Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of Dec. 17

Here is the Nevada and Northern California fishing report for the week of Dec. 17, 2014. Some pretty big fish, 18 to 20 pounders, are being caught at Pyramid Lake as you'll see in the above photographs.

ADOBE POND:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
In between storms, check out Lake Cove since it has been providing some great trolling slow action on nighcrawler rigs.  
Rec. 2 has been a good spot for suspending roe and throwing jigs. 
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road is closed to the lake and there will be no fishing reports for Angel Lake until late May of 2015.

BISHOP CREEK, AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
With recent releases here lake level is now at 20%. 
Small car top boats, small aluminum boats or float tubes here, water level is too low to launch anything else.  
Fishing by the dam in the morning has been good along with the inlet portion of the lake more towards the evening or on cloudy days for macks stacked up here.

BRIDGEPORT, RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East (Upstream from Hangman's Bridge):
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
Carson River West:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
For the Fly Flingers in Boats or Float Tubes the best areas have been Lightning Tree, Fairview Point, Mosquito Cove, and along Five Tree Point shoreline. 
Stripping Jay Fair's Wiggle tails in Olive and Black have been good along with nymphing Chironomid and midge patterns. 
Waning Callibaetis hatches have also picked up some fish where there are lots of weeds such as the Mosquito Cove area. 
Highly recommended that you use nothing less than 4x leader or tippet here as the takes are aggressive! 
As the weeds start to disappear now with the colder temps those trolling hardware have had lots of success with needlefish, kastmasters, wedding rings, and small Dick Nites. 
Best areas for the boat guys have been Mallard Cove to Grizzly. 
Big Rainbows here as the average is around 18 inches!

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Donner has dropped a little to 37%. 
Mack fishing here has been good and jigging for these guys has been best at depths from 55-75 feet and some smaller guys being caught along the shoreline.
Kokanee fishing has still be good with fat little guys ranging from 8-11 inches in 45-70 feet with most of the schools being between Loch Leven Lodge and China Cove as these are considered next year's Kokes. 
Small Macks have been busy cruising the shorelines in the morning and evening picking off baitfish.  Kastmasters, Krocodiles, Rooster Tails, Rapalas or anything that will mimic a baitfish will elicit a bite.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing here should continue to be a good until the close of the season on Dec. 31, but the shallow bite close in has a smaller window now.  The dock at the south end has been pulled, so only smaller boats can get in and out. 

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
Will from Reno caught his limit of rainbows last Sunday at Turkey Point. 
He was using worms and white marshmallows. The fish were 18 inches each.
Chilcoot residents Bob Parry and Pamela Lee also caught one 18 inch rainbow and missed 5 using rainbow power bait.
Mitch from Reno caught a couple 2 ½ pounders at the dam with nightcrawlers. 
One fisherman stopped in to let us know that the water temperature was 45 degrees and said that he caught one rainbow at the dam. 
There is no ice on the lake yet. 
Please call us for current lake conditions and updates on the fishing.
Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Like Davis, this lake fishes well this time of year and sees few anglers on any given day. 
Stripping Jay Fair wiggle tails in Olive or Mahogany, Olive or Dark Brown Wooley Buggers, or Midging under an indi have all been productive in 3-6 feet of water has been good. 
Slightly breezy days have been better than calm days but the fishing has been pretty good otherwise. 
Great place to catch some strong bows that will strip line!  3x and 4x  leader or tippet recommended. 

HAT CREEK, UPPER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open May 01, 2015.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
Closed. 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 12/14/14
Very little snow here currently, gate remains open.
Fish smaller mayfly/midge adult patterns.
Locate the slots in the weeds, short accurate drifts are necessary.
The “interpretive” section is fishing better than others currently.
If you see a few cars at the parking area keep on trucking, as there is very little fishable water here.
Conditions have improved some since the water has cooled.  Less aquatic weed in many spots.  Water levels remain very low; but improving as Mammoth Creek adds additional flow from snow melt.  
Midges are the only consistent hatches coming off currently.
Small parachute patterns used with a 10 foot There are a few sections that can be fished with a dry dropper nymph rig. Scuds, broken back zebras, egg patterns, SJ worms,  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.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.


KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MAMMOTH LAKES, BASIN, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MARLETTE LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:

Closed. Will re-open July 15, 2015.

