Don Q's weekly fishing report for March 6-13

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of March 6-13.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Weather conditions have been great and similar to spring already, with dry road conditions and low congestion on the water.
Bank fishing at Geritol Cove has been reported to be productive.
Overall, fishing has been great on Lake Almanor and both jigging and trolling have been getting catches.
Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road has been closed for the season, so there will be no more fishing reports for Angel Lake until it opens next spring.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

BLUE LAKES, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
The road is closed.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort.com): reports:
NEW 4” of Snow today–’ March 3rd- 2013
And forecast is for 1 to 2 feet later this week!
Wow finally, some more snow.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
A report of ice fishing near the spillway: A fisherman caught three rainbows, jigging with a gold Kastmaster lure with a mealworm, and another seven rainbows on a jig and small piece of worm.

CARSON RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CARSON RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013, above Hangman's Bridge.

CATNIP RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Slow. Steelhead fishing has been fair with the low and clear water conditions. Bank access on the Chetco River is really good, with some of the most popular spots being Social Security, Loeb State Park and Ice Box.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK. CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Upper portions of the river have been reported to have a few steelhead and stripers are also present but in small numbers. Fishing has been fair so far. Courtesy of Johnson's Bait & Tackle.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
03/08/13
We had several good reports on fishing at Frenchman Lake this past week.
Someone reported catching 4 fish at the dam using worms and rainbow garlic power bait. The fish were approximately 14 inches long.
Another fellow spent the whole day fishing at the dam and caught 14 rainbows between 20 to 24 inches in length, but only kept 2 of them.
He reported that the ice is still 8 to 10 inches thick with about 3 or 4 inches of slush on top

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The ice is still thick despite the sunny days which have been coming more often. Some melt has been seen around the edges of the lake.
Fishing has still been good!
Nightcrawlers have been getting good catches around the dam.
It is still necessary to use an ATV or snowmobile to get around the lake.
Courtesy of Richard Wiggins.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2013.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Don Quilici of Carson City, Doug Busey, Steve Lightfoot and Steve Brower, all of Douglas County, fished last Thursday by the dam.
They had numerous bites and caught and released a number of rainbow trout, up to about 14 inches, on nightcrawlers or Power Bait.

JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Unfortunately, Jiggs has dried up.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been alright on the Klamath.
A few anglers have reported catching a few steelheads. Most have had luck using pink and orange egg patterns.
The upper Klamath should have good fishing in early March.
Pat’s Rubber Legs and Shafer’s 3D are good flies to use on the Klamath.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.
Fishing Guides: Marble Mountain Guest Ranch.

KNOTT CREEK RESERVOIR, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been fair due to the wind. Try using #16 PT nymphs stripped on a floating line for rainbows. Stripping and retrieving leeches seems to be a good technique for Lewiston Lake.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2013.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The recreational Dungeness crabbing is open in the ocean.
The ocean has been rough the past week, making it difficult to get across the bar to fish. Fishing for bottom fish including rockfish, and ling cod is open at all depths until April 1.
The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two).
Retention of cabezon is not allowed until July 1 due to a small harvest cap.
Fishing for big ling cod has been good for anglers when the ocean has been calm. At this time of the year big ling cod move into shallower water in preparation to spawn.
Large ocean swells are making it difficult for anglers to fish for surfperch along the beaches. When the swells drop below four feet anglers should be able to start picking up surf perch along their favorite beaches.
Fishing with sand shrimp or sand worms are always great baits to use for surf perch fishing.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Bass are staying at about 35 ft and it is recommended to fish slowly for a catch. Finesse drop-shot, tubes, and dart-head jigs have been working so far.
The upper lake has shown some good results.
Check regulations for bass fishing as some are changing March 1st.
Courtesy of Huntington Sportsman’s.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Access is pretty good but you will still encounter some muddy sections on the feeder roads leading into and along the fence line.
Remember- all wheel drives just take you further in to get stuck!
Flows have been bumped up to 110 CFS and this has actually helped the conditions improve. We are still seeing some bigs that have migrated up from Crowley but the huge fall rainbows we call Crowley Steelhead are spawned out and the hens have deposited their eggs.
Look for the Kamloops and Eagle Lake strain bows to begin moving in mass as soon as the ice thaws near the inlet to Crowley. It is receding quickly and should be open by mid-March for sure.
There is also spotty dry fly action on the warmer days.
I suggest midge cluster patterns, or # 20-22 para midges.
With the onset of this warmer weather forecast the BWO’s will begin to show soon. First generations are good sized, # 16′s will get looks.
Nymphing is best, always is this time of year.
Use attractors as your upper fly on a tandem rig, stick with small flashback PT’s, birds nest, crystal & broken back midges as the dropper.
Egg patterns will also get grabs on the colder days when the fish are more lethargic. With the higher flows we have seen some nice fish move out of the pools and along the deeper cut banks, so look for those darker slices of water along the channel side for opportunities now.
Lower Owens River:
I have not used the word epic to describe fly fishing down here in a long, long time. Due to a combination of ideal water conditions and a large planting of catchable rainbows put in below the wild trout section-we are enjoying some fantastic fishing on the LO.
The last three drifts had fish counts of 47, 112, & 88 caught and released.
I call this “catch’N” not fish’N!
The wild trout area is also fishing well with flows remaining at, or below 100 CFS. The wind has been a factor at times messing up the baetis emergence; however this is the main course for the wild fish.
Have a # 16 BWO adult ready to go after 1 pm, find a deep pool with a long riffle leading into, or below it for some consistent dry fly action mid-day. Stick to pheasant tails or birds nest patterns while nymphing # 14-18.
Light to moderate sinking tip lines and the “dip & strip” method of streamer fishing is crushing the rainbows.
Sierra Drifters Spruce-a-Bu, Punk Perch # 14, and Loebergs # 10 working.
Flows look to remain low for a longer duration this year, so if you want a combination of warm weather and good fishing give us a call and we will set up a drift trip for you in March.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been good and water conditions range from fair to good.
It is recommend to bring a wading staff this time of year.
Some anglers report better catches with the Dark Lords in #14-16 and Pheasant Tail Nymphs in #14-16.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop
and Ted Fay Fly Shop.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Perhaps the most heavily planted body of water in California this time of year. I have had reports of clients without the use of guides banging 100 catchable rainbows in an outing.
Tubers and waders are enjoying the benefits of a well stocked lake.
There are also some nice wild browns showing up, especially during the BWO hatch after lunch.
Stick with dry/dropper bead head nymph rigs in the small river section and transition area (my favorite place to fish here).
Tiger midges and Assassins are dynamite # 16 & 18 under a para BWO, Stimulator, or hi-Vis BWO adult that is well dressed with desiccant.
“Freeze tubers” are punishing the fish from the launch ramp to the inlet currently, with some nice brood fish showing as well.
Use a full sink, or heavy sinking tip line to get down 10 feet quickly.
It is not that cold anymore and the fish have become much more active than during the ice age we saw earlier in February.
The Gorge has some excellent dry fly action during the calmer days, small mayflies and para midges here.
Access is good so long as you don’t mind some moderate hiking and rock hopping. Good place to seek refuge on the weekends…

