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.

COOS RIVER, South Fork; Coos Bay, Ore.–The South Fork of the Coos, also known as the Dalewood side, was good fishing for coho during the last part of the week, according to WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. There were also a couple reports of nice bright king’s being caught on spinners. No. 6 Blue Fox spinner’s in the red/orange color works the best in the darker-colored water, and size 5 is used on the other areas of the river system. Low water bridge has still been producing a few Chinook’s with bobbers and bait. If you don’t like crowds and enjoy fishing small coastal rivers, try this fork or the Millacoma fork of the Coos River.

CHETCO RIVER, Brookings, Ore.—The HAWG Salmon Derby just ended Sunday with two 47-pound kings tying for first place. The “Bubble Season” also ended on Sunday, Oct. 14, but  Nov. 1 will be the official opening for the entire river. The estuary itself has been about as good as outside the bay, as salmon move upriver with the incoming tides, and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets suggests fishing from them from the tips of the jetty up to the boundary of the Hwy. 101 bridge. The fish generally go back out with the tide.

According to guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing, “I’ve been trolling along the jetties and up to the bridge and we’ve been getting 2 to 5 kings a day. Customers have caught all of their fish on plug-cut herring and Fish Flash flashers.” The number of kings already in the river has been impressive, Martin said.

ELK RIVER, Port Orford, Ore.–Last weekend saw many anglers fishing the mouth of the river on the beach just south of Cape Blanco State Park. “I have not received any reports of Chinooks entering the river over this last week, or of any being caught by anglers,” according to guide Curtis Palmer.  “I have heard some very good reports of how the commercial anglers have been doing. They have been catching lots of fish about 5 miles off of the mouth of the river. One boat said he caught 200 salmon the week before. For those who would like to fish the ocean during this fishery season, there is a sling lift on the Dry Dock in Port Orford if you have a boat that can be lifted into the water and back out. There is also some of the best bottomfishing to be found on the Oregon coast a short distance from the docks.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.–Fishing for coho is still good in the bay, while Chinook fishing has become slower over the last week. When talking with anglers at the takeout, I was told that there was only 1 hatchery coho being caught for about every 5 or 6, but the good news is that there are still decent numbers of them coming into the river, said guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets.  Chinook fishing appears to be coming to an end. There will probably be a fish or two caught on most days for awhile yet and there is a good chance that it will be a very nice-sized king salmon.

ROGUE RIVER, SHADY GROVE—Fishing has been good for steelhead anglers, and they are getting up to 6 fish a day between 3 and 7 pounds on stoneflies in peach egg patterns or using copper Johns. The river opens to bait Nov. 1 in the upper river. The top of the river is still seeing some dark kings but it’s on the downslide, although from Hog Creek downriver the brighter fall fish are showing.

RUSSIAN RIVER—Rain is needed to move any steelhead or salmon into the river, and that’s still a ways off. Right now, it’s smallmouth bass fishing for those using minnow-imitating lure.

UMPQUA RIVER, Roseburg, Ore.–The silver’s are everywhere in the upper river now. Forks River Park is a good place to catch some of these fish and they can be seen jumping throughout the day. “I haven’t seen or heard of a hatchery fish being caught yet,” Palmer said. “All of the hatchery coho should be returning to the South Fork of the Umpqua River, so the forks should be anglers last chance to catch one of these salmon. There are a few steelhead being caught on the North Fork of the Umpqua River near Glide.”

 

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—Salmon fishing was fair last week with some fresh fish still trickling in, but the attention was turning to steelhead, the fishing for which was fair from Blue Creek to Johnson’s Riffle.  Fly fishers were swinging steelhead streamer patterns like burlaps and green-butted skunks, as well as drifting nymphs, while spin fishermen drifted nightcrawlers and swung spinners.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate—Fishing continued to be sensational with anglers catching a dozen or more kings daily weighing up to 30 pounds.  While most were dark, there were still some in nice shape for eating.  The season below Iron Gate normally is reaching an end by now, but it should continue to be good until the end of the month, at least.

