Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of April 30 through May 6

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 April 30 through May 6, 2014.

The 2014 California fishing season opener on the weekend of April 26 featured bitter cold, gusty winds, wet snow and some big fish.

At Lake Sabrina, they had 8 inches of snow with a wind chill of 10 degrees. A 10-pound rainbow and an 8-pound rainbow were caught at Intake No. 2. An 8-pound, 14-ounce rainbow and a 7-pound, 8-ounce rainbow were caught out of Bishop Creek. Lake Sabrina, Intake No. 2 and Bishop Creek are all west of Bishop.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are catching a mix of browns, rainbows and even some salmon this week.
Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Lake Sabrina:
4-28-14
WATCH OUT FOR DEER!
DON’T FORGET A JACKET!
Opener has come and gone – and Mother Nature was up to keeping all on their toes. The Thursday before Opener was a beautiful fairly warm day at the Lake – Friday was a beautiful breezy and snowing day – 8” of snow - Opener was beautiful and just darn right cold - 16° with a wind chill of 10° - yup, brrrrr cold – but that didn’t stop those in need of getting a line wet.
Unfortunately, catching was a bit on the tough side this year.
Heard rumors of a 4-pounder caught at the DingleBerry Inlet, alas, we didn’t see it or a picture of it – so it stays a rumor.
There was a 10# and a 8# taken from Intake 2.
North Lake and Intake 2 were both stocked with oodles of fish – and now that the Lake is slowly on the rise – and now that the DFW stocking truck can get to water – hopefully, Lake Sabrina will be soon be stocked with oodles of fish!
You all know what will catch those stockers – Nightcrawler, Power Bait & Salmon Eggs. If you’re a lure angler, it’s the Red & Gold Thomas Buoyant for your line.
We do have a few boats for rent on the back Natural Lake – you’ll either need to drive (with a high clearance 4-wheel drive short base vehicle) or walk. If you walk, we can take your tackle back to the boats for you. (Liability issues prevent us from taking you!)
If you’re coming to the Lake, don’t forget sunscreen and dark glasses – the glare off the snow (not sure how long it will last) is tough on the eyes.
You may want to pack some bug juice – prior to the snow storm we had some skeeter lurking – so best to be prepared.
What does Mother Nature have in store for us this week and weekend – looks like we’ll be in the mid-50’s for highs and low-30’s for lows at the Lake. Bishop is expected to just get warmer by the weekend – up into the high 80s by Friday with the lows in the upper-40s.
Bishop might even set a new high temp record on Friday according to Howard our local weather ‘guesser’ at www.MammothWeather.com.
You can also check out www.weather.gov – enter Aspendell, CA (which is the little community right below Lake Sabrina) in the search field and you’ll get the forecast for at the higher elevation.
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing will serve Breakfast from 7:00am to 11:00am and Lunch until 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday for Opener after that it will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And, yes, there will be homemade pie and ice cream on the weekends. Our store hours are as follows:
           Sunday         7:00 to 5:00pm
           Monday        8:00 to 5:00pm
           Tuesday        8:00 to 5:00pm     
           Wednesday   8:00 to 5:00pm
           Thursday      8:00 to 5:00pm
           Friday           8:00 to 5:00pm
           Saturday       7:00 to 5:00pm
Sure is nice to be back on the mountain – looking forward to seeing you soon! Juanita, Rick, Patti, Bryan & Ginny

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parchers Resort (760-873-4177) (sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
Fish Report.
Updated 4-27-14.
Here is a teaser for the opening weekend report.
Things are shaping up nicely for the fishing opener in the Bishop Creek Canyon with better than normal access canyon wide.
Here is a short rundown.
Big confirmed fish weighed in at 9 lbs 8 oz and was caught at Intake II. Other fish in the 4 to 5 lb class were also confirmed and there are rumors of a 10+ that is still just rumor at this point, but certainly possible.
Fish weighing 8 lbs 14 oz and 7 lbs 8 oz were caught out of Bishop Creek - two of the biggest model Rainbows we've seen out of the creek in some years. Several fish in the 4 to 6 lb class were also reported.
 It was a frigid morning Saturday but overall it turned out to be a very nice day. The weekend isn't over so stay tuned!
Sierrally,
Jared Smith & the Parchers Resort Crew

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake level has leveled off now and may dip slightly as they are releasing more water out than in at the moment.  Small car top boats only here or float tubes, water level is too low to launch anything else.  Fishing by the dam in the morning has been good along with the inlet portion of the lake.

BRIDEGPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Bridgeport Reservoir 4/27/14
My hat is tipped to Jeffery Wenger who runs the marina at Bridgeport. He was the one responsible for grading the launch ramp that allowed nearly 60 boats to launch for opening weekend.
High fives to you sheep boy, ya done a good thing buddy!
Low water levels this spring has all but an unimproved ramp at the “bath tub” for access. It worked out well thanks to Jeffery, and some big boats splashed so they could fish.
The weather was tough and fishing was respective to the conditions. Numbers were down, but those that got into them had some slugs & larger than average fish.
I suggest you go to the Bridge early this season, fall may be iffy.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort,com) reports:
Winter weather from April 24, 25 has added 18′ of fresh snow just in time for the last weekend of skiing!
Kirkwood Ski resort is still open for Spring skiing and we do have 3 cabins for rent, Cabins 6,7 and 8.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Closed to fishing until May 24.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlake.com) reports:
It was an excellent fishing opener weekend and everyone is looking forward to an exciting 2014 fishing season.
Many happy anglers came by the store with full stringers and limits both on Saturday and Sunday.  
Below we posted some of the larger fish of the weekend. 
Over the opener we were getting reports from satisfied anglers that the fishing was "on fire" back at the Inlet. A group of anglers divulge that they caught and released over 80 fish at the Inlet.
Another angler told us he was hooking scores of fish on a Marvel fly and bubble rig. The biggest he reported was a 2 pound plus Brown Trout which he released back into the lake.
Special thanks go to Bart Hall who donated the $500 for the first place prize in the Fred Hall Largest Fish at Convict Lake Derby.
Bart didn't too bad out on the lake himself. Bart hooked a nice rainbow on his second cast. He was throwing a Kastmaster along the North Shore.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
A powerful winter storm descended on the Eastern Sierra on Friday bringing heavy snow, rain, hail and strong winds.
The conditions made fishing tough for fly rodders here.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake 4/27/14
Tough weather for opening weekend; for those who toughed it out fishing was good. Water temps and chironomid hatches are tied together.
We are realistically more like what would be towards the end of May with regards to conditions.
The usual early season spots all had fish. Hilton, Sandy, Sometimes Bay, Alligator Pt.  Depth to target was 12 feet, although fish were rolling on pupa in 8-9 feet.
Sacramento Perch are already staging on the sand in some areas, so you will get plenty of “drive- bys” from them.
Gillies #18/20, crystal emergers & pupa #18/20. Broken back tiger & zebra midges (copper heads) slammed them in the chop according to  former “Lord of the fly” Cary Kutzke. Tiger & zebra midges #14/18 also good choices for the lower or larva imitation.
Warm weather forecast for next week this will really get them on the chew.  
We have expert Crowley guides open with the best charter boats around if you need some help.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The lake level is about 68% with the water temp in the low to mid 50’s. Trolling around the big island has been resulting in limits being reached.
Bank fishing has been slow.
Currently the only ramp open with a dock is Old Camp 5.
Courtesy of the Grizzly Store.

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
This lake has been fishing very well and with a stocking of DFW trout a couple of weeks ago fishing has been good!  With temps nearing the upper 60's mark this week it's a great time to get out and fish now. Mack fishing here has been good for those trolling with fish ranging in the teens!  Jigging for these guys too have been good at depths from 100-120 feet. 

