Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of March 18 and beyond

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of March 18, 2015 and beyond.
ADOBE POND:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

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: 
Withholding releases here have lake now at 36 percent.  
Be careful driving down to the shoreline as some areas are like quicksand. Best spots to fish here are around the dam and outside the inlet. 
Nightcrawlers, Rapala's, Power bait, small Kastmasters, and jigs have been good for Rainbows and Browns.

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:
Caples Lake has open water as of March 12, 2015. The Lake Level is 51 feet, or 71 percent capacity. Thanks to the proactive drought planning by the El Dorado Irrigation District (EID), Caples Lake will be at 52 feet May 1 and 54 feet June 1, or 80 percent capacity per the EID.
Weather permitting, Caples Lake Resort will be open May 1, with bait in the store and rental boats and kayaks on the boat docks. Cabins and Lodge rooms will also be available early this year. The Caples Lake Campground across Highway 88 will also be opening early.

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 is ice free and expect fishing conditions to improve for fish in the 9 to 12 inch range.
The usual small spinners, Power Bait and worms should all work.
Fly rodders should be using the usual assortment of nymphs (hare’s ear, PT, prince, copper Johns, zug bugs etc.) and small wooly and crystal buggers.
On warm afternoons when the midges are hatching Griffith’s gnats, Adams, elk hair caddis and other popular dry flies in sizes 12 to 18 are worth a try.

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

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

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 55 percent capacity. Donner has been fishing sporadically as some fishermen 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. 
If you're in a boat right off the ramp in about 100 to 135 feet is a good concentration of macks. Trolling through this group of fish with No. 2 and No. 3 needlefish and similar patterns has brought some success. Light on the bite.

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

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

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:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek as of March 15, 2015: Spring through early summer are best period to fish the crick I believe. As the spring and summer roll, on conditions will only worsen in drought years. The weeds are beginning to grow earlier than usual making drifts tougher in the limited open water.  
Some good caddis/mayfly activity currently. High winged dark olive, or dun colored bodies No. 16/18 are good profiles for the BWO’s. Keep them well dressed to ride high in the foam. PT’s and bird’s nest patterns are best for nymphs. Small parachute midge or mayfly patterns used with a 10 foot leader are best for surface presentations when the fish are on the midges/or clusters.
There are a few sections that can be fished with a dry dropper nymph rig. Try my hi-vis caddis pattern, it works well here. 
Small dead drifted Punk Perch, broken back zebras, small gillies, egg patterns, SJ worms, scuds, flashback PT’s, or assassin birds nest bead heads in No. 18 are good calls for the dropper. Size 18 or smaller crystal olive caddis larva or zebra midges are good calls as droppers. This is a year around fishery with special regs in place.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Illipah is also ice free, water quality is good and fishing is fair to good. The road and shorelines still soft, but should improve with warmer weather.
Best area seems to be where the stream enters the lake, though shore anglers are doing well along the western shore. The usual assortment of worms, artificial baits, spinners and lures should work. Fly rodders should be using wooly and seal buggers, hares ears, PT nymphs and copper Johns.

JACKSON MEADOWS RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is at 97 percent Capacity. Check conditions here as access here may be limited to only Weber Lake. 
Call Sierraville Ranger Station. 

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Jakes Creek has open water, that is free of weeds and shore fishing should start picking up. Last week, the water temperatures were in the low 40’s and fishing for trout was fair.

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

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

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

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

MARLETTE LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:

