Fishing report for the week of April 6-13

Here is the Northern Nevada, Northern California and Sierra Fishing Report
For the week of April 6-13:

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports: No report.

BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reports: The road is closed for the winter.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760) 932-7707) www.kenssport.com reports:
Opening day is April 30, 2011. Ken's Guide Service is starting to get some bookings for Bridgeport so if you'd like to have a guided day of fishing on the pontoon boat just give us a call to check for availability!

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Fishing action has heated up. Tiger trout have been hitting hardware at the north end of the reservoir, some up to 17 inches in length. Rainbows are taking night crawlers, lures and Power Bait. Shiny hardware in gold and silver tones has pulled in some rainbows weighing as much as 2.5 pounds.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Fishing action is good for stocked rainbows. Power Bait, worms, and a variety of traditional trout lures will catch the fish.
Crappies also are beginning to show.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 65-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports: No Report.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530) 993-4683 reports:
Fishermen have been catching Rainbow trout on nightcrawlers. Some have been using flies (Dark Lord), others are using Power Bait (Chartreuse). Sizes range from 15 to 18 inches long, weighing 1 to 2 pounds.
The best area to fish is near the dam, on the left side before crossing the dam. Fishermen have been walking to Ship's Cove and doing really well.  Across the dam, fishermen have been walking in about a mile and catching their limits.
Wiggin's now has the California License Online system up and running.
Streams DO NOT open until April 30th.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Fishermen have been catching Rainbow trout on nightcrawlers. Some have been using flies (Dark Lord) others are using Power Bait (Chartreuse). Sizes range from 15 to 18 inches long, weighing 1 to 2 pounds.
The best area to fish is near the dam, on the left side before crossing the dam; fishermen have been walking to Ship's Cove and doing really well. Across the dam, fishermen have been walking in about a mile and catching their limits.
Wiggin's now has the California License Online system up and running.
Streams do not open until April 30th.
— Courtesy of Wiggin’s Trading Post

