Don Q's fishing report for Jan. 21

Fishing Report As of January 21

ADOBE POND:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The ramps at Canyon Dam, the USFS at Almanor and Rec. 1 and 2 ramps are operational. Trolling the east basin has been the better bet. Some coves are starting to ice over. 
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road is closed to the lake and there will be no fishing reports for Angel Lake until late May of 2015.

BISHOP CREEK, AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
With recent releases here lake level is now at 20%. 
Ice here is thinning in spots as temps are a little high for this time of year but as long as it gets cold enough at night it should hold up. At last check ice thickness at Dam was 3 inches. 
Nightcrawlers, Power bait, small Kastmasters, and jigs have been good for Rainbows and Browns.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Ice fishing by the dam has been decent for anglers using nightcrawlers, eggs or little white jigs. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said jigs have been working best and anglers have been catching kokanee, browns and rainbows. Fish have been hitting under the ice in water 6 to 10 feet deep.
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.

BRIDGEPORT, RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort,com) reports:
January 14:
An 18” Mackinaw was caught by Kirkwood resident, Josh Otto, jigging a silver Kastmaster in 10’ of water at Caples Lake Resort.
The ice is 6”- 8” thick and ice skaters and fishermen have been on the lake for about two weeks. Come out and enjoy the sun, scenery, and ice at Caples Lake Resort, located just 1 mile east of Kirkwood Mountain Resort.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East (Upstream from Hangman's Bridge):
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
Carson River West:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Cave Lake has between seven and eight inches of hard ice with about an inch of snow and slush on top. Anglers continue to have good luck with small spinners, Power Bait, worms and salmon eggs. That being said, the trout at Cave Lake aren’t too particular and will take just about any presentation.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Lower flows have slowed the catch. Anglers will want to switch to smaller baits and lighter line. Best fishing has been in the lower river.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Ice on lake but for a more comprehensive update contact Mark at out Blairseden store. 530-836-2589.

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Donner has been fishing sporadically as some fisherman are still taking small Macks along the North shore and some around the China Cove area.
Rainbows have been sporadic up and down the North shore with Power bait or nightcrawlers. Kastmasters, Krocodiles, Rooster Tails, Rapalas or anything that will mimic a baitfish will elicit a bite.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open the Saturday of Memorial weekend.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The center of the reservoir has about six inches of ice, according to Ranger Ben Johnson. But the ice thins considerably along the shore line. Those that were ice fishing this past week accessed the ice from the fishing dock and were rewarded with 12- to 13-inch rainbows. The fish were caught on nightcrawlers.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Thin ice conditions continue to make the lake unsafe for ice fishing.
Contact the park staff for current ice conditions, 775-962-5103.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
A few decent 4-5 pound Steelhead caught in the high flow section of the Feather River using nightcrawlers with the additives of Pro-Cure Anise and hot pink bait oil according to Craig Bentley at Huntington’s Sportsman’s Store in Oroville. 
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.

FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Lake is at 37-percent capacity.
Fishing for shore anglers and trollers has been excellent all week.
Brian Weber of Fremont caught a limit of 18- to 20-inch rainbows near the dam from shore with marshmallow/salmon egg combos and orange Power Bait.
The areas around the boat docks seem to be providing excellent results.
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Same as Davis.

HAT CREEK, UPPER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open May 01, 2015.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow 4 CFS. It's hard to even find a fish.  Try getting a scud or a midge puoa along the cut banks.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Illipah Reservoir is 100% ice covered with about eight to nine inches of hard ice and an inch or so of slush.
Anglers are catching fish averaging 12 to 17 inches in five to nine feet of water using the usual assortment of nightcrawlers, mealworms and crappie jigs.

JACKSON MEADOWS RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Access may be limited!  
Check with Sierraville ranger station for road conditions!  

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No recent report. Expect the lake to be ice covered. Check the thickness close to shore before venturing upon it.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The upper Klamath river is flowing at a respectable 1800 CFS and the steelie action has been great. There are lots of half pounders or 14" to 20" fish in the system with guides reporting "all you want" action. 
Courtesy of usafishing.com.