Closed. Will re-open July 15, 2015.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River as of March 15, 2015:
Caddis hatch is the big news. Time to break out those delta wing profiles for some surface action.
Numbers have picked up quite a bit with the warmer air temps. The larger migratory rainbows are very active on the warmer days, and can be found in the deeper pools and along the cut banks, or depressions.  
If the bigs get a rest for a couple days, you can see some very good action.
These fish will spook easily and a quiet approach is necessary to keep them in their nests.
Access is currently fine. There can occasionally be some off colored water downstream from the confluences of Hot Creek, & the irrigation canals. This condition may occur when we get warmer air temps.
We have been having good success using Assassin’s, broken back tiger midges, SJ worms, crystal Vanderleeches, roe patterns. You will also want to have some smaller para-midge, high vis caddis, or BWO adults for the afternoon hatches.
The resident fish are responding to this on the warmer days. Drifters guides use the “Four P’s” to consistently get on fish here. Position. Presentation. Persistence. Performance. Book a trip with us and we will teach you how to get these amazing fish. 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) March 15.  
Drifting has been fair/good with water temps well above average. We are seeing some big, bigs on the cloudy days, or early in the morn. Fish are in a late spring/early summer feeding pattern due to the above average air/water temps. Afternoons can slow down after the hatches.
Use smaller streamers like the original Drifters Punk Perch to fool the trout.
The P.P. is a “strymph” pattern. It can be a streamer, or nymph imitating a small baitfish, or swimming type nymph or pupa.
I am seeing some little golden stoneflies, & large drake mayflies emerge already! The spring caddis have hatched early. These are larger than their summer brethren. No. 14-16 profiles are good calls.  
Flows are currently around 80 CFS below the dam at Pleasant Valley.
Fishing is fair/very good from the footbridge at PV Campground downstream to the Five Bridges Crossing.
Access to this area while wading has never been easier. Crowds have been huge on weekends.  
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 early spring diet. No. 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, and 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 and riffles.
Have some high vis para BWO’s, or hi-vis caddis for the uppers and keep them dressed with desiccant to suspend your bead head nymphs.
Stimulators are perfect stonefly imitations and in smaller sizes are good calls for larger adult caddis profiles.
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 of planted and holdover rainbows recently.
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 and 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.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir as of March 15: This is the most heavily planted fishery during the winter/spring months.
Some huge rainbows have been tossed in here from a recent trout derby.
The level is 4386 feet and rising, this is good to fish the transition area with tandem nymph rigs beneath an Under-Cator.  
The small river section has been best for numbers of smaller rainbows and browns-use dry/dropper bead head nymph combos here. Forget fishing the river, or inlet if the hydro station is ramped up. Power generation can occur anytime during the spring.
Stimulators, hi-vis para BWO’s, or hi-vis caddis may be used as the upper fly-use crystal olive caddis larva, flashback PT’s, Assassins, broken back or crystal tiger and zebra midges as your dropper bead head nymph.
Tubing  has really picked up from the launch ramp, up to the inlet section.
Streamers like Loebergs, Agent Orange, Crystal leeches and Spruce-A-Bu’s will get you into some nice browns, and larger bows in the rez proper.
Use a full sinking, or heavy sink tip line to get down 10-15 feet quickly. You can also fish “Crowley midge style” in the rez near the drop-offs.
Fish chironomid patterns below an Under-cator. Gillies, broken back midges, crystal emergers & pupa patterns.
Tiger and zebra midges are always a solid choice for your larva pattern. This fishery is open year around.
The Gorge as of March 15:
Great place to go if you want to escape crowds. Have those mayfly nymphs and blue winged olive and caddis adults handy. The spring caddis are coming off early this year.
No snow or ice, trails are fine. This maybe the best dry fly fishery we have during the spring months.
The Gorge could be classified as the true “tailwater” from Crowley Lake.
The fish here are all wild browns with a large one going 16 inches. Moderate/difficult hiking is required to access the more secluded sections. Rock hopping and bush whacking can be expected.
Dry/dropper bead head nymph combos work well in the deeper pools. Use PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, and crystal olive larva patterns as the nymphs. Hi-vis para BWO’s, Stimulators, parachute midge adults and elk caddis, and hi-vis caddis are good choices for your dry fly. Pack in water, have cleated wading boots and a stout staff. Two-4wt. rods are perfect for this water.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is at 22 percent capacity. 
Recently, a decent Smallmouth bite around the dam and along the shoreline for those who prefer the Bronzebaks to Trout. 
Small Rainbows here but since this lake was only stocked once fishing has been pretty slow, much better around the dam and Prosser Creek arm for the sporadic trout bite. 

PYRAMID, LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
A report that the "Fish Sniffer 2015 Spring Pyramid Fest" will be held on April 10-11-12 at Windless Bay, just north of Warrior Point.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Valarie Taylor of Crosby Lodge (775-476-0400) (www.crosbylodge.net):
She reported that Jimi Crowley won the 2015 Hook, Line and Sinker Fishing Derby with a 21 pound, 8 ounce, 35 inch Lahontan Cutthroat Trout caught while jigging at the Nets on March 14.
He won a brand new ATV for taking first place in the derby.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
With nice weather later this week fishing may good for this time of year as March tends to be more favorable fishing here. 
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:
Harrison Pass is open and fishing conditions have changed little in the past week. Fishing is still fair to good depending upon the day, the angler and where you are fishing along the collection ditch.
The go-to fly seems to be the hares ear, with the pheasant tail nymph and egg patterns close behind. Also wooly buggers and flies that have some red in them also 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 and wading is not allowed in the ditch.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report: King Salmon closed. Will re-open July 16.

