Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report through Aug. 5

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 June 30 through Aug. 5, 2014.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
We think the Lake has hit the high point for the year and the run-off is over – got up higher than we ever imagined this year. We sure are hoping for a snow-filled winter this year – might need to start dancing now!
Catching this week started out halfway decent, but slowed a bit over the weekend. Fishing the Inlet’s with Salmon Eggs, Nightcrawlers and Jigs.
Trolling Thomas Buoyants or Nightcrawlers (don’t forget the swivel or you’ll be hating life).
Drifting the channels with Nightcrawlers.
Shore fishing with Power Bait or Lures.
Please mind your manners – if the Inlets are crowded, try fishing the numerous springs feeding into the Lake – stop on in and we’ll point you in the right direction.  
Thanks to the DFG for the stocking on Friday – we’re sure the following anglers appreciated it also – Jeff and Marianne Krpan used Salmon Eggs and the Red & Gold Thomas Buoyants to land a 1-1/2 – and a couple of 2 pounders. JT Abdella caught a nice 3-1/4 lunker on PowerBait. Ella Kekelian, along with Shawn Sr & Shawn Jr, celebrated her 9th birthday out on the Lake while James Tomplins, Donnie Trout, Rob Rick and Bobby Thornosk caught enough for a GREAT fish fry using Nightcrawlers and Power Worms. Father and Son team, Tim Senior and Tim Jr., made the family proud Senior landing a 2-1/2 pounder besting Junior by a quarter of a pound – both used mouse tails.
Hard to believe it’s a cool 53 degrees at 2:45pm on Monday, July 28 – a bit overcast with intermittent rain and hail – awesome weather.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parchers Resort (760-873-4177) (sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
The high country received a respite from afternoon t-storms this week as sunny skies and temps soaring into the low 80’s as resort levels prevailed most of the week.
The thru-hiker crowd continues to show up in force with folks coming over Bishop Pass from as far north as Yosemite and as far south as Cottonwood.
Folks are still reporting quite a bit of mosquito activity over the 9,000 ft elevation, no doubt a product of the moisture we received in mid July.
The forecast calls for a slight chance of t-storms again this week with temps cooling back down to the mid 70’s mark we’re used – but time will tell.
The last reported snow bank on the North Lake to South Lake loop is a small patch at the very top of Bishop Pass….now it’s truly summer.
Somehow the wildflowers are still holding on strong, especially above the 8,500 ft mark. Green Creek behind Parchers Resort and the So. Fork of Bishop Creek from La Hupp picnic area to Weir Pond are two areas where the wildflowers are especially impressive.
Paintbrush, lupine and columbines are most prevalent but several other types of flowers, including some waist high tiger lilies are also around. 
There are still an uncommon number of hummingbirds enjoying the wildflowers, yet another type of wildlife to appreciate this summer.
Speaking of wildlife, we’d like to remind everyone that this is indeed bear country, so please act accordingly i.e. use bear boxes and keep a clean camp – it is in the best benefit of both the bears and area visitors to do so.
Wild Trout reports were a little quiet this week although we did get some excellent reports on wild Kamloops Rainbows from Green Lake for fly fishers using large dries with small nymphs & midges as a dropper.
Wide open fishing at George Lake for Brookies and the upper Tyee Lakes for both Rainbows and Brookies was also reported.
Bishop Creek South Fork
Creek flows continue to be slightly high, evidence of the lack of storage at South Lake. Still, this has been good news for creek anglers as plenty of water means plenty of deep holes and sufficient depth in many of the riffles to hold fish.
Salmon eggs are hard to beat right now. The most successful anglers are sending a single egg down with the current into deeper pools and run with just enough weight to get the egg into the strike zone. Use as little weight as you can get away with for a more natural drift.
Nightcrawlers and Panther Martins were also effective. 
Weir Pond
Inflow is sufficient to keep the Weir at a perfect depth for fly fishers stripping streamers or fishing nymphs or midges under an indicator.
Lots of smaller 6 to 9” Browns are being caught and released along with some smaller model Brookies.
Lots of Rainbows are also being caught following DFW plants using flies, mini-jigs and spinners.
A big bonus stocking courtesy of SCE early in the week made for great action all week at the Intake for folks fishing the northwest shore, the dam, and the bubble hole.
The water level is normal and overall fishing has been solid in the feeder streams as well. Those fishing from float tubes did well working off the inlet closest to the campground. Powerbaits, jig tossers and fly fishers are all scoring fish....it's safe to say Intake was the hot spot this week.
North Lake
Although North Lake was reported to be quite busy this week, we did not receive nearly as many reports as we’re used to seeing. The few reports we did get reported a good to very good bite using Thomas Buoyants or various Power baits including Chunky Cheese Gulp & Rainbow Sparkle.
The Fly & Bubble rig with a 5-7ft leader using bead head nymphs fished 5 to 10ft deep was reported to be excellent.
Lake Sabrina
Salmon eggs fished under a bobber was the hot ticket for some of our guests, including Marianne Krpan who managed three fish in the 2 lb class along with a couple dozen more caught and released between herself and her husband Jeff.
South Lake
Some hearty anglers are catching a few Browns using Kastmasters near the rockslide but aside from that the bite has been pretty slow.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707)
www.kenssport.com) reports:
Bridgeport has been getting lower and lower each week but the fishing is still hanging in there pretty good!
There's been a few anglers still doing well trolling though it takes some work to keep your gear clean, they've been getting into some nice rainbows and still some nice perch as well.
Bait anglers have been doing well North of Rainbow Point with mice tails, power bait and inflated crawlers.
Lots of fish in the 3/4 to 1.5 pound range are making a showing with a few up to around 4 pounds coming in as well. 

BRIDEGPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Bridgeport Reservoir 7/28/14
The RV Park is in full operation & in tip top shape.  
Fishing remains good/fair for planted rainbows with a few nicer browns showing up for conventional anglers/trollers. Algae/weeds are an issue in some areas.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlake.com) reports:
Mono County stocked (3-5 pounders) Trophy Trout last Tuesday. I've only seen a few come into the store so I know there are quite a few lunkers waiting to be caught.
The fishing mid-day has seem to be slowing down except for the folks who have been trolling. Most anglers are tolling around 4 colors (40 feet). 
Catch of the Week: 
Joel Beam from Fillmore, Calif., with a full stringer. The stringer included a nice 5 pound 1 ounce rainbow which was the "catch of the week."
Joel was using yellow Power bait and he was fishing the Inlet.
Congratulations Joel on a great catch.
Other notable catches this week:
Rita Tratz from Lake Arrowhead with two great fish. One toad was a 4 pound 3 ounce rainbow. Rita added a second quality fish for good measure. It was a 3 pound 8 ounce rainbow. She was using a rainbow Power bait and she was fishing the Inlet.
Bonnie Beam from Fillmore hooked a beautiful 3 pound rainbow. Bonnie was using a yellow Power bait and was fishing at the Inlet.
Lance Dalton from Janesville landed a 2 pound and 12 ounce rainbow. He was using  a Thomas Bouyant and was fishing along the South Shore. 
Mitchell and Gary Landingham from Mission Viejo with a full 5 pound 5 ounce stringer. They was using a mixture of Salmon Eggs and Power bait. They were fishing at the Inlet.
Tactics/Bait: 
Don't forget about the old reliable inflated nightcrawler. The bigger stocked trout love them some worms.
Thomas Buoyants and Rapalas were doing well in the lake.
In the creek salmon eggs were the hot ticket. 
The most successful Power bait colors were yellow and rainbow.
The Inlet was the hottest spot this week. Other locations fishing well were Hangman's Tree, Jetty South and North Shore. 
Here is a list of other baits/lures that can be productive:
Sierra Slammers, Tasmanian Devil, Green or brown Marvel Fly Lures, Trout Teasers, Panther Martin, Needlefish, Roostertails, and Bite-on Fury Shad or Lip Ripperz Hatchery Dust on Power bait.
Here is a list of recommended flies:  
Dry Flies:
Adams, Female Adams, Cutter's Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators, Black/Red Ants, Sierra Bright Dot, Royal Coachman and Hoppers.  
Streamers:
Wooly Bugger (black, brown, olive, or green), Mutuka (black, brown, olive, or green), Hornberg, and Muddler Minnows. 
Wet Flies (Nymphs):
Prince Nymph, Flashback Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, Zebra Midge (red and black), Copper John (red and copper) and San Juan Worm (brown or red).
Other Resources:
View our Convict Lake Fishing Map and Fishing Rig Suggestion brochures. Both brochures are available in the General Store.
Derby News:
 Our fall derby series Ambush at the Lake will be stating on September 1st and will run until November 15. Come join us for a chance to win $6,000 in Resort Prizes.
Also mark your calendars for the Morrison's Bonus Cash Weekend on Oct. 31 - Nov. 2. $2000 in cash prizes. 
Weather: 
Highs are going to be in the mid 70's and the lows in the low 50's.
Chances of afternoon thunderstorms throughout the beginning of next week. Here is the National Weather Service link that is usually quite accurate: 7-Day Forecast Convict Lake.
Sunrise - Sunset:
Sunrise this week 5:55 am - 5:59 am and Sunset 8:01pm - 8:06 pm. 
Stocking:
DFW is scheduled to plant at the lake and creek the week of July 28.  