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
Anglers have been left blaming weather and water releases for slow fishing.
Despite this, persistence has paid off for many.
One local angler reeled in a five-pound catfish using anchovies while fishing from shoreline in the Community Park area.
Another caught a four-pound striper while working a Storm swimbait from the shoreline near Rotary Park.
The Sunshine Peninsula has been productive for lingering rainbow trout as well as smallmouth bass.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Trout ranging from 14 to 19 inches can be fooled into going to a better place by trolling with a Sep's dodger with a threaded nightcrawler trailed behind or a wedding ring combination tipped with a piece of nightcrawler.
Shore fisherman try using a white power egg and salmon egg combo, or a nightcrawler tipped with a power egg. Best places to fish from shore are the southern dock below the marina and the shore line above the marina. If you have any difficulties see Craig at Pine Cove Marina.
I was out two days last week and caught 31 fish with clients…not bad!
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MAMMOTH LAKES, BASIN, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MARLETT LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open July 15, 2015.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Reports from Lake Mead have been quite varied this past week.
Some anglers haven’t had so much as a bite while others are bringing in striped bass on a consistent basis.
Live shad have been the ticket for stripers, but also are working for the occasional tilapia and catfish. The areas around 33 Hole, Sand Island and Boxcar Cove have all been producing fish.
With the new moon coming January 20, fishing should improve with the darker nights. Fishing under a light or with a submersible light increases the odds of attracting fish in the area.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Some participants in recent bass tournaments report that the action has improved for largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as the quality of fish being caught. Working grass beds in the coves with plastics in varying colors has worked well. Striped bass have been found in deeper water, and anglers are using Carolina rigs to catch the fish.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The ocean is open for harvest of Dungeness crab.
Fishing for bottom fish, including rockfish and lingcod is open to all depths.
Marine daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two).
Starting January 15 anglers will only be able to keep 3 blue rockfish as part of their daily limit and there will be no harvest of China, quillback, or copper rockfish.
Sometime in March, once a parallel federal rule is adopted, ODFW will announce anglers can retain one canary rockfish as part of the marine fish daily bag limit.
Retention of cabezon is not allowed Jan. 1 – June 30.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Flow is now 48 CFS. The water is low and clear. Try caddis pupa, San Juan worms and egg patterns. The fish are scattered so cover lots of water.
Lower Owens River:
The current water flow is unavailable.
The mayfly hatch is slowing. Nymphing with Barr's graphic caddis, olive pheasant tails or copper zebra midges very productive.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 1/18/15
Please be EXTREMELY careful when handling, or photographing fish at temperatures below twenty degrees. Fish removed from the water for more than a minute can literally “flash freeze” and die. Resuscitating BEFORE, & AFTER your fight is essential for a safe C & R on these wonderful fish. Do not remove them from the water immediately after you net them please. Keep their gills out of the silt and completely submerged while removing the hooks and reviving them.
Looks, & feels like March here recently! Water temps have warmed up into the forties recently, and the smaller resident fish are sipping midge clusters in the late afternoon. Be prepared for the possibility of single digit air temps at dawn-mid-fifties by 3pm.
Flows have dropped to 45 CFS.
No ice, or snow around the river- water remains off color especially below the merging of Hot Creek & the irrigation canals.
Angling pressure has been heavy.
Still a few bigs around if you work all the deep holes and have patience.
More browns showing after Crowley iced over.  
Solid mending techniques are critical in getting the bigs to hit.
Stay on the “tail” of your targets whenever possible & keep those nymph rigs bouncing on the dirt. If you are not tickling the bottom at least half the drift, your leader is too short; or improperly weighted.
Your presentations and mending might just suck too!  
As Crowley slowly fills, the communication between the lake and river improves, giving the trout a more favorable pathway to migrate upstream. This is why winter/early spring fishing  can be so great here. The colder air temps force the fish to seek refuge in the deeper pools.
Nymphing below an Under-cator is the best method to get the larger migratory rainbows and browns to take a fly. Use attractor patterns-appropriately weighted, and in tandem such as San Juan Worms, & roe imitations. Flashback PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, GILLIES, Agent Orange, & Crystal Vanderleeches are also good choices especially after the gravel warms up in the afternoons.  
You will see a decent midge hatch and small mayflies during periods of warmer weather. Small para BWO’s or duns, and midge cluster patterns are good surface profiles. Streamer fishing can also be a good call during windy days.
Stay along the deeper/channel side of the river and use the “dip & strip” technique with a light sinking tip, or floating line. Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s, & Punk Perch #10-6 can get those big boys out from under those deeper cut banks where it is difficult to dead drift a nymph rig. 
Special angling regs in effect. 
Open year around upstream from the Benton Crossing Bridge.
Closed from the Bridge downstream to Crowley Lake until next season.
Middle Owens River (Bishop area) 1/18/15 
Flows are currently around 75 CFS below the dam at Pleasant Valley. This is very low friends.
Fishing is fair/good from the Footbridge at PV Campground downstream to the Five Bridges Crossing. Access to this area while wading has never been easier.
The cold water mayfly called the “blue winged olive” is now emerging in numbers consistently. The first generations are large for mayflies, and a mainstay in the trouts late winter/spring diet. #16/18 BWO patterns are good profiles. Nymphing with tandem rigs-properly weighted will get you into fish before the hatch. I suggest you use Flashback PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, small gillies, crystal emergers, or chironomid pupa, olive crystal zebras, & caddis larvae (to imitate caddis larva & rock worms) below an Under-cator. You can use dry/dropper bead head rigs for the warmer days working the tailouts of larger pools, & riffles.
Have some high vis para BWO’s for the uppers & keep them dressed with desiccant  to suspend your bead head nymphs.
Guided drift boat trips are a great vehicle to reach the secluded, and less fished areas of the river. We have been logging excellent numbers the last few trips as the fish are concentrating in the deeper pools.
We predominantly fish streamers like Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s, Punk Perch, Agent Orange, and Crystal Vanderleeches. Using a light sinking tip line we position the boat upstream from the target water, casting about 35 feet down towards larger pools. We then insert the rod tips below the surface to get the streamers down without using excessive weight. Stripping the line in an erratic series of short and long pulls imitates the swimming motion of injured baitfish. The “dip & strip” technique is a fun way to get into numbers and large rainbows that hold in the lower sections of the river well below the wild trout section.
Check out my “be the fly” video by clicking on the videos link at the top of the page to see how we do it.
This fishery remains open year around.
Special regs from the footbridge at Pleasant Valley campground to the fishing monument 4.7 miles downstream.