TRINITY RIVER, Junction City—The river in the stretch  from Del Loma is still loaded with salmon, but more are getting darker now, and fishing pressure is starting to drop off a bit.  Not too many steelhead are being caught yet. Smolts are still present, but their numbers are declining, too.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—Some nice steelhead are being caught around Willow Creek, according to Ed Duggan of “D” Guide Service.  One of his clients caught—and released–a giant 14-pound native buck steelhead on a plug in a run from Salyer to Willow Creek.

 

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Boats found salmon from 15 to 28 pounds off of Muir Beach. Rockfish and lingcod lit up the Marin coast. The Happy Hooker managed limits of striped bass inside the Bay. Leopard sharks and 7-gill sharks showed their voracious appetites when they bit for anglers on the California Dawn.

BODEGA BAY—This week saw the greatest variety of fishing most folks here can ever remember. Salmon were caught inshore while longer runs produced albacore. Rockfish and lingcod fishing was excellent. White seabass and barracuda were the surprise fish.

DILLON BEACH—Salmon continued to bite at Elephant Rock and Ten Mile Beach. Halibut bit for trollers inside Tomales Bay and a couple of white seabass came up on the halibut rigs. Tuna runs are possible but the bite was recovering from earlier winds.

EMERYVILLE—Fishing options were varied and most options proved viable. On Wednesday the New Salmon Queen had 8 people catch 16 salmon (limits) to 23 pounds along the Marin coast. On Friday the Sea Wolf saw 20 anglers bring in 200 rockfish plus 22 lingcod to 18 pounds from the Farallones. On Saturday the C-Gull II got 190 rockfish for 19 fishers and 22 lingcod to 18 pounds plus 110 sanddabs. The Sea Wolf had 17 anglers get limits of rockfish plus 16 lingcod to 14 pounds at the Farallones. The New Huck Finn took out 16 anglers who caught 160 rockfish plus 16 lingcod to 14 pounds. The New Seeker hosted 19 people who boated 13 salmon to 21 pounds.

EUREKA—Pacific halibut to 82 pounds underscored the possibilities for great fishing. Just inside of the halibut grounds, sanddabs were happy to come up on anglers’ hooks. Rockfish and lingcod put on a great show for offshore anglers while jetty fishers worked hard for their dinner.

FORT BRAGG—Local fishing along beaches was rated good for perch. Blake Tallman at Subsurface Progression Dive Shop reported that a spearfish tourney in Westport was won with a 10-pound lingcod. Abalone diving was so good and the sea conditions so nice that many limits were taken, even by beginners.

HALF MOON BAY—The Riptide scored nearly 3 albacore per rod 30 miles out of Pillar Point Harbor. The Huli Cat and the Queen of Hearts caught great numbers of rockfish and some decent lingcod from Tunitas, Pescadero and San Gregorio.

MARTINEZ—Striped bass bit bullheads wantonly for shore fishers along the train tracks, from the pier and near the Mothball Fleet. Sturgeon ate ghost shrimp in the very salty late-season water. Martinez Marina is hosting the Concorde Police Derby, October 19^th through November 3^rd. Law enforcement and firefighter personnel are encouraged to sign up. Contact the shop at (925) 229-9421

OYSTER POINT—Leopard sharks to 47 inches and 7-gill sharks busied anglers on Oyster Point pier. Private boater Joe Lim caught a keeper halibut trolling a frozen anchovy behind a Sling Blade near Brisbane Channel Marker. Shore fishers caught a number of striped bass at Coyote Point using live bullheads and mudsuckers from Oyster Point Bait and Tackle.

PORT SONOMA—Striped bass bit strongly in the river systems, including the Petaluma and Napa. Sturgeon action was generally slow. Sharks and rays seemed to blanket San Pablo Bay.