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Catch rates have been good this past week with rainbows taking Power Bait in a variety of colors or nightcrawlers. An angler reportedly caught a 19-inch rainbow weighing in at 2.2 pounds over the weekend. That act was followed by 3.5-pound largemouth bass that hit a small crankbait.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The crappie bite has started, and hand-sized fish are taking small Woolly Buggers in green and brown. Rainbow trout have been very active and are hitting Power Bait, nightcrawlers, small spinners and flies.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The flows are abysmally low here and dropping daily.
Hardly a striper made it up this trickle this season but some shad are starting to show at Verona and Shanghai.
Boaters beware the river is not safe at this point…unless you are in a canoe! 
Courtesy of FISHWITHJD.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
The stream opener was this past Saturday, April 26th.
The weather was not the greatest and kept many fishermen away.
Still, fishing at Frenchman Lake continues to be good.
John Milulak of Chilcoot caught 4 16" rainbows stream fishing with worms.
Chilcoot and Frenchman campgrounds are open now. Big Cove and Spring Creek will be open May 1st and Cottonwood will be opening on May 22nd.
The Lunker Point boat launch will be closed for the year, but you can still fish from shore there. Frenchman boat launch is open and the dock is in.
Please call us for current lake conditions and updates on the fishing - Wiggin’s Trading Post

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing from shore has been very product this week. Nice fish are being caught near the Frenchmen boat launch. The fish are close to the shore and biting on marshmallows and worms. 
Courtesy of Wiggins Trading Post.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the Friday before Labor Day, 2014.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2014.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is  up to 12 CFS. Dry fly fishing is nonexistent. Nymph fishing is the best bet. Try WD-40's, green rock worms and scuds.



HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek (4/27/14)
Some off colored/rising water next week. Very good caddis & mayfly activity occurring daily during this warm spell. 
The small spring caddis are like candy to these wild fish and you will enjoy the best snap during this hatch.
#18/20 hi-vis elk hair imitations will suffice, try some crystal olive caddis larva patterns for nymphs. San Juan Worms and egg patterns are good choices for spring conditions on the crick.
Dry dropper rigs using para midge or hi-vis para BWO or blue wing olive adult patterns #14-18 as an upper, while dropping a broken back zebra or tiger midge, assassin bird’s nest, or crystal olive caddis/zebra larva pattern will get you into fish in the slots between the weeds.
Lengthen your leaders to ten feet here, 5X is a good tippet size.
The deeper pools can be fished with weighted attractors like SJ worms and egg patterns hung beneath an Under-cator.
A hot rig is an olive or light Punk Perch as your upper fly with an assassin or PT as a dropper. You may also “swing cast” the Punk across the deeper slots and pools for a shot at one of the bigs that hunker along the weed lines or in the gut of the larger holes.
Use the yellow, or clear for short water nymphing.
Midge cluster, or para midge adults in the #20-24 range are hot flies for surface action.  BWO adults fished high in the suds #16/18 also good calls afternoon when the baetis start to emerge.

JACKSON MEADOWS, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
The road here is open only to Weber Lake and no news here when it will be open to Jackson as of yet.

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

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
The same wintery weather hampered fishing here as well.

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
While the bite has been slow overall, the best action for this stretch of the river is coming from striped bass. The quality of fish has generally increased with fishermen catching a few up to 11 pounds.
Anchovies are the bait of choice.
Largemouth bass are beginning to leave their nests and will be hungry. Plastics and night crawlers are generally good baits for these fish.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports: Fishing is best through the A.M. hours and tapering off around 2 P.M. Fishermen telling us you should be able to catch a few smaller rainbows. Trout on the rise around the marina, the dam and at Lakeview Terrace.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
George Lake - Mary Lake – Mamie Lake – Twin Lakes:
Road closed.


MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2014.

MARTIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
A real sleeper of a lake early on, wide open and no crowds.  Great for those who are learning to fly fish without the critics you'll find on the rivers!