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is 16 CFS. Fishing here is picking up and the Mayfly hatch is improving. Nymph fish with FB Pheasant Tails, gray WD-40's and Caddis larva. BWO patterns on the surface.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517) www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
Water Conditions: Good. Flows are at 29 CFS as of 4/1.
Paved road to entrance of Hot Creek ranch is plowed and dry. 
Access to the canyon section and Interpretive Center sections are a walk over patchy snow. Snow won't last long with high daytime temps and the gate will be open so no more walk.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Excellent. Some big early spawners have shown up in the Interpretive Center section. Cast as far as you can and strip immediately . . . you might tick off something the size of your leg.
The formula for the canyon section is pretty much the same ol', same ol' - small Midges early and BWO's later in the morning.
It gets going by 9 am, sometimes earlier on these summer-like days.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reports:
Indian Creek did very well last Friday and Sunday, but it was very windy there on Saturday.
The back road to the reservoir is now open.
On Sunday, Roy Rogers of South Lake Tahoe, California caught a 7.75 pound rainbow and a 6-pound rainbow.
His partner, Wick Kobbs also of South Lake Tahoe, caught a 9-pound rainbow and a 6-pound rainbow.
They were trolling with orange colored Rapala lures from a two-man kayak.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Flows are high at 4,100 CFS. Not the best conditions for the Klamath River as of today. Sub 2,000 CFS releases out of Iron Gate dam are best. All the rain has made this river, which is usually a solid bet at this time of year, not such a solid bet.
Looking forward to May and June when hatches of Salmon Flies produce some excellent top water fly fishing for occasional adult steelhead, and resident rainbows!
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Colorado River: Nightcrawlers have been catching both stocked rainbows and carry over fish.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Striper fishing remains slow to fair but some anglers are reeling in fish to about four pounds, though several double-digit stripers have been caught during the past few weeks.
These fish need fish so look for shad in both flavors – gizzard and threadfin. Stripers won't be too far away. Gizzard shad tend to hang out in shallow, turbid water near coves. Threadfin like deeper open water.
Catfish are becoming more active. Put your bait right on the bottom for whisker fish.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are moving into spawning mode and should provide good action for patient anglers.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Anglers are catching a few stripers in the mid-lake area, but the action is slow. Drift fishing with anchovies is catching the fish. Double-digit striped bass are still coming out of the Willow Beach Area, generally between mile markers 49 and 52.
Despite windy conditions the winning team in Saturday's American Bass tournament weighed in 18.5 pounds of fish comprised of three largemouth and two smallmouth bass. Their big fish tipped the scale at 5.26 pounds. Team member Tim Meyers said smallies are on beds and the largemouth bass were pulled from about 30 feet of water.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reports:
Fishing for rockfish and lingcod has been good when the ocean has been “calm.” Concentrate your fishing near rocky outcroppings and drop-offs. Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is now open outside of the 40 fathom curve.
A few lingcod and rockfish are being caught along the jetties inside the bays. Effective baits to use for lingcod are bouncing a jig with a big plastic tail or bouncing a herring near the bottom.
There have been a few reports of surfperch being caught. To fish for surfperch look for places that have riptides or areas that has steeper beaches. Best fishing is usually on an incoming tide with ocean swells less than 6 feet. Sand shrimp or sand worms are great baits to use for surfperch.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) ( HYPERLINK "http://www.performanceanglers.com" www.performanceanglers.com) reported:
Upper Owens River: Water flow 68 CFS. Closed from Benton Crossing downstream to Crowley Lake. Open to fishing up stream from the Benton Crossing bridge.
Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Fishing is slow. A few Mayflies and Midges hatching sporadically. Parachute Adams on the surface and WD-40's and small Flashback Pheasant Tails under the surface.
Lower Owens River: Water flow 450 CFS.  Fishing is poor due to high water flow.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reported:
Upper Owens River Water Conditions: As of 4/1 flows are still down at 66 CFS above the Hot Creek confluence.
'Cold water so get those nymphs and streamers down to where the fish are.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good to Excellent. There are still some big Crowley fish in the system.
Ice out will be soon and they will head straight for the lake and the Midge chow-down, so strike now.
Dry action is excellent with good hatches midday.
Nymphing, streamers, Midges early and Baetis midday. It all works when they are waking up from a long winter and are HUNGRY!
Owens River Gorge Water conditions: Great. Flow: 45 CFS. This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP. Water is clear and cold.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good. Trails down to the gorge can be dangerous.  Be careful.
Lower Owens River Water Conditions: Flows are still raging at 452 CFS as of 4/1. Wading not recommended.
Watch out for crumbling bank.
It has been down right hot like pushing 90 for daytime highs. Water is warming fast now. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair. With the flows up this high, it will make things difficult, unless you have access to a drift boat.
Try to find areas of slower moving water, and stay subsurface until the flows subside. Also try more towards Big Pine as river is wider with no banks.