SAN FRANCISCO—Variety proved to be the spice of fishing. Capt. Erik Anfinson of the Bass Tub reported surprisingly mixed up counts. The boat brought in 2 barracuda and 5 salmon to 25 pounds while on a local half-day fishing trip.  Capt. Jacky Douglas of the Wacky Jacky achieved her goal of a really big salmon for one of her customers when a frequent fisher, Rob Stivack of San Francisco, boated a whopping (see Whoppers List) 41-pound salmon at the Middle Grounds. Capt. Douglas is celebrating!

 

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 46-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sport reported there wasn’t much change here this past week.  The best action was out from the inlet in deeper water for a mix of rainbows and browns.  The kokanee were moving up into the river to spawn.  Windy afternoons made it tough to get out on the lake for the late bite.

CAPLES LAKE—Caples Lake Resort reported that fishing was good all over the lake for shore anglers and trollers.  Limits of planter rainbows were hitting salmon eggs, worms and Kastmaster spoons for the shore anglers at the dam, spillway, and Wood’s Creek.  Trollers were doing well on flasher/worm combos and Rapalas at 15 to 20 feet deep.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—The East and West Carson are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week.  The Alpine County plant was postponed from this past week to this week, so anglers should be able to walk across the river on the backs of all the trout that will be dumped in the river.  Todd Sodaro reported that everyone was catching limits of trout—3 or 4 DFG planters, and 1 or 2 of the Alpine County trophy fish to 5 1/2 pounds.  Bait, lures, and flies were all working.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 67-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that trolling was good for boaters running copper/red head Wee Dick Nites and red-dot frog Needlefish at 5 feet deep around the island.  Fly fishing was much improved at Fairview, Freeman Creek, and Mosquito Slough for float tubers using intermediate sinkers with beadhead PTs, sheep’s creek, and prince nymphs in 12 feet or less of water, either along the weed lines or out in open water.  Shore fishing was good at Eagle Point, Mallard Point, and Fairview.  Use a bobber/worm at Eagle Point to avoid the weeds. Power Bait worked well at Mallard and Fairview.

DONNER LAKE—The kokanee bite was done for the year as fish congregated at the lake outlet—they’ve all “turned”.  Trout fishing was good for shore anglers despite the heavy pressure.  Using Power Bait, worms, and salmon eggs off the docks on the west end was the most productive.  Mack trolling was sporadic at best with anglers waiting for the water temp to get down into the low 50’s.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Butt Valley Reservoir is at 91-percent capacity.  Dick Mason at Dick’s Guide Service fished the lake this past week and only caught 5 trout—browns and rainbows—but two were over 20 inches long.  The surface temp was 61 degrees and needs to get down to 55 degrees before the bite really takes off.  Caribou Crossroads Resort on the North Fork Feather reported that anglers were still picking up a few holdover and native rainbows in the deeper pools on worms.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 59-percent capacity.  Wiggins Trading Post reported that shore fishing was good using worms at Lunker’s Point and Turkey Point.  Trollers were catching some nice rainbows on flasher/worm combos and threaded nightcrawlers behind leadcore line at 2 to 4 colors.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Mark Tieslau at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Blairsden reported that Gold Lake was still producing fish on 2 colors of leadcore running Z-Rays and Wedding Rings tipped with worms at Rocky Point.  Packer Lake and Sardine Lake were both producing limits of rainbows off the shore on Power Eggs.

HEENAN LAKE—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported that a fly fishing club hit the lake this past week and did very well on cutthroats to 26 inches on prince nymphs and woolly buggers.  The top two fishermen had 17 and 14 fish on their best day.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 67-percent capacity.  Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service reported that fishing was excellent for trollers.  The fall feeding frenzy was going hot and heavy.  The courtesy dock was removed from the boat ramp so be prepared for some inconvenience while launching and loading.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.  Colder nights dropped the water temp and bite picked up this past week.  The DFG plant will make the fishing much better.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—The lake was planted by the DFG two weeks ago, but fishing pressure has been light, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports and few reports were available.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Jeff Cole at Sly Park Resort reported that bass fishing was good in the Narrows.  Local guide Randy Williams photographed several nice smallmouths and a big largemouth before releasing them this past week.  Williams caught two 2 1/2-pound smallies, a 1 1/2-pound smallie, and a 3 1/2-pound largemouth while drop-shotting worms 15 to 25 feet deep.  Cole said trout fishing was slow.

