Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of Nov. 12

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Nov. 12 through Nov. 18, 2014.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing has been good here, but it won’t be long before ice starts to form at this high alpine lake. But some of the best days fishing I have had here have been late in the fall while the snow was flying.
This lake seems to do better with worms over Power Bait and with small black and gold or green and gold spinners and rooster tails.
For flies, just about anything olive or with peacock herl for nymphs should improve your chances. Red and yellow seems to be the best color for dries.
A popular rig is a small yellow stimulator with an olive soft hackle fished about three to four feet below it. Fish this near brush, rock faces and rocky shorelines.
The tigers are a bit more aggressive this time of year as they are a cross between a brown and a brook trout, both fall spawners.

BISHOP CREEK, AREA, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.
 
BRIDGEPORT, RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Lake level is extremely low.
This fishery closes on 11/15. 

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort,com) reports:
The boat launch is closed due to low water levels.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East (Upstream from Hangman's Bridge):
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.
Carson River West:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
There is very little change here and the lake has been stocked with a couple of thousand extra fish recently. Fishing has been good for 8 to 10 inch fish using the old standbys of worms or Power Bait.
Fly rodders should be using small olive buggers, Cave Lake specials, hares ears, small leeches and chironomids.
There is still some dry fly action, especially when the surface temps start to warm up about mid morning and then again right before the sun leaves the water in late afternoon. Dries fished with a dropper, especially along the weed edges can be very effective here even in the late fall on warm afternoons. The usual arrangement of dry flies such as Adams, elk hair caddis, royal coachmen, stimulators and renegades are all effective for dries, while soft hackles, prince nymphs, PT’s, hares ears and small leech patterns make great droppers.
Black/gold or green/gold spinners and rooster tails should also be effective.

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 River starting Sept. 1.
Anglers should check these regulation changes prior to fishing the river. Temporary gear restrictions are no longer in effect. As of Nov. 4, anglers can fish the Chetco River per zone regulations. Chinook anglers are still under bag restrictions of 1 wild adult Chinook per day and 5 wild adult Chinook year.
Chinook fishing has been really good this year, with many anglers catching multiple fish a day. Chinook are spread throughout the river, with no area better than another. A few steelhead have been caught.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Close to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
The marina is now closed but fishing is still allowed until Nov. 15.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake 11/10/14
Shore & tube fishing have been very good thanks to some great weather. 
The lake remains open until 11/15/14. 
Consistent areas are Crooked Creek, Whiskey & Hilton Bays, Beaver Cove, Sandy Pt., Alligator Pt., Layton Springs, & Six Bays. 9-13 feet. Success using the still water nymphing method depends on position & conditions in a given area.  
The fish can be concentrated in a location, but wind direction & barometric pressure will dictate how your day will go.
As a very general rule…try to position yourself in shallow water fishing towards deeper water. Fish the “lee”, or down current side of a drop-off or peninsula.
Streamer fishing has slowed down due to above average chironomid activity. It can still be a good option for off hatch periods.
As the weather continues to become more seasonal patterns like Loebergs, Punk Perch, crystal Vanderleeches, & Agent Orange will once again be effective. 
Water temps are cooling & the fish are migrating to the “gut” of the lake.
The “Islands” off Hilton Pt. are now totally protruding and look likes a volcano has popped up!
We are seeing very low water on Crowley this season. The fall turnover is ending, water clarity is very good.
Hot flies if the midge hatch is off are Assassins and crystal leeches.
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 bb zebra midge, dark or copper crystal tigers, or crystal zebras 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.  
CDFW has planted sub-catchable sized fish, treat them kindly as they are the future of this fishery.  
Special angling restrictions now in place.
Pinch those barbs down, love them and leave them, no scented or live bait please. 

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed.

HAT CREEK, UPPER, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek 11/10/14
Fish smaller mayfly/caddis adult patterns.
Locate the slots in the weeds, short accurate drifts are necessary.
Hot Creek is suffering from low water, silt, 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. There are a few sections that can be fished with a dry dropper nymph rig. Broken back zebras, flashback PT’s, or assassin birds nest bead heads in #18 are good calls for the dropper.
This is a year around fishery with special regs in place.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The water is murky, possibly due to lake turnover as there is ice forming on the southeast portion of the reservoir, near the inlet and on the southwest side of the old dam. But with the warmer temperatures over the past couple of days the ice probably hasn’t held up. The shorelines are muddy.
Most anglers are having success with Power Bait.
The brown trout spawn is winding down, but expect to find some of them still in Illipah Creek above the reservoir as well as in the area where the creek spills into the reservoir.
Minnow imitations, natural baits and wooly buggers on a sinking line are all worth a try here. Shore anglers report good luck on the west side of the lake and at the inlet where the creek enters the reservoir. Other flies this time of year should include prince nymphs, zug bugs, hares ears and damsel fly nymphs.

