Fishing Report for the week of February 9

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road to Angel Lake is now closed for the winter.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Bishop area is closed.
 
BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
Lower Blue Lake:
Upper Blue Lake:
The road to Blue Lakes is now closed for the winter.

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:
There are lots of Steelhead spread throughout the river. Anglers are starting to pick up some spawned out Steelhead.
Anglers should always check the flows before heading out and try to fish when river levels are dropping.
ODFW is conducting a Steelhead angler creel on the Chetco this year, along with Chinook salmon scale collection, and winter Steelhead broodstock collection.  At times, these projects may interfere with an anglers fishing.  Please be courteous to all ODFW personnel and volunteers.

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:
Great Derby this past weekend.  Had 100 participants.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  Fished both open water and ice.  Fishing was a bit slow however the moon was almost full.
Ice is about 4-6 inches thick, seems to be changing daily. 
Fishing under the ice; worms, and chartreuse jigs are working the best.
Open water from the bank; worms or Power Bait. 
Mallard Cove and Coots Bay are accessible by 4wd vehicle.
Canoes and Kayaks, easily put in at Mallard Cove or Coots Bay, worms or Power Bait.
Remember ice is not monitored, use your own discretion if it is safe or not.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
Reports are that Davis is ice free and that fishing has been awesome. Nymphing under an indicator in 6-10 feet of water with some Zebra Midges has been working as well as retrieving small leeches and snail patterns with a type two sinking line in the same type of water.
Keep a close eye out, the water is cold and it could re-freeze.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Eagle Lake is closed.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Rainbows are catching extremely well.
Tiger trout continue to be caught at times.
The most success is being seen by using a variety of colored Power Bait or a combination of nightcrawlers and marshmallows. 
The ice remains in fishable condition. 
Always use caution when venturing out on the ice. 

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The reservoir is frozen over but rising water levels are keeping the edges very thin. The current ice cover is only 5” thick.
Fishing on the ice is not recommended.
Many anglers are seeing success right off the front of the dam near the pipe.
Anglers fishing in this area have reported 17 bass, 3 crappies and 32 trout during this last week. 
Anglers should use extreme caution around the ice.

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

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Feather River is closed.

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 weather is getting colder, and the fishing is getting hotter.
Fishermen are still ice fishing at the dam.
Some are fishing in open water near the dam.
Kong and friends of Reno, NV caught their limits using worms and Power Bait. Also, Terry and Brad Stiles of Cold Springs, NV, caught five fish between the two and one rainbow trout weighed 2 pounds or more. Wayne and Chris Henderson of Carson City, NV caught their limits at Big Cove, they were fishing from shore using nightcrawlers and Power Bait.
The roads are in good shape. Early morning there may be ice in some patches, so BE CAREFUL.

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

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.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 5 CFS. Nymph fishing is still the best bet. Try small WD-40's Miracle Nymphs Pheasant Tails and Midge patterns. Fishing is good but the creek has been very crowded. Please do not wade here.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
The snow is really melting in the canyon where the sun hits. The walk in will have ice and snow so I suggest rubber soled wading boots and studs to keep your footing for the hike.
It has been fair to good on the warmer days with the Baetis hatch just beginning to gel along with a strong showing of smaller midges during the high pressure periods.
Water levels are great for this time of year, the warmer weather has some run-off at times from Mammoth Creek and this is adding about double the amount we typically see during winter months.
Dry/dropper Nymph or Emerger rigs are my favorite choice this time of year fishing the trenches in-between the weeds, or casting upstream into the larger pools and pocket water.
Small Crystal and broken back Midges, Scuds, and Mayfly patterns are good choices for matching the hatch; but make sure you have a few SJ Worms and some egg patterns as well. If it is cold or the barometer is dropping these will get you grabs when the fish are not co-operating.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water Conditions:
Great. Flows constant at 22 CFS as of 2/3.
THE SNOW IS LONG GONE BUT THE USFS HAS KEPT THE GATE CLOSED.  IT IS A SHORT WALK FROM THERE TO THE CANYON SECTION. YOU CAN DRIVE OUT TO THE INTERPRETIVE SITE.
Fishing Conditions:
Good to Excellent. For the canyon section, it is fishing similar to summer with smaller Midges and Baetis patterns subsurface all day and moderate hatches midday. Once the water temp comes up about two degrees the food bell rings and it is downright good for 3-4 hours daily. Interpretive section has been worked and they are getting a little wiser - go real small.

