Nevada and California fishing report for May 18-25

Here is the Northern Nevada, Northern California and Southern Oregon fishing report for the week of May 18-25:

ADOBE POND, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
I am really looking forward to fishing here this spring and summer from our drift boats. With all the water Dobe should be fantastic! The Callibaetis hatches will be off the charts. The fish have truly picked up in size since we started guiding here a several seasons ago. 

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
With water surface temperatures soaring into the low 50s combined with improved water clarity through the entire lake, it’s safe to say that this is sizing up to be a terrific fishing season. It really has been going on for about 6 weeks now, and the future looks even brighter. 
The Lake Almanor bite has been holding at the excellent level all week.
As the east shore started to slow down just a little, the west shore has started to pick up. From Prattville to Almanor West, into Goose Bay, and out to the Airport Flats, insect hatches have not gone unnoticed by the Rainbow and Brown trout populations.
Even a few keeper Salmon have braved the shallows as the aquatic food chain has kicked up another notch.
Trolling the east shore is still a big time fish producing area. Insect hatches have drawn in fish, and plenty of them. Browns, Rainbows and the occasional keeper Salmon, however that first go round of east shore hatches has peaked.
Rainbows have been up to 3 lbs and have been the most aggressive very early starting at 5:30 am.
The Browns have been showing up closer to mid morning, most have been in the 2 lb range.
Doug Neal says he was trolling florescent and Chartreuse Rainbow Runners, RGSS,s' and gold Pro Secrets with a generous application of blended Carp Spit, and Trophy Trout scents from Pro-Cure.
The Salmon bite is starting at the snag;
Doug picked a few 22" Kings out of that hole before the south winds sent him to the west shore looking for protection. 
And most of the huge bait balls have moved out making suspended bait of the bottom easier to find. 
The bass bite has took off like a rocket this past week because of warming water, many guys have been giving the thumbs up, catching several 4 lbs. 
Safety first! Lake levels are rising, watch for floating hazards. Dress for cool mornings and sun block in the afternoon.
— Courtesy of Doug Neal

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) reports:
Sabrina Lake:
Wow, what a difference a week makes. I think that’s how I started my report last week – well, again wow, what a difference a week makes! – LAKE SABRINA IS ICE-FREE! Yup, the pesky w-i-n-d which we all soooo detest, finally did some good in breaking up the ice. Saturday morning the Lake was still iced-over pretty darn good – the w-i-n-d started coming up and by Saturday evening, it was a’blowing and it was getting colder with not a cloud in the sky. Sunday, we woke to about 3 inches of snow and an ice-free Lake – woooo-hoooo!
We had some hardy souls out on the Lake – yup, that’s what I said – out on the Lake in their float tubes, no less – John Nguyen, Jeff & JD hiked to open water – gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
There were quite a few shore anglers that made the trek toward the back of the Lake Saturday and came out with limits.
Yup – the bite is still on at Lake Sabrina with just about everything working.
We’ll try and get a few boats on the Lake for this coming weekend and boat prices will stay the same as last year (for now!)   
The Bald Eagles have returned – that’s plural – we’ve spotted 3 of them and one of them is a youngster – it’s got a spotted underbelly - so relaxing watching them soar over the Lake.
Mother Nature is still letting us know who’s in charge – last Monday it snowed almost all day, then again on Sunday where it again snowed on and off all day – temps never climbed above 25 degrees and factoring in the wind-chill it was 6 degrees. We kept the woodstove stoked all day.
Rick listened to Howard and thru Wednesday it’s not going to be nice. Thursday and Friday we MAY warm to the 50s, but another storm with a chance of snow is due in for the weekend.
Starting Friday, May 20, 2011, Lake Sabrina Boat Landing will start SUMMER hours (I know - even though it’s supposed to snow) - Breakfast from 7:00am to 11:00am and Lunch until 4:00pm every day of the week. Wednesday, May 18th, the store will be closed for the day (need to get some shopping done!).
SUMMER STORE HOURS: Sunday thru Saturday – 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
CAFÉ HOURS
Breakfast – 7:00 am to 11:00am
Lunch – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
And, of course, we'll have homemade pie, sodas, beer, wine, coffee, tea and hot cocoa during our regular store hours! Ginny, Len and Bryan will be working during the week and we’ve got a few new faces — Mark and Audrey will be joining us on the weekends.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parcher’s Resort (760-873-4177) sierrasmitty@cebridge.net reports:
South Lake: The lake is about 2/3 ice free now and we're probably one good windy away from being ice free. The lake level is drawn down to minimum level but will start coming up as soon as the spring thaw starts. The road is closed about 1 mile below the lake but will be reopening May 26th. Very few reports coming out of South Lake thus far due to limited access.
South Fork Bishop Creek: Access is good along the creek with the majority of the snow below 9,000 ft gone. To my knowledge DFG hasn't stocked since the opener but Alpers has. Even so, people are still catching some fish out of the stream.
One of the workers resurfacing the dam at South Lake is from the Czech Republic - he's hooked on trout fishing after catching a solid 2.5 lb rainbow on a trout magnet.
Lake Sabrina: There is some open water near the inlet area but it’s a long hike through some deep snow to get there. A few smaller areas of open water near the dam are producing too. Ice fishing is over.
North Lake:
The road is still not clear of snow but the lake is ice free. Folks willing to make the hike in are finding wide open fishing on Rainbows to 20 inches.
Weir Pond: Two words...wide open. It’s a walk up there, but its worth it. Jigs, Kastmasters, Midges...doesn't matter.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports: 
Bridgeport is still fishing excellent!
They're getting some good fish up to about 5 pounds or so from the shore down near the dam both casting lures and fishing bait.
The boat anglers are killing it over in Buckeye Bay near the Swauger Creek inlet fishing crawlers and Power Bait, almost all the fish are around 2 to 3 pounds with an occasional bruiser up to about 5 pounds. These fish are really feisty, we almost had one literally jump in the boat the other day when we were out there!
 
