Fishing report through Oct. 12

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra and Southern Oregon. This report is through Oct. 12.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Sabrina Lake: Can’t seem to find the words to describe the scenery at the Lake – the yellows, oranges, reds, golds and greens – all so picturesque – and speaking of picturesque, there were plenty of photographers trying for that one perfect picture – in fact, we do believe there were more picture takers on the dam then fishermen.
That might be due to the w-i-n-d that was with us all weekend and will be with us for at least the beginning of the week along with colder temperatures and possibly some of that white stuff.
If the temps get too cold, the beautiful colored leaves will turn a dreaded black and drop.
Those fishermen that did brave the w-i-n-d were rewarded by some great catching. Most good fishing is at the Inlets with nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Jigs or Woolly Buggers bringing in the fish.
Trolling is a bit on the tough side with the w-i-n-d and all (pretty hard to go in a straight line), but there were some that used red & gold Thomas Buoyants or flashers and a worm to bring home dinner.
Shore fishing with Power Worms, Power Bait, or nightcrawlers landed some limits. DGF stocked us again last Monday and will stock us again at some point this week.
Jeff Bronte of Thousand Oaks landed a nice 2-1/2 pounder using a Panther Martin. Greg Peters of Torrance enticed a nice 3-1/2 pounder with a rubber nightcrawler. Friends, Joan Lyon of Seal Beach, Dee Schumacher also of Seal Beach and Betty Edmondson of Long Beach & Aspendell took home dinner with some respectable catches.
Our Fall schedule for a couple more weeks:
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing
FALL hours
Breakfast is served from opening until 11:00am
Lunch from 11:00am to 4:00pm
Homemade Pies and Homemade Ice Cream served all day!
SUNDAY – 7:00am to 6:00pm
MONDAY – 8:00am to 6:00pm
TUESDAY – 8:00am to 6:00pm
WEDNESDAY – 8:00am to 6:00pm
THURSDAY – 8:00am to 6:00pm
FRIDAY – 8:00am to 6:00pm
SATURDAY – 7:00am to 7:00pm
CAMPGROUNDS ARE CLOSING IN THE BISHOP CREEK CANYON – SABRINA CAMP, NORTH LAKE & WILLOW closed September 18th @ 1:00pm. The only campground to take reservations is Four Jeffery (www.reserveamerica.com and enter Four Jeffrey) all others are first come first serve. There is a full hook-up campground also on the South Lake road, Creekside RV Park.
Take it easy on all the mountain roads, the deer are out in the mornings and evenings and there’s lots of hikers out there – can’t stress this enough!
Some BIG changes in-store for us this week – not only temperatures are dropping and it sounds like that white stuff may start falling.
NOAA is predicting temperatures to drop by almost 20 degrees by Thursday with highs expected to be in the mid-30s and lows in the low-20s thru the week. Temps are anticipated to warm back to the low-50s for the weekend.
Be sure to check www.weather.gov and enter ASPENDELL, CA on the site and it will give you a fairly good hint at the weather or check in with Howard at www.Mammothweather.com.
We’re still making HOMEMADE vanilla ice-cream to go with our HOMEMADE pie – we also have sodas, beer, wine, coffee, tea and hot cocoa during our regular store hours!
Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parcher’s Resort (760-873-4177) (sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
South Lake: The DFG continues to drop big loads of rainbow trout in the lake, including some really solid fish over 1lb. Coupled with the mild weather we’ve had, the fishing conditions remain excellent.
The water level is down about 2 ft from the high water mark but considering we’re now in October, that is exceptional…in fact this is the highest October water level we’ve seen in the past six seasons.
While trolling remains slow, the bait and lure bite is still very, very good. Mini-jigs continue to steal the show with a variety of colors producing. Dark colors with bright trout worm trailers and anything fluorescent like orange or pink are awesome right now.
The best hardware to throw are rainbow pattern or red/gold Thomas Bouyants and gold Kastmasters.
The best spots on the lake continue to be the inlets, the rock slide and the dam but the Chronicfishing.com crew managed to find a wide open jig bite in the left channel by the island and over by the rock slide just north of the Long Lake inlet.
Plenty of fish in the 2 to 3lb class coming out but the big bruisers that people keep seeing, especially at the rock slide, are playing hard to get.
Hopefully we’ll get another double-digit fish out before the season is over.
South Fork Bishop Creek:
Excellent flows and consistent stocking by the DFG has made for great fall stream fishing in the Bishop Creek drainage. Salmon eggs, worms, and crickets are best baits…Panther Martins and Mepps spinners best lures.
North Lake: Steady fishing at North Lake with the usual Power Bait colors fooling plenty of fish. Olive Woolly Buggers, Thomas Bouyants, and Panther Martins all reported to be producing as well
Weir Pond: Fly fishers continue to tear it up at the Weir on olive, black or purple streamers and bead head Nymphs. Plenty of small yet feisty Brown and Brook trout mixed in with some solid Rainbows.
Intake II:
Steady bite on Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers for rainbows in the 10 to 13” range but nothing of size reported.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
We've been getting some great reports from the Reservoir this past week, good bait fishing and trolling.
Fly angling has been a bit tough but if you get into the right areas and strip some streamers you should be able to have some success.
Crawlers and Power Eggs have been good for the bait guys and Rapalas, Needlefish and excel lures have all been good for the trollers.
There's also some browns starting to show up as the water cools down so be ready for them!