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Weeds are gone for the most part and shore fishing is definitely an option now.
Anglers should try Power Bait and worms or small spinners fished slowly.
Fly rodders should give hares ears, PT nymphs, zug bugs and prince nymphs along with wooly buggers a chance.
Fish are averaging 10 to 17 inches in size with most anglers using small spinners, minnow imitations or flies.

JIGGS/ZUNINO RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Construction is almost complete at this Elko County Reservoir that has been dry for the past five or six years. All that is left is some mechanical work on the outflow mechanism for irrigation, rip rap on the dam and the spillway channel and a bentonite clay “wall” around the deep water pool in the middle of the lake.
With help from Mother Nature in the form of snow this winter, and anglers may be lucky enough to be fishing this beautiful little gem by early summer.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.


KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

MAMMOTH LAKES, BASIN, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

MARLETTE LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:

Closed.

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!

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
Closed.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The ocean is closed for harvest of Dungeness crab through Nov. 30.
Fishing for bottom fish, including rockfish and lingcod opened back up to all depths starting Oct. 1.
The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two). Retention of cabezon is now allowed but one cabezon per day per angler.
Ocean salmon and nearshore halibut closed for the year on Oct. 31.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 11/10/14
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to keep a low profile and stay “on the tail” of the migratory fish here.  They are very spooky. If the fish are looking at you-they will not be interested in your flies!
Some nice pods of 14-17 inch browns, with a few “Zilla’s” now in the upper sections.
Steady action while nymphing the deeper holes above the bridge.
The warmer days providing excellent adult mayfly activity for dry fly action.
Water conditions are very good, although flows are very low.
You will find substantial aquatic weeds in many sections down from the bridge; however there are ample “slots” to fish here and they are holding.
Riverbed 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 49 CFS.
Short water tactics are necessary 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 tandem rig.
Nymphing with Crystal Vanderleeches,  SJ worms, crystal soft 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 VanderLeeches, & Agent Orange will get takes when used with a light sinking tip line.
Special angling regs in effect.
Open year around upstream from the Benton Crossing Bridge. Closed from the Bridge to the fishing monument until the Saturday of Memorial Day 2015. Same regs as Crowley Lake downstream from the monument to the lake proper, this section will then close on 11/15.
Middle Owens River (Bishop area) 11/10/14 
The wild trout section is fishing as good as it gets.
Nymphing & dry fly tactics will get you into numbers.  
There are solid hatches of tiny Trico mayflies, some PMD’s, and caddis adults.
Focus on the tailouts at the base of larger pools.
The fish are keying on the afternoon trico, caddis emergences.
Midge cluster patterns (Griffith’s knat) will also get surface looks.
Birds nest patterns like Assassins, flashback PT’s, and hares ears make 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, green rock worms, or midge larva. Have some hi-vis caddis adults & hi-vis para mayfly adults for the morning hatch.
Drift boat trips remain good with a shot at a trophy rainbow.
Numbers have slowed some the last couple days.
The chub and sucker spawn was immense this fall, 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 the “dip & strip technique” with moderate sinking tip lines.
Go to patterns are Loebergs, Punk Perch dark & light (#14), Crystal Vanderleeches, & Spruce-a-bu’s.
This fishery remains open year around.
Special regs from the footbridge at Pleasant Valley campground to the fishing monument 4.7 miles downstream. 

