Creek to Takelna. The upper river is running at 2400 cfs, five to six times normal. Salmon are moving through and they are hard to nail down with the high flows.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Shad run is on the tail end, but still 3 to 5 an evening being caught. They’ll be easier to find now that Johnson’s Beach dam is in–they’ll be downstream of there. Vacation Beach dam will be going in within two weeks, and then what shad are left will be caught around Monte Rio and Cassini Ranch. Big news is the large numbers of small stripers 14 to 16 inches being caught, with occasional striped bass to 10 pounds! There hasn’t been a striper run in the Russian for over 20 years! Smallmouth bass fishing is definitely heating up, and now that the dams are in, the smallies will be holding in the lake structure.

UMPQUA RIVER; Elkton, Ore.–Spring Chinook fishing has come to an end on the lower Umpqua River. Not only has the fishing slowed, but the moss floating downstream is making it hard to keep lines clean for more than a couple minutes. Smallmouth bass are becoming the target of many anglers on the river. At peak season, fisherman can expect to catch close to 90 of these hard hitting guys. WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service said he has found shad stretched through much of the upper section. “I have heard reports of shad as low as Yellow Creek area, west of the town of Sutherlin and as high up the river as River Forks Park near Roseburg.”

Umpqua River, North Fork; Glide, Ore.–The spring run of Chinook salmon are still nosing their way into the North Umpqua River and can be viewed at the Winchester Dam north of Roseburg, reported guide Curtis Palmer. There are still some very bright fish to be caught, although most of them are losing their brilliant shine, they are still in good condition. Water temperatures on the surface are 53 degrees in the morning and warming a couple degrees by late afternoon. Mornings and evenings have showed the best results for catching a springer on the upper river around the Narrows and Swift Water Park. “I found a few salmon in many of the holes I fished on my trip with a friend the Friday before Father’s Day,” Palmer said.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City- Flows in the upper river continued their slow slide downward, and were 2,000 cfs over the weekend, but are going to drop to a very fishable 450 cfs this Saturday, June 25. Most of the fishing action from Lewiston to Junction City continued to be from brown trout.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam-The release from Iron Gate Dam dropped a bit more but over 2,000 cfs was coming from Iron Gate Dam. The upper river continued to be too high to fish.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-Flows were dropping last week, and the river cleared a bit, but was still somewhat off-color. Fishing wasn’t fast, by any means, and it was important to fish the right slot to have a chance at a spring run Chinook salmon, but the ones being caught were real beauties, with some pushing 30 pounds.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-While the outside action improved, especially salmon fishing, the in-bay bite suffered as big tides and bigger downflows of runoff muddied up the bay. The New Easy Rider had their best salmon day yet this season, with 8 kings to 24 pounds for 12 anglers. Some of the boats ran to the Farallones for bottomfish, finding lings and half limits (Scott Sutherland at the landing said water temperatures may have been too cold to get the school fish to go). Best count on the bay boats was 5 stripers and 1 halibut, although there was a 20-pound ‘but caught during the week.

BODEGA BAY- Salmon are still around, but the bottomfishing opener encouraged more effort for rockfish and lingcod, with limits the norm of the former, and good numbers of the latter thanks to the drop in the size limit on lings. Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler said he’s been finding good action up around Fort Ross to Salt Point. “On the first day of the season, we had 26 limits of rockfish and 19 lings to 12 pounds,” he said. That set the pace for the week, with limits of rockfish and bonus lingcod boated every trip. The Miss Anita had one around on salmon on Sunday, six for six, and some of the private boats had limits.

EMERYVILLE-The fleet switched to sharks, rockfish and sturgeon as tides picked up through the week, the result good action on rockfish and lingcod, and some nice sturgeon boated. The Aku Nui had 2 keeper sturgeon on Saturday, and 3 keepers and one oversized released on Sunday. There was an effort on Saturday for salmon that found 4 keepers topped by a 23 pounder, and the Talisman had a wide open leopard shark bite with 9 to 19 pounds on Thursday.

EUREKA-WON subscriber Lonnie Dollarhide said there was a brief weekend window that allowed a few boats to sneak out for salmon Saturday morning. Those who did, found good salmon action just south of the Humboldt Bay bar, the fish ranging from 11 to 24 pounds, stuffed with surf smelt. The fish were in 80 feet of water. Saturday afternoon’s wind arrived and stuck around through Sunday, and wind was forecasted all week.