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
No change here. The water is getting greener and  warmer and fishing is pretty slow. The fish are still staying at a depth of  20+ feet.
Try a copper zebra  or blac/silver Stevie's Wonder.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake 7/28/14
Keep an eye on the sky for those thunder bangers. They are back in the forecast this week.
The fish are gravitating towards any inlet source.
Water temps are pushing 70 on the surface and this is concentrating the trout near the north end of the lake where the Upper Owens flows into, and McGee Bay-where both McGee and Convict join nearby, then flow into the lake.
The blue algae bloom is moderate, and can shut down a bite if it concentrates in an area. It can also IGNITE a period of intense “catching” as the damsel fly nymphs and perch fry migrate along with these algae rafts and the trout hunt them down around the edges.
The north end of the lake has been very clean compared to McGee Bay, and there is more fishable area here for sure.
Hilton has been on and off. It is worth posting up for a few casts if the water is clean.  Shag it if the green goo is around.
Layton/Alligator have been hot at times. It just depends on the water clarity.
There are decent chironomid hatches (midges); however the larger fish are targeting the perch fry and damsel nymphs.
Spot up along some aquatic weed in the 11-13 foot range.
Use a drifters punk perch or damsel nymph as the upper fly, hang a broken back tiger or zebra, dark or copper crystal tiger or zebra as the larva/lower fly. Give those flies some action if the surface is calm.
You are competing with swimming/wiggling critters, and the movement of your flies is crucial to getting grabs.
Streamer fishing has not been as productive lately. The fish are in a tight area most days and trying to tube around all the anchored boats is difficult. The perch fry are tiny right now- September/October will be streamer Nirvana I believe.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Little has changed this past week. Anglers looking for crayfish have been doing well using traps as well as hook and line. Rainbow trout are still taking Power Bait in orange or green, and have also been taking Mepps spinners in red with white or gold spoons with a red dot.
Action has been best in the early morning and late evening for all fish.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Action remains good in the mornings and evenings with rainbow trout taking orange or green Power Bait or small spinners.
Crappie are still being taken with flies or small jigs.

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

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow  down to 6 CFS. Try an attractor dry  like a stimulator  with a nymph as a dropper WD-40, green rock worms or scuds. 
Heavy weed growth makes accurate casting a must.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Flows are dropping & weeds are becoming an issue in some sections.
The manager at the HC Hatchery told me flows out of the springs are only HALF of what they should be for late July. NOT GOOD.
Decent caddis and mayfly activity occurring daily during warm spells and calmer days. The small dark 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” a Punk  perch or crystal leech 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/PMD’s start to emerge. Dead drift some crystal scuds with a tiny, or no indicator at all in the deeper slots.