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. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 12/14/14
The “catching” remains good for “Crowley Steel”.
Water is off color after the rain with some weed coming down from Hot Creek.
Access fine for all wheel drive vehicles currently, some mud in the ruts.
The ground will be frozen in the morning, then get soft after it thaws.
You will need to cover a lot of water to locate the larger fish, and the deeper pockets they hunker down in.
Solid mending techniques are critical in getting the bigs to hit. Stay on the “tail” of your targets whenever possible & keep those nymph rigs bouncing on the dirt. If you are not tickling the bottom at least half the drift, your leader is too short; or improperly weighted.
Your presentations and mending might just suck too!  
As Crowley slowly fills, the communication between the lake and river improves, giving the trout a more favorable pathway to migrate upstream.
This is why winter fishing here can be so great!
The colder air temps force the fish to seek refuge in the deeper pools.
Nymphing below an Under-cator is the best method to get the larger migratory rainbows and browns to take a fly.
Use attractor patterns-appropriately weighted, and in tandem such as San Juan Worms, & roe imitations. Flashback PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, Agent Orange, & Crystal Vanderleeches are also good choices especially after the gravel warms up in the afternoons.  
You will see a decent midge hatch and small mayflies during periods of warmer weather. Small para BWO’s or duns, and midge cluster patterns are good surface profiles.
Streamer fishing can also be a good call during windy days.  
Stay along the deeper/channel side of the river and use the “dip & strip” technique with a light sinking tip, or floating line. Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s, & Punk Perch #10-6 can get those big boys out from under those deeper cut banks where it is difficult to dead drift a nymph rig. 
Special angling regs in effect. 
Open year around upstream from the Benton Crossing Bridge.
Closed from the Bridge downstream to Crowley Lake until next season. 
Middle Owens River (Bishop area) 12/14/14 
Cloudy and cooler; but no major precipitation forecast here.
Access is good in all areas of the Owens Valley.
Drift boat fishing has been fair/good weather permitting.
Flows are as low as I have seen in many years. Currently 75 CFS below the dam at Pleasant Valley.
Fishing is consistently good from the Footbridge at PV Campground downstream to the Five Bridges Crossing.
We are seeing a more seasonable weather pattern develop with the big fall hatches of mayflies fizzling out.
Smaller midges will become more prevalent as the days shorten.
Nymphing with tandem rigs-properly weighted will get you into fish consistently. I suggest you use Flashback PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, olive crystal zebras, & caddis larvae (to imitate caddis larva & rock worms).
You can use dry/dropper bead head rigs for the warmer days working the tailouts of larger pools, & riffles.
Have some high vis para BWO’s for the uppers & keep them dressed with desiccant  to suspend your bead head nymphs.
Guided drift boat trips are a great vehicle to reach the secluded, and less fished areas of the river.
We predominantly fish streamers like Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s, Punk Perch, Agent Orange, and Crystal Vanderleeches. Using a light sinking tip line we position the boat upstream from the target water, casting about 35 feet down towards larger pools. We then insert the rod tips below the surface to get the streamers down without using excessive weight. Stripping the line in an erratic series of short and long pulls imitates the swimming motion of injured baitfish.
The “dip & strip” technique is a fun way to get into numbers and large rainbows that hold in the lower sections of the river well below the wild trout section. Check out my “be the fly” video by clicking on the videos link at the top of the page to see how we do it. 
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: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Blue Lakes: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Knott Creek Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. 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 12/14/14
No snow or ice here, access is good.
Fishing very good here reports local hot stick Seth Cline. He used tiger midges nymphing, and Spruce-A-Bu’s while streaming recently.
Reservoir stable for a week at (4383′). This level is optimum in my opinion.  
Be cautious when the mud along the river bank thaws.
Power generation can occur at anytime, so if you observe the water rising cross to the east side immediately to avoid a difficult walk back to the parking area.
They raise the water slowly; but there is no audible warning.
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.
The Gorge 12/14/14
 Water conditions are very good, and access remains free of ice or snow.
This maybe the best dry fly fishery we have during the winter months.
The Gorge could be classified as the true “tailwater” from Crowley Lake.
The fish here are all wild browns with a large one going 16 inches. Moderate/difficult hiking is required to access the more secluded sections. Rock hopping and bush whacking can be expected.
Dry/dropper bead head nymph combos work well in the deeper pools.
Use PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, & crystal olive larva patterns as the nymphs.
Hi-vis para BWO’s, Stimulators, parachute midge adults, & elk caddis are good choices for your dry fly.
Pack in water , have cleated wading boots and a stout staff.
2-4wt. rods are perfect for this water.
Season open year around.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Valerie Taylor of Crosby Lodge (775-476-0400) (www.crosbylodge.net):
Good afternoon all,
The week started off quietly due to winds but the big storm that was predicted passed us by. 
Saturday the fishers were having luck from Monument all the way down to Dago Bay. 
The shore fishers had better luck again this week than the boaters.
The hot colors were frog, black, silver and purple.
The biggest fish was brought in by Scott Anderson of Reno, NV. 
Scott brought in his 20 pound, 2.4oz, 34.5in catch, fishing from Sand Hole and using a frog flat fish.
Travis Williams of Reno, NV brought in an 18 pound, 5.6oz, 34.25in, also from shore at Block House also using a frog flat fish.
Other than the above we had (1) 14#, (4) 13#, (2) 12#, (2) 11# and (1) 10#.
Take care all, talk with you soon.
Valarie Taylor
Crosby Lodge

