Fishing report through Sept. 14

Here is this week's fishing report for Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra and southern Oregon. This report runs this weekend through Sept. 14.

ALPINE LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Sabrina Lake: Don’t think we’ve ever seen so many people up at the Lake and so many fishing from the dam – good thing it was still plum full so it made it a bit easier to reel in those limits.
And limits there were thanks to the Department of Fish and Game – unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for you all at the Lake this weekend) the DFG fish stocking truck had a bit of a problem in the Lake Sabrina parking lot – with the fish in the truck a bit longer than normal, DFG driver Dave made the decision to dump the rest of his load at the Lake 2,400 pounds of fish – then with some of the fish a bit stressed, Dave waded chest-high into the chilly waters of Lake Sabrina to revive many of the jittery fish – and those fish had reason to be jittery as Bob and Wendy Hildelrand of Pasadena took limits home both days using nightcrawlers. And the Comins Family of West Hills also took home limits both days using the threaded nightcrawler method – Good Job – Marla, Alan and Brandon.
Pretty much the same is working at the Lake – if you had a clue, just a small clue about trout fishing and didn’t have any foo-foo stuff on your hands like sunscreen, you should have been able to catch a fish.
So I’m leaving in what was working last week - quite a number of limits from the Inlet using salmon eggs on a slow retrieve, nightcrawlers or Power Bait are working, too. Trolling flashers and a nightcrawler or just a nightcrawler or trolling a Woolly Bugger close to shore. Drifting using the same as you have been nightrawlers or Power Baits.
With all the fish being caught and cleaned at the fish table, we had a small bear come in for some easy pickins – it knocked over the bucket and had himself a picnic – luckily, Bryan had emptied the can in the early evening.
Chuck Kilpatrick of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce brought up the new California High School State Rodeo Queen Katelin New along with her mom, Debbie New up to the Lake Sunday. She was here promoting the finals that will once again be held in Bishop in June of 2012. These are the politest, nicest, and most hardworking kids you’ll ever meet and we get them for a week in Bishop – truly a wonderful experience meeting them.
All the campgrounds in the Bishop Creek Canyon are still open. The only campground to take reservations is Four Jeffery (www.reserveamerica.com and enter Four Jeffrey) all others are first come first serve. There is a full hook-up campground also on the South Lake road, Creekside RV Park.
Take it easy on all the mountain roads, the deer are out in the mornings and evenings and there’s lots of hikers out there – can’t stress this enough!
The weather at the Lake this Labor Day weekend can only be described as - !!!! – not sure I can find the words – it was a picture perfect weekend. May have a few thunderbooms next weekend, so bring your ponchos just in case – Temps are expected to be in the low 70s during the week for the highs and the low 40s for the lows. The weekend looks like it will be a bit cooler with highs in the low 60s and lows still in the low 40s. You can check www.weather.gov and enter ASPENDELL, CA on the site and it will give you a fairly good hint at the weather or check in with Howard at www.MammothWeather.com.
REMEMBER THAT JACKET – IT TENDS TO BE BETWEEN 25 AND 30 DEGREES COOLER AT THE LAKE.
Less and less skeeters can be found around the Lake – WOOOO-HOOOO – but there are still some pockets – just remember when applying bug juice, sunscreen, SANITIZER or any other FU-FU juice, WASH YOUR HANDS! The juice you apply will taint your tackle and bait. You know it tastes yucky, the fish think it tastes yucky, too, although have you ever tasted PowerBait or Worms – to each their own.
We’ve still making HOMEMADE vanilla ice-cream to go with our HOMEMADE pie – we also have sodas, beer, wine, coffee, tea and hot cocoa during our regular store hours!
Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parcher’s Resort (760-873-4177) sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
South Lake: Even with the holiday crowds in full effect, fishing at South Lake stayed excellent throughout the weekend with lots of happy folks hoisting full stringers, some topped off by an Alper in the 3 lb range to boot.
Also causing a stir this week was the lake level finally reaching full capacity and the water is now pouring over the spillway. This is the fullest the lake has been this late in the season since I've been here and it bodes extremely well for the fall fishing in September and October.
The DFG has really done a great job at getting fish in the lake each week which has Rainbows in the 11 to 13" range spread out all over the lake and biting. The dam, rock slide, and all three inlets are holding lots of fish with some of those big guns running around too.
Fish SCE put in last week have been coming out at a steady pace but nothing over 4 lbs was landed - just lots of fish in the 2 to 3lb class this week.
People are scoring great catch counts on a variety of lures and baits but the best remain red/gold Thomas Bouyants, dark or hot pink mini-jigs, Salmon Peach Power Bait fished 3 feet off the bottom or nightcrawlers fished feet under a bobber.
Not too many trolling reports but the few that came reported moderate to slow action. Bait and lures fished shallow have definitely been better.
South Fork Bishop Creek: Flows continue to be higher than normal for this time of year but the creek is still fishing excellent. Adopt-A-Creek is now a thing of the past but there are still some decent 'bows to 3 lbs being caught along with the standard DFG fish. Panther Martin spinners, salmon eggs and worms are working best
Weir Pond: Plenty of fly casters out there this weekend but the action remained steady for guys stripping streamers or casting dries early and late in the day.