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
A report of good shore fishing at Blockhouse for Cutts up to 25 inches.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
So far fishing has been great and the once fast winds of the past few days have stopped, allowing for much calmer conditions.
Anglers report that they are catching a decent amount with dry fly.
With more caddis coming off, nymphing has been great, so try the #14-16 Amber Wing Princes fly.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

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 March 4, 2013, water flow is currently 3,800 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing has been excellent, including several steelhead.
Mid day, caddis hatch is epic. 
Anderson area, also, Bonneyview down, doing well.
Pheasant Tail # 14, Gordon Prince nymphs # 16, Cinnamon Pupahs # 14. 
Our guides are fishing daily, call or email us today.
We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. 
All fly fishing gear is included on our guided fly fishing trips.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California fly fishing
for wild rainbow trout.
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:
The river level has dropped a lot and fishermen report fishing in the Upper Sacramento has been good. Conditions are as fair as one can hope for February, but it is advised to be wary when wading. The 6 Thurmanator Dark Stones #14-16 Dark Lords flies have been doing well. 
 www.theflyshop.com
Fishing Guides: www.sacriverguide.com

SAN JOAQUINN/RED'S MEADOW, CALIF:
Road is now closed for the season.
Reopens by 4th of July weekend usually.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Dry Creek area of the lake has had the best results but other than that fishing has only been good to fair. Anglers report using Cripp lures and Wiggle Hoochies as a good technique.
Rainbows are at the surface to 40 ft. deep.
Courtesy of AA Outdoor Adventures Sports Fishing. 
Fishing Guide: www.philsprop.com

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Steelhead are in the Smith River.
There is no hatchery program up the Smith River so the angling opportunity will primarily be catch and release of wild steelhead.

SMITH RIVER AND CHETCO RIVER:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
March 4, 2013 Smith River Steelhead fishing report
Steelhead on the Chetco River and Smith River, is coming to an end, not very many steelhead showing now. 
We are turning to the Trinity River for steelhead for February/March.
Call or email today for further updates.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
So far the fishing on the Trinity has been good but not great.
Fresh steelheads have been starting to come through so expect better fishing as the weeks go on.
www.theflyshop.com

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
March 4, 2013 Fishing report
Currently, Water is at 300 CFS. 
Trinity River Steelhead fishing is slowing.
Rain this week may help a bit, we'll keep an eye on the fishing.
Fishing for Steelhead on the Trinity River from Lewiston to Pigeon Point. Fly fishing is best bet for catching a few steelhead.
Flies working best are Stone flies, Copper John's, and Egg patterns. 
Bait fisherman using lures and producing nice Steelhead, as well.
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, CA fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lake since 2009. Mineral County Road Dept. has done some work on the State Parks Launch. Launching is improved but you still need four wheel drive.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
March 03, 2013
The East Walker was bumped up to 41 CFS yesterday and is fishing very well. It seems as though the fish are spread out pretty well as we’ve had some good reports from anglers who are fishing down below the bridge and not just on the upper stretch.
We’ve had a couple good reports on streamers and some on dries but the mainstay is still small midges.
Pressure has been pretty light but the fish tend to be a bit spooky with the lower flows.
Some patterns to try include: zebra midge, wd-40, flashback emerger, midgeling, top secret midge, parachute adams, blue wing olive, humpy, chubby chernobyl, zuddler, jj special.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Still very skinny on the flows, look for 40 CFS or better to move the fish around some-75 CFS or better will rock.
Fishing is great in about three or four spots if you don’t mind fishing one location all day. Bring lawyers, guns and money to secure a position!

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

WASHOE LAKE, WAHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Washoe Lake dried up in 2004 and, although it is presently full and has been restocked, the fish population, consisting mostly of channel catfish and white bass, is small. Fishing is expected to be poor.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is poor for the warm water species here, and with few trout in this lake, there will be no new reports on this water until spring.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now and www.SouthTahoeNow.com. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com