Don Q's fishing report for week of Dec. 27 to Jan. 1

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of Dec. 26.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road has been closed for the season, so there will be no more fishing reports for Angel Lake until it opens next spring.

BIG SPRINGS RESERVOIR, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the last day in February 2013.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

BLUE LAKES, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
The road is closed.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.


CARSON RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CARSON RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013, above Hangman's Bridge.

CATNIP RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Good numbers of steelhead are around, but river conditions have made for some tough fishing. High flows are expected again this week so anglers will want to check river conditions before heading out.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK. CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Winter storms brought temperatures cold enough to freeze the upper end of the lake. There is ice along the dam as well, but the area around the fishing dock remains open. The few anglers who have braved the cold have been very successful for both rainbows and tiger trout.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The upper end of the lake is frozen, but the lower end remains open along the dam. Action is good for the few anglers willing to fish in the cold.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in February 2013.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2013.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Fishing remains good in the deepest holes and runs here.
With the return of very cold weather the additional water that Mammoth Creek brings into HC has dropped off making the conditions tougher to extend presentations while dead drifting adult or emerging imitations.
Think small here, and then divide by two for winter time fly fishing.
#22 patterns are good choices for both midges and mayfly imitations.
Still seeing some rising fish in the late afternoons sipping on midges.
Using attractor patterns like an SJ worm or imitation egg can also be effective, but there is limited water that will allow a tandem rig to be fished below a strike indicator.
Access to the canyon is now only by foot and you will have significant snow and ice here.

JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Unfortunately, Jiggs has dried up.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

KNOTT CREEK RESERVOIR, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
This past week a father-son team caught several large stripers that weighed between 13 pounds and 18.5 pounds.
The pair was using lures between Davis Dam and Casino Row.
One lucky angler caught a 7.5 pound rainbow trout in the same area.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2013.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Hinkson Slough – North Pond – West Walker River
Closed until the second Saturday in February 2013.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers have had moderate success while trolling top-water plugs off the points. The most productive areas have been the Overton Arm, the waters outside of Callville Bay and Government Wash. Most of the stripers are on the small side. Weather should be clear through the weekend offering a great opportunity to get out and try your luck on the water.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Willow Beach is still bringing in the big ones with reports of 15- to 25- pound stripers bending rods near mile marker 50.
Trout imitations like the AC Plug are still the lures of choice.
Catfish are still hitting, and the trout action is good following the weekly plants by the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery.
Anglers working the water near Cottonwood Cove may want to try working the fish habitat structures that have been constructed and installed in Carp Cove, Box Cove, Shoshone and Arrowhead. These structures have attracted largemouth, smallmouth, bluegill and even catfish.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The recreational Dungeness crab season reopened in the ocean on Dec. 1.
Fishing for bottom fish opened back up to all depths again starting Oct. 1.
Boat anglers may no longer retain cabezon.
Shore anglers, including shore-based divers, may still keep cabezon.
The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish. There are separate daily limits for lingcod (two) and flatfish other than Pacific halibut (25).
Fishing for rockfish has been very good near Coos Bay and Bandon.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Lower Owens River:
We have enjoyed a really great winter drift boat season thus far with numbers being excellent on streamer patterns like the Spruce-A-Bu.
The flows are very low (100cfs) and it is not often you see the river this low for such an extended period. We are still able to drift, however some runs require us to abandon ship and walk the boat through the short water.
The wild trout section below the dam at Pleasant Valley has also been very good consistently & you will see the last hatches of this seasons baetis well after mid-day & a good showing of midges on the warmer high pressure days. Nymphing the deeper pools with pheasant tails and birds nest patterns which imitate mayfly nymphs are also good choices.
Put a #18 bead head mayfly imitation as the upper fly with a #18-22 broken back tiger or zebra midge as the dropper for a versatile tandem rig for indicator nymphing.
The weather has been fantastic down in the OV so far and due to the lower elevation the Lower Owens River is a great location to fish during the winter periods. We could see some significant snow on the ground by the New Year if the extended forecast comes true.
Upper Owens River:
UPDATED 12-25-2012.
Vehicle access is now very limited on the UO due to recent storms. You will find 1-2 feet along the banks and roads, with some drifts at waist level. Fishing is EXCELLENT and the numbers of large rainbows migrating up from frozen Crowley Lake have increased significantly in the last week.
These “snow bows” hold in the deeper pools almost exclusively with the frigid air temps, and redundant drifts through the slots or close to the undercut banks will get you into 20 inch models if you have patience.
We have also been getting into a few nice browns, but they are decreasing in numbers as the winter progresses.
There are good numbers of smaller rainbows hanging in the larger pools and in the late afternoons you will see them sipping midges in the eddies. Nymphing with bead head pheasant tails, broken back tiger midges, or birds nest patterns have been very effective when the fish are active.
Unlike most spawning fish these rainbows can be observed feeding and will move to take a well presented nymph. SJ worms and imitation egg patterns will also work on the days when the fish are less active.
I suggest rubber soled wading boots and snow shoes if you wish to hike up from the Benton Bridge. Prepare for extremely cold air temps-it will be below zero in the mornings at times here with the inversion layer very strong towards the New Years period.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Conditions have not changed much since my last update.
The rez proper remains at a very high level and is flooded well back into the trees making access difficult and just not any fun to fish the transition section between the lake and river below the power house.
The short but sweet moving water section just below the PH has good numbers of rainbows holding in the deeper pocket water, and a dry dropper combo using a Stimulator, high-vis mayfly, or para post BWO as the upper and an olive crystal zebra or tiger midge #18-16 or Assassin birds nest as the bead head nymph below will get you grabs.
“Freeze tubing” is also good from the launch ramp section towards the inlet.
Use full sinks #4 or 5 to get down quickly.
With the cooler weather the fish have moved deeper into the “blanket water” areas. Loebergs and Spruce-A-Bu’s are good choices here. Work along the drop-offs on the west side.
Still water nymphing has slowed; however if we get a warm snap after the fronts pass don’t neglect bringing along your floating line and a selection of chironomids. PV fishes very much like Crowley and big number days using the still nymphing technique can occur even during the winter months.
The Gorge remains ice and snow free as of this report and access is good. Browns have a tendency to become more lethargic as water temps cool so the red hot bites will be over until it warms up elevating their metabolic rates to get them active again.
Hit the deeper pools and ignore the riffle water if you go.
Dry dropper bead head combos are pretty much the game here most of the time. Stick to #16-20 patterns for both adults and nymphs.