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
With the mainstem closed upstream of river mile 2.2, anglers will find good cutthroat fishing on any of the tributaries entering into the Chetco.
The South Fork Chetco has some of the best public access and is in a very remote setting.
Temporary regulations in effect beginning Aug. 1, 2011:
Mainstem Chetco River upstream of BPA powerline crossing at river mile 2.2 is closed to all angling including trout through Nov. 4, 2011.
Tributaries to the Chetco River remain open for trout through Oct. 31, 2011 as per Southwest Zone Regulations.
Anglers are starting to troll the estuary looking for some early Chinook.
Most anglers are waiting for the ocean Chinook bubble fishery which starts Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 12.
Anglers will want to check regulations prior to fishing.

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
A few bass have been showing up, but no trout due to the pike infestation.
Pike fishing has also been poor.
There are few if any trout left in the lake also due to the pike infestation.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
Jen Heintzelman of Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlakeresort.com) reports:
Catch of the Week: Joseph Mujica from Yucaipa, California caught a 2lb. 9 oz. trout on inflated night crawlers at Hangman's Tree.

Weather: Daytime highs this coming week in the mid 60's and evening lows ranging from 35 to 45. Skies from partly sunny to partly cloudy with showers predicted mid-week Wednesday and Thursday. Here is a local site that is usually quite accurate www.mammothweather.com.

Tactics/Bait: Fish are being caught all around the lake and creek still. Yum TroutKrilla Bait, Power Bait and nightcrawlers are still topping the list. There have been a lot of fish in the 3 lb. range coming out of the lake this paste week.
If trolling go 6 or 7 colors.
Fish are being caught all around the lake this week.
Locations to try are the Inlet, Outlet, North Shore, South Shore, Creek, Jetty, Handicap Pier and Hangman's Tree. 
Here is a list of other baits/lures that can be productive:
TroutKrilla, Trout Teasers, Midges, Panther Martin, Needlefish, Thomas Bouyants, Green Woolly Bugger, White Mini Jig and Power Bait. 

Stocking: DFG has stocked again this week. Convict Lake Resort will be stocking 100 lbs. the week of October 6th and the 26th.

Sunrise - Sunset: Sunrise this week 6:51 am - 6:56 am and Sunset 6:41 pm - 6:32 pm.

Derbies: The Eastern Sierra Second Summer Derby & Fundraiser:
Through November 15th with $4,462 prizes at Convict Lake and $35,702 in the overall competition. You can win a 14' Fully Equipped Gregor Boat and more! You can buy more raffle tickets to increase your chances of winning the boat and all proceeds go to the Eastern Sierra Fishing Coalition stocking program.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Fishing is slow as the algea returned and finding clear water is a problem. The best area lately has been near the mouth of the Owens River.
Try Stevie's M-80 in 13 feet of water.


DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Jim and Jeanne Graham of the J & J Grizzly Store (530-832-0270) (www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com) reports:
Fishing has been great for the last week.
Worms or Power Bait from the shore.
Needlefish Fire Tiger or Red Dot Frog and Dick Nite Copper Red heads trolling. Also Wiggle tails for trolling.
Fly fishing with blood Midge, snails, scuds, Woolly Bbuggers. 
Water temp is about 61 in the morning warming to 65.
Lake level is at 78% full.
Big Mike and Big Ed were in 9-30-11. They had been trolling Jay Fair Wiggle Tails around the big island and landed 51 fish between them.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org) reports:
Power Bait and nightcrawlers are catching stocked rainbows at this Lincoln County reservoir. Mini marshmallows combined with small worms also are productive. Go prepared for cool nights and mornings.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Rainbow trout have been biting on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.
Weedy conditions are creating a challenge for anglers though cooler temperatures should help to clear things up.
Fall is one of the best times to catch German brown trout, so anglers should begin to see more activity from them as October gets underway.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
The nights are getting colder and now so are the days, but fishing remains good at Frenchman’s.
On Saturday, a local fisherman reported catching a 4 pound Rainbow Trout, at an undisclosed location on the lake.
Others have reported catching their limits at or near the dam, Lunkers’ Point, and around Big Cove.
Shore fishing has been good. Most fishermen are using nightcrawlers along with marshmallows or Salmon eggs.
Some of the lures being used are Dick Nite, Roostertails, Kastmaster, Tasmanian Devils, and Rocky Mountain Assassin.
Trolling has been good at the north end of the lake, and around Big Cove.
Some fishermen have had luck around the dam and to the east of the dam.
Frenchman’s Campground and Spring Creek Campground will be open for dry camping until the first freeze or Oct 12th, which ever comes first.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
These waters closed on September 30.

HINKSON SLOUGH, LYON COUNTY NEV:
These waters closed on September 30.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 17 CFS. Nymph fishing is the best bet right now.
Try small WD-40's miracle Nymphs and Pheasant Tails.
Some surface action with hopper patterns and Caddis.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

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 110 CFS.
Fishing is good with hoppers, black ants and humpies.
Try Grant Lake near the Rush Creek inlet with Doc's Twin Lake special, olive Matukas and olive or black Zonkers.


KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
I've only had one or two reports from Kirman this week and both were a bit slow. Some anglers have seen lots of fish bumping the surface but have been unable to get any hook-ups. I'd guess that those fish are feeding on Scud so that's where I'd focus my attention right now.
As I said above, the weather is changing daily up here so that can have a great effect on what those fish are wanting to eat up there.

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
Trout fishing is expected to pick up when the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery begins its annual fish stocking activities in October.
Meanwhile anglers are catching a few carryover rainbows from past fish plants and striped bass.

LOON LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

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:
Mammoth Lakes Basin
Try George Lake with a black Doc's Twin Lake Special with a Hares Ear or Prince Nymph trailer.

MASON VALLEY WMA, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
These waters closed on September 30.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Early morning action remains fair to good for striped bass and largemouth bass. The Vegas Wash area continues to produce fish but they are on the small side. Anglers continue to find an abundance of shad throughout the lake, which has translated into a mix of top-water and bait-fishing opportunities. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting well near Echo Bay in the Overton Arm. Catfish are also taking baits.
The water elevation is nearing 1,116 feet and that has resulted in more flooded vegetation.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Willow Beach remains the hot spot for large stripers. Anglers are catching fish weighing in at more than 10 pounds on a regular basis, with the occasional 20-pounder showing up once in a while as well.
Since the fish are keying in on stocked rainbows, it’s AC Plugs and other trout imitations that are catching fish.
Further south anglers have found good fishing for striped bass, catfish and largemouth bass.
Catfish and stripers have been biting on cut anchovies.

NORTH POND, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
These waters closed on September 30.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
On Oct. 1 anglers will be able to fish bottomfish at all depths.
Anglers are reporting that bottomfishing has been spotty.
Anglers fishing from boats may no longer retain Cabezon because the quota of 15.8 metric tons will have been met.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: Water flow 85 CFS. On the surface try Chnernoble ant's and hoppers.
Caddis pupa, Buckskin Nymphs and WD-40's under the surface.
Fishing is picking up above the Benton Crossing Bridge
Lower Owens River: Water flow 583 CFS. Still too high to fish.

PAHRANAGAT WILDLIFE REFUGE, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are finding some success at the upper marsh for panfish and catfish.
Mealworms or night crawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV:
Opened to cutthroat trout fishing on October 01.

