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.

CHETCO RIVER ESTUARY, Brookings, Ore. –The early in-ocean season off the mouth of the Chetco River has been producing some very nice catches of Chinook’s not far offshore over the last week and it is still early in the season, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer. When seas are calm, the salmon anglers fish between 4 and 5 miles out from the Whistle Buoy. When the ocean is rough outside of the safety of Chetco  Point, the salmon angler’s can be found trolling back and forth inside of the Whistle Buoy in front of the Beach. It’s been productive on the calmer days. Bottom fishing  remain’s to be good up around Bird Island. Note: Cabezon’s season has been closed for angler’s fishing from boat’s. Albacore were being caught as close as 25 miles from the Chetco Harbor at the beginning of the week.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.— The bay at the mouth of the Rogue River has finally started holding good numbers of Chinook salmon. This is starting to look promising for the fall king salmon season for the first time this year, said guide Curtis Palmer. Water temperatures in the lower river and bay have worked their way back up to 69 degrees, and that means the salmon will need too start holding for at least a couple days before working there way out of the bay and up the river. As water temperatures become higher the salmon will need to hold in the bay even longer before making the journey up river. Pressure by boats is extremely light this month compared to past years. “So if you are still trying to decide where to take that summer vacation and your family, then Gold Beach with it’s long summer/fall salmon season could be the place you have been looking for.

ROGUE RIVER, Shady Cove—Guide “Pete” out of  The Fishing Hole in Shady Cove said fishing is still in the July cycle. The upper part of the river holds lots of hatchery steelhead, 3 to 5 pounders, and he put his clients on 3 late-run spring salmon and 2 steelhead on Saturday.  A guide who fished the Gold Hill stretch ended up with 2 steelies and 2 salmon. The wild trout action on catch-and-release cutthroats was good, with fish running 8 inches to 20 inches.

RUSSIAN RIVER—Still in the summer cycle of smallmouth bass early and late, while water users thrash the river all day long every day. Won’t change until fall.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.–The spring Chinook season is going to be closing at the end of July. River conditions show the makings for some good summer steelhead fishing days. With very few angler’s on this section of river, it allows steelhead fisherman to work their way from one hole to another without worrying about approaching another angler and his drift. Cured roe or raw shrimp are both steelhead favorites on this part of the north Umpqua River.

Umpqua River; Sutherlin, Ore,–It is smallmouth bass season and on any day there are families making memories while catching dozen of these fun fish. This river offer’s many different sections of river to fish for these fun fish. “Everyone I talk with about how the bass fishing is going this year, starts their answer with a big smile and follows with ‘the fish are bigger than ever before,'” said guide Curtis Palmer of River Secret’s.  “There are still a couple weeks of prime fish time left in the summer and I don’t know  of any river that has better smallie fishing on the west coast.”

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—Salmon fishing has slowed, but there are still a few springers entering the estuary and heading upstream. The fall fish haven’t started showing in big numbers yet.  Steelhead fishing has really taken off, though, according to Steve Huber of Steve Huber’s Guide Service.  He recommends starting at Starwin or Blake’s riffles and heading up to Cleveland and Blue Creek.

TRINITY RIVER–The release at Lewiston is approaching the summer flow of 450 cfs, so driftboating the upper river is becoming more of a challenge. However, salmon fishing has been very good, with limits of bright salmon common.  The river is fishing well throughout, including Gray’s  and Burnt Ranch Falls, at least down to the South Fork, below which the river is closed to fishing.  Try plugs in the morning and switch to roe and tuna balls as the sun gets higher in the sky.  Temperatures in the Trinity Valley are approaching 100 degrees daily, but the fires have largely abated.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Shad fishing is all but over, but fishing for striped bass will be picking up as stripers look for alternative prey.  Some were being caught, mostly in the river below Grist Mill using a variety of methods, from big streamer flies to Pencil Poppers and swimbaits, to crawdads and sardines. A few halfpounder steelhead, as well as the occasional adult to 4 pounds have also been caught.  Fishing for steelhead should pick up, as well.  However, at a flow of 4,500 cfs, wade fishing is quite difficult.