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
The early reports are good from the Bridge. His “Royal Sheepness" Jeffery at the Marina is saying it has been very good for numbers with some jumbo browns showing up on a regular basis.
Tubing near the Marina and launch ramp has been productive for some on the nicer weather days.
The Bridge has also had its share of wind and cooler weather this May.
The Bridge is lower in elevation thus has warmer water temps than Crowley.
The Callibaetis Mayflies are already appearing near the inlets and the Chironomid hatches are going strong daily.
Weeds are beginning to show in the flats so you must use a meter to identify the channels. Still water Nymphing is best in 12 feet or more, streamer patterns fished with a full sink line along the channels in the weeds will also work well. With the huge amount of water this area will be great this summer and into fall.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
Jen Heintzelman of Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) reports:
Catch of the Week: Curtis Amus from Thousand Oakes, Calif., 2 lb. 15 oz. trout caught on Salmon Peach Power Bait along the South Shore.
Memorial Day Weekend:
We still have a few cabins and one of our large houses open for Memorial Day weekend. 
Call 760-934-3800 to inquire about reservations.
Weather: Daytime highs will be in the 40's and 50's mainly with a possibility of breaking into the low 60's this coming weekend. Night time lows will be in the 20's and 30's. There is a possibility of some weather through mid-week. Feel free to call us for a real-time weather report. Here is a local site that is usually quite accurate www.mammothweather.com.

Tactics/Bait: This week the South Shore seems to be the most popular location to catch fish and Gulp Worms, nightcrawlers and Power Bait being the most productive baits.
Other locations to try fishing are the inlet, jetty, hangman's tree, near the outlet and the North Shore.  
Here is a list of other baits that are good to try: Rapala, Trout Teasers, Midges, Panther Martin, Thomas Buoyants, Green Woolly Bugger, White Mini Jig and Garlic Power Bait. Trolling with down riggers 3 to 6 colors or 20 to 50 feet is a depth range to try.  
Stocking:
DFG has been here twice this week due to a scheduled delivery that was planned for a lake that is still frozen. The next trophy trout stocking will be prior to Memorial Day Weekend by Mono County.
Sunrise - Sunset:
Sunrise this week 5:46 am - 5:45 am and Sunset 7:54 pm - 7:59 pm.
Derby News:
Round-up at the Lake going on until June 5th. We have 76 entries and 27 fish entered into the drawing for $6,000 in resort prizes.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
The fish here are still hard to come by. Some limited action at Pelican Point and Sandy Point. Stevie's Wonder gray or Stevie's M-80.


CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
It has been a slow start here no doubt. Tough weather, the results of more "taking than putting" over the last several seasons and; the lake level has been dropping like there is a hole in the bottom and it is really influencing where the fish usually hold during this time of year.
Water conditions are very good and the temps are beginning to creep upward despite the cooler than normal days.
The Chironomid hatches are strong and begin their emergence around 9-10 each day. You will find warmer water and more concentrations of fish north of Sandy Pt. towards Six Bays and into the North Arm in 14 feet or more.
Alligator Pt. is also holding fish during the mornings.
Fishing is improving as we roll into the second week of the season and many of the dinkers planted last fall are venturing onto the flats from the deeper water to feed on the emerging midges.
Some Sacramento Perch are also pulling those Under-cators down as they are staging on the gravel to spawn.
There are no weed beds, and very little weed forming on the bottom yet, so concentrate your efforts on transitional zones along drop-offs and ledges, or substantial points along the shoreline.
As is usually the case under these circumstances, I do best with bright bead head Midge patterns # 16-20. Copper or black nickel seem to work best in the deeper, clear water. The broken back Gillie #18 has also been an excellent choice as the upper fly recently. Crystal Emerger patterns in gray # 18-20 are also getting grabs.
As the level begins to stabilize and warm up some you will see improved catching for sure. June should be an excellent month this year, with August one of the best ever.
I am hoping to see the level at, or near the McGee Creek lower fence line once again this summer.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife reports:
Stormy weather has kept anglers at bay in recent days, but action for rainbow trout has been good overall. The fish have been hitting on flies, lures, Power Bait and worms. Anglers are encouraged to use extreme caution when boating, tubing or canoeing in windy weather conditions.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife reports:
Cooler temperatures and passing storms have slowed fishing activity. Stocked rainbows are hitting on worms, mini marshmallows combined with worms, and small lures or spinners. Super Dupers, Little Jakes, Mepps Spinners and Panther Martins are generally productive. For crappie and bass fish along the dam or the southern bank near vegetation and other structure.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Water conditions are very clear upstream of Island Road.
Below Island Road to the confluence with the Tule, conditions are good.
There has been a mixture of reports from great to poor coming in.
It's Fall River, expect rising rainbow trout! Can't beat that!
There are good hatches of PMDs, especially from Island Road Bridge upstream, with the peak dry fly activity from about 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon.
There are some really big rainbows around, slurping these tasty dry fly morsels, and since it's still early in the season they're not particularly tippet shy yet.
With high runoff on many of the mountain streams, the Fall River is a super option this year for the month of May, and beyond!
It's always a great option.
Best fly/most fish ate: Green leech stripped on a type II uniform sink line through shallow water. On Fall River in the month of May, expect hatches of pale morning duns that can carpet the river. Early spring hatches of this rainbow trout food staple produce some of the best dry fly fishing to be found anywhere!
A fly box during the month of May should have # 18 Tilt Wing Dun PMDs, # 18 Last Chance Cripple PMDs, Norman's Wiggle Tail PT # 16-18, Zack's Swimming Leech in black and olive, # 16-18 Micro Mays in brown and olive and last but far from least, you must have # 16-18 PT nymphs.
Fall River is such a diverse stream. Prolific hatches can keep most anglers opening their fly box in search of just the right fly for that hog that keeps poking it's nose up next to the bank. Go to this river prepared with more than a few nymphs, dries and leeches.
Expect 16"-20" rainbows that will break your 6x tippet if you not careful.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
Fishermen have been catching their limits at Frenchman's. At and around the dam seems to be the favorite spot.  Other areas, such as the channels or the east side of the lake are doing well,
Using nightcrawlers, floating them off the bottom, or marshmallows and Power Bait (various colors and scents), shore fishing is doing well.
Trollers are using lures like Tasmanian Devil (Red or Green), Kastmaster, and Dick Nites.
Fly fishermen are using Dark lord, Woolly Buggers, and Prince Nymph.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Hat Creek has been fishing great!
Water conditions are clear and wader friendly.
Pale Morning duns are hatching mid day, in the evening look for tiny # 16 Caddis flies.
Can't ignore the eventual Salmon Fly emergence in the days to come.
Not known for huge numbers of rainbows brought to hand, Hat Creek has produced top quality fishing this month.
Sometimes crowded, especially since other streams like the McCloud, Upper Sac, Pit River are less than ideal for angling with a fly rod.
Come to Hat! Bring your dry fly box and go hunting for rising fish!
Anglers should expect hatches of pale morning duns, green drakes, mahoganies, blue wing olives, Baetis, Caddis. Bring a fly box including Mercer's Missing Link # 16, Last Chance Cripple Green Drake # 12, Pseudo Mays # 18, Micro Mays # 16-18, Rubberlegs # 6-8.
 Fishermen are really looking forward to the salmon fly hatches on Hat Creek that start after warmer days in late May.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
Water flow holding steady at 55 CFS. Fishing is improving. Nymph fish with FB Pheasant Tails, gray WD-40's and Caddis larva and olive scuds.


HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
Business as usual. The flows are really nice here right now. Not too high, not too low. Look for them to begin a steady rise when the weather warms. Mayflies and mMdges are the bug’s de’jour. The seams in the weeds are easier to fish with the higher water levels, this opens up more fishable water.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
Grant – Gull – June – Silver Lakes and Rush Creek:
Rush Creek flow is 177 CFS. Fishing is fair. Basic Nymph patterns like Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears and Prince Nymphs.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports:
Kirman still hasn't seemed to liven up yet, not sure if it's due to the colder water temps or what. We've talked to several anglers that have been up there this week and everyone we've talked to hasn't done too well. Hopefully it will start to liven up soon!
 
KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Flows are high at 3,200 CFS, tough conditions for now.
Better reports will come in as flows drop and salmon show up. 
Anglers can easily fish it from a boat, however, launching at Iron Gate will put you at Klamathon bridge within a couple hours.
At these flows, if your guide isn't constantly pulling hard on the oars, the boat will be at interstate 5 by lunch time. 
All this will change by the end of the month. All the snow we have has to melt! Not the best conditions for our old friend the Klamath River. 
Sub 2,000 CFS releases out of Iron Gate dam are best.
All the recent rain and snow has made this river, which is usually a solid bet at this time of year, not such a solid bet.
Wait for June and hope flows come down.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Good water conditions, fishing is good to great. Huge fish lurk here! It's a blast when it's on.
Suspending tiny Midges, stripping Woolly Buggers and retrieving leeches on Lewiston Lake has produced some really nice rainbows in recent days and weeks. Use a full sinking type 7 line for fast, speedy retrieves, like Woolly Buggers cast to the shallow bank and stripped back through progressively deeper water. 
RIO's Auqua Lux Intermediate Sink Fly Line is a great all around line for slow or fast retrieves on Lewiston. Insect hatches of Callibaetis are frequent.
Finding fish on the surface happens. Fishing has improved as water clarity has improved. Funny how the fishing improves as the weather gets better.
A knowledgeable guide is key to getting the results on Lewiston.
You can't go too small. Can you?
When using indicators, the takes can be difficult to detect and grasp, and then the takes can be electric.
Successful indicator anglers keep the flies in the water, all the way to the backing, then low and slooooow retrieve. Sink tip fly lines allow anglers to retrieve leeches and buggers fast or slow.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
George Lake - Mary Lake – Mamie Lake – Twin Lakes:
Some open water at Lower Twin. Water temps still very cold. Not recommended right now.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife reports:
Despite passing storm fronts and associated high winds, persistent anglers continue to catch fish.
The Overton Arm above Echo Bay and the Vegas Wash area are giving up striped bass in the two- to three-pound category. Stripers are hitting on a variety of lures including rattletraps and crankbaits.
Action is good for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
All but one of 23 teams taking part in the Ultimate Bass weighed in with five-fish bags. The big fish weighed nearly six pounds. Successful anglers are throwing shallow-diving crankbaits, spinner baits and plastics.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife reports:
The striper bite remains slow but trolling with anchovies in 30 to 50 feet of water has produced some fish.
Catfish in the two- to eight-pound range are taking commercial stink baits and cut anchovies fished on the bottom with the best action at night.
Smallies and largemouth bass are providing food action in the early morning hours. The fish are hitting a variety of lures and plastics.
Rainbow trout are planted each Friday at Willow Beach.
Garlic and salmon peach Power Baits are productive for still fishing. Anglers are catching trout with Jakes, Panther Martins and Rooster Tails.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) reports:
Fishing for rockfish and lingcod has been good when the ocean has been “calm.” Concentrate your fishing near rocky outcroppings and drop-offs. Fishing for rockfish and lingcod outside of 40 fathoms is closed from April 1 – Sept. 30.
A few lingcod and rockfish are being caught along the jetties inside the bays. Effective baits to use for lingcod are bouncing a jig with a big plastic tail or bouncing a herring near the bottom.
There have been a few reports of surfperch being caught. To fish for surfperch look for places that have riptides or areas that has steeper beaches. Best fishing is usually on an incoming tide with ocean swells less than 6 feet. Sand shrimp or sand worms are great baits to use for surfperch.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
Upper Owens River: Water flow 82 CFS. The section from the Benton Crossing Bridge to the monument is still closed until the Saturday preceding Memorial Day. The river from the monument to the mouth of Crowley Lake is open and some spawning fish from the lake have been moving in.
Try San Juan Worms or bead head Pheasant Tails.
The section above the Benton Crossing is still under special regulations. Fishing there is slow. Some caddis activity.
Lower Owens River: Water flow 395 CFS. The water has lowered a bit but still to high for fishing

