Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report through Jan. 6

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Dec. 31, 2014 to Jan. 6, 2015.

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

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.

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.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Closes on December 31.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No fishing activity was reported for the reservoir this past week.
With nighttime temperatures dropping into the teens, you can expect to find ice forming across the reservoir but conditions will be unsafe.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No fishing activity was reported for the reservoir this past week.
With low temperatures in the teens anglers should expect unsafe ice to be forming across the lake.

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:
12/23/2014
The fishing at Frenchman Lake has slowed down a bit, but those willing to give it a try are catching some nice fish.
Today Josh from Loyalton and his buddies were fishing near Big Cove campground.  They caught and released 11 fish.  Each one was 16 to 18 inches and one weighed 2 ½ lbs.
On 12/20/14 Tom Hansen and Brian Evans were fishing from the shore east of the dam using nightcrawlers.  They each caught a fish weighing 1 ½ lbs, one 17" and the other 15".
Tom Schumuster from Reno limited out at Turkey Point using powerbait.
Dale and Blue from Doyle caught 2 rainbows 18 to 20 inches at the dam using baby nightcrawlers.  
Please call us for current lake conditions and updates on the fishing - Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

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:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow 4 CFS. It's hard to even find a fish.
Try getting a scud or a midge puoa along the cut banks.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek 12/28/14
Access is good, no snow or ice.
Water conditions have improved since the weather has become cold; however this cooling trend has once again dropped the flows making extended drifts more difficult. There is less aquatic weed in many spots. Locate these slots in the weeds making short accurate drifts.
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.
Midges are the only consistent hatches coming off currently.
Small parachute patterns with a 10 foot leader are best for surface presentations.
There are a few sections that can be fished with a dry dropper nymph rig.
Small dead drifted Punk Perch, Scuds, broken back zebras, small gillies, 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.

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
Anglers continue to catch a variety of fish species, although fishing in general has slowed.
Holdover trout, many coming in at about one pound, are holding in areas around docks and backwater holes. Panther Martins and small Rooster Tails are a good bet. If you are getting bites but no hook-ups try switching to bait.
Anchovies have been the ticket for catfish and stripers.
Catfish have been reeled in near the Nature Center.

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

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

MARLETT LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:

Closed. Will re-open July 15, 2015.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The lake level has steadily risen over the last three weeks to its current level of 1,087 feet.
Crisp, clear nights are providing anglers with good fishing opportunity.
Shad can be productive bait and the Vegas Wash has plenty of coves in which to catch enough shad for a day’s fishing.
The striped bass are not far behind the shad and working openings of coves or off the points has paid off with fish on the line.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Stripers have been very active throughout the lake. Anglers have reported good action both above and below Cottonwood Cove. Placer and Aztec coves are producing fish, as well as out of Willow Beach.
Crankbaits, shad and anchovies are catching the fish.
The fish being caught at Willow Beach range from five to eight pounds.
Further south the fish have reached double digits and anglers have been pleased with the quality of the fish they are catching.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Flow is now 48 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:
The current water flow is unavailable.
The mayfly hatch is slowing. Nymphing with Barr's graphic caddis, olive pheasant tails or copper zebra midges  very productive.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 12/28/14
Access is good in most areas; however you will find some deep mud in the ruts after the ground thaws on the warmer days.
Look for single digit/below zero air temps along the river at sun-up, with highs only getting into the thirties or low forties.  
Water can be dirty with weed below the confluence of Hot Creek.
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, GILLIES, 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) 12/28/14 
Access is good in all areas of the Owens Valley.
Drift boat fishing has been good with some big male rainbows showing consistently on streamers.
The LAWDP realtime website is down. Flows are currently 75-80 CFS below the dam at Pleasant Valley. This is a very low release and perfect for wading the immediate tailwater sections.
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.
There are still fishable hatches of tricos and last generation BWO’s on the cloudy/warmer days.
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, small gillies, crystal emergers, or chironomid pupa, 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 night crawlers 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 12/28/14
CDFW planted numbers, & some brood fish for the holidays.  
The reservoir level has been stable for an extended period – around (4383′).  
Be cautious when the mud thaws along the river bank.
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 (this is uncommon during the winter, but can occur to flush ice from the huge aqueduct pipeline at times).
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 12/28/14
 Access is good, no snow or ice. Good place to go to escape holiday crowds. 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:
Valarie Taylor of Crosby Lodge (775-476-0400) (www.crosbylodge.net):
Hello all,
The beginning of the week was quiet with Christmas and windy weather keeping most anglers at home. 
The week picked up on Saturday with a 22 lb 2.4 oz 36 in catch brought in by Charles Evans Sr. of Fernley, NV. 
Charles was fishing by boat at Block House using a chub flat fish.
Matthew Gaines was fly fishing at Spider Point on 12/22/14 and caught a nice 19 lb 9 oz 33 in using a black and red wooly worm.
All told we had (9) fish weigh in at the lodge:
(1) 22 lb
(1) 15 lb
(1) 13 lb
(2) 11 lb
(4) 10 lb
Happy New Year all, stay safe.
Valarie Taylor
Crosby Lodge

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 28, 2014 water flow is currently  3,250 CFS. 
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report -  Rainbow trout fishing was fair to good before yesterday's storm.
Water is muddy from Posse Grounds down. Water may clear by Sunday.
Prior, fishing the Redding area of the Sacramento River, with most days 15 plus fish hook ups. Working best in these water conditions are egg patterns. We are floating from Keswick Dam to Posse Grounds now , short drifts but productive.
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 28, 2014  Shasta Lake guided fishing
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta. 
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta. The best bet during the Late Fall or Winter months  is for large and small mouth 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.

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:
Will reopen January 01, 2015. Go here for the full story on how to get there, best places to fish and what may be biting at Topaz Lake for the opener.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 28, 2014 Fishing report
Currently, Trinity River flows are as follows;  Currently 300 CFS. 
We are fishing the Trinity River for Winter Steelhead fishing and fishing is great!  Steelhead have been ranging from 3 to 8 pounds, number of hook ups are up to 10 a days, varying. Fly or Spin fishing are both productive. 
We are fishing from Lewiston Bridge to JC Campgrounds. 
We have gotten a lot of the needed rain and this has been great for the steelhead fishing, as it has brought up many new fish.
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.

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:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 21 CFS. Low and slow. Try the Lower Owens.


WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River 12/28/14
Flows currently at 22 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, 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.