FOLSOM LAKE—Fishing for trout continued to be pretty good for the few anglers trying for them.  However, plan on getting on the water early and off early.  Troll the main body with F-7 FlatFish in Hot Steel at about 55 feet and Speedy Shiners at 45 feet.  The lake is now dropping, and bass have mostly moved to deeper water.  The best chance at a bit of action is to drop-shot  Robo-Worms and jig with crawdad patterns across main points.  Live bait, like crawdads and minnows are also very effective.  There’s a bit of topwater and swimbait action very early in the morning.

FEATHER RIVER—Salmon fishing wasn’t all that red hot for the opener, and really tapered off afterward.  The best shot at a king was just  below the Outlet.  Shanghai Bend was also producing a few salmon a day on Kwikfish.  Unfortunately, the boat ramp has been closed for renovating which will take a month or so—right in the prime of salmon season.

RANCHO SECO LAKE–Bass fishing was slow except for very early and late, but fishing for redeared sunfish was pretty good by suspending worms under bobbers.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Salmon fishing was only fair for most of the week, but a few were taken at the mouth of the American River on Sunday.  There are lots of adult salmon heavily feeding in the ocean, and they will be heading up the Sacramento River continuously for the next few months, so the key to success is to put in the hours at spots like the mouth of the American and Feather Rivers.  The  Deep Water Channel continued to produce a few striped bass on bloodworms and mudsuckers.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff—Salmon fishing was spectacular between Hamilton City and Red Bluff for the first few days of the season but tapered off to 2 to 4 fish a boat toward the end of the week due to heavy pressure—still worthwhile. as these fish are in beautiful shape, and even one bright, hard fighting king an outing should be considered a success.  And, anglers are anticipating the August 1 salmon opener above Red Bluff, which also should be sensational.        

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Flows continued to be high, but trout fishing was excellent as more and more salmon enter the upper reaches of the river below Keswick Dam.  While trout were still taking nymphs fished under indicators and bait, they were increasingly keying on egg patterns.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir—Flows were still a bit high, but trout fishing continued to be very good with mostly planters in the Dunsmuir area, and wild fish as you work downstream. The City of Dunsmuir has begun another trophy trout planting program.  On the McCloud, it’s fishing for wild fish below the dam, and fishing for planters above the lake.

YUBA RIVER—Shad fishing has pretty much ended, but trout fishing continued to be good, and they are now starting to key on hopper imitations.  Fun.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Salmon action continued at a satisfactory pace with the fish just five miles or so out of the Gate. Halibut fishing was typically a pick, but improved with the right tides. Rockfish and lingcod seem willing to pick up any slack and fill the sacks aboard the Happy Hooker, California Dawn and Jilly Sea.

BODEGA BAY—Good salmon fishing was found by the Bodega Bay fleet including the Reel-lentless  working up the line off of the Russian River. The fish are still feeding very high in the water column. For those who want to drop deeper, groundfish action was steady and the quality of the fish pleasing.

EMERYVILLE—Limits for most boats early in the week changed to just a few limits and an average of just above 1 fish per rod on the salmon late in the week and into the weekend for passengers fishing a half-dozen miles outside the Gate aboard the C-Gull II, Salmon Queen III, Super Fish and Talisman. The Sea Wolf fished rockfish and generally found limits for all passengers. Live bait potluck trips inside the Bay on the New Huck Finn and C-Gull II scratched just a few halibut.

EUREKA—Albacore plus one bluefin tuna caused an excited buzz in Eureka and neighboring communities. Some individual scores were impressive while others ran and trolled for little to nothing, as is the nature of tuna fishing. Much closer to shore, limits of salmon continued to be commonplace, except for Thursday when the salmon simply took the day off without explanation.