OWENS RIVER, CALIF: 

Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
Upper Owens River: The tributaries flowing into Crowley are all holding rainbows and some Cutts. Conditions are very good and the run-off has not blown out these areas which are just now peaking in numbers of migrating trout.
These fish are actively spawning so please take care not to disturb the redds that are obvious at the base of the deeper pools and in all the gravel sections.
San Juan Worms, egg patterns, FB PT’s, crystal Midges, all seem to work.
The key is to not spook the fish prior to your initial casts. Easier said than done I must admit.
The average fish is noticeably smaller this year, but there are some 20 inch models holding in the prime runs.
Lower Owens River: The mighty Mississippi has nothing on the LO these days! Just kidding. The flows have been very high most of May. They have even crested the banks in some areas and flooded some access roads. Despite the high releases we are still "catching" with a good amount of effort.
As of this report the flows (440 CFS) are beginning to drop substantially, and as the snow begins to melt off in the southern Sierra you will see continuing decreases in the wild trout section as the creeks and drainages swell with run-off.
Look for some juicy conditions in early June people. Concentrate your efforts on the soft water along the reeds and willows. Don’t bother with the larger pools; the fish are just too difficult to reach at flows above 350 CFS.
The Spruce-A Bu has been my best pattern by far recently fished with a heavy 24 foot sinking tip line. There are some caddis flies (# 18) showing up on a regular basis, as well as PMD Mayflies # 18-20.
Be careful along those cut banks folks, it is deep & steep and can be dangerous with breathable waders on if you take a spill.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
High and brown. The Pit River is fishing poor to fair.
Higher than normal water releases are preventing the truly good reports this river is famous for at this time of year from coming in.
That said, anglers are finding fish on the Pit by covering the water, fishing deep with lots of split shot. # 6 Pats Brown Rubber Legs is the best fly.
In spite of the tougher conditions, anglers are still getting out on the rivers and fishing, making for a decent report here and there.
We are looking forward to mid June before we can hope for any really good reports from the Pit River.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Current release on the Lower Sacramento is 7,500 CFS, increasing to 8500 CFS on Wednesday May 18th.
Good hatches of golden stones, yellow sallies, PMD's, water color in Redding all the way down to Red Bluff is excellent.
The fishing has been great! Sometimes May can produce a few tough days on the Lower Sac, but this year is different.
Although many rainbows are sitting on redds, spawning, we are easily finding eager fish taking flies in all the usual places.
In the event you spot some rainbows holding in shallow water, go easy on them, they are probably producing the future of this great fishery!
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop
 
SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
More snow! This river is absolutely full of water, too much for good fishing. And, it's going to get higher as the weather warms up!
 So, fishing is poor, for now.
The water up in Dunsmuir, Calif., specifically Ney Springs, can offer the dedicated Upper Sacramento angler some limited fishing options. Look for big pools and try fishing the tail-outs.
Fishermen have reported that they have done very well fishing along the edges of the river at these flows, looking for smooth, slower water and finding rainbows podded up.
Good weather is in the forecast, a day just cruising around this river and enjoying the big riffles, runs and pools just might be what you need to do.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SAN JOAQUIN AND RED’S MEADOWS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
Road closed.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Lots of water again this year! This is great for fishing conditions. 
Rainbow trout fishing is good. Catching Rainbows 40 to 60 ft deep, throughout the lake's main body, trolling using shad patterned lures. 
Several beautiful Brown trout caught this week according to the guides. 
Some Salmon are being caught throughout the lake between 15 to 20 inches. Trolling using Cripp lures and Wiggle Hoochies.
— Courtesy of Outdoor Adventures

