Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for Sept. 17-23

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Sept. 17-23, 2014.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The East Basin has been the hot area.  
The trolling lanes in some of the well known bait spots like Rocky Point, Canyon Dam, Big Springs and the A-Frame had decent fish.  
The Hamilton Branch has been packed with anglers lining the shore due to a good bite there.  
The big Browns are still at Rec. 2, as they have been all mouth.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Lake Sabrina:
Cool mornings – warm afternoons – yellows, oranges and reds dotting the hills – photographers around every corner – yup, Fall is here.
The fish have returned to the Inlets – fishing with jigs (Sierra Slammers), Salmon Eggs, or Nightcrawlers.
Trolling lures or Nightcrawlers is also bringing in a few stringers. This week, fishing the rock piles was on the slow side as was shore fishing. Thanks to DFW for a Tuesday stocking.
Paul Stanwyck of Bridge City, Louisiana, guided by Bishop local Len Taylor landed a nice 3-pounder trolling a Nightcrawler and down five colors. Steve Moss and Bret Kirsch of Thousand Oaks found the bigger fish using mini-jigs – 2-3/4 pounds, 2-1/4 pounds, and a 2-pounder – we’re thinking FISH-FRY! Andrew MacArthur of Torrance caught a 3-pounder using a Rainbow Rapala. Another FISH-FRY was happening at the Laguna Niguel Bucknam household with Steve and Jody bringing in a 2-3/4 pounds, 2-3/4 pounds, 2-1/4 pounds and 2 pounds using Salmon Eggs.
The monsoonal weather is back with a chance of thunder booms starting on Wednesday thru the weekend – so pack those ponchos.
Temps are expected to be in the high 70s early in the week and then drop to the low 70s to high 60’s by the weekend. Lows are to be in the low 40’s early in the week and the high 30s toward the weekend.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parchers Resort (760-873-4177) (sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
Summary and Trail Report: Another week of above average daytime temps left visitors feeling as though Summer was still upon us, if not for the rapidly yellowing aspens that is.
Fall color continues to develop throughout the canyon, especially above the 8000ft elevation, providing the tremendously scenic backdrop for fall hiking and fishing we’re used to, but with better than average weather conditions.
Even the most tepid fair-weather hikers and anglers could find no excuse to avoid hitting the trail or local streams and lakes.
No place was this more evident than area trailheads where both overnight and day use parking looked more akin to July or early August than mid September.
Wild Trout reports were few and far between but those who did share their success with resort staffers reported a good bite, mostly on Brook Trout, using jigs, spinners, fly/bubble rigs or fly fishing various terrestrials, dries and nymphs.
Bishop Creek South Fork: DFW made a run up the canyon this week stocking the stream with pan sized Rainbow Trout with a few trophy fish mixed in. Not surprisingly anglers saw a marked improvement in the action in the creek mid week although the bit did taper off somewhat as the weekend came to an end.
The best producers in the stream were nightcrawler pieces, salmon eggs and Power Bait although a few folks did well using artificials like spinners, jigs and spoons.
Weir Pond: Very few reports from the Weir this week but those who did report managed   mostly smaller model Brookies and Browns.
North Lake: Following a DFW plant early in the week the bite at North Lake really took off with most anglers reporting a steady bite on pan sized Rainbows with some really solid Brooders  in the 2 – 4lb range.
Tactics were varied and those tossing lures, fly/bubble or Power Bait all scored fish but the big boys seemed to prefer flylined nightcrawlers with some of our guests scoring 3 fish over the 2lb mark near the inlet area.
Intake II: Nothing spectacular reported out of the Intake this week but most folks did scratch out at least a few fish. The usual suspects; Thomas Bouyants, pink/white Mice Tails, and various colors of Power Bait were productive.
Lake Sabrina: Despite a stocking early in the week the bite remained slow for many until late in the week as the schooled up trout were hard to locate until the weekend when those fish found their way back to the inlets. Once the fish locked onto the incoming current however, the bite really picked up.
One group of folks on Saturday, got into a wide open mini-jig bite with over 40 fish caught & released including some really nice DFW Trophies in the 3.5 to 4.5lb range at the Dingleberry inlet.
South Lake
No reports. The reservoir remains at minimum storage, mostly due to a 3rd year of drought, but work on the intake structure should begin in the next few weeks – work that will be completed before the end of this season in preparation for what we hope will be an awesome 2015 season.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707)
www.kenssport.com) reports:
September 14, 2014
Starting to get some good reports from the reservoir this week!
The shore fishing has been the best down near the dam, lots of fishing being caught with crawlers, power bait and mice tails and some fish also being caught casting lures like kastmasters, thomas bouyants and small rapalas.
We've seen a couple browns show up, up to about 4.5 pounds and the rainbows seem to mostly be running around 1 to 2 pounds.
As the weather cools the fishing should just keep getting better down there!   

BRIDEGPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Bridgeport Reservoir 9/15/14
The RV Parks are open. Call for information on launching, the lake is extremely low. Water is cooling and the large browns should be an easy target for tubers this month.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort,com) reports:
September 12, 2014
Shawn Burrell from Elk Grove, Ca. walked into the Woods Creek inlet
this afternoon and caught nice rainbows on a Pistol Pete Fly with a 4 foot leader and a water float.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Temporary regulations have been adopted for the Chetco starting Sept. 1.
Anglers should check these regulation changes prior to fishing the river.
The temporary regulations do not affect the tributaries, and with cooler water conditions anglers may want to fish some of the bigger tributaries for cutthroat that can reach 18 to 20-inches.
Both casting spinners or fly fishing can be really good.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlake.com) reports: Another good week of fishing at Convict.
A number of quality fish were caught this week.
The weather continues to be beautiful as we move into fall.
The mornings seem to have a slight chill to them as the nighttime temperatures are starting to drop as we move into the autumn season and the hours of daylight are getting shorter. 
ANOTHER BIG FISH STOCKING ALERT: 
The Convict Lake Resort will be stocking the lake with 400 pounds of trophy trout on Sept 26.
Next week would be a good time to join the derby.
It runs from September 1st  to the end of the 2014 fishing season, November 15. We will be giving away $6,000 in Resort Prizes! Enter the derby and catch a fish 14 inches or longer to be eligible to win one of sixty resort prizes. Come join the fun! 
Catch of the Week:  
Congratulations to Alex Perez from Crowley Lake with two excellent rainbows pulled from Convict Lake along the South Shore.
He was using Mice Tails when he scored a stout 3 pound 15 ounce rainbow for the "catch of the week". Great job Alex! 
Other notable catches this week: 
Rich Baker from Independence, Calif., with a heavy stringer.
The stringer included a 3 pound 10 ounce, 3 pound 3 ounce and 2 pound 6 ounce rainbow.
Rich was using Gulp Pinched Crawler and he was fishing the South Shore. 
Mark Havens from La Habra, Calif., hooked a nice fish while fishing at the Inlet. Mark was using a Kastmaster when he landed a 2 pound 8 ounce rainbow. 
Art Razo from Simi Valley, Calif., landed a 2 pound and 6 ounce rainbow.
He was using a Thomas Bouyant and was fishing at the South Shore. 
Mark Cota from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., caught a quality 3 pound 4 ounce rainbow. He was using Velveeta and was fishing at the Hangman's Tree.
Jim and Joshua Fredricks from Santee, Calif., caught themselves a 2 pound 12 ounce rainbow. They were fishing the off the Handicap Pier with a fly.
Tactics/Bait: Lures of choice this week were Thomas Bouyants and Kastmasters. 
Gold, red and copper were the hot colors on the lures.  
For trolling use a Rapala, Needlefish, Tasmanian Devils or Marvel Fly Lures.
The most successful Power Bait color was yellow. Any Power Bait with garlic continued to be deathly. Using a garlic dip can also increase the number and size on the fish you catch.  
All along the South Shore and Inlet were the hottest spots this week.
Other locations fishing well were the North Shore and Hangman Tree. 
DFG is scheduled to stock the creek early next week.
At the creek give salmon eggs a shot.
Here is a list of other baits/lures that can be productive:
Sierra Slammers, Tasmanian Devil, Green, purple or brown Marvel Fly Lures, Panther Martin, Needlefish, Rooster Tails, 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 started on September 1st and will run until November 15th.
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: 
The forecast for the beginning of next week will be mostly clear and sunny. Highs are going to be in the mid-70's and the lows in the high-40's.
The weather is away changing day to day in the high country.
Make sure to visit the National Weather Service link which is usually accurate: 7-Day Forecast Convict Lake.
Sunrise - Sunset:
Sunrise this week 6:36 am - 6:41 am and Sunset 7:08 pm - 6:59 pm. 
Stocking: 
The Convict Lake Resort stocked the lake with 400 pounds of trophy trout on Sept. 16. 
DGF is scheduled to plant at the lake and creek the week of Sept. 14.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:  
The lake is fishing great in Mc Gee Bay and the Green Banks area in 8-12 feet of water with copper zebra midges and Stevie's Wonder gray/black.
Also the perch fry are abundant so a matuka or an olive woolly bugger on  a sink tip or a full sink line has been productive as well.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake 9/15/14
The weed lines are vanishing quickly as the lake recedes.
Clean mud bottom begins in 8 feet.  
McGee Bay and the north end (or what is left of it) have been the most consistent locations. Fish are also showing inconsistently off Sandy Pt., Six Bays, Layton Springs, Hilton, & Crooked Creek.  
The lake is as clean as I have ever seen it in mid-September; however you can expect the fall turnover to begin soon.  
The cold mornings have lowered water temps significantly and we are seeing the first “buds” of blue algae beginning to form.  
Midge activity will be very strong as long as water temps stay in the 60′s.
The larger fish are staging in the north end & along what remains of the weeds in McGee Bay.  