FORT BRAGG-Salmon action on the rise, with Monday’s efforts producing limits for private boaters, and some big fish caught including a 36 pounder caught on a boat out of Albion. Crab and rockfish combos on the Telstar found near limits of rockfish and a half dozen lingcod per trip, and good numbers of Dungeness crabs. Big seas hampered salmon efforts later in the week, but the Telstar did find 5 kings and lots of missed opportunities on Tuesday.

HALF MOON BAY-Salmon fishing was slow, but kings to 29 pounds were caught. Local bottomfishing waters opened on Monday, and while most boats had cancellations due to weather through the week, the trips that were accomplished found good rockfish action. “We cancelled several trips due to the forecast of big wind and big swells,” said Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat. “All this northwest wind should be good for the upwellings and create great fishing conditions, but that does not necessarily mean immediate fishing gratification!”

LOCH LOMOND-Captain Jim Cox of Jim Cox Sportfishing reported hooking the biggest sturgeon ever on his boat, the estimated 150 pounder putting on a major league fight before Cox released it at boatside. He also reported one keeper sturgeon in the boat while fishing San Pablo Bay. Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star declared the end of his sturgeon season on Sunday, the week’s tally 41 shaker sturgeon, 1 oversized and 7 keepers.

POINT SAN PABLO-Captain Frank Miller on the Fury targeted sturgeon early in the week, finding a couple nice keepers in San Pablo Bay. The switch back to live bait on Saturday found difficult fishing conditions and a tough bite, but he’s optimistic that as the tides back down, the potluck action for halibut and striped bass will return.

SAN FRANCISCO-Captain Jacky Douglas on the Wacky Jacky said she spent more time on the bay than out in the ocean looking for her beloved king salmon, but fishing is fishing. “It keeps the boat going!” she said. Her anglers caught halibut to 15 pounds and leopard sharks to 20 pounds fishing the Alameda Rockwall. Captain Steve Talmadge on Flash Fishing said the bay bite has been up and down, with some days producing 2 fish per angler, and other days very tough to even get a bite.

SHELTER COVE-Good salmon and bottomfishing when the boats can fish, with windy conditions restricting the fishable days.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 93-percent capacity. The DFG trout plant from two weeks ago still has fishing in high gear. Pink Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers are working on any windy point for shore anglers. Trollers have been picking up some 3- to 4-pound browns on Rapalas.

CAPLES LAKE-Open water showing at Wood’s Creek, the dam and spillway was providing shore anglers with access to the lake.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-Both forks were running high and muddy and fishing was understandably slow. Look for slower water near the shore and use a nightcrawler or a big gob of salmon eggs if you still want to try for a trout. “Beans” Souza of Markleeville picked up a 6-pound, 1-ounce rainbow on a nightcrawler fishing in a slack water pocket along the shore on the East Fork this past week.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 88-percent capacity. Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported very good action with 110 fish landed in 6 trips this past week-50 fish on just one afternoon outing. The No.1 copper/red head Dick Nite spoon worked best all week at 14 to 20 feet deep. The rainbows averaged 15 to 16 inches with some to 19 inches.

DONNER LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Shore anglers were finding good action for rainbows on worms and salmon eggs, but Boca and Prosser were much better choices. The plant this week will make a big improvement in angling success. Boaters have been picking up a few macks, 3 to 6 pounds, jigging rainbow trout pattern Krocodile spoons at 80 feet deep.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-The North Fork above Caribou Crossroads Resort was running high and most likely will be until August due to a PG&E snafu. Some fish were being caught at the Caribou Powerhouse. Butt Valley Reservoir is at 88-percent capacity and should be fishing well for trout and smallmouths.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 101-percent capacity and spilling. Shore anglers have been doing well at Crystal and Turkey Point using inflated nightcrawlers or a ‘crawler/marshmallow combo for 12- to 17-inch rainbows. Trolling was good between Lunker Point and Nightcrawler Bay on Tasmanian Devils, Dick Nites, and Rooster Tails, according to Wiggin’s Trading Post.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-Only Lower Sardine Lake is accessible and it is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 69-percent capacity. Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Guide Service reported good action trolling with Sep’s grubs and spinners. Dee Busolo of Placerville landed a 3 3/4-pound brown on a green spinner fished in the top 15 feet. The fish are feeding heavily on flying ants and the bite will improve after the ants die off. All the campgrounds and the boat ramp are open.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported 5 to 10 fish days on 12- to 22-inch rainbows using intermediate sinkers with black or olive woolly buggers and zonkers or floating lines with San Juan Worms and a midge under an indicator on the east end of the lake. Most of the fish were running 12 to 16 inches.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-The lake is still spilling and has been since Christmas-some kind of record! Shore anglers were doing well at the first dam and at the campgrounds on green Power Bait. Jim Emerson of Pollock Pines caught a 5-pound brown while trolling a dodger/nightcrawler 30 feet deep at the second dam. Smallmouth bass have been hitting spinnerbaits-the water temp was 60-degrees and rising.