FORT BRAGG— The Telstar fished below Point Cabrillo Lighthouse in 60 to 110 feet of water to post 3/4-limits of rockfish plus better than I fish per rod on keeper lingcod. Squid strips on dropper loops worked well. Salmon action was better then the half-fish per rod counts would indicate, due to lots of lost opportunities. Anglers rigged properly did the best and some managed limits.

HALF MOON BAY—Jetty fishing was surprisingly good for lingcod and assorted smaller fish. Boaters scored consistent limits of groundfish. Salmon fishing was very good early in the week for the Queen of Hearts and then the fish spread out, creating a challenge for skippers.

OAKLAND—Stripers bit for both shore and boat anglers, at Rio Vista between Sherman Island and Brandon Island, according to Mike Huyne at Mike’s Bait in Oakland. Halibut were very slow to bite throughout the South Bay. Sharks and rays accounted for much of the fishing action.

PORT SONOMA—Striped bass bent plenty of rods throughout the river systems feeding San Pablo Bay with Petaluma River proving to be the best area and bullheads proving to be the best baits. Sturgeon bit in San Pablo Bay near the Pump House and China Camp.

SAN FRANCISCO—Salmon were within easy reach, just five miles outside the Gate and fishing was good all week, until it slowed on Sunday with sea conditions worsening. Halibut action rated fair on just the right tides. Rockfish swung aboard freely to fill out limits.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that the river was running low and clear with the water temp up a little with the hot weather.  The fish are stacked up in the deeper holes and more active early and late in the day.

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 86-percent capacity.  With the hot weather and heavy recreational boat traffic, Emerald Cove Marina reported that fishing was slow.

CAMP FAR WEST—Heavy recreational boat traffic all week long made it tough for fishermen.  Night fishing for catfish should be good on sardines and chicken livers after the boat traffic has gotten off the water and things calm down.

COLLINS LAKE—Night fishing has taken over with the high daytime temps.  Catfish action has been good for fish to 5 1/2 pounds for anglers fishing off the docks, from the shore at the bridge, or by boat in Elmer’s Cove using worms and chicken livers.  A few trout were still being caught off the docks at night or trolling Needlefish very early in the morning from the docks to the dam at 30 to 35 feet deep.  Local Dave Callison and a friend caught limits of bass on live crawdads to 4 1/2 pounds up on the rocky walls near the bridge at 20 feet deep.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 91-percent capacity.  Skippers Cove Marina reported that boaters were running up to Boston Bar and fishing off the shore with Power Bait and worms for good numbers of planter sized rainbows.  One family caught 30 fish in three days.  Cody Burgess of Grass Valley caught a 4 1/2-pound rainbow at Boston Bar on worms fished from the shore.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is at 80-percent capacity.  According to Will Fish Tackle in Auburn, the warm weather had slowed the bite here for trout.  Get out very early or late in the evening for the best chance at success.  The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the Robbers Fire was still burning and smoke could still be seen in the area.

FULLER LAKE—The lake was planted by the DFG this past week, so fishing for shore anglers and trollers should still be good early and late in the day.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 74-percent capacity.  The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that the fishing had slowed due to higher water temps.  Some kokanee were still hitting dodger/hoochie combos at the powerhouse at 40 to 50 feet deep.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 81-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that the bass bite was “fantastic” with clients catching 35 to 40 fish each per day on swimbaits, lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, and jigs—pretty much anything!! The fish were spread out from 2 to 25 feet deep depending on the time of day—shallow early and deeper as the sun gets higher in the sky.  Most fish were in the slot with one 75 fish day producing 8 spots over the slot to 2 3/4 pounds.  Walls, short coves, and points in the North Fork and slot were all holding fish.

ROLLINS LAKE—Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that one boater picked up 16- and 17-inch browns fast-trolling a F7 firetiger Rapala at the inlet of the Bear River in the early morning before the sun hit the water.  Casey Reynolds at Long Ravine reported that the lake was lower than normal for this time of year and that catfishing at night should be productive.  Heavy recreational boat traffic kept most fishermen off the lake after early morning—fish from 5 to 8 a.m.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—Jim Caldwell reported that smallmouth bass fishing was still good in the Hensley area near the handicap dock for 2 to 3 pounders on jigs and worms.  Get out early!!