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 16, 2015 water flow is currently 3,250 CFS.
 Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report: Rainbow trout fishing in the Redding area to Anderson area is fantastic.
Fishing daily, water is clear, and gorgeous weather. With most days averaging up to 30 hook ups, a day, fishing for rainbows has been fantastic. 
Working best are egg patterns. Weather is beautiful and warming mid- day, catching majority fish as day warms. 
Drift  boats or Jet boats available. We cater to all levels of anglers.
Daily drifting Redding, Calif. and Anderson, Calif.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report: March 16, 2015  Shasta Lake guided fishing at Lake Shasta. 
Offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta. For Shasta Lake fishing, catching Rainbow Trout and King salmon, trolling Shasta Lake main body, fish ranging in size 2 to 4 pound King salmon, up to  75 ft deep.
Catching limits of bass daily, Spotted bass and Small mouth bass. We are catching bass along the banks and down 35 ft . Averaging 25 to 35 hook ups a day. Using spinner baits and crankbaits early morning, and using rubber worms the rest of the day, with mid-afternoons being the best as the day warms.  
If you have any more questions or to book your Northern California guided Lake Shasta fishing trip, please call us at 1-800-670-4448. 

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is picking up at South Fork and anglers report fair to good luck catching fish ranging in size from 12 to 18 inches with a few coming in around 20.
Shore fishing has been good for the smaller fish as they are in the shallow warmer water. The larger fish seem to be holding a bit deeper, though a few are still being caught from shore, especially where the water deepens rather quickly.
Water temperatures are in the low 40’s, but climbing to the mid 40’s by afternoon and soon will be approaching 50 degrees. This is much earlier than normal for this.
Areas that have been productive for trout include the main boat ramp cove, Tomera Cove, the bluffs below the east side campground and Jet Ski Beach.
The bluffs along the northwest side of the lake by the dam have produced some nice fish in the 16 to 20 inch range.
Sherbet Power Bait or worms is what most anglers have been using with the Power Bait doing the best.
Fly rodders should be trying wooly buggers, seal buggers, hare’s ear nymphs and pheasant tail (PT) nymphs. As the water starts to warm up, anglers should start trying chironomid patterns, though currently not much action is being seen with chironomids. Spring stocking should continue into May.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is dropping and is at 21 percent capacity. Fishing has been slow for Rainbows, Macks, and Smallies. 
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. 
Some reports have some catching Kokes up to 15 inches here as this could be the start of this season. 
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, Calif.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
March 16, 2015 Fishing report
: Currently, Trinity River flows are as follows. Currently 300 CFS. 
We are fishing the Trinity River for steelhead currently, picking up  4 to 5 adult fish a day. Lots of half pounders now. Fishing from Roundhouse to Pigeon Point is best bet. Fly or Spin fishing are both productive. 
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, fishing from the town of Weaverville, Calif.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF AND NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
California:
Spring like temps and fishing without the run-off! 
Best hours to fish will be 9 to 4. Water temps have come up and fish are more apt to sample your offerings now.  
Lots of Midges and small BWO/Baetis Mayflies and still Skwala Stones. 
Flows are reasonable but the general outlook could be dismal if we don't see an increase in out snowpack. Snowpack sits at 36 percent now. 
Start to think about March Browns now as we press into this month and the accelerated fishing season! Use patterns such as Gill's SH March Brown, Burk's TB March Brown or Pheasant Tails in size 12 and 14's.  Fishing has been pretty good with a mix bag of streamer fishing to throwing BWO dries to rising fish. 
Best sections to fish have been the Glenshire stretch as some anglers have seen double digit days here, but don't disregard the sections toward State Line. 
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.

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.

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:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River as of March 15: Flows back down to 22 CFS after a brief increase.
Blue winged olive mayflies are the hatch. This fishery is open year around with special regs in place.

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:
The lake is still at approximately 18 percent capacity and is ice free.
Fishing continues to be slow for numbers but good for size with fish averaging between 18 and 22 inches. Bait anglers catching fish are using either worms or Power Bait.
Anglers are also using a combination of worms with either corn or marshmallows with some success.
Surface water temperatures are starting to climb into the low to mid 40’s with the warmer weather. Expect it to continue to climb as the warm days continue. Expect fishing to be slow to fair for a bit until the water starts warming into the low 50’s. With the recent precipitation, expect the shorelines to be muddy, so driving to the water’s edge isn’t recommended.
Now underway: the limits are back on at Wild Horse Reservoir. So make sure you check the 2015 Nevada Fishing Guide for current regulations and limits. NDOW biologists will re-evaluate the limits as water conditions warrant.

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

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wilson is close to spilling and should start spilling shortly. The water here is turbid and expect fishing to be slow.
Fishing was slow to fair last fall and expect those conditions to continue until it is stocked later in the spring. While NDOW only stocked about 23,000 fish last year due to the low lake levels, expect that number to double this spring. The road is in good condition.

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

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