LAKE TAHOE-Big Mack Charters, Chuck’s Charter Fishing, and Tahoe Top Liners all reported good action on Mackinaw from 80 to 250 feet deep. The fish are running 2 to 9 pounds with lots of opportunity to cull smaller fish leaving mostly 5- to 6-pound keepers. Coyote spoons, Storm Thundersticks, Sling Blade/minnows are all working. Brown trout trolling was tough.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is at 75-percent capacity. Fishing has been good for both planters and holdover trout on worms and rainbow trout Kastmaster spoons. Trolling a mini-flasher/worm combo provides non-stop action. For the fly fishermen, some surface action on midges has developed at the inlets of Alder Creek and Prosser Creek in the current.

PYRAMID LAKE-Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported good trolling along the east side of the lake. His last three trips produced 22, 26, and 29 fish on frog U-20 FlatFish at 35 feet deep. The tribal fisheries released 1.2 million 8- to 10-inch cutthroats and these small fish are swarming all over the west side-head east to Hell’s Kitchen and the Pyramid.

RED LAKE-WON Editor Bill Karr reported that there was big open water showing at the upper end and the north side of the lake. There’s 6 feet of open water all along the face of the dam, but not enough for shore fishing yet. Warm weather this week accompanied with strong winds could have the lake open soon.

SILVER LAKE-According to Caples Lake Resort, this lake is almost thawed. Shore fishing should be possible at the dam.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 97-percent capacity. Rick Kennedy of Tight Lines Guide Service fished the lake on Friday and found slow action for 14- to 16-inch kokanee, but managed limits after trying every trick in the book. The fish were spread from 19 to 50 feet deep, with some schools holding close to the bottom. Pink UV Sling Blade/Gamakatsu Flat Blade Spinner, orange Sling Blade/Uncle Larry’s Tropical Tiger tipped with white shoepeg corn soaked in Pautzke’s Nectar worked best. Many boaters struggled to catch any fish at all.

TOPAZ LAKE-Strong winds all week cut into the fishing. Lots of recreational boaters were out on the lake, making for crowded conditions when the wind lets up.

TRUCKEE RIVER-The river along Hwy 80 was high, cold and muddy. Kalan Richards of El Dorado caught a 26-inch, 6-pound brown near Hirshdale on a No. 6 stone fly nymph in a small slack water pocket despite the dirty, cold water. The Little Truckee below Stampede was still fishing well for browns and rainbows running 15 to 22 inches on size 18 to 22 zebra midges, caddis pupae, San Juan Worms, PT nymphs, and beetles (dry). The best combo has been the San Juan Worm with a zebra midge on 3X or 4 X tippets with a couple of splitshot to get down to the fish. The Hwy 89 section from Tahoe City up has been kicking out lots of 24- to 26-inch rainbows and browns on streamers and green drake or March brown nymphs from deeper pockets with slower current. The fish are hungry and actively feeding.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 88-percent capacity. Kyle Neeser of Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service tested the lake this past week and caught two limits of 12-to 14-inch kokanee on Wild Thing/spinner combos at 30 feet deep. Neeser said the fish were scattered all over the lake. The campgrounds are open, along with the West Point and Sunset boat ramps.

WEST WALKER RIVER-The Little Walker and West Walker are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week. The flows peaked at 3000 cfs this past week and were down to 2450 cfs by Sunday. Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel predicts the flows to stay high for 7 to 10 more days and then slowly ramp down, hopefully in time for the “How Big is Big” Trout Derby that runs the whole month of July. If the flows drop to 1000 cfs by July 1, Mono County will plant some 2- to 4-pound Alpers rainbows. The North Mono Chamber of Commerce will make big plants around July 15 to support the derby, again depending on the water level.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-The river is running high and cloudy. The river rose several feet this past week and was over the concrete slab at the Hwy 49 confluence-higher than seen in years by some reports.