There are solid chironomid hatches (midges); however the larger fish are targeting the small TUI CHUBS, perch fry and damsel nymphs.
Spot up along some aquatic weed in the 8-9 foot range. Use an assassin, drifters punk perch, or damsel nymph as the upper fly for perch or damsel imitations. There are also a fair amount of callibaetis mayflies emerging in the north end.  
My killa-baetis is a great trail fly behind a Loeberg or punk perch.
Try a broken back gillie, crystal emerger, midge pupa, or standard gillie for your upper fly during chironomid emergences.
Hang a broken back tiger or zebra, dark or copper crystal tiger or crystal 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 using perch fry and damsel nymphs is very good currently. Loebergs and #12/10 Punk Perch, Crystal leeches are great patterns for streamer fishers here.
The fish have begun to spread out so there is ample room for tubers to work the perimeters of the boat parking lots.  
The perch fry are perfectly sized for still water nymphing right now.
CDFW has been planting sub-catchable sized fish all month.  They have also tossed in some brood fish. 
Special angling restrictions now in place. Pinch those barbs down, love them and leave them, no scented or live bait please.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Don Rotsma of Fly Fish With Don (775-722-8418) (www.flyfishwithdon.comn):
Saturday Sept 13, 2014
Davis is low, clear, and temps are in the mid to high 60s with the last few days of cool weather.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fly fishing is still slow, but is improving for anglers at Lake Davis, according to J&J Grizzly Store and Camping Resort.
“One angler reported catching/releasing 3 rainbows 20 to 21 inches this morning,” said Graham. “He was fishing orange Wooly Buggers off Jenkins Point.” 
Trolling has been slow. Boaters are experiencing the top action while fishing rainbow garlic Power Bait and worms around the Big Island, said Graham.
“Shore fishermen are finding the best action early in the morning and late in the evenings in Mallard Cove while tossing out nightcrawlers,” she advised.
Brown bullhead catfish offer the hottest action on the reservoir.
“Shore anglers are hooking lots of cats averaging 1 to 1-1/2 pounds while using worms in Coot Bay and off Camp Five,” she added.
The lake is 58 percent of capacity and surface water temperatures range from 68 to 72 degrees.
Courtesy of the Fishsniffer.com.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Get out early and be ready to fish at first light. Fish the east side of the lake by the springs at Eagle's Nest with lead core from 3 to 6 colors deep.
Options included Sure Catch Goldilocks, bikini Needlefish or Jay Fair flies.
Bobber fishing with nightcrawlers has also been a good option as well.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Water Conditions are great and the fishing has been excellent, so not much has changed here. 
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
There are some kings being caught here at the bottom, middle and upper ends of the river. Down low, the anchor crowd at the color line at Verona has been seeing slow to decent fishing, deepening on the day while fishing K15’s and spinners. Anchor anglers fishing plugs above Shanghai Falls are also seeing a few spurts of fish moving at first light. Up around Thermalito, there are some dark springers and a few moderately bright fall fish but the flows are low, warm and grassy and it’s mostly a crack of dawn type of deal.
Courtesy of fishwithjd.com.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The reports are that some fishermen have limited on rainbows while fishing from their boats at Crystal Point.  The fish measured between 15 and 19 inches each.  
Trollers do best with flashers dragging a nightcrawler, or try wooly worms or roostertails of various colors.
Bank fishing has been good at the dam and at Big Cove.
Lots of fishermen say that fall fishing is the best fishing.  
Come on out to Frenchman Lake and see for yourself!
Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow  down to 2 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. With cooler weather and shorter days the weeds should begin to break down soon.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek 9/15/14
Hot Creek is suffering from low water and extensive weed growth.  This limits the available water you can fish.
Dry flies are the most effective patterns to use.
I suggest a 10 foot leader and rod to keep the fly line off the weeds.
My hi-vis caddis & hi-vis para BWO are good choices to fish the faster slot water that has less weed.
Hopper imitations are good call in the early fall-use a stimulator or grass hopper imitation if the wind comes up.  Para ant patterns are also a good choice if the wind is gusting in the canyon.
There are a few sections that can be fished with a dry dropper nymph rig.
Broken back zebras or assassin birds nest bead heads in #18 are good calls for the dropper.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Grant - Gull - June - Silver Lakes and Rush Creek:
Rush Creek flow is now 23 CFS and fishing is fair.
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:
September 14, 2014
We've been getting some pretty good reports from Kirman this week as well, stripping small leech or bugger patterns near the tules has been pretty successful for some anglers. Haven't heard of any cutts being caught lately but the brookies being caught are mostly running in the 16 to 19 inch range. Seal buggers, mini leeches and matukas have been doing the best.  