SAN JOAQUIN AND RED’S MEADOWS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
The San Joaquin River is getting tougher due to fishing pressure.
Most of the campgrounds are now closed so a bit of a walk is necessary. Stimulators, Parachute Adams and Royal Wulffs.

SILVER LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The Smith is open to striped bass year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size. Fishing for stripers in the tidewater area is fair.
The Smith is now closed for trout fishing.
However, fall Chinook are starting to arrive and should provide some good fishing opportunity. Adipose fin clipped Coho can be harvested in the Smith.

TOPAZ LAKE:
These waters closed on September 30.

TWIN LAKES AREA, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
Upper Twin Lake – Lower Twin Lake – Robinson Creek: The Twins have been producing lots of nice fish this past week, many in the 1.5 to 3 pound range. Trolling is picking up and the bait fishing from shore or boat is still doing well. Rapalas, Bouyants and Kastmasters are good lures to try and inflated crawlers and Power Bait is also doing well.


UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
The Virginias are still producing very well these days.
Crawlers and Power Eggs have been doing well, also casting lures like Bouyants and Kastmasters from shore or tubes has been good.
Fly anglers are using Buggers and Matukas with a PT or soft hackle dropper and having a great time.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) reports:
Last notice about mosquitoes; they are gone!
Of course you can wear shorts and tank tops, but you will be a bit cool.
The skies have been cloudy for the last few days with thunder in the distance but Sunday the 25th did produce about 15 minutes of rain.
The aspens are turning slowly with more and more turning every day.
The Aspens will probably peak later than normal, as everything this summer has been late, so it will be a nice slow change over for the lookie-loos . Friday was very breezy with gusts to 20 mph with overcast skies which developed into t-storms and sporadic rain in both the Lee Vining and Bridgeport valleys.
Aspens are totally yellow/gold up the canyon along the Virginia Lakes Rd. with some turning into rust in the open sections.
Protected areas are still light green with light yellows and golds, and this is changing rapidly on a daily basis.
Weather is predicted to change by Wednesday. If you want a more definitive description of the aspens email me at vlresort@wildblue.net
The wind has been blowing for about 10 hours now, and this will probably bring in some showers.
This one looks like it could put a dusting on all the peaks.
Alpers are still getting caught with DFG stocking all 3 lakes and our last stocking of Alpers was last week.
Fishing has been great on just about everything, flying mouse tails, crawlers and Power Eggs are doing the best, Gulp, lures and Power Bait (garlic rainbow and glitter rainbow) and natural/red mouse-tails, and real grasshoppers.
Tubers did well on Olive crystal flash Woolly Buggers, Callibaetis, tent-wing Caddis, yellow soft hackles and BH Hares Ears, of course other secret flies they don’t divulge.
Dries getting takes are still black gnat Parachute, grey hackle yellow, olive elk hair Caddis (naked) and Adams female all in the 16 to 18 range, and a Yellow Sally nymph are doing great.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) 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) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker – West Walker – Sceirine Ranch - Hunewill Pond:
East Walker River: The East is still sitting at about 237 CFS and has been there for several days.
The fishing is still pretty good too!
There's starting to be some good streamer action as well as some dry action here and there in addition to the standard Nymphing.
As I've said before, one of the keys down there is to be flexible and be sure to change up your flies often.
Some patterns that have been working are: Flashback Emerger, San Juan Worm, WD-40, Zebra Midge, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Rainbow Warrior, Zuddler, double bunny, JJ Special, Sculpzilla, dead drift crayfish, para hopper, Madam-X, chubby Chernobyl, rubberleg stimi.
The Rosachi section on the Nevada side is also fishing very well with many of the same patterns as the Cali side.
West Walker River: The West is still fishing great, lots of lure action as well as bait and fly.
For lures you can fish Panther Martins and Roostertails, good fly patterns to try are Princes, Birds Nests, Woolly Buggers, hoppers and humpy's.
For bait go with crawlers and Salmon eggs.
Sceirine Ranch: The Sceirine is fishing excellent lately, much of the same patterns as listed above have been working on the ranch. Good dry/dropper action as well as Nymphing and streamers.
The weather is changing in the Sierra daily so sometimes patterns will change often as well.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River: Most recent flow 237 CFS. Fishing here is still good. Try red or black Midge pupa, Buckskin Nymphs and Prince Nymphs.