CARSON RIVERS, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Main Carson River: Current flow is 199 CFS. The river is now wadeable. Fishing has improved with lower flows and current stocking.

CARSON RIVER, CALIF:
East Carson River: It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
West Carson River: It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
With the mainstem closed upstream of river mile 2.2, anglers will find good cutthroat fishing on any of the tributaries entering into the Chetco.
The South Fork Chetco has some of the best public access and is in a very remote setting.
Temporary regulations in effect beginning Aug. 1, 2011:
Mainstem Chetco River upstream of BPA powerline crossing at river mile 2.2 is closed to all angling including trout through Nov. 4, 2011.
Tributaries to the Chetco River remain open for trout through Oct. 31, 2011 as per Southwest Zone Regulations.

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife ( www.ndow.org) reports:
A few bass have been showing up, but no trout due to the pike infestation.
Pike fishing has also been poor.
There are few if any trout left in the lake also due to the pike infestation.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
Jen Heintzelman of Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlakeresort.com) reports:
Catch of the Week: Patty Shader from Vista, California brought in a 4 pounder on Power Bait along the South Shore.

Weather: Daytime highs still in the mid 70s...a bit warmer later in the week and evening lows in the mid 40's. Slight chance of afternoon storms Sunday and Monday and mainly sunny the rest of the week. Here is a local site that is usually quite accurate www.mammothweather.com.

Tactics/Bait: Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the best baits to use this week. If trolling go 6 or 7 colors. Fish are being caught all around the lake this week. Locations to try are the Inlet, Outlet, North Shore, South Shore, Creek, Jetty, Handicap Pier and Hangman's Tree. 

Here is a list of other baits/lures that are good to try: TroutKrilla, Trout Teasers, Midges, Panther Martin, NeedleFish, Thomas Bouyants, Green Wooly Booger, White Mini Jig and PowerBait.

Stocking: DFG has stocked again this week. Next week, PRADCO manufacturer of YUM TroutKrilla Baits will be stocking tagged fish for the Eastern Sierra Second Summer Derby.

Sunrise - Sunset: Sunrise this week 6:25 am - 6:36 am and Sunset 7:21 pm - 7:02 pm.

Derbies: The Eastern Sierra Second Summer Derby will be starting September 7 to November 15th with $4,462 prizes at Convict Lake and $35,702 in the overall competition. You can win a 14 foot, fully equipped Gregor Boat and more!

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Thing's have taken a nose dive here. Fishing is very slow. Most of the fish being caught are the small, recently planted rainbows. Try 18-20 feet of water with Stevie's Wonder gray/black or Stevie's M-80.

DUFFERENA PONDS, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife ( www.ndow.org) reports:
Ponds 19 and 20 are fishing well for bass up to two ponds on artificial lures. Some fish are being caught on topwaters in the morning and evenings.

FEATHER RIVER, MIDDLE FORK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

FEATHER RIVER, NORTH FORK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Hobart access is open and fishing has been good for fly anglers and lure fisherman. Anglers are reporting abundant brook trout and some tiger trout. Damsel patterns, Sheep Creeks, black ants, and Zug Bugs have been the flies of choice. No reports on lures.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 27 CFS. Our clients have been doing well Nymphing with FB Pheasant Tails, gray WD-40', Caddis larva and olive Scuds. Some surface action with hopper patterns.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Grant – Gull – June – Silver Lakes and Rush Creek: Rush Creek flow is 56 CFS. Fishing is good with hoppers, black ants and humpies. Try Grant Lake near the Rush Creek inlet with Doc's Twin Lake special, olive Matukas and olive or black Zonkers.

LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing has picked up in the last couple of days. Anglers have reported walleye in the 17-21 inch range. Fishing has been good in and around Beach 7 and between Beaches 4 and 6.
Anglers have reported catfish, wipers and white bass. Lake is almost full. Great year for water.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
George Lake - Mary Lake – Mamie Lake – Twin Lakes: Best fishing at Lake Mary along the west side.
Black or purple Crystal Buggers on full sink lines with a slow retrieve the most successful technique recently.
Twin Lakes is also picking up. Try a California mosquito with a size 20 black/silver Zebra Midge as a dropper.

MARKLEEVILLE CREEK CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Slow fishing but leach patterns, blood Midges, and Woolly Buggers have been working.
Season closes on Sept. 30.