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.

MARTIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR BECAUSE OF WEEDS AND SPORADIC FISH LOSS!

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The gravel ramp at the dam is open and the middle ramp at Bidwell Marina is open. Small bass are found from the bank to 20 feet. There’s top water action during the morning and evening. Drag worms or tubes mid-day.
Courtesy of Nor Cal Fishing News.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Flow is up a bit to 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 jumped up to 347 CFS. Fishing is  tough with the higher flows.
Not much surface action  but nymph fishing is great.
WD40's , rainbow warriors, baetis emergers.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 9/15/14
No significant migration from Crowley yet, & fishing is slow overall.
Water conditions are very good, although flows are very low.
You will find the river choked with weed in many sections down from the bridge. River conditions are better above the confluence of Hot Creek.
Tandem nymph rigs in the deeper pools are doing the trick.
You can dead drift broken back midges & egg patterns without an Under-cator.
Flows consistent at 49 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) 9/15/14
Flows are currently 346 CFS. This release is not friendly for wading or crossing in the wild trout section. Tough to fish the good sections at this flow, you will need a shot of battleship chain your nymphs down to the fish!
Drift boat trips are the best way to hit the river under high flows.
Water clarity has improved over the last week & conditions are good.  
The cooler weather will also get the fish on the chew.
Birds nest patterns like Assassins, flashback PT’s, and hares ears for good profiles of a mayfly nymph and caddis pupa. 
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 morning hatch.
Drifting has been very good when the flows come down below 300 CFS.
The chub and sucker spawn was epic this summer, and we are seeing “balls” of these small baitfish in the pillow water 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, & Crystal Leech, & 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.