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 night crawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

PINE FOREST COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Onion Valley Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Blue Lakes: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Knott Creek Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Fly Shop suggests starting at Pit #3 and working your way down to No. 4 and 5 Since they may be more stained and have higher flows.  
Sunny days bring some hatches on.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is at 27% capacity.  Ice has been stable for the most part but with the warm temps this week it may have an adverse effect. About 5 inches with clear fractured ice making up the bottom 2 inches. 
Small Rainbows here but since this lake was only stocked once fishing has been pretty slow, much better around the dam. 
Use caution as ice is thin in spots!!

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
With nice weather this week fishing may good for this time of year where in the past January tends to be a slow month. 
Be extra careful about the wind conditions as this lake can capsize boats easily. 
For those trolling we now carry Lyman's sz 4 and sz 3 flatties in popular Pyramid colors and Father Murphys Pyramid Vibrator Spoons.  These have been the go to lures at this lake this year. 
Be safe be smart when you venture out here.

RUBY LAKE NWR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing continues to be good here in the collection ditch and in the oxbow behind the hatchery. However, anglers are catching a fair amount of small fish (8 to 12 inches) before catching one of the larger trout.
One particularly large trout in the oxbow has been laughing at the anglers, shunning just about every fly thrown its way. The go to fly seems to be the hares ear, with the pheasant tail nymph close behind. Also egg patterns and flies that have some red in them do seem to be working.
For spin fishermen the usual assortment of small spinners and minnow type lures are all effective here.
The ditch is artificial lures and flies only.
Harrison Pass is closed, use Secret Pass.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon fishing is closed.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of  January 15, 2015 water flow is currently 3,250 CFS and stable.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report - Rainbow trout fishing has been really good.  Redding area to Anderson area of the Sacramento River fishing well now. Fishing in the wind yesterday was tough , but it calmed down late afternoon. Most days 15 plus fish hook ups. Working best in these water conditions are egg patterns.
Drift  boats or Jet boats available. We cater to all levels of anglers.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Conditions are still on the big side along the lower half of this river.
Around 2,000 CFS.
Best fishing can be found up near Dunsmuir where more favorable water conditions exist. Our long range prediction is the fishing can be fair at best, but prepare to contend with high water. Can be dangerous during and just after rains.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER/RED’S MEADOW, 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) reports:
Clarity will continue to be a problem here due to the runoff dumping a lot of silt back into the system from what were dry creek beds for many years.  Watch out for a lot of debris in the system.  
Both trout and bass will be in the top 10 feet feasting on the shad.  
Chartreuse and black back crankbaits or silver shad minnow patterns for small swimbaits have been productive.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
January 15, 2015  Shasta Lake guided fishing.
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta.  
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta.
The best bet during the Late Fall or Winter months  is for large and small mouth bass. RED HOT BASS FISHING! Loads of fun and plenty of water.
Fishing the top water and picking up a few Rainbows mostly bass now. 
Shasta Lake Bass fishing has been great most days.
Mid afternoon has been most productive. 

SILVER LAKE, CALIF:
The lake is frozen but thickness is unknown.