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is at 98-percent capacity. Three boats caught six limits of 10- to 12-inch kokanee 20 feet deep at Garden Point on Wedding Rings and Sure-Catch Goldilocks lures. Spotted bass should be on a good ripbait and crankbait bite.

CAMP FAR WEST-The lake is still full. The bass bite was still good on green pumpkin worms, jigs and Senkos in the inlet arms on the rocky banks for 3 to 4 pounders, according to the North Shore Resort.

COLLINS LAKE-The lake is still 1-foot from full with a surface temp of 76-degrees-warm!! Mike Garcia caught the biggest trout of the season, an 11 3/4-pound rainbow, from the shore on Power Bait. Lots of big trout were being caught in deeper water now that the water is so warm. The docks and dam were popular with the shore fishermen, but trollers were fishing 30 feet deep with flasher/worm combos, Kastmasters, and Needlefish at the dam, bridge, and out from the marina. Bass and crappie were hitting in good numbers. The crappie were stacked up around the marina docks and at the dam. Catfish action is picking up with the warmer water, especially at night.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is at 106-percent capacity and spilling. PG&E made their annual trout plant of 2500 pounds of rainbows as mitigation for their FERC permit. Anglers are catching lots of fish in the marina. Bigger fish are still coming in for anglers running up the lake above Buck’s Beach and soaking nightcrawlers from the shore. Bass were up on the banks cruising and spawning.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 83-percent capacity. Though someone dug their way into the boat ramp, the Forest Service has not officially opened the ramp or the campgrounds yet due to a lingering snowpack.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is full and spilling. A rumored 20-pound mack was caught by a troller using a 4-inch frog pattern Lyman plug 70 feet deep at the dam, but no name given, and that’s suspect. Three other double-digit macks were reportedly taken by trollers using Rapalas at 90 feet deep over 120 feet of water. Others have been picking up a mix of rainbows and browns on Rapalas fished early. Upper Hell Hole (boat-in camp), Hell Hole (still no water), and Middle Meadows (group camp, has water) campgrounds are all open.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is at 99-percent capacity. The Senko bite is good for the bass right now-use rootbeer/black flake wacky rigged at 5 to 20 feet deep. The bigger fish have been coming 10 to 20 feet deep in the West Branch, North Fork, Bloomer Ravine, and Frazier. Try for the coho at the Green Bridge on Sling Blade/hoochie combos at 25 to 45 feet.

ROLLINS LAKE-The lake is still full. George Wilson of Colfax landed a limit of browns to 6 pounds trolling a firetiger F-4 Rapala just past the waterfall in Greenhorn Creek. Lots of bass, rainbows, and crappie were coming in according to Long Ravine Resort. Bass and crappie were hitting worms; trollers were picking up the trout at the dam.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. One troller picked up a 3-pound rainbow in Deer Creek on a chrome dodger/white hoochie combo.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-Campgrounds and boat ramp are open-10-mph speed limit on the lake. No word on the fishing from the Foresthill Ranger Station, but DFG has planted and fishing should be okay.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is full. Most anglers were catching a few rainbows on worms, Power Bait or flasher/worm combos. Campers need to make sure they have reservations for the campgrounds-they’re popular!!

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-The lake is at 80-percent capacity. Lots of small bass being caught on Reaction Innovation Skinny Dippers, according to Bruce Gibson at the Paradise Tackle Company.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE- Where sightfishing anglers can find clear water (and there are some areas where you can clearly see bottom to 9 feet) you can find fish on beds to take advantage of and play with. Anglers also report catching fish on frogs, Ricos, and buzzbaits. Catfish have headed to the banks for their annual spawning run. Anglers chasing the whiskerfish should check out Horseshoe Bend for some good action. Nightcrawlers, mackerel, and chicken liver are the three most commonly reported baits.