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 (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Releases out of Keswick Reservoir are 6,133 CFS.
The fishing has turned on over the past couple days.
#4 Brown Rubber Legs and small brown #18 mayfly patterns like Hogan's S&M, Mercer's Micro Mayfly are solid patterns.
Dry fly fishing really isn't happening, but if you stick around near riffles and shallow water until sundown, you might find a few fish sipping off the surface, eating #18 cream colored mayflies.
Bring a good hook set and really pay attention to the indicator. The takes are super subtle. It's really easy to miss your best opportunities.
Best fishing happens mid day which is typical during the summer.
The sweetest time to be on the water is at sunset.
Near sunset is also the best time during the summer to find rising fish eating Hydropsyche emergers and cripples.
Expect stable conditions and good fishing through August and September.
Courtesy of the Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon fishing:
September 15, 2014
King Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. Water flow is currently 6,000 CFS. 
Salmon fishing the Sacramento River is great.  Fish are here!
Salmon fishing is great, catching beautiful Chrome salmon! 
Salmon averaging in weight, 15 to 25 pounds, several fish caught over 30 pounds. 
Limits some days now. Getting into some larger salmon now. More fish daily. Using Flatfish lures is the hot ticket.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of  September 15, 2014 water flow is currently 6,000 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing is excellent.
Trout fishing Redding area, trout fishing is good.
Rainbow Trout fishing, fly fishing, trout are 18 inches to 25 inches. 
Fishing Redding to Balls Ferry ramp. Using PMD's, Black Caddis, Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Brown Micro Mays.  
Drift  boats or Jet boats available.
We cater to all levels of anglers.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Expect conditions to improve as summer comes to an end. Think October.
Best fishing is going to be found up near Dunsmuir where the coolest waters can be found. Overall, the fishing is tough once anglers get below Sims Rd. due to warm water conditions.
Go easy on these fish. It's a tough summer for them as they seek colder waters up in Dunsmuir. You will find a mixture of planters and native fish.
Productive nymph patterns include #18 Gordon's Amber Wing Prince, #16 Brown Micro Mayfly, #8 Brown or Black Rubber Legs. Not too much much dry fly fishing happening, but anglers working the edges of tailouts can bring fish up throwing Fat Alberts, Foam-U-Lators, Golden Stones and Cutter's E/C Caddis.
Courtesy of the Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
JD Richey of JD Richey Guided Sportfishing (916-952-1554) (www.fishwithjd.com) Reports:
Report updated Sept. 9, 2014. Salmon decent. The water is still warm down low, but salmon fishing is on the upswing in the Sacramento River.
The best action is near Red Bluff, where most of the fish have slowed down because of the cooler water.
Downriver, places like Hamilton City, Ord Bend, Colusa and Knights Landing have all had their good and bad days…with more slow that hot ones. The same holds true for Verona, the Sac Metro area, Walnut Grove and Vierra’s…if you hit it on a day the fish are pushing through, you may get a couple of chromers.
The good news is the lower river should only get better as the month progresses and the weather (hopefully) cools. Guide JD Richey says he’s expecting good trolling in the lower Sac beginning early October.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
San Joaquin River 9/15/14
Please be extra, extra, careful with cigs and campfires. It is a tinderbox in our forests currently.
Flows are at winter levels-very, very low. The wading 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 limited 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 7 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.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Cover lots of water and target the first 5 feet with crankbaits and spinnerbaits for bass.  If you can find shade on hard structure like rock or wood in the afternoon, head to that.  There is also bait everywhere from the surface to 25 feet.  
Best bet has been the first two and the last two hours of the day.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
September 15, 2014  Shasta Lake guided fishing
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta.
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta.
 Rainbow trout fishing on Lake Shasta is great. Fishing 30 to 75 ft deep. 
Catching limits of trout now, with fish ranging in size from 1 to 3 pounds. 
Fishing main body and near dam.
Shasta Lake King salmon fishing is fair. 
Trolling  100-120 ft deep, shad pattern lures.
Shasta Lake Spotted Bass & Small Mouth Bass fishing has been excellent. Limits daily. Catching 20 to 50 fish per day, bigger fish are being caught 25 -30 ft deep. Larger numbers of smaller bass being caught on the top water using spinner baits and tube worms.

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.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Done.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
September 14, 2014
The Twins are still producing some nice rainbows up to almost 5 pounds this past week. It seems the bait anglers are doing the best either fishing from the shore or from boats. Trollers are having some success fishing lead core with needlefish and Rapalas. Baits to try include mice tails, power bait and crawlers. Fly anglers are still bagging some fish stripping mini leeches, matukas and buggers with soft hackle and zug bug droppers.       

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:  
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
September 14, 2014
The Virginias are still fishing very well with bait, lures and flies.
Lots of smaller fish in the 1/2 pound to 1 pound range plus some really nice larger fish up to 4 pounds or so.
For bait go with mice tails, power bait and crawlers, lures try kastmasters, thomas bouyants and panther martins.
Fly anglers have been doing well with dries like hoppers and beetles and wets like seal buggers, matukas and mini leeches. 

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (HYPERLINK "mailto:vir@qnet.com"vir@qnet.com) report:
Fishing was good with DFW stocking 700 pounds of trout in Little, Big Virginia and Trumble lakes.