LAKE TAHOE—Mackinaw fishing was good all over the lake with the fish in spawning mode and showing aggressive behavior protecting their nests.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners reported quick limits while jigging for macks running 3 to 6 pounds at South Shore and Meeks Bay.  Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported limits of macks to 8 pounds in two hours on Sunday for clients from Lincoln trolling 150 to 300 feet deep off in Agate Bay.  Self was moving into shallower water after limiting out on the macks to troll for rainbows in 25 to 45 feet of water.

LOON LAKE—The lake is at 51-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.  The boat ramp should be open, but you might call the Pacific Ranger Station to make sure according to Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service.  Fishing should be wide-open with the fall bite.  Pacific Ranger Station, Charis Parker—530-647-5400.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 36-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.  Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fishing was best at the dam due to the low water level, but would be good at the boat ramp after the plant until the fish dispersed.

PYRAMID LAKE—Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported “boiling hot” action along the east side of the lake.  His last two trips produced 55 and 65 fish to 8 1/2 to 9 pounds, a 28 incher.  Trolling a bleeding frog U-20 FlatFish, 25 to 35 feet deep on the downrigger, or long lining the FlatFish behind a 1 1/2-ounce trolling weight set back 100 to 120 feet produced the best.  Jigging with a 1/4-ounce white/red marabou jig on rocky banks in the coves where the bait was close to the shore also worked very well and provided lots of sport on light spinning gear.

RED LAKE—According to Caples Lake Resort, there were very few reports of any fishing success available for this lake.  The algae bloom slowed the fishing during the heat of the summer, but with the colder nights of fall that problem should have resolved itself.

SILVER LAKE—The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.  Shore fishing and trolling was reported to be good all over the lake.  Trollers were picking up limits of planters at 15 to 20 feet deep.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 76-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.  Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fishing was good for shore anglers in the coves near the campgrounds.  Nylund fished from a float tube in the Sagehen arm this past week and caught a bunch of 12- to 16-inch rainbows while stripping black or olive leeches near the channel.  Other anglers in small boasts were doing well using midge nymphs under indicators in the Little Truckee arm for a mix of rainbows and browns to 18 inches.

TRUCKEE RIVER—According to Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports, the fly fishing was good and getting better with the colder nights and days dropping the water temp—currently 55 to 58 degrees.  Nylund said that when the temp dropped into the low 50’s, the bite would really take off as the fish feed more aggressively in preparation for winter.  October caddis, stone flies, dry/droppers, and BWO/baetis nymphs were working well depending on the current flows.  Above the Boca outlet in the lower flows, dry flies, dry/droppers were a good choice.  Below the Boca outlet, nymphing was more productive.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 57-percent capacity.  The courtesy dock was removed at the boat ramp at Sunset making launching and loading a problem for some anglers.  Shore fishing was reported to be excellent near the campground/boat ramp according to Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service.  Trollers should be doing very well on rainbows with the fall bite in progress.

WEST WALKER RIVER—Pam Hamic at the West Walker Motel reported that fishermen were still picking up some fish at the bridge and the day-use area in the deeper pools to the south of town.

 

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—There are lots of salmon in the American, but salmon fishing has been up and down, especially in the lower part of the river since flows dropped to 1,500 cfs.  Steelheading for mostly halfpounders can be good one day, but slow the next, then back to good again.  Night fishing in the Dredger holes has also been an on-again, off-again affair as fish seem to be streaking upriver because of the low flows.