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
A full moon and rising temperatures are getting the blame for a sudden slowdown in fishing action, but anglers have found that getting an early start has improved fishing opportunities.
Stripers comprise most of the catch, and anglers have found success while working spinnerbaits along the shoreline in the early morning.
Largemouth bass action has slowed, but a 6.98-pound fish took big fish honors at a weekend tournament.
As the nights get darker before the new moon on April 29, fishing under a light or with a submersible light could increase odds of catching striped bass.
NDOW is urging boaters to use caution on the water due to safety issues associated with lower lake levels and changing structure in the water.

MCGEE CREEK/HILTON CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
McGee Creek/Hilton Creek 4/27/14
Some rainbows & cutts moving in but still very skinny.
Get use to it from now on friends, triploids do not spawn!
Water conditions good-as it warms, look for rising flows and off colored water soon.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The smallmouth and largemouth bass are still the top action game fish for the week on this lake. Smallies can be found hanging on rocky shelves and largemouth in coves in four to eight feet of water. Both are hitting on plastics and nightcrawlers.
Bluegill and redear sunfish action continues to improve. The fish have been hitting small jigs and night crawler pieces.
While the striper bite remains spotty, some anglers are getting bites with anchovies or top-water and reaction baits early in the day.
Catfish action continues good in most coves with anchovies the top bait.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Recreational Dungeness crabbing is open in the ocean.
Fishing for bottom fish including rockfish, and lingcod is now closed outside of the 30-fathom curve until the end of September.
Fishing for bottom fish has been good when the ocean has been calm enough to get out. Late winter/early spring is a great time to catch big lingcod in fairly shallow water.
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.
Salmon season (except for coho) is open in the ocean from March 15 – April 30. The ocean salmon season for the rest of the 2014 will be determined in early April.
Some chinook salmon have been caught between Bandon and Charleston.
Anglers are starting to pick up a few surf perch. Fishing is usually best on the incoming tide. Anglers have good success using sand shrimp or sand worms for catching surf perch.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Afterbay has been slow but the action is steady at Lake Oroville for bass at around 30 feet using jigs, shaky head, dart head and drop shot worms. 
Also there has been a wide open bite on 10-12 inch land-locked Coho Salmon on just about any offering with minnows.  
With the Coho bite being so active using swimbait’s for bass may entice a big one to bite. It just might be worth a try.
Courtesy of MyOutDoorBuddy.com.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current flow is up to 201 CFS. The water is still a bit off color.
The section downstream  of the Benton Crossing Bridge to the monument is closed until the last Sat. in May. The section from the monument to the lake is now open. Upstream of the bridge is open all year.
Fishing is slow. Some larger lake fish showing up here and there. Some hold over stockers and a few wild fish available.
Nymph fish with WD-40, buckskin nymphs and midge pupa.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow jumped up to 215 CFS this last week.
Fishing has slowed in the wild trout section.
Try WD-40's,  pheasant tails and hares ears. 
Hatches have been sporadic lately and surface action is minimal.
Some rainbows in the 18"- 20"  showing up of late.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 4/27/14
Flows remain very high at 200 CFS. Snow is gone and access is good. You will need a shot of battleship chain to get those nymphs down at this release.
The run of Crowley Steelhead is over; however you will see some cutties and smaller spring run fish in the slower pools.
Use San Juan Worms, Egg patterns, crystal leeches, broken back midges, olive crystal caddis & zebra larva patterns, flashback PT’s , assassin birds nest, olive hares ear, all heavily weighted.
We has an epic winter and spring season and look forward to the summer months and some dry fly action after the levels drop.
Access road on the east side will rattle your doors off it is so washboard.
The section from the Benton Bridge downstream to the CDFW sign (the monument) remains closed to all anglers.
Middle Owens River 4/28/14
Flows have come down a tad (210 CFS) & this improved the conditions a bunch after a week of higher releases.
Take advantage of these low flows for a drift trip this May.
It has been very good. Look for continued caddis and pale morning dun mayfly hatches.
I suggest you have some hi-vis elk caddis & para mayflies #14/18. These are adults and good choices for surface action.
Have a good selection of mayfly and caddis nymphs. Olive crystal caddis larva, olive zebras, assassin bird’s nest, flashback PT’s, money!
Streamers like Loebergs & Spruce-A-Bu’s are how we consistently get the huge trout you see posted.  
You will need a heavy sinking tip line like the one Rio makes.  
150/200 grain, 24 foot streamer tips are good for current flows & you can use them in lakes as well.
Check out my guide tips link at the top of the page and scroll down to “dip & strip”. This technique is the key to getting bigs in the Sierra on streamers.
The fire  on 4/19/14 was between the Hwy. 6 Bridge near Laws, & Five Bridges Road. It was a large/wind driven fire, and destroyed a lot of habitat along the river. 