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

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:
The planted rainbows in the Laughlin area are still catching. 
The best action has been seen at Davis Camp and Rotary Park.
Nightcrawlers are the most effective, but floating baits and small lures are also having some success. There are holdover trout up to 5 pounds.
Stripers have been slow with best action on crank baits or anchovies.   

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:
The striper action is slowing down this week, with little to no striper shoreline action at Hemenway. 
The only fish are coming in on anchovies, and these seem to be few and far between. The fish are being found from about 30 to 120 feet. The best bite for stripers remains at night under lights with anchovies.
Striper action has remained fair to good at Temple Bar. Reports of 2 - 3 pound stripers are common. Lots of limit catches have been reported. Trolling has been productive in the early morning and evening hours.
Action for smallmouth and largemouth bass remains slow, with some success through slow presentation. 
The shad have left the area for the season. 
Water levels have been rising, with water levels much higher than this time last year. This has created many flooded brush areas.   

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Willow Beach striper action has remained good this week.
Most success is being seen on AC plug lures. 
There are reports of stripers up to 10 pounds, with the average striper weighing around 4 – 6 pounds.
One striper caught this last week was 18.8 pounds.
Cottonwood Cove striper action is very slow.
American Bass out of Kingman, AZ will be having a bass fishing tournament on February 11th at Cottonwood Cove.
Stocked rainbow trout have provided good fishing for both Willow Beach and Cottonwood Cove following weekly trout plants. 
Largemouth bass fishing remains slow to fair with most fish hitting soft plastic baits fished on grass beds or rocky structure.