MASON VALLEY W.M.A., LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fort Churchill Cooling Ponds: Some bass being reported in the 12 inch to 14 inch rage. Try using rubber baits or weighted grubs.
Hinkson Slough: The fly anglers have had their best luck with Midges fished under an indicator. The Midges at Hinkson are really big and make it easier to tie them on. Wooly buggers fished with an intermediate line have also been catching fish.
North Pond: Bass fishing at North Pond has been very good. Anglers should expect to deal with thick aquatic vegetation, however, a little searching will reveal areas of open water in which to fish.
In the early morning, use top water plugs. Once the sun comes up, switch to shallow running crank or spinner baits.
Rubber baits (senko worms) are also working.
Using a boat or pontoon will make finding open water a little easier.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Recreational ocean Chinook fishing is open.
Single point, barbless hooks must be used in this fishery.
The non-selective ocean Coho fishery starts on Sept. 1 and will continue through Sept. 10. There is a daily bag limit of two salmon per day.
Fishing for bottom fish is now closed outside of 20 fathoms in order to reduce catch and release mortality on yelloweye rockfish. Anglers are reporting good catches of bottomfish when weather is favorable. However, anglers fishing from boats may no longer retain Cabezon because thequotaof 15.8 metric tons will have been met.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: Water flow 217 CFS. On the surface try Chnernoble ant's and hoppers. Caddis pupa, Buckskin Nymphs and WD-40's under the surface.
Fishing is picking up above the Benton Crossing Bridge.
Lower Owens River: Water flow 500 CFS. A bit to high to fish right now.


PINE VALLEY COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Blue Lakes: Fishing has been very good for trout using flies and bait fishing in the deeper parts of the lake. The main lake is still spilling. Fish are very active in the afternoons along the shoreline feeding on Mayflies and Midges.
The road to the trailhead was improved a few weeks ago.
Knott Creek Reservoir: Fishing is very slow due to a dense algae bloom that has occurred with the warmer weather. Some of the eastern shore camping spots are now accessible but the road going around the eastern side of the lake is still under water. Fishing will improve with cooler weather.
Onion Valley Reservoir: Fishing is very slow due to a dense algae bloom that has occurred with the warmer weather. The road near the campground was improved a few weeks ago. Fishing will improve with cooler weather.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV:
Closed to cutthroat trout fishing through September 30.

RYE PATCH RESERVOIR, PERSHING COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing has been very slow. Most of the activity is recreational boaters.
A few catfish are being caught in the river now that lower flows have concentrated the fish near diversion dams.
A few anglers reported catching 6-8 lb walleyes up reservoir while trolling.
The Pitt-Taylor boat ramp is still in usable.

SAN JOAQUIN AND RED’S MEADOWS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
The San Joaquin River is fishing great. My favorite rig here is an orange stimulator with a bead head pheasant tail dropper.
Fishing is still good at Sotcher Lake with olive Matukas and olive or black Twin Lakes Specials.


SARDINE LAKE (LOWER), CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

SILVER CREEK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The Smith is open to striped bass year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size. Fishing for stripers in the tidewater area is fair.
The Smith is now open for trout from May 28 through Sept. 15 and fishing has been good for cutthroat trout in the upper sections.
Check the regulations for gear and harvest restrictions.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

STANISLAUS RIVER, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

LAKE TAHOE:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Kokanee fishing is the ticket for the South Lake anglers. Anglers have reported good fishing in 50 feet of water using Hoochies, and Kokanee Pros tipped with corn.
Mackinaw fishing has been slow but some anglers have reported success fishing below the Kokanee. Try trolling below the Kokanee with minnows and dodgers. This method seems to be producing the best results. Bounce this rigging two to three feet off the bottom.

TOPAZ LAKE:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Plenty of fish have been in the 2 lb range and many anglers reported limits of fish. Boat anglers used Rapalas in black and gold. In addition trolling worms in 5 to 12 feet of water has been successful.
Shore anglers had success using power bait and worms.
Bass have been showing up in good numbers but you need to target them in the shallows and in the structured areas.

TRUCKEE RIVER, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The Truckee's current flow in Reno is 494 CFS. Fishing is going off!
There has been some dry fly action in the evenings try using Caddis patterns.
Fly anglers have reported luck with Prince Nymphs, and Stone Fly Nymphs. Crawdad patterns should be good streamer patterns for this time of year. Dead drift the crawdad through the holes then strip through the eddy line for best results.
Spin fishermen have been using, eggs, Power Bait, gold Kastmasters, black and yellow Panther Martin, and jointed Rapalas.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) reports:
The Mosquitoes are almost gone. How can this weather continue with only a few grey clouds and still no precipitation.
Alpers are still coming out on a daily basis with DFG planting all 3 lakes.
Fishing has been great on just about everything, crawlers, lures and Power Bait, Salmon eggs, and mouse-tails (pink-white). Cheese Power Bait, yellow garlic, also red Power Bait.
Tubers are doing well on Rickard's Stillwater Nymph, and going through their special flies for those hard to catch Hawgs swimming around their tubes and between their legs.
The aspens are getting ready for the first frost which I'm betting will happen within the next week, and the wild Iris is standing but fading.
Wildflowers around the upper lakes are fading and most of the high country blooms are drying out.

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:
(East Walker River – West Walker River):
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
East Walker River: East Walker Flow is at 324 CFS. Wait until the river is less than 300 CFS for the best fishing.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River: Most recent flow 321 CFS. Fishing is getting tougher here.
Try red or black Midge pupa, Buckskin Nymphs and Prince Nymphs.

PHOTO
Patty Shader from Vista, Calif., with a 4-pounder taken on Power Bait along the south shore of Convict Lake, Calif. Photo courtesy of the Convict Lake Resort