LAKE BERRYESSA- With warmer weather coming this week it’s going to drive the kokes deeper in the afternoon, so get out on the water before the heat drives them deep. When they are deeper, though, they should be more bunched up. Fishing guide Troy Barr said kokanee are being caught from Skiers Cove to Big Island from 45 to 60 deep on RMT Hyper Plaid, Tropical Bahama, Bahama Mama and pink Bahama Dodgers with Apex spoons in green, pink and orange or Uncle Larry’s spinners in Too Hot Tiger, Hot Belly or Copper Blue.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-Anchovy tails are getting most of the salmon, but nightcrawlers are also getting their attention, suspended about 4 feet off the bottom. The salmon are usually out of the Snag and moving north this time of year, but this year has been anything but usual and they are still there, though it’s been hot and cold for them.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-Rumor is that PG&E is planning to plow the road into Battle Creek this coming week, so hopefully the road will be open as of this report. However, this has not yet been confirmed so check before making plans. Fish and Game has indicated that they plan to plant German browns in this reservoir as soon as they can gain adequate access to the boat ramp.

BAUM LAKE-According to Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney since the weather is heating up, fishing in the morning and evenings may have the best results. Anglers still had their best luck with Kastmasters, olive woolly buggers and nightcrawlers or floating baits. Expect some midges, caddis, but pt’s and copper Johns in red always seem to get a few fish.

BRITTON LAKE-Little has changed here. Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney reported chocolate milk colored water again, but the crappie bite has definitely been good, even with the colored water. The smallmouth are in spawning mode, so fishing is quite good for them as well. The best results have been in the areas where water is coming into the lake and fish do not seem to be particular yet on colors of jigs. There was a 3-plus-pound crappie taken here recently.

BURNEY CREEK– Vaughn’s Sporting Goods reports good nymphing at the base of the falls, try green copper Johns for results. Bait and lure fishermen are catching them above the falls.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Rim Rock Ranch reported slower fishing but said it was still producing some nice fish. Warmer weather slowed the mid day bite, but mornings and early afternoons were productive. Salmon eggs and floating baits continued to catch the most fish. Lure fishermen weren’t catching as many fish, but their fish tended to be bigger. Pressure is heavier here and will get more crowded the closer we get to the Fourth of July holiday. Fly fishing activity is improving with warmer days and nights. Pale evening duns, callibaetis and Adams have been catching fish consistently. Some caddis hatches are coming off as well. Natural drifts and presentations are critical to catching more fish in this stretch of water.

EAGLE LAKE-The fishing seems to be the best on the west side from Pelican Point to Wildcat Point. The trout are holding above 15 feet and set-ups have been a Sep’s No. 2 grub in watermelon or brown on a side planner with downriggers 10 to 12 feet down. For bobber fishing, anchor in 12 to 18 feet of water and set your baits at 6 to 12 feet deep depending on the water depth you are anchored in. But the most important thing to know is fish early.

FALL RIVER-The Fly Shop in Redding reported that the good fishing is beginning to happen, just not every day. With better weather in the coming days and weeks, better, warmer, stable weather equals good fishing on this ideal trout stream. The rainbows are here, the insect hatches are here. No river compares to it when it comes to casting dry flies to rising rainbow trout. If that’s your thing, then you’d better book a trip right now.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR-Water conditions are great. The lake level is up enough to enable easy boat launching. Callibaetis hatches are producing some good fly fishing for the rainbows, brown and brook trout that swim this body of water.

UPPER HAT CREEK- Rim Rock Ranch reported good fishing most of the week but exceptional going into Fathers Day weekend. DFG made most of its allotted fish plants later in the week, so from Friday on the fishing has been outstanding. There are still a lot of huge rainbows making their way into the bag limits of many anglers. The creek is running much higher than usual for this time of year but is very fishable. Just up your sinker weight. Worms and floating baits were producing the best results this past week, but as is typical, some very nice stringers were coming in for anglers using spinners and crickets. Fly fishermen have been doing better and according to reports, wiggle tail nymphs, tri-ail buggers and olive crystal buggers were working very well. Because of the faster water you need to up your tippet size to keep from breaking off on bigger fish.

HAT CREEK (wild trout section)-Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney reported nymphing was best, with fishermen were doing okay on the stretch just below the Powerhouse. Anglers found good results with PT’s, copper Johns and there were some decent hatches of PMD’s, callibaetis starting to show.

KESWICK RESERVOIR-Water conditions can go up 1000 cfs at anytime here this time of year and good fishing can be found. This seldom-fished reservoir is a sleeper at this time of year. Expect good hatches of PMDs, golden stones and caddis during the month of June.