PAHRANAGAT WILDLIFE REFUGE, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Anglers are finding some success at the upper marsh for panfish and catfish. Mealworms or nightcrawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports: No Report.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775) 476-0555 www.fishpyramid.com reports:
Fishing has been excellent for the fly guys. “The Nets” area is re-opened so there is more room for them to cover. Just about everything seems to be working for the fly fishermen.
The boats are doing OK, with lures, Maribou jigs and trolling flies. 
George (Cutthroat Charters) was out twice last week, and they caught fish up to 7-pounds.
The weather has been good, but it is supposed to change this weekend.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
March 28th. The water temperature is still 44 degrees which is the normal winter time low. The problem is it is the end of March. The good news is it is getting ready to go nuts!
The female fish are full of eggs but still green and not ready to spawn due to cold water. In the last few days we are seeing a lot more males which is a sign that more big fish will be caught soon.
Pyramid is a strange lake to figure out. We find new spots and give up on old spots every year due to change in water levels.
This year is no different. The great thing is if you move around and try new areas you can fish alone on beaches that are on fire and have few anglers. What a great place to fish. The techniques remain the same (if you know what they are) but the beaches change.
The next month or more should be awesome. Nymphing with a floating line and retrieving flies with a shooting head will all be working.
The fishing should be good through May this year.
Hope to see you catching a fish of a lifetime at the lake!
We have plenty of guide availability if you give us some notice. We also still have all the Reno Fly Shop fly patterns for sale.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916) 388-1956 reported:
SLOWLY DROPPING…STRIPERS SOON!
The river is still huge and muddy for much of its length, but reservoir releases are starting back off now. The river is running clear through Redding, but is picking up lots of color not too far downstream.
This past week, striper fishermen tried to poke around near Colusa, but Ward’s and the State Park were still underwater, so there weren’t a whole lot of launching options.
With all this high water, expect a good and long striper season…but we’re probably going to have to wait a bit for conditions to improve.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:
Flows are 26,500 cubic feet per second (CFS). Fishing is good! Conditions for fishing are great! Expect the Lower Sac to produce more great fishing, as it always does, at this time of year.
Fishermen have been watching springtime Caddis hatches, brown drake hatches, pink Alberts and salmon flies have been out. No PMDs yet.
Local weather forecasts call for sunny skies and comfortable spring temperatures through April 14th. Even though conditions have been a bit wild for the past two weeks, the high discharge of water from Keswick Dam scoured out the river. The recent 50k flows re-energize fish habitat, perpetuating and enhancing spawning gravel, redistributing aquatic insects and fish. Have you ever cleaned out an aquarium? You have to maintain an aquarium if you want your pet fish to stay healthy. Maintenance on the Lower Sac occurs every once in a while.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Upper Sacramento is flowing at 4,600 CFS near where it meets Lake Shasta. Due to recent winter weather, the Upper Sacramento River is currently on hold. Conditions are muddy below Dunsmuir, and the river high due to rains making for a less than ideal experience.
There are spots where the fish are pushed out of the current, in concentrated numbers. An angler can stand on the bank and cast to slow water, right on the edge of the stream, and find fish.
Look for conditions in and around Dunsmuir to improve to "fishable" in the days to come.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SAN JOAQUIN AND RED’S MEADOWS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
Road closed.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:
Due to lots of water again this year, the lake is full.
The fishing is great! Fishermen are catching many rainbows on the surface.
Salmon are starting to be caught near the dam and are averaging 15-20 inches. Trolling cripp lures and wiggle hoochies 20-35 ft deep is your best bet for catching salmon. 
Shad balls have also been seen around O' Brien on the Sacramento Arm.
As the week progresses, the fishing will hit its prime.
Fishermen are looking forward to many adult King Salmon and very large trout this year fishing Lake Shasta. 
— Courtesy of Outdoor Adventures

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530) 544-6552 www.blueribbonfishing.com reports:
North Shore: When we can get out between all of the storms, we’ve been getting our limits of average-sized (2-6 pounds) Mackinaw (Lake) Trout with larger Macks running up to 10-12 pounds.
I took Ray Cruise and his family of San Jose, California out and they caught their limits (the smallest fish was 4-pounds).
The nine-year-old twins, Ray Jr. and Alex did great.
Alex Jr. caught a 10-pound Mack and brought in it all by himself.
We have been trolling at The Tavern Hole, Cal Neva Point, Dollar Point and Sugar Pine Point, 110-220 feet deep, with either Dodgers and minnows or Dodgers and large Trophy Stick lures.
East Shore: Shore fishing at Cave Rock Landing has been slow for small rainbows and an occasional brown or Mack.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Chuck and Linda Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775) 266-3550 reports:
The wind is picking up and it is supposed to blow 40 MPH today (Tuesday).
We had 65 fishermen over the weekend in an annual group from Auburn, California. They caught a lot of fish, maybe 3-4 per boat. The two largest fish were 2-pounds, 11-ounces and 2-pounds, 7-ounces.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported: No Report.

TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775) 853-7368 info@renoflyshop.com:
Warm weather is on the way. It is supposed to break into the 70’s today and tomorrow. There is a ton of snow in the mountains and the run-off has begun. The river has come up about 100 CFS in the last 24 hours and it should really go up the next few days.
It is still fishable in the upper elevations around the town of Truckee and down through Glenshire but that could change as well.
Keep in mind the stretch from Lake Tahoe to the Town of Truckee is closed until the last Saturday of April.
Everything downstream of Truckee is open but keep an eye on the flows before you go and be careful wading.
In higher water fishing the edges and current breaks with nymphs and streamers is a good way to go.
It also eliminates the urge to wade out too deep.
Here are the current flows as of March 31st. (normal flows in parenthesis).
Town of Truckee 152 CFS (100-350)
Boca Bridge 509 CFS (anything below 650)
Farad 596 CFS (400-600)
Mogul 668 CFS (300-500)
Reno 717 CFS (350-500).

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
Flows are 67 CFS. The road is still covered with snow and not accessible by car. The road does not get plowed in the winter and will open up when the snow melts. There are still snow drifts over the guard railing on the road in some places so it could be a few weeks before it clears up.
If you have a way to get in the fishing has been pretty good.
Baetis and Midges have been hatching mid day and the few anglers who have fished are doing pretty good.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
No fish have been reported or seen at Walker Lake so far this fishing season. Mineral County Road Dept. has done some work on the State Parks Launch. Launching is improved but you still need four wheel drive.

WALKER RIVERS, NEV:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775) 853-7368 info@renoflyshop.com:
East Walker River: Flows have been all over the map. Currently they are 315 CFS. There has been a flood warning issued for the valleys in and around the Walker and Carson drainages as the warm weather approaches.
Bridgeport reservoir is full and I would imagine upper and lower Twin lakes are as well. At some point in the near future they will be forced to run those river systems pretty high. There is just nowhere to put all the water.
The East Walker is fishable right now but it could change anytime.
Be careful wading there are not too many spots that you can cross with the current flows.
Nymphing with a Stonefly and a smaller dropper like a Baetis or a Midge along the edges and out of the main current is a pretty good way to fish the East Walker when the flows are high. Streamers can also be effective.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760) 932-7707 www.kenssport.com reports:
East Walker – West Walker – Sceirine Ranch - Hunewill Pond:
East Walker River: The flows on the East have been at 312 CFS for about 5 days now and the river is fishing pretty well. Since it came down from around 800 a couple weeks ago the fish have settled in well and are on the take.
Small midges have been the norm, patterns like military Mayflies, micro Mayflies, Zebra Midges, WD-40's, Flashback PT’s, Flashback Emergers, silver streaks, GT Emergers have all been working.
We've also had good reports on San Juan worms, egg patterns and an occasional good report on Stoneflies.
Less consistent but noteworthy is some good action with dries, blue wing olives, Parachute Adams, Madam-X's, rubberleg stimulators and blue duns have all had some success this past week.
The only thing I haven't really had any good reports on lately has been streamers, my guess is that the water is still just a bit too cold for some good streamer action; it's sitting around 40 or 41 degrees lately.
The weather has been great lately though they're calling for a chance of snow later this week. I heard today that we have one of the best snow packs in the last 30 years so we shouldn't want for water this year! It sure is nice to have plenty of snow!!
It's that time of year again so I'll be trying to get these reports out much more frequently! Tight lines!
West Walker River: Closed until April 30.
Sceirine Ranch: The last couple clients we've had on the Sceirine have done pretty well, Nymphs like birds nest, stones, Princes and Pheasant Tails have all done well, haven't heard much for dries or streamers yet, though this is the time of year for some stones to come off so a dry/dropper rig should do the trick. Dates are starting to get booked up so if you'd like to fish the ranch be sure to give us a call!
Hunewill Pond: I'll try to get out to the ranch this week to see what the ice situation is like and get out a report.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
East Walker River Water Conditions:  Flows are bouncing around but steady at 315 CFS for the last three days as of 4/1.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair to Good
The fishing is picking up now but the flows have been back down to reasonable levels for a while.
'Still "Big Water" but some big Browns have been caught by those getting out to them.  A Wading staff is indispensable.
Good hatches mid-morning on with recent warm weather.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reported:
East Walker River: East Walker River 
Water flow 315 CFS. Fishing is picking up here.
Suggested flies are golden Stonefly Nymphs, Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs and gray or black Midge pupa.