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:
Onion Valley Reservoir: 
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Blue Lakes: 
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Knott Creek Reservoir: 
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir 11/10/14
Levels have come up a bunch and are currently at (4389′). This is high for access in the transition zone. There has been periodic hydro generation in the mornings.  4383′ is optimum in my opinion.
The small river directly below the powerhouse is awesome when the flows are low, or stable. Forget fishing the river, or inlet if the hydro station is ramped up. The quiet water at the inlet can be great for tubers during this period.
Dry dropper combos using Stimulators, hi-vis para BWO’s or hi-vis caddis, may be used as the upper fly-use crystal olive caddis larva, flashback PT’s, Assassins, broken back or crystal tiger & zebra midges as your dropper bead head nymph.
Streamers like Loebergs, Agent Orange, Crystal leeches, & Spruce-A-Bu’s will get you into some nice browns in the rez proper.  
Use a full sinking line to get down to 10-15 feet quickly.
You can also fish “Crowley midge style” in the rez near the drop-offs.  
Fish the same chironomid patterns below an Under-cator.
Gillies, broken back midges, crystal emergers & pupa patterns. Tiger & zebra midges are always a solid choice for your larva pattern.
This fishery is open year around.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Valerie Taylor of Crosby Lodge (775-476-0400) (www.crosbylodge.net):
Fishing picked up this week. We had a total of sixteen fish weigh in as of 2pm this afternoon. The weather was sunny and in the high sixties this weekend with light winds both days.
The biggest fish comes from Kris Mickelson of Reno, NV with his 21 pound, 5.6oz 35 in catch on 11/4/14. 
Kris wouldn't tell us where he caught the fish or with what (very competitive!).
We had two 18 pound catches weigh in - Bob Holley of Sparks, NV (18 lbs 8oz 34.5in) and Jeff Morris of Reno, NV (18 lbs 0oz 33.5in).  Bob fished Dago Bay and used a green flat fish while Jeff fished the marina using a frog flat.
Also weighed in:
(2) 16 pound catches
(3) 14 pound catches
(5) 12 pound catches
(2) 11 pound catches
(1) 10 pound catch
I've included a picture of our good friend Steve Simms of Pescadero, CA with his shore catch at Monument Rock. Steve was stripping an olive wooly and popcorn beetle. His catch was 31 inches long but he did not get a weight.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
November 4th
Fishing has been pretty tough at the lake for a couple of weeks now.
However there have been some really nice fish caught in the last few days.
Going back to our fishing report last year the patterns were very similar.
Tough fishing in late October and early November and then the big fish started to show up for shore anglers as the water cooled.
Bait balls generally start to disperse in mid-October and head for deeper water.
Thermoclines that separate warmer and cooler water in the fall tend to break up as the first winter storms and big winds approach the area and this also helps to spread out the fish and the bait.
The next 6 weeks or so should be productive for fly fishermen seeking big fish.
The numbers will be tough to come by for sure but that one big bite is only a cast away. As the water plummets in mid-December to around 43-46 degrees the fishing can get really tough, even for the hardiest Pyramid angler.
The weeds, moss and grass is really starting to disappear on most beaches and it is way easier to get in a retrieve without grabbing a bunch of salad on the way in. There is still some out there but not nearly as much.
Two fly rigs fished on fast sinking shooting heads is starting to pay off from shore or ladders all around the lake.
Beaches that offer deep water access are still the way to go. There is a bunch of this type of water on the South end of the lake.
Go to www.pyramidlakeflyfishing.com/beaches for more information.
Now that the Tui Chubs have dispersed some, fish are also starting to grab nymphs and midges a little better as well. Maholo Nymphs in Red, Wine or black are all great choices for nymph rigs

RUBY LAKE NWR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water temperatures continue to drop and bass fishing is done for the year.
Water levels are low and Narciss is nothing more than a mud flat.
The main boat ramp is still usable, though care should be taken especially on the west side of the dock which has a drop off below the ramp.
Fishing is picking up in the collection ditch for trout and anglers report quality fish being caught in several areas of the ditch, with the oxbow behind the hatchery producing a few three to five pound fish.
Small olive buggers, hare’s ears, damsel/dragonfly nymphs and leech patterns should all work.
The ditch is artificial lures and flies only.
Unit 21 still has fairly good water and has been stocked with trout.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon fishing:
November 10, 2014 
King Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River.
Water flow is currently 5,000 CFS.
Water is murky and picking up a couple salmon.
Combo trips, salmon, trout and steelhead trips, fishing for salmon the first half of the day and trout & steelhead for the rest of the day, combo trips are decent and productive.  But so are the BIG, monster salmon. The month of November is known for producing the large salmon on the Sacramento River.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Flows are at winter levels-very, very low. 
This is a year around fishery.
Hwy 203 closes to vehicles after the first significant snowfall.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports: 
Road Closed.

SMITH RIVER, OREGON:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Fall Chinook will continue moving up the Smith as fall progresses and provide an excellent bobber fishery.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Little or no change here as water temperatures continue to drop and the lake is clearing nicely. With the cooler temperatures trout are moving into shore especially in the morning and early evening hours.
For trout, fluorescent green or orange/yellow seem to be the preferred colors of Power Bait.
Fly rodders continue to catch fish using chironomids, hare’s ears, wooly bugger and leech patterns. Several fly fishermen report luck with either red or blue copper Johns below an indicator in the shallows close to shore. Ditto for chironomids, though fish those over muddy bottoms.
Bass fishing has slowed down considerably, though this time of year is good for larger bass. Anglers report fair to good fishing along Jet Ski Beach and the south end.
Good success for trout along the old river channel at the south end of the lake.
The eastern shore on either side of Tomera Cove has been fishing well, especially for fly rodders using the aforementioned copper Johns.
Fishing has been good for trout at either end of the dam in the coves.