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:
Grant Lake - Gull Lake - June Lake - Silver Lake - Rush Creek:
Rush Creek flow is  up to 37 CFS and fishing is a bit better.
Try a humpie or stimulator with a hares ear or pheasant tail dropper.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
July 27, 2014
Still haven't heard much from Kirman lately, I'd expect it to be pretty tough with the algae bloom that happened up there a couple weeks ago.        

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
Fishing for striped bass has picked up with quite a few anglers bringing in their limits of ten fish. The average size is one to two pounds with a few larger ones coming in as well.
Anchovies are the ever popular bait, but top-water lures work well too, especially in the morning.
Both largemouth bass and sunfish are taking night crawler pieces, plastics or small jigs.
One lucky angler reeled in a 12.5-pound catfish while floating anchovies from a boat.

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:
Upper Twin best for fly rodders with Doc's Twin Lake Special black or olive or try hanging a callibaetis nymph under an indicator.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
It appears the saying is all wrong, as the early bird catches the fish. Anglers are reporting prime fishing time between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 8:30 am.
The heat of the desert sun pushes the stripers to deeper water and anglers off the water.
Vegas Wash has produced good results for those netting shad.
Striper boils have been found in coves across the lake, although the majority of the fish caught are about a pound or less.
Shoreline anglers are having increased success this week as the largemouth and smallmouth bass are hanging in the shallower water near shore. Those in the areas of Boulder Harbor and Echo Bay are reeling them in using various lures, including crankbaits and plastics.
For nighttime anglers, increased fishing opportunity should come during the new moon on Saturday. Try fishing under a light or use a submersible light.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Smallmouth and largemouth bass are providing anglers with good fishing. Smallmouth bass have been caught off rocky shelves at points or in coves with various plastics; alternate colors throughout the day. Largemouth bass are hanging in about 10 to 20 feet of water near submerged vegetation.
Despite occasional lulls, fishing for striped bass continues to improve near Willow Beach. Though many of the fish being caught are less than 10 pounds, anglers have caught a few lunkers pushing 20 pounds.
With the new moon on Saturday, anglers should find increased opportunity by fishing at night under a light or with a submersible light.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Crabbing has been good in the ocean from Bandon to Winchester Bay.
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 continues to be a little slow near Coos Bay.
The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two). Retention of cabezon is now allowed but only one cabezon per day per angler.
Fin-clipped coho fishing has been good in the Winchester Bay areas.
Remember only fin clipped coho can be harvested for the next month.
The selective coho (fin-clipped) season from Cape Falcon to OR/CA Border is open until Aug. 10 or attaining the 80,000 fish quota.
Salmon anglers have also picked up a few chinook salmon.
The spring central coast all-depth halibut fishery is closed.
The summer all-depth halibut fishery opens up on Aug. 1.
The nearshore halibut season started on July 1 and will be open 7 days a week inside the 40 fathom line through the earlier of the quota being met or Oct. 31.
Weather this past weekend kept most of the tuna anglers home but the few anglers that did venture out did find a few tuna about 25-30 miles off shore.
Anglers are still catching surf perch along the steep ocean beaches.
Sand shrimp has been the best bait to use. 

