Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for April 8-14

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of April 8, 2015 and beyond. Opening day for fishing on most California waters is Saturday, April 25.

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: 
Dumping a lot of water from this lake recently with releases at 386 CFS below the Dam. Lake was starting to fill but now has dropped to 34 percent full. Be careful driving down to the shoreline as most areas are like quicksand. 
Best spots to fish here are around the dam in the morning tossing small minnow imitations, larger spoons and spinners for the browns that cruise here early and outside the inlet for mostly hungry rainbows that are of age yet to spawn. 
Nightcrawlers, Rapala's, Power bait, small Kastmasters, and jigs have been good for Rainbows and Browns.  
This lake has not been stocked this year.

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

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 fishing continues 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 hare’s ears, PT, prince, copper Johns, zug bugs 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.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Closed to fishing.

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. With a plant of catchable size Rainbows this will inject some life back into this lake! 
Some boaters have been catching Mackinaw by top lining Fire tiger print Rapalas.  Jigging has also been taking some nice Macks also when they have been holding deep.  
Kokanee is starting up as toplining 6 feet down is now the method with dodgers in Pink scale or variations of the same followed by Pink spinners, wedding rings, microsquids, and Kokanuts. 
Kokes are a little small ranging in the 11 inch range.  As the season progresses they may come up in size to maybe 13-14 inches if food is plentiful and competition for food low.  As for the shore fishermen, this week will be a great time to get out and catch some rainbows that will be stocked. 
We are stocked with everything to get you out there and catch those fish! 
Some might be rewarded with a nice Mackinaw that might venture in to feed on these planters!  
This lake has been stocked as of Wednesday, April 1.

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:
Anglers have found good action for trout this past week along with pleasant weather conditions.
Power Bait and nightcrawlers have worked well off the fishing dock or dam.
Mepp’s spinners and Rooster tails also have been working well.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Rainbows have been taking a variety of baits and lures this past week.
Rainbow, orange, or green Power Bait have been working well.
Activity at the park has increased with good weather and pleasant temperatures.

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

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Has been fishing very well!

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 April 4. 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 have are drying out and travel is improving.
Best area for fishing 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 all 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: 
Dubious about the capacity of this lake, I need to make a drive to Jackson to find out for myself. 
Some are saying it's full and others are saying it's about 60 percent. 
Fishing from boat has been best toplining with rapalas or any minnow imitation. A 15 pound Brown was caught and released here early last week! He didn't disclose his secret area and what he was using so don't ask! 
Best areas here for the boaters has been Southwest corner and across the dam. 
For the shore fisherman holdover trout have been pretty eager to bite on nightcrawlers floated with a mallow or power bait, while those throwing hardware small kastmasters have been good.

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 is good. Surface water temps have moved into the mid to high 40’s and the water is fairly clear. The usual assortment of wooly buggers, hares ears, copper Johns and PT nymphs should all work. Power Bait, worms and small spinners should be used by spin fishermen.

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

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

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River: The areas near Big Bend State Park and the Nature Center are producing striped bass. Anchovies and lures in trout patterns are proving successful. The fish are averaging about 2.5 pounds. There is the occasional lunker that will come through, so be sure to check your drag and test your line.

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.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are having success in various areas around the lake, of note are coves in the Vegas Wash area and around Echo Bay.
Netting shad has been a fairly easy task for those working around 33 Hole.
Warming water is bringing out the smaller fish, which then attract the striped bass and anglers alike. Anglers report success for spawning largemouth bass near submerged brush and smallmouth bass near rocky points and drop-offs.
The smallmouth bass are also proving to be more cooperative than the largemouth variety and are taking drop shots and buzzbaits.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Smallmouth bass have provided the most action for anglers over the past week. The quality of fish has been impressive with most coming in at two to three pounds. Many can be found at rocky points in coves.
Cast shallow and work the bait to depths up to about 25 feet.
Willow Beach continues to produce the larger stripers with another fish topping 20 pounds caught over the weekend. It was fooled by a 12-inch AC Plug in rainbow trout colors.