FOLSOM LAKE—Very few anglers are trying for them, but fishing for landlocked king salmon continued to be good by trolling Speedy Shiners from 60 to 65 feet deep in front of the dam over the river channel, and by the new outlet construction zone.  Bass fishing continued to be tough for many anglers, but using electronics to find bait over submerged rock pile has been an effective way to find some success.  Drop-shot Robo-Worms, jig, and even try deep-diving crankbaits.

FEATHER RIVER—Salmon fishing below the Outlet was very good right up to the end of  salmon fishing Monday down to a point 200 yards above the Live Oak Boat Ramp.   Flows dropped big time to 2,000 cfs, and salmon fishing slowed in the section of river where it’s still legal.  However steelheading was very good, both in the main river all the way down to Boyd’s Pump and in the Low Flow Section.  Fly fishers are dead-drifting  nymphs and egg flies under indicators  while spin fishermen are drifting nightcrawlers, Glo-Bugs, and swinging spinners.  The biggest problem for anglers fishing the Low Flow Section is avoiding the salmon, which may not be targeted.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Salmon fishing slowed a bit.  You might get one or even none on one day, but score limits the next. Most fish being caught are beautiful, bright, and hard-fighting.  Garcia Bend, Freeport and above Discovery Park are a few of the better spots for boaters, while Miller Park, the Minnow Hole, and Discovery Park are producing for bankies using Mepps Flying C’s and Blue Fox spinners.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff—Limits and near-limits of salmon were relatively common for good anglers from Chico up to Balls Ferry.  Some brighter fish are beginning to show, but they are  generally darker the farther upstream you go.  Both roe and plugs are effective, but one might work better than another any given day or time.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Trout fishing was very good last week from Redding to Anderson for both fly fishers dead-drifting nymphs under indicators and spin fishermen drifting crickets, Glo-Bugs and small lures.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir—Trout fishing continued to improve, and larger fish are coming from the lake all the way up to Sims with some over 20 inches.  Use larger nymphs like No. 8 rubber legs when targeting them.

YUBA RIVER—Trout fishing continued to be pretty good with most fish now being caught on nymphs, although a few were still being caught on hopper imitations.

 

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE—The tough bite got better this past week, thanks to the return of jumbo minnows at the tackle stores. But if live bait is not your thing here are some other options. Find the schools of fish and yo-yo a LV500 in a shad pattern to locate the bigger schools of bass.

LAKE BERRYESSA—Typical fall fishing patterns here include looking for birds, bait and smaller creek channels or bays that bass can use to corral bait into. Then try some reaction baits such as LV500s, square-billed crankbaits, ripbaits, Blade Runners or spinnerbaits.

LAKE SONOMA—Wake baits, Sammy 128s and Gunfish in shad patterns have been the bait of choice for anglers targeting the main body points. Other methods have been weightless Senkos fished slowly in the standing timber for quality bass bites. Steelies will be from 25 to 40 feet down.

 

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—Cooler surface temperatures have baitfish moving west along the Prattville shoreline now and returning to the shallower west side. This lake is fall fishing at its best and some nice fish have been taken here. The Power house is running again.

BAUM LAKE—Cooler weather and water got the bite going here and is helping to clear the weeds.

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. The section above the canal near the post office is fishing well but does not accommodate a lot of fishermen. There’s been no indication as to when repairs may be completed or when the fore bay may reopen.

FALL RIVER—An October favorite, the Fly Shop reported a mixture of enough caddis, baetis and PMDs in the morning hours produced good fly fishing sessions before lunch. In the afternoons, it was the breeze that helped keep the bite going.

MCCLOUD RIVER—Having been closed since mid-August due to the Bagley Fire, the lack of pressure has a good bite going. It’s open from Ash Camp down through Ah-Di-Na but the south and southeast sides of the river are closed due to the possible danger of falling trees.

PIT RIVER—The Pitt has been fishing well everywhere and there are some hatches going off. The trout are feeding up for the winter and October should be a good month here.