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 nightcrawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Pit  #3 all the way down the river seems to be doing well.  
So far fishermen have been productive this week.
Make sure you are prepared on this river as it is very remote.  
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR AND THE GORGE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir/The Gorge 4/27/14
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
Power generation is now occurring intermittently. It is difficult to time your fishing here due to continued maintenance.  
Find some softer water in the transition section between the lake and inlet stream with fish feeding in the suds, it can be deeper at times depending on the rez level and may require an Under-cator instead of a dry fly to get those nymphs down. 
Tubing is best under current conditions using Loebergs, Punk Perch, Agent Orange, & crystal leeches. Use a full or heavy sinking tip line. 
Still water nymphing Crowley style can also get you into numbers along the drop-offs. Use Broken back midges like gillies and tigers, crystal emergers, and pupa patterns are good calls as upper flies on a tandem rig.
Stick to tigers and zebras as the lower flies. 
The Gorge:
LADWP is doing extensive work & testing on valves and hydro electric plants, & this is why we are seeing such abnormal & fluctuating flows in this fishery. It may be this way for some time.  Flows here will vary between 35 CFS and 200 CFS on a daily basis.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 38% capacity and has been fishing well! 
Fishing outside the inlets and around the dam has produced the best results.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The cooler, cloudy weather should make for some nice fishing conditions.
You can expect a productive week. Fishermen seem to be doing well late morning into the afternoon hours.
Please consider avoiding the spawning reeds across from the Posse Grounds launch. Those rainbows are assuring the future of this great fishery.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The fish on the upper sac are not all that picky this time of year. A Parachute Adams in # 12-14 should bring a few fish to the surface. For nymphs, try 14-16 Amber Wing Princes, # 18 Zebra Midges in black and # 12 Copper Bead Birds Nests. You can expect a pretty decent week.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of April 28, 2014 water flow is currently 3,900 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing is awesome.
Weather is warming, great bug hatch mid day.  
Trout fishing Redding area, fishing is great. Mild weather....Rainbow Trout fishing, 18 in to 26 inches, from 20 plus hook ups.
Trout fishing through the town of Redding has been excellent.
Fishing Keswick Dam to Balls Ferry ramp. Using PMD's, Black Caddis, Prince Nymphs, Iron Sallies, Pheasant Tails,  Brown Micro Mays,  
& Yellow Sucker Spawn.
Call or email us today. We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. Drift  boats or Jet boats available. 
For those of you who are not fly fisherman, we offer spin fishing trips on the Sacramento River are 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, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Striped Bass fishing:
April 28, 2014 Striped Bass fishing is happening now. 
Catching  stripers  3 to 8 pounds now. Tisdale area. 
Fishing for stripers should be great in the next few weeks, this is prime time.
There is a short window to catch these fun, fighting fish, so let's go.

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:
Shasta Lake is Currently 92.78 feet from full pool. Water Temps have been in the low 50's in the morning and high 50's in the afternoon.
Bass are being caught from the shoreline out to 30 feet on tubes and plastic worms as well as ripbait's and spinnerbait's.
We have not had many reports on the trout but we have been seeing them on the surface in the lower half of the McCloud and Sacramento arm's as well as in the main lake.
Some land locked Salmon have started to show up in front of digger bay and at the mouth of Dry Creek in 80’ to 100’ depth range.
Courtesy of Phil’s  Propellers.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
April 28, 2014  Shasta Lake guided fishing - Northern California fishing Lake Shasta.  We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta. Lake Shasta fishing is good. Catching a few Rainbows and salmon now on Lake Shasta.
The bass fishing is RED HOT ! 60 bass days.
LET'S GO FISHING !