Bait:
Nightcrawlers and Mouse-tails are tied for first spot, Salmon Peach, Chartreuse glitter, salmon eggs, and white marshmallows all saw great action.
Lures: 
Good action on Thomas Buoyant's in red/gold, Yellow and gold, some action on small gold Kastmasters, Tasmanian Devils Bloody-frog and also on gold/red Hot Shots (if you can find 'em).  Try different lures, you just never know.
Fly and bubble: 
#16-18 Mosquitoes, #14 Grey Hackle Yellow and Adams Parachute in sizes #14 or 16, dark tent-wing caddis size 6, black fur ants and X-caddis, Elk Hair Caddis (naked caddis), blue damsel in the weedy areas and bug eyed olive damsel's below the surface. 
If you want to sub-surface, be sure and fill the bubble and place a small "fly-weight" about 12-16" above the bubble and do it with a good ripple on the water and reel medium to fast with causing a wake. 
Dave's hopper, black ants and flying ants have also shown good results.
Fly rods: 
Olive Twin Lakes special (dirty tail my version "Dirty Doc"), olive eyed damsel, and blue damsel have been doing well when the weather is warmer during the day. 
Midges:  Pheasant Tails #18, BH hare's ear#, Prince Nymph #16. 
Lots of Trophy's were stocked by the County Enhancement program before Labor Day in Big Virginia with lots of fish coming to net most of the week.

Backcountry:  Has seen action on small dries, #20 blue wing olives, black fur ants, flying black ants, small Dave's hoppers, black gnats with a few takes on a black sedge's, olive elk hair caddis #16, my naked Caddis (olive elk hair trimmed down the center) and #18 X-Caddis and small lures, mostly gold. 
Some power bait is working but I recommend not using it as there are more fun ways to fish when hiking.  I encourage everyone to keep only what they can eat, it is a resource that should be of value to everyone.  
Big Virginia and Little Virginia and Trumble Lakes continued to have perfect conditions for the evening bite, two evenings especially were picture perfect the 1st and the 3rd. 

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:
September 14, 2014 
The flow on the East has dropped to 25 CFS now, the fishing is still ok down below the bridge and over on the Nevada side of the border.
It's tough with the low flow but there are some fish being caught.
The anglers who have been having the most success have been using dry/dropper rigs with a hopper pattern or fat albert or chubby chernobyl on top and a small midge or san juan worm underneath.
Midges like flashback emergers, zebra midges and rainbow warriors have been working.
The water temps are in the 60's and the fish are healthy so there's no worries there. The flows are like they usually are in the winter so you'll need to focus on the deeper pools where the fish tend to be stacked up.                  
Sceirine Ranch:
September 14, 2014
The Ranch fished ok this week as well, not red hot but there were some nice fish being caught. Dry/dropper rigs seemed to work the best for the anglers who were down there this week. Again, not really high numbers of fish but some real quality fish up to 23 inches being caught.   
Hunewill Pond:
September 14, 2014
The weeds have grown as of late so we're waiting for some more cold weather to knock them back, when this happens the fishing should get good again!  

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River 9/15/14
Flows currently at 23cfs.
River bed is full of weed with off colored water. Go elsewhere.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
September 14, 2014
The West fished excellent this week, especially in the Pickle Meadows area.
Bait anglers have been using salmon eggs and crawlers, lure anglers have been doing the best with Panther Martins and Mepps spinners.
Fly anglers have been having a great time with hopper/dropper rigs, a Dave's hopper or para hopper on top with a copper john or zebra midge underneath has been very successful.       

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
West Walker River: Flows are very low but the water is clear. You will be hard pressed to find a pool that is 3 feet in depth. Hit the canyon and Pikel meadows sections.
Dry/dropper bead head nymphs like crystal olive caddis, tiger midges, broken back tigers, assassin birds nest, and flashback PT’s are all good calls fished below a Stimulator or hi vis caddis or BWO adult as your indicator.
If you can find a deeper pool around stocking points the LOEBERG is a deadly fly here. Light sinking tip or just let it settle with a floating line.

WHISKEYTOWN LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The lake and ramps are in great shape and the kokanee fishing has also been outstanding for fish from 13 to 15.5 inches.
Troll a pink Apex behind a Sling Blade in the channel at the bridge, or the coldwater curtain.  
Try an Uncle Larry's spinner with pink and white beads, tipped with shoepeg sweet, long kernel corn (store bought).  
You have to keep the hooks tipped with the corn.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

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