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: 
Flow is 49 CFS. The water is low and clear. Try caddis pupa, San Juan worms and egg patterns. The fish are scattered so cover lots of water.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow currently 227 CFS. Fishing is good  and crowds are low.
Not much surface action  but nymph fishing is great. WD40's , rainbow warriors, baetis emergers.
Day time temps 100+.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 7/28/14
Consistently good as of late. River conditions are better above the confluence of Hot Creek.
Tandem nymph rigs in the deeper pools are doing the trick.
You can also dead drift broken back midges & egg patterns without an Under-cator.
Flows consistent at 52 CFS.
Short water tactics should be used to fool the wild fish here.  
Look for the deeper pools and runs during off hatch periods.
Caddis (#18 or smaller dark bodies) and mayfly adults are good choices for the open riffle water.
Hi-vis para bwo and caddis # 16-18 will get grabs.  Some hoppers showing up now. Use a Stimulator or larger hi-vis pattern with a bead head nymph as the dropper 2 feet beneath the dry for a deadly tanden rig.
Nymphing with SJ worms, crystal egg patterns, flashback PT’s, Assassin bird’s nest, broken back midges, crystal olive caddis & zebra larva patterns near the bottom.
I prefer to use a clear or yellow Under-cator on moving water as they are less conspicuous. The pink & orange work better on the still waters like Crowley and Bridgeport.
Think about streamers in the stiff afternoon winds. You will have to hunt down pools large; or deep enough to cast a streamer-they are very limited under current conditions. 
Patterns like Loebergs, Punk Perch, Crystal Leeches, & Agent Orange will get takes when used with a light sinking tip line.
Middle Owens River (Bishop area) 7/28/14
Clouds cooled it down some. T- storms in the forecast.
Recent drift trips have been good/fair during cooler periods. I suggest half day floats to avoid the afternoon heat in the Owens Valley.  
Water is very warm and this is causing the fish to shut down by late mornings. Flows remain wonderful for wading & drifting, currently running between 215-230 CFS. Wading (no waders needed this time of year) remains good at this release below the dam at PV Res.
Use birds nest patterns like Assassins, flashback PT’s, and hares ears for good profiles of a mayfly nymph. 
Crystal olive caddis larva & olive zebra midges are also good choices for a lower fly imitation of  caddis larvae or midge larva.
Have some hi-vis caddis adults & hi-vis para mayfly adults for the late morning hatch.
The chub and sucker spawn was epic this spring and we are seeing “balls” of these small baitfish in the pillow waster and along the weeds.
Streamer fishing is the best way to imitate these small forage fish by using heavy sinking tip lines and Loebergs, Punk Perch, and Crystal leeches, and Spruce-a-bu’s.

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.

PINE FOREST COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Roads: Access to the Pine Forest best with a 4-wheel drive.
Onion Valley Reservoir: Onion started with only a half pool of water because of the drought. Irrigation demands are quickly draining the lake and fishing should be done by the first week in August.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed to fishing for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout until Oct. 01.

RYE PATCH RESERVOIR, PERSHING COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The boat launches are closed due to low water levels.
Shore launching is risky and is done at your own risk.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon fishing: King Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River.
Water flow is currently 10,000 CFS, decreasing to 9,500 CFS by Tuesday.
Salmon fishing on the Sac River this weekend picking up, with 1 to 3 salmon a day, being caught in the Los Molinos and Red Bluff area of the Sacramento River.
The salmon seem to be flying up river through the lower sections in Sacramento and Hamilton City, fish are not waiting around, headed up river to colder water, holding up in the higher sections of the river system. 
August 1st opener, the well known Balls Ferry area of the Sacramento River should be very good for this reason and there are already salmon stacked in the Barge Hole. More fish than we have ever seen at this time of year.
Numbers of fish being caught on the Sac River will improving daily, as more fish are making their way up river.  
Using Flatfish lures in the early morning, switching to Pautzke's cured roe in the afternoon.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of July 29, 2014 water flow is currently 10,000 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing is excellent.
Weather is warming, great bug hatch. Trout fishing Redding area, trout fishing is excellent. Rainbow Trout fishing, fly fishing, trout are 18 inches to 26 inches. Fishing Redding to Balls Ferry ramp. Using PMD's, Black Caddis, Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Brown Micro Mays.  
Lower Sacramento River fishing trout. Spin fishing for trout have been outstanding. 70 fish days. 
Amazing wild Rainbow trout fishing on the Sac River. 
Drift  boats or Jet boats 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.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
San Joaquin River 7/28/14
 Got slammed by afternoon rain & T-storms today. Could be a wet week ahead.  Flows are at historical late summer/fall levels, the wading is very easy in all sections.
Fly fishing has become more difficult due to very low flows.
The fish are holding in the limited pools and deeper slots.
Attractor dry patterns like Stimulators, hi-vis para bwo’s & caddis are good choices that are easier to see in the plentiful pocket water that defines the SJR. Use a bead head flashback PT or assassin birds nest as a dropper in the deeper pools and runs.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Flow has dropped to 20 CFS. Fishing is much tougher with the low flows. Try an attractor like a stimulator or a coachman with a para Adams as a dropper.
All the camp grounds are now open and crowds have increased.