LAKE TAHOE:
A continuing 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.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Closed.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
November 4th
The flows on the Truckee continue to be lower than they have been in 20 years.
The water temperatures are not an issue but the holding water is.
Most of the fish on the river have had to bunch up in larger pools to survive for the last couple of months.
There is a lack of food and space for sure.
Even if we have a big winter and the flows return to normal there are going to be some long term effects on fish population on a river that has been well known for quality fish and low numbers anyway.
These fish deserve a chance to survive and get a break until conditions improve.
The next hurdle they could face is a river that could all but freeze this winter. Flows are: Town of Truckee 6 CFS, Boca Bridge 56 CFS, Reno 37 CFS and Vista 29 CFS.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
November 4th
Flows on the Little Truckee are 32 CFS. This is actually normal for this time of year. It is still very low flows but it is normal for water to be held back in Stampede Reservoir in the fall.
There are Baetis hatching sporadically during the day and both Nymphing and dry fly fishing with Baetis and Midges has been effective.
The Little Truckee is a very technical fishery during low flows and requires a soft touch. Less casts and more observation is important. Constant casting with an indicator rig usually will not result in too many fish.
You can hang out in one spot for a while but spend some time making sure your flies are clean, floating high and drifting in the correct lanes.
In water this clear using sparse patterns with little or no flash will also help.
Size 18-22 Baetis and Midge patterns are the way to go.

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

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) report:
Have a great winter, and let's pray for a lot of snow for water to refill all the reservoirs, lakes and streams with plenty for the ski resorts.
May you all have a Happy, Healthy 2015, see you on the water in late April!
Carolyn

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, NEV. & CALIF:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
November 4th
The E.W. is flowing at 20 CFS. This is just about normal for November.
Very low but the East Walker is a small stream that can handle these flows.
Small flies such as Midges and Baetis Mayflies are as good a bet as anything right now. A dry dropper rig is the way to go even though there are not very many takes on the dry.
It is just a good idea to camouflage your indicator as much as possible and a dry fly that can float a small nymph is hard to beat.
If you are good at High Sticking a couple of weighted nymphs that is also a good way to go.
Look for larger pools and runs where fish will winter in the East Walker.
Fish slow and make good drifts for best results.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Flows currently at 20cfs. Limited fishable water.
This fishery is open year around with special regs in place.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Flows are very low. 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, & 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.
This fishery is open year around along Hwy. 395 with special regs after 11/15.

WALKER RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Surface water temperatures have dropped into the low 40’s and there has even been some skim ice on the colder nights in the backs of the coves.
Trout are moving into the shallows looking for food mid-morning and late afternoon with late afternoon often being a great time to fish.
The water is clear and the algae has died off.
Launching boats from trailers is not recommended at all. Only car toppers or boats that can be hand carried to the water are recommended and drivers should be careful driving past the boat ramp due to the rain and snow making the shoreline very soft.
Fishing has really picked up as the fish are preparing for winter and are following baitfish and aquatic insects into the shallows.
With the lake at about 14% of capacity, the fish that are left are somewhat concentrated, though NDOW hasn’t stocked the lake in over a year. This means the fish are not as numerous, but they are 16 to 18 inches at a minimum and many are over 20 inches in length.
Fly rodders are having success with buggers, hare’s ears, leech patterns and chironomids fished from float tubes or kick boats. Fish the nymphs under an indicator and the buggers and leech patterns with an intermediate sink line in the shallows early in the morning. If fishing chironomids a slip-strike indicator allowing you to fish the fly right on the bottom with a floating line.
Bait anglers are having luck with worms and Power Bait.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wilson is 40% full and the boat ramp is out of the water and not useable.
The surface water temperature is now in the 40’s with trout fishing finally picking up.
The road has dried out and is not in too bad of shape.
Fishing for bass is slow, while fishing for trout is fair to good.
The lures, baits and flies that work at South Fork Reservoir should work here.
If you are in the area chukar, deer or elk hunting, bring a fishing pole.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF:
Closes to fishing Nov. 15, will re-open April 25, 2015.

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