Fishing report through Nov. 23

Here is this week's fishing report, through Nov. 23, for Nevada, the Sierra, Northern California and Southern Oregon:

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Bishop area is closed.
 
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
The fishing season for Bridgeport Reservoir is closed.

CARSON RIVER, CALIF:
East Carson River: The fishing season for the East Carson River is closed upstream from Hangman’s Bridge.
West Carson River: The fishing season for the West Carson River is closed.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Boat and bank anglers are continuing to pick up some nice Chinook in the estuary. The Chinook run is just getting started and anglers will have more opportunity to catch Chinook when the river opens Nov. 5. 
Flows in the Chetco are low and anglers may want to keep an eye on the flow before heading to the river to float.  
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.

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:
The fishing season for Convict Lake is closed.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Crowley Lake is closed.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Jim and Jeanne of the J & J Grizzly Store (530-832-0270) (www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com) reports:
We have decided not to pull the dock today (Friday). Looking at the next weeks weather, we have decided to leave it in another week and keep an eye on what develops this next weekend (19-20). Fishing has been outstanding, and we hope that the extra week will be good for everyone!

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
The blood midges are hatching and trout are cruising the shallows in search of them. While sight fishing can be very exciting and productive, fishing a couple of Blood Midges under an indicator in 5 – 10 feet of water is probably the most successful method.  If you want to fish the deeper water, use a sinking line with your favorite leech or bugger along the edge of weed beds. Snails and Sheep Creek Specials are also good patterns for this time of year. 

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This reservoir is giving up tiger and German brown trout. Some fish are reaching the 14-inch mark. Lures are out producing traditional baits.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The rainbow trout bite is good at this Lincoln County reservoir.
Anglers are finding success for planter trout and even largemouth bass.
Hardware has been the most productive bait option.

EL DORADO DAM FOREBAY, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
The fishing season for Fall River is closed.

FOLSOM LAKE AT GRANITE BAY, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

FREMONT LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Fremont Lake is closed.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
The streams in this area are closed.
Lots of fishing at Frenchman’s.
Kevin and Ryan Jeffers of Reno, Nevada caught five rainbow trout at the dam, using nightcrawlers with marshmallows and Power Bait. The average weight was from 1 ½ to 2 ½ pounds. They were shore fishing.
Two gentlemen from Reno, Nevada also caught their limit, they were fishing near the spillway, from the shore.
Trolling and fly fishing have slowed, the docks are not in the water, and there is some ice patches on the road around the lake.
Frenchman Campground is the only accessible campground for dry camping. We’ve had reports of good duck hunting along the creek in Long Valley, and up at Frenchman’s Lake.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) ( email info@renoflyshop.com):
Fishing continues to be very good at Frenchmen’s. Lots of fish are in 4 – 10 feet of water and are readily eating flies.  Snails, small to medium sized Nymphs, Blood Midges, Sheep Creek Specials, leeches and Woolly Buggers all have been producing. 
As the weather cools these fish tend to feed opportunistically. It won’t be long before they are spending the winter under the ice.
Floating lines work well in the shallows, with or without an indicator. Use intermediate and faster sinking lines along weed bed edges and drop offs.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Ft. Churchill Cooling Ponds is closed.

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

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
The fishing season for Hat Creek is closed.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Heenan Lake is closed.

HINKSON SLOUGH, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for Hinkson Slough is closed.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for Hobart Reservoir is closed.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Hoover Wilderness Area is closed.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
The fishing season for the June Lake Loop is closed.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Kirman Lake is closed.

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River: Anglers have found success for stocked rainbow trout below Davis Camp and from the bridge to casino row.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Mammoth Lakes Basin is closed.

MARKLEEVILLE CREEK CALIF:
The fishing season for Markleeville Creek is closed.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
The fishing season for Marlette Lake is closed.