SPOONER LAKE, DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The weed bed continues to be a problem around Spooner Lake. If anglers do find an opening they should have some success.

LAKE TAHOE:
A report of limits of average sized Mackinaw Trout being caught on silver flasher blades and minnows, trolled at depths of 100-300 feet on the west side of the lake near Homewood, California.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
July 27, 2014
The Twins are still fishing pretty well, lots of fish in the half pound to pound and a half range as well as some fish up to around 5 pounds being caught.
Power bait, crawlers and mice tails are doing well for the bait anglers.
Early morning and late evening lure anglers are using kastmasters, thomas bouyants and small rapalas.
Fly anglers are using seal buggers, twin lakes specials, wooly buggers, stillwater nymphs, zug bugs, prince nymphs, soft hackles and pheasant tails.   

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
July 27, 2014
The Virginias have been unbelievable this past week with good reports on bait fishing, lure fishing and fly fishing.
Bait anglers are using mice tails, power worms, power bait and crawlers, lure anglers are using Thomas bouyants, jakes spin-a-lure, kastmasters and vibrax lures. Fly anglers are using matukas, wooly buggers, crystal buggers, soft hackles, zug bugs, prince nymphs, zebra midges, beetles and ants. 

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:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
July 27, 2014 
The East is still running at 69 CFS. We've been getting some cooler night time temps lately, in the mid to high 30's and this is helping keep the water temperatures down a little.
The fish below the bridge and on in to Nevada are still very healthy and are catching and releasing with plenty of energy.
We'd recommend staying away from the upper mile below the dam as there are first of all not too many fish in that stretch and second the oxygen levels are not as high as down below so the fish are not as healthy.
If you do venture past the bridge, dry/dropper rigs with hoppers, chubby chernobyl, stimulator or madam x on top and soft hackles, flashback emergers, pheasant tails, fox's poopah and buckskin caddis on the bottom have been working well.
Fad a couple good reports from the Nevada side on dead drift crayfish!         Sceirine Ranch:
July 27, 2014
The Sceirine is still fishing pretty well, the dry/dropper rigs as described above are the way to go.
There are quite a few really nice fish in the mid 20's running around the ranch and with the more limited amount of water compared to most years it's a great place to get on the water without any crowds.
If you want to book some time on the ranch just give us a call! 
Hunewill Pond:
July 27, 2014
The pond got another little bit of a weed mowing this week and is fishing pretty well! You need to fish the more open patches of water where there are not too many weeds but once you locate them you shouldn't have any problem getting into plenty of fish!
Stripping streamers like stillwater nymphs and seal buggers has been doing well, also dry/dropper rigs with an elk hair caddis or para adams on top and a small flashback emerger, zebra midge or wd-40 underneath have also been doing well!

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 67 CFS. Fishing is slow.
Try midge patterns, baetis emergers and WD40's.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River 7/28/14
Flows at 67 CFS. Water is filled with algae and weeds, tough to get a clean drift currently. Yuck. Water temps into the 70′s, this will make the fish lethargic. Better oxygen levels further you go downstream towards NV.
At prolonged lower flows the EW has a tendency to fill in with aquatic weeds-thus limiting the water you can dead drift flies.
It is currently very warm & green with some surface action late day.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
July 27, 2014
The West finally cleared up from the thunder showers last week and has been fishing very well since.
Lots of nice 1 to 2 pound fish are being caught up there with a few coming in over 2.
Spin anglers are using panther martins, mepps and kastmasters, bait anglers are using power eggs, salmon eggs and baby crawlers.
Fly anglers are doing well with hoppers, humpies, stimulators, elk hair caddis, para adams, princy nymphs, hare's ears and pheasant tails.    

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
West Walker River 7/28/14
Flows are low & the water is very clear. They will continue to drop unless we get some significant T-storms, in which case this river can get off color and high very quickly.  
Hit the canyon and Pikel Meadows sections.
Dry/dropper bead head nymphs like crystal olive caddis, tiger midges, broken back tigers, assassin birds nest, &  flashback PT’s are all good calls fished below a Stimulator or hi vis caddis or BWO adult as your indicator.

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