TOPAZ LAKE:
Chuck and Linda Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550) reports:
We had snow off and on all day yesterday (Sunday), the weather has been pretty miserable and there have been no fishermen.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
The Trinity River is flowing at 4,160 CFS. That is a very high flow considering we find the best overall fishing on this river when flows are well below 2,000 CFS. Flows are reported to come down to 3,040 by May 31st.
We will find favorable flows for wade fishing by August. Until then, there is no reason why an angler in a drift boat or raft couldn't enjoy a day floating and fishing where slow, conveyer belt speed water is found.
As for the fish, well, we are in between the steelhead runs of the late winter and too early for the King Salmon that show up in at the end of June.
The Fly Fishing Only Section, above the Old Bridge located in Lewiston, Calif. on the Trinity River is open, but fishing is tough.
Limited wading options exist at 3,040 CFS, not to mention the dangers of wading in these conditions. Swift water sustains the real possibility of being swept downstream and drowning. 
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

TWIN LAKES AREA, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports:
Upper Twin Lake – Lower Twin Lake – Robinson Creek: The Twins are fishing well, lots of fish in the 1 pound range with some showing up in the 2 to 3 pound range. It seems like overall the shore anglers are doing better than the boat anglers.
Casting lures like Rapalas and Buoyants has been good as well as inflated crawlers, Power Bait and Gulp Eggs.
 
VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports:
I hear the ice on the Virginias is getting a bit soft around the edges so I might give them a week or so to develop some open water, when this happens the fishing should be off the hook!

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife reports:
No fish have been reported or seen at Walker Lake so far this fishing season. Mineral County Road Dept. has done some work on the State Parks Launch. Launching is improved but you still need four wheel drive.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports:
East Walker – West Walker – Sceirine Ranch - Hunewill Pond:
East Walker River: The East is still running around 270 CFS and has been there for about a week or so. There were a couple of tough days this week but the fishing was mostly pretty good.
Small Midges are still the best way to go but we've also had some good reports on streamers and there's been a few periods of time where the dries went off pretty good as well.
Fly patterns that have been working lately include Zonkers, Zuddlers, JJ specials, Hornbergs, micro Mayflies, Zebra Midges, silver streaks, Copper Johns, blue winged olives, Para Adams and chubby Chernobyls.
If you're throwing Nymphs keep your eyes open for some lips on the surface and be ready to switch to dries, especially if the weather turns sour.
West Walker River: The West is still running pretty high and dirty due to the run-off but there been a few hearty anglers dunking crawlers in the calmer water and picking up a few fish. It's kind of tough fishing under these conditions but if you work at it you should be able to rip a few lips.
Sceirine Ranch: The ranch is fishing pretty well too, dry/dropper rigs have been working as well as streamers and Nymphs. Princes, Copper Johns, Birds Nests, PT's, Zuddlers, double bunnies have all been working.
Lots of nice fish in the 16 to 18 inch range are being caught.
Hunewill Pond: Haven't had anyone on the pond yet, will post report as soon as we have one!
 
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
East Walker River: What a fantastic year! The flows have dropped back to very fishable levels and it has been good. Anything below 300 CFS this time of year is great. Mornings have been best while Nymphing as it has been very crowded most days. The best combo for me has been twin broken back Midges (copper heads) or a FB PT # 18-20 after lunch.
GUIDE TIP: I can’t emphasize enough how crucial it is to utilize ample weight respective to the run you are fishing. You must get your imitations down along the bottoms contour, and it requires adjustment for each piece of water you fish. Proper weighting far outweighs what fly you select within reason, and is the single most important factor for successful Nymphing.
The EW can be a technical piece of water due to the breadth and diversity of currents along the river channel. It requires accurate and aggressive mends to properly fish the transitions where the majority of the fish hold. If you have been stymied here give us a call and we will show you how to fish the EW. One guide trip with a Sierra Drifters pro will pay huge dividends for you in the future.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
East Walker River: Water flow 268 CFS. Fishing here has been good this last week and the water flow has remained steady.
Our recent trips to the Walker have been very successful. Nymph fish with gray or black Midge pupa, WD-40's and  Prince Nymphs. Although the Mayfly hatch has been strong not much surface activity.


YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AREA, CALIF:
The Tioga Pass Highway (California S.R. 120) to Yosemite (from the east side) is still closed. Tioga Pass has an elevation of 9,943 feet, making it the highest automobile pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.