MASON VALLEY W.M.A., LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Mason Valley W.M.A. is closed.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Vegas Wash and the surrounding area continues to produce striped bass and some good top-water action.
The fish generally aren't big by striper standards but cook well nonetheless.
Live shad and shad imitations are catching the fish.
NDOW is reminding anglers that shad nets must have a radius no larger than four feet from horn to lead line.
The beaches north of Hemenway are slow for shore anglers though boaters are catching fish near the Boulder Islands.
Boulder Harbor is also giving up stripers to shore fishermen.
Anglers fishing out of Temple Bar also are catching striped bass.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing has slowed down throughout the lake in the wake of recent storm activity and the arrival of colder temperatures. However, anglers are still finding success for striped, largemouth and smallmouth bass.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Recreational crabbing is closed in the ocean from Oct. 16 – Nov 30.
Fishing for bottomfish is open 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:
Lower Owens River: The fishing season for the Lower Owens River is closed.

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.

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

PINE VALLEY COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Pine Valley Complex is closed.

POORE AND SECRET LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Poore and Secret Lakes is closed.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (email info@renoflyshop.com):
Fishing at Pyramid continues to be unpredictable. Some days are good and others not so good. 
Finding any concentration of minnows along the shore has been difficult since the season opened. Find the minnows and you will find fish. 
Try areas like Monument Rock, Pelican Point, Wino Beach and Dago Bay. 
Fishing with sinking lines and Woolly Worms and/or beetles has been the most productive along beaches where you can reach deeper water. 
Fish suspended this time of year where they find optimal temperatures. 
If you aren’t catching fish, keep moving.  Good colors include olive, black, purple and Chartreuse. 

ROOSEVELT AND LANE LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Roosevelt and Lane Lakes is closed.

SILVER CREEK, CALIF:
The fishing season for Silver Creek is closed.

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.
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.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) (www.blueribbonfishing.com) reports:
Mackinaw trout fishing has been very good, especially early mornings.
Trolling with Dodgers and minnows at the north end of the lake.
The Macks are running up to the 10-pound class.

TOPAZ LAKE:
The fishing season for Topaz Lake is closed.

TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) ( email info@renoflyshop.com):
Fishing on the Truckee continues to be good with the onset of some colder weather and a few week storms passing through the area. 
The BWOs are hatching throughout the river.
Nymphing the best way to catch a fish in much of the upper river.  
From the town of Truckee upstream is very low and fish are fairly scarce. 
From Truckee down to Boca the river is low but very fishable. 
In the Canyon from Boca to the Nevada state line there is plenty of water and this is where you will likely encounter the best fishing on the California side. 
From Verdi, through Reno and to the east, flows are also very good for this time of year. 
For Nymphing try golden stone patterns in sizes 8-10, small Baetis Nymphs, San Juan Worms, Birds Nests and small Prince Nymphs and Hares Ears.  Streamer fishing has been productive for those that like to swing a fly. 
Good patterns include rabbit Matukas, Sculpin patterns and sparsely tied baitfish imitations.
If you try to catch them on the surface, low riding BWO adult and emerger patterns that are medium to dark olive in color work well.
The best area to fish dries is definitely east of Reno.
Flows are:
Truckee: 57 CFS,
Boca Bridge: 365 CFS,
Farad: 503 CFS,
Reno: 513 CFS,

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (email info@renoflyshop.com):
The Kokanee are about done with their spawn and the brown trout are in full spawning mode. Please do not disturb the spawning browns when you find them on their beds. 
There are some big fish in the Little Truckee right now but catching them is not easy. 
Small flies, mostly Baetis, Midges and Scuds in size 18 – 22 are the most productive flies currently. 
A cloudy day will produce a very good Baetis hatch this time of year but the bugs have been coming off even on clear days lately. 
Fish are very wary after a long summer of getting pounded so the more stealth you use, combined with long, light leaders will improve your success.
Flows are 122 CFS.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Twin Lakes is closed.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Virginia Lakes is closed.

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, NEV:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
East Walker River: The water is down to a very low level for the first time this year. Fish will congregate in deeper runs as there is limited cover in much of the river.
Small flies to imitate Midge and Baetis hatches work well most days. Midges in the morning, Baetis in the afternoons seems to be the best bet. 
Nymphing is most productive but you can catch them on the surface if you look for risers. 
Don’t forget to try a streamer along undercuts and in the deeper runs. 
The brown trout are territorial during the spawning season and will often take a whack at a streamer when nothing else will bring a strike.
Flows are at a dismal 26 CFS at Bridgeport Res. and 42 CFS on the Nevada side.