SMITH RIVER, OREGON:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Winter steelhead will start arriving in the Smith River basin. Most of the steelhead will be wild, therefore fishing will be primarily catch-and-release.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
South Fork has about 5 to 6 inches of good hard clear ice. However, there is no snow on top and it is very slick. Anglers should wear some sort of cleats on their boots for safety.
The other issue with South Fork is that the clear ice allows the fish to see you very easily on a sunny day and so anglers should strive to keep still and stay back from the ice holes and fishing rods.
Fishing has been slow to fair and until the high pressure system moves out and we get some snow cover on the ice along with some clouds, fishing may continue to be just fair. Anglers should use the usual assortment of Power Bait, worms or jigs and fish near the bottom, working their way up the water column until you get some action.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is stable now at 24% capacity and fishing has been decent for Rainbows, Macks, and Smallies. 
Some thin ice in the inlets but for the most part lake is wide open. 
Small boats can still launch to the right of the ramp as they are concentrating their efforts outside the inlets and the deeper sections around the dam. 
Shore fishing has been sporadic for the Bows with power bait, nightcrawlers, and various hardware. 
Smallies are suspended along shelves in the Davis Creek arm and most are being taken on suspending baitfish patterns, Crayfish patterns, and various Jigs worked down these shelves.  Some big smallies here, but you'll have to work hard for them.

LAKE TAHOE:
A continuing report of limits of average sized Mackinaw Trout being caught on silver flasher blades and minnows, trolled at depths of 100-300 feet on the west side of the lake near Homewood, California.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The springers are now showing up in the upper river from Big Bar all the way to Lewiston. The salmon weighing from 8 to 15 pounds can be caught using a tuna/roe combination. Kastmasters and Blue Fox spinners are also working.
The key to catching the piscatorial delights is to fish very early in the morning. I mean early or late in the evening.
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
January 15, 2015 Fishing report
Currently, Trinity River flows are as follows: Currently 300 CFS.
We are fishing the Trinity River for Winter Steelhead fishing and fishing has been awesome! Steelhead have been ranging from 4 to 10 pounds, number of hook ups are up to 10 a days, varying. Getting into some nice steelhead now. 
Fly or Spin fishing are both productive.We are fishing from Lewiston Bridge to JC Campgrounds. We have gotten a lot of the needed rain and this has been great for the steelhead fishing, as it has brought up many new fish.
Call Kirk or Justin at 1800-670-4448 for more details.
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, CA  fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
California:
Unseasonable temps this week have driven some off the slopes and back to fishing! Best hours to fish will be 11 to 3. Water temps are getting cold and fish are starting to get more lethargic and picky. 
Lots of Midges and small BWO/Baetis Mayflies and even Stones.
Hopefully these flows continue as long as we get weather. 
Nevada:
If you do fish the Truckee in Nevada please be aware that New Zealand Mudsnails have been found in sections of water there so please clean your shoes and gear accordingly to avoid aquatic hitch hikers!  
Study the water and turn rocks and see what is going on, also seine for what is in the drift.  Little things like this and slowing your approach to the river’s edge will greatly increase your chances of being successful. 
Again, make sure your box is stocked with every conceivable stage of bugs that are present now!  (x) = drawer number.  

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) report:
Have a great winter, and let's pray for a lot of snow for water to refill all the reservoirs, lakes and streams with plenty for the ski resorts.
May you all have a Happy, Healthy 2015, see you on the water in late April!
Carolyn

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No new updates. No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lakes since 2009.
Launching is not possible right now.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 21 CFS. Low and slow. Try the Lower Owens.

WALKER RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wild Horse has about 8 inches of good hard clear ice with about two inches of snow on top and fishing has been typical for this time of year.
In other words just fair.
Some days anglers are catching a few fish, while other days, they are catching very few fish.
However fishing here is better than at South Fork.
The snow on top of the ice helps hide anglers from the fish below.
Fish have been taking the presentations so lightly that anglers really need to pay attention. The water depth off of the state park boat ramp is between six and eight feet in depth and trout are being caught about four feet under the ice.
The usual Power Bait, worms and jigs should be used here.
The ice skating rink off of the state park boat ramp is open for skating and the state park is open to camping.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water is only about 10% of capacity and is covered with unsafe ice.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The lake has come up about a foot and a half due to the recent precipitation and snow melt. Ice is two inches or less, spongy and very unsafe with soft edges.
The road is 4WD only.
Not worth the trip with the warm weather forecast.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

****

Photo No. 1:
A Trinity River Steelhead Trout. Photo by Kirk Portocarrero, outdooradventures

Photo No. 02:
Fly fishing success on the Sacramento River. Photo courtesy of Kirk Portocarrero at outdooradventures