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
With the weather pattern changing from one system to another this week timing will be key.  Fish before the front moves in and you should have success. 
Overcast skies with intermittent rain/snow mix will also help pull fish closer to ledges throughout the day. 
Be extra careful about the wind conditions as this lake can capsize boats easily. 
For those trolling we now carry Lyman's sz 4 and sz 3 flatties in popular Pyramid colors and Father Murphys Pyramid Vibrator Spoons.  These have been the go to lures at this lake this year. 
Be safe be smart when you venture out here.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon fishing is closed.

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  December 16, 2014 water flow is currently  3250 CFS. 
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report.
Rainbow trout fishing is fair to good.
We are fishing the Redding area of the Sacramento River, with most days 15 plus fish hook ups. Rain is finally here! Water is a bit murky, working best in these water conditions  are egg patterns.
We are floating from Keswick Dam to Bonneyview ramp. 
Drift  boats or Jet boats available. We cater to all levels of anglers.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

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

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 11, 2014  Shasta Lake guided fishing
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta.  
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta.
Best bet during Late Fall or Winter months is for large and smallmouth bass. Fishing the top water and picking up a few Rainbows mostly bass now. 
Shasta Lake Bass fishing has been great! 
Grab your rain jacket and let's get fishing.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is stable now at 24% capacity and fishing has been decent for Rainbows, Macks, and Smallies. 
Small boats can still launch to the right of the ramp as they are concentrating their efforts outside the inlets and the deeper sections around the dam. 
Shore fishing has been sporadic for the Bows with power bait, nightcrawlers, and various hardware. 
Smallies are suspended along shelves in the Davis Creek arm and most are being taken on suspending baitfish patterns, Crayfish patterns, and various Jigs worked down these shelves. 
Some big smallies here, but you'll have to work hard for them.

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. Will reopen January 01, 2015.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 16, 2014 Fishing report
Trinity River flows are as follows: Currently 300 CFS. 
 We are trout and steelhead fishing has been great the last few days.
Fishing the Trinity River for Winter Steelhead and  fishing is red hot.
With up to 10 Hook ups throughout the day, mid morning best. 
Call Kirk or Justin at 1800-670-4448 for more details.
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, CA  fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
California:
FLOWS ARE UP WITH THE RECENT WEATHER! 
Snow off and on for the rest of the week except Thursday. 
With the recent precip water is being released from Boca and that means flows that are more in norm with this time of year. 
Cold temps for the rest of the week so dress accordingly!  
Water temps are getting cold and fish are starting to get more lethargic and picky.  
Lots of Midges and small BWO/Baetis Mayflies. 
Hopefully these flows continue as long as we get weather. 
Nevada:
If you do fish the Truckee in Nevada please be aware that New Zealand Mudsnails have been found in sections of water there so please clean your shoes and gear accordingly to avoid aquatic hitch hikers!  
Study the water and turn rocks and see what is going on, also seine for what is in the drift.  Little things like this and slowing your approach to the river’s edge will greatly increase your chances of being successful. 
Again, make sure your box is stocked with every conceivable stage of bugs that are present now!  (x) = drawer number.  

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

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. 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, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
December 15, 2014 
Well, this week we only had 2 or 3 reports from the EW, the best one was from an angler who was able to bag 6 fish down on the Rosachi section in Nevada, one of the fish was about 12 inches but the rest were in the 18 to 20 inch range.
The other anglers we spoke with bagged a couple fish in the 18 to 20 inch range as well. Sounds like the best way to go is with very small midge or nymph patterns, flashback emergers, copper johns, tailwater tiny's, wd-40's and the like.
The water is very thin so you'll need to be stealthy and on your game! Who doesn't like a challenge??
It's pretty cold in the mornings so you can sleep in and don't worry about being on the water until around 10am!                   
Sceirine Ranch:
December 15, 2014
We didn't have anyone on the ranch this week, I'd expect the fishing to be about the same as on the Rosachi section right now though.     
Hunewill Pond:
December 15, 2014
The pond is frozen over, probably for the remainder of the winter, we'll try to get out there as soon as it thaws and let you know how the fish wintered!!

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River 12/14/14
A little snow and ice along the river currently.
Flows currently at 21 CFS. Limited fishable water.
Diploid browns will be planted here again-great news!
This fishery is open year around with special regs in place.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
December 15, 2014
We didn't have the opportunity to talk to anyone who fished the West this week, if you have any reports from there let us know!

WALKER RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

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