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the Robbers Fire was still burning and smoke could still be seen at the campgrounds.  Fishing was slow with the heat—get out early or late.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that the fishing was slow—a few fish were still being caught but nothing close to limits.  The DFG needs to make another plant!!

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 133.8-foot elevation at press time—83-percent capacity.  Bruce Gibson at the Paradise Tackle Company reported that all the water being pushed through the lake was keeping the water temp at 68 degrees—normally it’s 80 degrees by now—so fishing was slower than usual.  Some bass to 5 pounds were caught this past week on the north end on frogs.  Gibson suggested checking the backs of the shallower coves on the south end for a frog bite in the late afternoon on hot days.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE—The lake is fishing a little small due to drawdowns and an increase in the algae blooms, so even though the numbers were down, the sizes were still good, a solid 3 to 3 1/2 pounds.

LAKE BERRYESSA—Shorten up your leaders some and make a lot of speed ups and turns to get pre-spawning kokes to bite. Tackle tips for the week include the 5.5 RMT Bahama Mama Hyper Plaid and watermelon dodgers with Uncle Larry’s spinners in Mad Irishman, Tropical Tiger, Sonora Sunset and green Apex spoons. Make sure you use a lot of scent on the hardware plus herring and kokanee scent on the corn.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—Anglers continue to find a great salmon bite at Big Springs by mooching anchovy tails with a variety of stinky stuff added. But rainbows and browns are also scattered everywhere. You simply need to put your time in, as there is a lot of food in the system. Find out about the Fish for a Wish Trout & Bass Tournament on Saturday, August 4th at Big Cove Resort here: fishforawish.org for more information or call Big Cove Resort at (530) 596-3349 to participate.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR—The fishing here remains excellent and fish are biting on multiple baits. Rim Rock Ranch in Old Station reported some of the best fishing is around the dam and west shore, but the fish were active all over. Salmon eggs, worms and lures were all taking fish. Fly fishermen also were catching fish on mosquitoes, caddis and ant patterns.

BAUM LAKE—As the weather heats up you’ll find a better bite both early and late in the day.

CASSEL FOREBAY–Closed until further notice for repairs. All water has been drained into the natural creek channel that flows into Baum Lake in order to work on structure repairs in the canal.

EAGLE LAKE—Fishing the south side in 12 feet of water and 6 feet down using nightcrawlers produced limits but it was a little slower; anglers were done by 6:30 instead of 5:30. The trick here is to start fishing af first light for limits of trout averaging 2 pounds.

FALL RIVER—Fishing had been fair to good, as the river was stocked above the falls. Below you’ll find some nice browns and wild fish.

MANZANITA LAKE–The bite was good this past week with both topwater and nymph patterns taking fish. Some nice browns have been working off the weed beds and fish in the 18- to 20-inch range were being caught. Mosquito, caddis and Adams patterns were working as were callibaetis, pmd and hares ear nymphs. This lake has special restrictions so be sure to read them.

MCCLOUD RIVER—Water conditions are excellent and the fishing continues to be good with hatches later in the day.

PIT RIVER—Fishing has been very good lately with good hatches, but the wading here is tough so come prepared.

SHASTA LAKE—The McCloud arm was a good bet for rainbow trout and a few salmon, but the better salmon bite is in front of the dam. Rainbow trout are holding in 40 to 60 feet, while the salmon have been in 60 to 90 feet. For numbers of small bass, toss topwater baits both early and late or jigs out deeper in the heat of the day.