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.
Anglers continue to catch a few surf perch from the beaches near Bandon and Coos Bay. The best fishing is usually on the incoming tide. Sand shrimp is one of the best baits to use when fishing for surf perch.
Recreational ocean salmon season from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. opened on March 15.
The season is open for all salmon except coho salmon, with a bag limit of two salmon per day, and a minimum size for Chinook salmon at 24 inches or larger.
Starting on April 1, fishing for bottom fish is restricted to inside the 30 fathom curve.  Fishing for black rockfish has been decent. The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two). Anglers can only keep 3 blue rockfish and 1 canary rockfish as part of their daily limit and there will be no harvest of China, quillback, or copper rockfish.
Retention of cabezon is not allowed Jan. 1 – June 30.
To help anglers identify common species and comply with the regulations, ODFW has produced several sheets of ID Tips for blue vs. black rockfish and for China, copper and quillback rockfish, as well as a handout titled “What Can I Keep, and How Many?” All are available on ODFW’s website.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 4/4/15
Blown out, flows at 133 CFS. Muddy, debris filled water currently.
The LADWP is now pulling what little water is left in Grant Lake to help fill Crowley. Party is over for about a week here. 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) as of April 4: Drifting has been fair/good with water temps well above average.
Flows have been stable at 120 CFS for a while. We are still hitting some scattered trophy rainbows on streamers.
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 fished as a streamer, or nymph that imitates a small baitfish, or a caddis nymph in the pupal stage. I am seeing some little golden stoneflies, dragon/damsel fly adults on the warmer days. 
“Catching” has been good from the footbridge at PV Campground downstream to the Five Bridges Crossing.  
Pale Morning Dun mayflies (PMD’s), & spring caddis are now emerging. #16 high wing, long tail adult mayfly profiles will get grabs on the surface. Deer, or elk hair delta wings, with natural colored bodies for the adult caddis.
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, and riffles.
Have some high vis para BWO’s, or hi-vis caddis for the uppers, & 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 good 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.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is dropping quickly as it now sits at 18 percent capacity. 
Recently, a decent Smallmouth bite around the dam and along the shoreline for those who prefer the Bronzebacks to Trout.  Small Rainbows here but since this lake was only stocked once fishing has been pretty slow for them, much better around the dam and Prosser Creek arm for the sporadic trout bite. 
This lake has not been stocked this year.  

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.
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
The lake continues to roll with the weather. April is here and so is the peak of the spawn.
There are plenty of Summit Lake strain Cutty’s swimming the shallows in search of some type of moving water to complete the cycle. At this point fish are in really close and even in less than a foot of water in some areas.
This time of year offers some real good opportunities to cast to shallow cruising fish even if most attempts are to fish with lock jaw.
Most beaches have fish around them right now so if you do not like the crowds there are plenty of areas to try your luck.
There has been a little bit of a morning bite before the sun comes up but it is not guaranteed and it is an early rise to get to the lake for 45 minutes of action.
After the sun comes up there seems to be somewhat of a lull in the action.
Late morning to late afternoon has been the most consistent but the wind is everything right now. The fish are there but they do not always take flies and very seldom will they on clear calm days.
The weather forecasts can only be a gauge for what might happen out there.
The wind forecast has been wrong plenty lately.
You can catch fish both stripping and Nymphing any part of the day right now.
Be ready for both and have a couple of rods rigged up. Albino Wino’s and Maholo Nymphs are a must in your box for indicator fishing right now.
For stripping it is hard to beat foam beetles and tadpoles in Northern Lights and White Ghost colors.
Olive Martini’s and Midnight Cowboys are great for Wooly’s.
 
PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
With more weather coming in on Tuesday fishing may be pretty good but boaters should be careful here if the winds is up.  
Cutts are in the shallows and have been congregating in the South nets area of the lake. Caution as this area can get pretty crowded this time of year. 
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. 
Early has been best for the boaters as the Cutties will be more accessible of the shelves at this time but when they move to the shallows the bite gets tougher. 
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:
Pass is open and fishing conditions have not changed much.
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. Egg patterns won’t work much longer and it won’t be long before the fish start moving back into the marsh.
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  April 6, 2015 water flow is currently 3,500 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report - Rainbow trout fishing in the Redding area to Anderson area is GREAT! Fishing daily, water is clear, and gorgeous weather. With most days averaging over 20 hook ups, 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, California and Anderson, California.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Striped Bass:
April 6, 2015 
The Striped Bass fishing has started.  Let's go fishing.
Starting to catch some stripers now, ranging in size up to 10 pounds, occasionally a few larger.
 Fishing down low, below Colusa area, with fishing getting better and better as we move into April and weather warms.
Call us today at 1800-670-4448.

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:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
April 6, 2015  Shasta Lake guided fishing, Northern California 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. 

SMITH RIVER, OREGON:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Most of the steelhead will be wild, therefore fishing will be primarily catch-and-release. Striped bass fishing will pick up as spring progresses.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Surface water temperatures are approaching 50 degrees and fishing is picking up at South Fork.
Anglers report fair to good luck catching fish ranging in size from 12 to 18 inches with a few coming in over 20 inches. With the water along the shorelines warming up, fish have been moving into the shallows both for food and to look for spawning habitat.
Tomera Cove, the bluffs below the east side campground, red beach along with most of the northeast side of the lake found fishing cruising the shallows.
The bluffs along the northwest side by the dam produced some nice fish last weekend to fly fishermen using simi-seal leeches suspended under an indicator.
Sherbet Power Bait or worms is what most anglers have been using with the Power Bait doing the best.
Flyrodders should be trying wooly buggers, seal buggers, hare’s ear nymphs, pheasant tail (PT) nymphs and chironomid patterns under an indicator.
Black bass may not be kept until July 1st and must be returned to the water immediately upon catching.
The lake has been stocked a couple of times already and spring stocking should continue into May.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is holding at 21 percent capacity. 
Fishing has picked up for Rainbows here, especially in the LT arm, and toplining for Kokanee has been great for those who can launch their boats.  
Like I mentioned, launching any boat other than a small aluminum one can be an adventure and 4-wheel drive is an absolute must.  Go to the right of boat launch and find the steep rocky shoreline, drop boat in and then turn boat and head in direction back to old boat launch as there is a sand bar developing just outside of new launch site. 
Reports of most Kokes ranging in the 14-15 inch range and one caught almost to 16 inches!  Same as Donner as one will be toplining down to about 6 feet with anything in a combo of Pink. 
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.  
This lake will be stocked this week!!!!

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF AND NEV:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
It is now April and on a normal year the Truckee would be going through some type of run-off. We would be talking about the Yo-Yo effect on the river and fishing the edges and banks out of the main current. We would be talking about cold fronts and forecasting the best fishing flows during this time as well. The average flows would be somewhere in the 700 CFs to 1500 CFs range.
Well it is the third year of a severe drought and the flows in Reno for March 31st are 134 CFS. There is no run-off to speak of and Lake Tahoe is at least 6 inches below the natural rim and has no shot of contributing to the situation this year.
Unless something amazing happens very soon the Truckee River will all but dry up by sometime in June this year. There may be some areas that continue to flow but there will also be areas that are dry for the summer.
Long term bummer for the river and the fishery.
The river is fishing pretty well as of the end of March.
There is a great Baetis hatch East of Reno and there are areas that have some really nice active rising fish.
Cloudy non windy days are the best for sure.
There have already been a few Caddis flying around which is really early.
The California side of the river below Boca Bridge has a good flow right now and is in great short term shape.
Smaller nymphs have been working here as well.
The river above the Town of Truckee is already really low.
Flows are Town of Truckee 70 CFS, Boca Bridge 253 CFS, Farad 318 CFS, Reno 134 CFS and Vista 187 CFS.
 
TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF AND NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
California:
Very low flows above the Boca outflow but an egregious amount of water being dumped from Boca. Nevada must think we have an abundance of water to give by the looks of it. 
Temps will be cold for most the week but starting to warm by the weekend.
Best hours to fish will be 10 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 our snowpack. Snowpack sits at 5% ( that's no misprint) 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!  (x) = drawer number.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
Flows have been at 151 CFS for a while now.
Access in not a problem and there is no snow on the road all the way to Stampede Reservoir.
151 CFS are great flows for the Little Truckee any time of year. At these flows fish are really spread out and can be found just about anywhere. Side channels, eddies and seams are a really good area to look for fish as well as in deeper pools in slower water.
There has been some Baetis and Midges hatching on non-windy days, especially if there are some clouds.
The Little Truckee is the main source of water feeding the Truckee River right now but this could change anytime.
It is going to be a trade and barter system this summer to try to keep water in the Truckee between Stampede, Prosser and Donner Lakes.

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, NEV. AND CALIF:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
Flows are 21 CFS. The fishing has been really tough on the East Walker as of late. Fish have been trapped in the deeper pools for a few months now. They should get some relief in the next couple of weeks when irrigation season starts but there will not be much water added to the river for farming this year.
You can get a fish or two to look up at a big dry fly right now if you take your time and use some stealth approaching the water.
Fish are spooking quickly these days mainly due to the longevity of the low flows. Look for the flows to spike a little in the coming weeks and get your East Walker fix in before it gets hot and the water gets too warm to fish.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
April 6, 2015 
The East is still at about 20 CFS right now, there's been a few anglers fishing on both the California and Nevada side of the river as well as the Sceirine Ranch section. The fishing isn't what I would call red hot but if you put in some time you should be able to catch some nice fish. Most of the fish being reported are in the 14 to 19 inch range.
The lower sections have been the best, below the bridge in Cali, the Sceirine and the Rosachi.
Dry/dropper rigs have been the best thing going lately with a small stimulator, madam x or humpy on top and a wd-40, zebra midge, flashback emerger or san juan worm dropper.                 
Sceirine Ranch:
April 6, 2015
The ranch has been fishing similiar to the Rosachi this past week, again, you'll need to be very stealthy and have your presentation dialed in to be successful, most anglers are reporting 3 to 6 fish per day in the 14 to 19 inch range.      
Hunewill Pond:
April 6, 2015
I went and checked out the pond a few days ago, unfortunately the drought has taken its toll on the pond this winter and it's very low, too low to fish.
There are some fish that are hanging in there so at this time we're just waiting for some water to fill the pond up so we can get back to some good fishing! I'll let you know when it's ready to roll!!

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River 4/4/15
Flows have dropped to 20 CFS.
Will be another tough year here I’m sorry to say.  
This fishery is open year around with special regs in place.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
April 6, 2015
We had a couple good reports from the West this week, the water is a bit warmer and there's been some nice rainbows as well as some browns showing up!
Small spinners like panther martins and rooster tails for the spin anglers are good and the fly anglers should be going with small buggers, prince nymphs, hare's ears and pheasant tails.
Like the East Walker you should try to be very stealthy so as not to spook the fish, focus on the deeper pools where fish will likely be hanging out.         

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:
Very little change here.
Hovering around 20 percent of capacity, the fishing continues to be slow for numbers but good for size with fish averaging between 18 and 22 inches.
Shore anglers have had some luck in the canyon by the dam.
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.
Fly rodders are using wooly buggers, leeches and hares ears.
Effective Sunday, March 1, 2015 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

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wilson Reservoir is at capacity and spilling! However, don’t expect fishing below the spillway to be as good as years past due to light stocking last year followed by slow to fair fishing.
Fishing was slow to fair last fall and expect those conditions to continue until it is stocked later in the spring after the lake is done spilling.
While NDOW only stocked about 23,000 fish last year due to the low lake levels, expect that number to double this spring.
This lake should be stocked once it stops spilling.

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