LEWISTON RESERVOIR–The Fly Shop in Redding reported fishing good one day, and nothing the next. Water conditions are good. Warmer weather should trigger callibaetis hatches that have been mostly absent for some reason. Look for rainbow trout gulping down carpenter ants about mid day. Lewiston will have great water conditions all summer long. This is a good lake.

MANZANITA LAKE-Some sporadic mid-day surface activity is occurring, but not consistently. When you see fish break water in the shallows get on them quickly, as these are roving fish ready to take. Ants, pheasant tails and callibaetis cripples are starting to produce on top. Olive streamers, weighted nymphs and buggers were also doing okay underneath. Nighttime temperatures have been on the climb, so water temperatures should improve the hatch as well as fish activity. Remember to check the special regulations on this catch and release lake.

McCLOUD RIVER-Flows are 450 cfs and clear. You’ll find excellent golden stone hatches, caddis, baetis and PEDs. Anglers are finding fish on Pat’s brown rubber legs, black micro mayflies and HBIs. The big boulder that was blocking the road into the Nature Conservancy is gone and the fishing has been great, according to The Fly Shop.

PIT RIVER-Vaughn’s Sporting Goods reported releases have gone down to below 400 cfs, but the water is still colored. Still, it’s a big improvement from last week. Fishermen are doing best with dark nymphs on the bottom. But be extremely careful on slippery rocks.

SHASTA LAKE-Things are settling down here and so is the bite. Anglers are catching limits daily of both salmon and trout. Trolling Wiggle Hoochies, a pink Apex or Wee-Tads around the dam area was good for trout. Shad patterned lures have been best for king salmon in the Digger Bay area. For bass, fish shallow on sunny days, and target the brush for 20 to 30 bass a day. Sightfish along the banks until you find one on its bed and toss a white tube or a jig to it.

TRINTY RESERVOIR- Stewart Fork arm was producing mixed bags of rainbow trout, kokes, and salmon with depths between 30 and 50 feet best. A UV Sling Blade and watermelon Apex provided all the action. Bass are up and in on the spawn. You can throw reaction baits all day long for the bigger largemouth bass on the north end.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR-Kokes are averaging 15 inches with several 16 inchers per limit. Cover depths from 40 to 60 feet. The hot setup was the UV Sling Blades pulling an UV Apex.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER- River flows went up another 1,000 cfs, to 12,000 cfs and they’re going to 13,500 this week, making for even more challenging fishing-as well as potentially dangerous-fishing conditions. But fishermen want to fish, and the shad are in. Some stripers, too. And, they were catching them last week from Harrington to Sailor Bar with some anglers doing pretty well, by keeping casts close to the bank into slower flows. Fly fishermen managed by using roll or Spey casts, while spin fishermen suspended mini-jigs under floats. A few striped bass were being caught, mostly on sardines or shad.

FEATHER RIVER, Yuba City-Fishing for striped bass continued to be excellent last week, but most were small. It was easy to catch a dozen or more, but most were too small to keep, and the keepers were mostly barely legal at just over 18 inches long. Most fish were concentrated between Boyd’s Pump and Star Bend. No reports on steelhead, but some shad were being caught below the Outlet.
FOLSOM LAKE-Bass fishing continued to be a challenge. Crankbaits and topwater baits might entice a few strikes early and late, but most of the action was by slowly working small Drop-shotted and Texas-rigged small plastics. Salmon and trout were no-shows, and so were fishermen, mostly, trying for them.
RANCHO SECO LAKE, MATHER LAKE-Bass are still available, but weeds are now getting thick and the bite has shifted to early morning and late evening

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-The river was still very high and dirty, but some stripers, mostly small ones were being caught around Sacramento, at such places as Bryte Beach and South River Road, mostly on bloodworms and pileworms. Verona seemed to produce a bit better grade of fish, and the stripers there seemed to prefer sardine, anchovies and even some swimbaits and jerkbaits tossed into slow water near shore.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale-Fishing for stripers picked up last week, and, while most of the action was on smaller fish, the quality was better than around Sacramento, and fish to 28 pounds were reported.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff-Shad fishing continued to be pretty good from Red Bluff to Hamilton City, with flows steady around 11,000 cfs. Some anglers are doubling up on both trout and shad. Curly-tail jigs in chartreuse and champagne have been working well.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-Flows steadied at 11,000 cfs, and trout fishing was excellent last week. Some big hatches created some evening dry fly fishing, but most of the action was nymphing under floats. Glo-Bugs worked well for spin fishermen.