UPPER HAT CREEK—The fishing was great this past week and a lot more anglers showed up to get in on it. The fish were cooperating, which meant great fishing for the busiest week this July. “I caught my limit” was a typical response when asked how the fishing was. Brookies represented the vast majority of the take, with an occasional rainbow in the mix. As was true the previous week, worms were consistently the most successful bait, but the biggest fish of the week was caught on salmon eggs. Panther Martins also worked very well on very aggressive brook trout. DFG plants continue twice a week so there are plenty of fish to go around. Lots of big fish are still coming in with the typical trophy in the 3- to 4-pound range.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 75-percent capacity.   Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fishing for rainbows was pretty good in the west side coves down from the boat ramp and at the inlet.  Lots of recreational boat traffic during the day requires anglers to get out early or late to avoid the activity.

CAPLES LAKE—Caples Lake Resort reported that the fishing was slower than usual with only a few trout coming in each day.  The best action was found at Wood’s Creek for shore anglers using Power Bait, Power Eggs, and worms.  WON Staffer Pat Young stopped by the Wood’s Creek parking lot and talked to a couple of anglers who spoke of the big trout that could be seen swimming in the inlet but just couldn’t be enticed to bite any lure or bait.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported that Alpine County planted 1800 pounds of 2 1/2- to 5 1/2-pound rainbows this past week in the East and West Carson, and the same size plant would be made this week also.  Anglers were catching limits of 3 1/2-pound average rainbows—Kevin Carter of Stockton checked in with a limit weighing 17 pounds.  One twosome landed 10 trout that tipped the scales at 34 pounds!!  The flows were low in East and lower in the West—seek out the bigger pools near the bridges.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 76-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing put two clients on two limits of 17- to 18-inch rainbows trolling red-dot frog Needlefish and firetiger Sockeye Slammers at 25 feet deep over 40 to 50 feet of water from Honker Cove to the island during an evening trip from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Shore fishing was very slow for trout but bullhead catfish action was good for 12- to 14-inch fish on worms.  Fly fishing was hit-or-miss for casters in the Grasshopper Campground area.  Some anglers reported catching 12 to 20 fish but wouldn’t give up the secret of their success!!

DONNER LAKE—Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that rainbows were hitting for anglers fishing with Power Bait and worms off the docks near the boat ramp in the early morning or evening.  Kokanee were still hitting for trollers running UV pink or orange hoochies 9 to 14 inches behind UV dodgers at 45 to 75 feet deep.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Due to repairs on an upstream facility, PG&E increased the flows tenfold down the North Fork of the Feather and has blown out the recreational use of the river for the next two months, according to Mike Hanson at the Caribou Crossroads Resort.  Any fishing on the Feather will be on the East Branch above Rich Bar.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 70-percent capacity.  Warmer weather moved the trout into deeper water.  Shore fishing was best in the early morning or late evening for anglers using Power Bait or worms, according to Wiggins Trading Post.  Trollers need to drop down to 20 to 25 feet deep with flasher/worm combos for consistent action.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Lower Sardine Lake and Upper Salmon Lake are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week.  Bassett’s Station reported that fishing was good on all the basin lakes for anglers using worms or Power Bait.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 87-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service concurred that fishing was slow here due to warm water conditions.  Right after the plant, fishing will be good at the boat ramp but as the fish disperse, the bite will drop off.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—WON Staffer Pat Young stopped by the lake this past week and found fishing to be very slow—lots of fish were jumping by the dam in the early morning but few were biting.  Fish very early or late in the evening for any chance at success.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that rainbow trout fishing was good near the Pass Creek boat ramp and down toward the dam for shore anglers using Power Bait and worms.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Sly Park Resort reported that the warm weather and heavy recreational boat traffic had shut down the fishing.  The whole shoreline was muddy from boat wakes making it tough for shore anglers.