SHASTA LAKE—Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing reports fair to good trout fishing on the surface and also about 40 feet deep. In the Dry Creek area, try Cripplures and Wiggle Hoochies.
The Bridge Bay area around the buoys has also been producing some nice rainbow trout. Bass were good for numbers but not much in the way of size. They are pushing the bait into areas they can confine and feast on them right now.

 

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER—According to the Georgetown Ranger Station, there hasn’t been much fishing pressure on the river.  Anglers willing to make the hike down to the Cache Rock area on the Middle Fork were catching nice rainbows in the deeper holes on worms.

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 63-percent capacity.  Emerald Cove Marina reported there were lots of bass boats on the lake this past weekend.  A few kokanee trollers were out, but had not reported in.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake was still dropping, but boats were able to launch on the concrete ramp.  The ramp could be out of the water soon though, so call head to North Shore Resort (530) 633-0803) if you don’t think you can launch off the gravel bank below the ramp.  Bass fishermen were picking up 10 to 20 fish per day throwing Brush Hogs in 10 feet of water in the Rock Creek arm.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake is 35 feet from full.  Trout fishing was still slow but catfish, bass, and crappie were hitting.  Resort employee Probhat Palma caught the new lake record crappie, a 3-pound, 4-ounce slab, on a live minnow in Elmer’s Cove.  Dave Callison of Yuba City caught a 16 1/2-pound catfish on worms at the dam while fishing for bass.  Kevin Donovan landed a 5 1/4-pound bass on a crawdad.  Billie Owens of Oroville caught a big stringer of catfish to 11 pounds using anchovies.  Trout plants will hopefully begin by the end of October, depending on the water temp.  Weekly 1000-pound plants will be made until Thanksgiving and will consist of one-half trophy fish and the rest catchables.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 95-percent capacity.  Dillon Davis at Skippers Cove Marina reported that trollers were still picking up a few rainbows to 14 inches on flasher/worm combos in Keystone Cove.  Skippers Cove Marina will receive 2000 pounds of trout this week for their pen-rearing program.  The rainbows to 8 pounds will be fed through the winter and released in March.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is at 54-percent capacity.  The lake was planted by the DFG two weeks ago, so there should still be plenty of fish to be caught—they’re just waiting for some fishermen.

FULLER LAKE—The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 51-percent capacity.  Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that fishing was slow here with two anglers catching two fish for a day of trolling—a mack at 50 feet deep at the dam, and a rainbow at 30 feet deep at the powerhouse using Needlefish.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 53-percent capacity.  Bruce Gibson at the Paradise Tackle Company reported that bass fishing was good in the West Branch for good numbers of smaller bass, 12 to 14 inches.  The bass were suspended off the longer flat points and hitting jigs and drop-shot worms at 35 feet deep with a good topwater bite in the early morning.  Bigger fish were hitting jigs, drop-shot worms, and dart-head rigged Senkos in the Slot.  Guide Ron Gandolfi confirmed that the prism shad Roboworm drop-shot on the points was producing lots of smaller fish, while the dart-head Senko was a better choice for bigger fish to 2 1/2 pounds.

ROLLINS LAKE—With the water temp cooling, trout fishing should be improving at the dam.  Bass fishing should be good in the coves with downed trees near Greenhorn.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—Jim Caldwell at Scott’s Flat Lake Resort reported that trollers were catching limits of planter rainbows to 14 inches on flasher/worm combos from the dam to Cascade Shore after a DFG trout plant the previous week.  Some smallmouth bass were still hitting in the day-use area around the submerged brush and trees.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—With the cooler weather, the fall bite should be going here for holdover rainbows, but there was little to report from the Foresthill Ranger Station.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The campgrounds closed on October 14, but the boat ramp is open with free launching according to the Georgetown Ranger Station.  There weren’t many fishermen here this past week, but holdover trout should be hitting up near the inlet.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 133.3-foot elevation at press time—80-percent capacity.  Hot weather again this week should produce a good frog bite in the late afternoons on the tule banks in the backs of Skier’s Cove and South Cove.  Try pitching Senkos earlier in the day, too.