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The mainstem Smith from the mouth to Spencer Creek and the North Fork to Johnson Creek closes for chinook and finclipped steelhead from April 1 until May 24. It remains open for fin-clipped steelhead from Spencer Creek upstream to Sisters and from Johnson Creek to Bridge 10 through the end of April. Anglers will start fishing for strippers as spring progresses.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Fishing here may improve for the shore fisherman around the boat launch and cove leading up and down the shoreline with the recent stocking of fish. 
With the weather forecast this may be delayed if they wait to stock around Wednesday though.  Rick Kennedy has reported some Kokanee action with fish ranging in the 8-10 inch range in the top 10-15 feet of water and 10-12 inch range in 30-50 of water.  Mack fishing has been consistent here.

LAKE TAHOE:
A report of average sized Mackinaw Trout being caught on silver flasher blades and minnow near Homewood on the west side of the lake.

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The best place to fish for trout is at the Stuart's fork arm.  The water coming into the lake is the coldest there and mixed with the warm water of the lake is ideal for shore fishing with almost any bait combination or use silver/blue spinners in trout sizes. Bass can be caught by using deep diving crankbait’s off the points in 35 feet of water. Catfish can be caught in the north end of the lake off the flats at night using nightcrawlers or store bought stink bait.
Courtesy of MyOutdoorBuddy.com.          
 
TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Peak flows happen today, April 24.  The water level will reach up to 1500 cfs. Expect dismal fishing conditions for a week or more.  
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
April 28, 2014 Fishing report. Currently, Trinity River flows are as follows;  Trinity River will reach 1,500 CFS and  slowly decrease, starting May 30th, 2014 to 400 CFS by June 26th, 2014.
Fishing for trout now. Fishing up and down with water flows high at the moment. We are fly fishing and spin fishing the river, fishing from Lewiston to Junction City. 
Fly fisherman are using eggs patterns and doing very well. 
Please give us a call to reserve your day on the water. 
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, CA  fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.

TRUCKEE RIVER, BIG, CALIF AND NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
California:
Great weather this week so get out and fish the Truckee. The rest of this week looks very nice with high temps getting into the upper 60's to the low 70's.  Look for days before or after storm fronts to fish as these are key days that fish will feed for longer periods of time. 
March Browns and Skwala Stones have been the primary patterns that have been working, dries and nymphs in these patterns, but don't discount throwing some caddis pupa nymphs.  With some of the overcast days we may see this week look for some BWO and Baetis hatches.  
Lots of reports of fish feeding just under the surface during these days.  Try a Skwala dry or Stimi and trail a small bead nymph or soft hackle a couple of feet behind and see what happens.  
Lots going on right now as fish are found everywhere in the river system, so get out if you have a chance and fish. 
Hatches this time of year will consist of Midges, BWO's, Baetis, Skwala Stones, and March Browns. 
Nevada:
Caution!  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:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Getting a stocking of trout this week and should fish well for those who want to keep fish and get away from the crowds coming off I-80 and the local Tahoe area.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Judy Allen at Annett's Mono Village (760- 932-7071) (www.monovillage.com) reports:
Upper Twin Lake:
Neither rain, sleet nor snow hampered the Anglers on opening weekend at the Upper Twin Lake Resort.  
The water temperature registered a cold 40 degrees.
Our Opening Weekend Derby saw many full stringers coming in.  
The largest fish caught through Saturday is a 5 pound, 12 ounce Alper. John Duquette from Concord landed this using a Rapala while trolling.  
The winner of the $150.00 will be announced next week.
CA Fish and Game planted 900 pounds plus 10 trophy fish on April 21st.

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 is back down to 22 CFS. Very tough conditions.


WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River (4/27/14)
Flows back down to 22 CFS. Fishing has been s0-so at best.
The EW is facing some tough times this season, go easy on them friends.

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