LAKE TAHOE—The charter boats on the south end of the lake were catching a mix of kokanee and macks.  South Shore guide Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners was scoring on rainbows, browns, macks, and kokes while trolling a variety of lures.  The macks were hitting Storm ThunderSticks at 120 to 180 feet deep and running 2 to 6 pounds.  The kokanee and rainbows were hitting flasher/red spoon combos tipped with Pautzke’s Fire Corn at 40 deep.  The kokes were running 12 to 13 inches, while the rainbows were 12 to 16 inchers.  The browns were hitting a Rapala Sliver run 12 to 15 feet deep in 20 to 25 feet of water and averaged 4 pounds with two 6 pounders this past Thursday under overcast skies in late morning.  John Shearer at Tahoe Sportfishing reported catching 42 kokanee and 4 macks by 8:45 this past weekend.  The kokes were running 12 to 17 inches and 50 to 70 feet deep.  The macks hit trolled flasher/minnow combos run below the kokanee on downriggers and weighed up to 10 pounds.

LOON LAKE—The lake is at 80-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.  Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service guided here three days this past week and was lucky to catch 4 fish per day—the water temp was 68 degrees, just too warm for good trolling action.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 68-percent capacity.  The smallmouth bass bite was still good at the dam for boaters throwing jigs, tubes, and crankbaits.  Smallies to 5 pounds are a real possibility.  Rainbow trout were hitting Power Bait and worms in the early morning and Kastmaster spoons in the late morning in the Prosser Creek arm, east and west of the campgrounds and at the inlet.

PYRAMID LAKE—Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported that his last perch trip yielded no perch but his anglers caught-and-released two dozen 22- to 25-inch cutthroat trout on crappie jigs in the area north of the Pyramid.

RED LAKE—WON Staffer Pat Young stopped by the lake this past week.  The whole lake was affected by a huge algae bloom and looked like a bowl of split pea soup.  There were only two bank fishermen and two kayaks on the lake and fishing was slow.

SILVER LAKE—Caples Lake Resort reported that trout fishing was slow here—a few fish coming in but nothing close to limits.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 81-percent capacity.  Rainbow trout stocked by the campgrounds were providing plenty of action for shore anglers.  Shore fishermen need to beware of the brush being exposed as the lake level drops—hooked fish tend to head for the brush to avoid capture, so reel hard and fast!! The kokanee were still hitting for trollers and running 45 to 75 feet deep with smaller fish up shallow and the bigger fish at 70 to 75 feet.  Dodger/hoochie combos in UV orange, pink, blue, and green were working this past week.  Boaters dragging the bottom in 100 feet of water from the boat ramp to the dam were picking up a few nice macks on large plugs.

TOPAZ LAKE—The lake is at 50-percent capacity.  WON Staffer Pat Young stopped by the lake this past week and found trout fishing to be very slow.  Chuck Fields at the Topaz Landing Marina said that one boat trolled all day and only landed 3 rainbows.  There were some nice smallmouth bass cruising the shores in the early morning and these could provide some good action for boaters getting out before sunrise and throwing small crawdad crankbaits or brown dart-head worms.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fly fishing was excellent.  Good hatches were coming off all day with golden stones and PMD’s in the early morning and caddis, yellow stones and PED’s in the evening.  Dredge crawfish and streamer patterns through the deep pools in the middle of the day for some big browns and rainbows.  Terrestrials were working during the day also—try hopper/dropper combos and ants.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 87-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle reported that kokanee trolling was very slow—he caught two kokes 65 feet deep on opposite ends of the lake on his last trip.  The water temp was too high and the fish just weren’t biting!

WEST WALKER RIVER—The Little Walker and West Walker are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week.  The flows measured at the widest spot on the river were down to 40 cfs, but flows in the canyon where lots of spring water flows into the river were ideal.  The “How Big is Big” trout derby has weighed eleven 4 pounders and thirty-nine 3 pounders—still led by the 4.4-pound rainbow caught by Matthew Vidito of Gilroy.  Mono County will be planting 200 pounds of 3-pound Conway Ranch (formerly the Alpers Ranch) rainbows the week of July 29 for the derby finale on July 31.  There are still plenty of big Chamber of Commerce trout to 5 pounds swimming free waiting to be caught!!