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 22, 2012, water flow is currently 4,500 CFS.
Fly fishing Sacramento River in Redding, water is clear at the Posse Grounds and catching Rainbows in the Redding area. 
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report is 30 fish days, including several steelhead, fishingis epic! FANTASTIC!
Egg patterns are working best now. Also Pheasant Tail # 14, Gordon Prince nymphs # 16, Cinnamon Pupahs # 14. 
Our guides are fishing daily, call or email us today.
We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. 
All fly fishing gear is included on our guided fly fishing trips.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California fly fishing
for wild rainbow trout.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SAN JOAQUINN/RED'S MEADOW, CALIF:
Road is now closed for the season.
Reopens by 4th of July weekend usually.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 2012 Shasta Lake guided fishing-
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta.
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta.
Lake Shasta fishing is fair to good. Some days have been better than others, but still catching Rainbow trout.
We are catching mostly Rainbow Trout on the surface and also about 40 feet deep. The Dry Creek area, using Cripp Lures and Wiggle Hoochies.
Very cold temperatures making fishing tougher.

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Steelhead will start entering the Smith River. There is no hatchery program up the Smith River so the angling opportunity will primarily be catch and release of wild steelhead.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Closed until January 01, 2013. 


TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 22, 2012 Fishing report
Currently, Water is at 300 CFS. RED HOT STEELHEAD FISHING ON THE TRINITY RIVER! 
Picking up nice Steelhead. Steelhead Fishing is fantastic! 
Red hot, Excellent fishing for Steelhead on the Trinity River from Lewiston to Pigeon Point is fishing very well.
With 10 to 15 hook ups a day now, for the seasoned fly fisherman. 
Flies working best are Stone flies, Copper John's, and Egg patterns.
Egg patterns working better in the morning hours, then turning to flies later in the day. Steelhead in early morning in shallow riffles and the later in the afternoon, steelhead are moving into the deep holes. 
Bait fisherman using lures and producing nice Steelhead, as well.
We are fishing for steelhead on the Trinity River from now through the month of March.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lake since 2009. Mineral County Road Dept. has done some work on the State Parks Launch. Launching is improved but you still need four wheel drive.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Good to see the water district bumping up the flows when the air temps chill to below zero here. Flows have come up to 35 CFS giving the fish here more insulation and alleviating full blown “bed ice” in the bulk of the water. It has been wicked cold here. Even my buddy Jeffery who owns the marina at Bridgeport Reservoir bailed out for a few weeks due to the cold!
Two Bug Doug and Chris Basso checked it out on 12-20-12 and reported ice on, and in the water. Murphy’s Pond was iced over and chunks of ice were floating. They caught some nice browns in the deepest pools below the dam but it was a battle all the way.
I have hard bed ice on McGee Creek this week and flows have dropped to a trickle in many areas due to this extreme cold. No significant snow on the ground as of this report
I suggest you look at the Nevada section if you wish to hit the EW. It is always warmer here, and although the fish counts are not as high as in the Cal section, you can get into some really nice browns even during the winter months. You will need to obtain a NV. license, I have a link on the resources page for this as well so you can buy one online.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

WASHOE LAKE, WAHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Washoe Lake dried up in 2004 and, although it is presently full and has been restocked, the fish population, consisting mostly of channel catfish and white bass, is small. Fishing is expected to be poor.

WILLOW BEACH, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are finding good action for large stripers. The fish are biting A.C. Plugs and other trout-imitating swimbaits. Three fish weighing in at 16.16 pounds, 17 pounds and 27.76 pounds came in during the past week. Rainbow trout continue to hit small spinners and other traditional trout baits following the weekly plants on Fridays.

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