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 re-opened in the ocean on Dec. 15.
A few anglers have caught surfperch from the beaches near Coos Bay on days with lower ocean swells. Sand shrimp or sand worms are a very good bait to use when fishing for surfperch. 
Fishing for bottom fish is open at all depths.
Rough ocean conditions are keeping anglers from fishing in the ocean.
Anglers may not retain Cabezon between Jan. 1 and March 31.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Lower Owens River:
The LADWP realtime water gage is not correct. Flows have dropped to 175 CFS and may continue to go down for a while. 
Conditions have improved greatly and I had a great day of drifting recently with good numbers of browns and rainbows in one of the upper runs. 
The release rate shows 255cfs below PV Rez and also reads 4384 elevation at PV. 4383 is correct as of 2-3-12.
There was an insane Midge hatch with some fish starting to feed on the clusters, the BWO's came off later and the first generation adults are # 14-16. This is the start of a great period on the LO so long as the flows hold or continue to drop. 
Crowley is full pool so do not expect this condition to last for a lengthy period. Typically a scheduled release begins during the beginning of March and I suspect it will be over 300-400 CFS for a while after that.
The rainbows we caught were all lit up and showing spawning colors. They hit the steamers aggressively, I used punk perch #12 most of the drift. 
Use Crystal Midges and Flashback PT's for Nymphing, make sure you have some Midge cluster patterns and Blue Winged Olive # 16 adults for the hatches and spinner falls. 
This is an UPDATED REPORT 2-4-12.
Upper Owens River:
Access was only by snowmobile or snowshoes for a while but the snow has really melted off and the eastside access road is currently open with a 4X4 and mud tires. It can be tricky in the afternoons especially near the fence line along the river after the ground thaws so be careful or you’ll be hit with a huge tow truck bill!
There is still plenty of snow on the ground in areas along the river but snowshoes are not needed, I suggest rubber soled wading boots for sure.
UPDATE 2-4-12: 
The flows have been increased to 100 CFS making the water off colored and muddy. The fish have moved around some as there is about a foot more depth in most areas. More weight will be needed to get down in the deeper pools and I suggest larger, brighter patterns under these conditions. This is not a blow out, but it will slow down the "catching" for a while.
The numbers of catchable browns and rainbows have increased recently and I have guided some groups to 40 fish days here while Nymphing and tossing Parachute Midge patterns during the hatch.
The bigs are still holding and these legendary migratory rainbows that move up during the winter from Crowley are spectacular! They can be hard to hook, and even more difficult to land. They can take off like a freak’n missile downstream and around a bend before you can even get moving.
These fish will be here for another month before they head back to the lake.
Some are beginning to pair up and make redds in the shallow gravel beds, watch where you step when crossing please.
We have been having success using my Assassin Bird’s Nest pattern # 16, 18, Flashback PT’s # 16-20, San Juan Worm’s (Two Bug uses one that looks like a damn snake, calls it the evil wicked worm, thing is huge!) and Glow Bug/roe patterns before the hatches at time.
You may also get a shot at some fine surface action after lunch.
I like Parachute Midge or BWO imitations # 18-22.
Owens River Gorge:
This can be a really fun place to go, and it is uncrowded for the most part.
There is only a little snow in middle- no big deal, lower is fine.
Consistent dry fly action can be had here as the fish seem to be more opportunistic and concentrated in the biggest pools.
Midges and BWO’s are on the menu right now.
Casting 25-40 feet and upstream presentations will catch you more fish.
Moderate hiking and rock hopping mandatory, fish are wild and all browns. A golly whopper is 14 inches here.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:  
Current water flow is 77 CFS.
Fishing is closed below the Benton Crossing Bridge. The river upstream is open to fishing all year. Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Fishing is a bit better with the spring like conditions.
Nymphing is the best bet. Try standard Nymph patterns like Pheasant Tails or Hares Ears. Cover lots of water. 
Some reports of larger lake fish in the river.
Lower Owens River: 
Water flow is 256 CFS. Flows are steady. Fishing is picking up with nicer weather in the forecast.
Olive WD-40's, Caddis larva and small Pheasant Tails.
Huge crowds this weekend.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Upper Owens:
Water conditions:
Good to Excellent. As of 2/3 flows have come up a little to 96 CFS.
Road is open but muddy all the way up. 4X4 a good idea.
Fishing conditions:
Good to Excellent. A mix of fish from dinks to Crowley pigs.
Everyone doing well from 10 am until as late as 3:30 daily.
Mostly Nymphing but a 45 min hatch midday is typical.
Go to very small or pull streamers for the big guys.
Owens River Gorge:
Water conditions:
Great. Flow: 45 CFS.
This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP
Fishing conditions:
Excellent and nice and warm on cool sunny days this time of year.
Beautiful these days and lots of hungry fish to greet you!
Lower Owens:
Water conditions:
Excellent. The flows are holding steady at 256 CFS as of 2/3.
Crowley is jugged so little chance of it going down in near future.
Chalk Bluff Road seems better than down lower.
Fishing conditions:
Stupid hatches like don't blink or you'll have to pick up and cast again to tell which one of those little dots is yours.
Fish merrily sipping away in slower water. Only caveat is that you will have to play around a little to find a fly that stands out.
Subsurface produces with Midges and Baetis nymphs all day like to 4 pm.

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

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Under the right conditions this is one of the best fly fishing areas the Sierra has to offer. The "REZ" is heavily planted by the DFG and these fish can holdover and feed on the abundant food that comes in from the gorge and the Hydro pipeline out of Crowley.
It is the true tail water section of the Lower Owens River and can be excellent for numbers with some very large planted rainbows to ice the cake.
The key here is hitting the Rez when the levels allow access to the transition area between the lake and the short but sweet river section located immediately below the powerhouse.
Check the LADWP link we have at the top for PV’s elevation. 4382’ something is way too low, 4386’ is too high. I will get some local "s…" for telling you this!
If they are generating when you pull into the parking lot forget the river, but the lake will be fine. Break out the full sinks or heavy sink tips and head for the lake to troll streamers.
The fish that have been in the Rez for a while resemble those that you see in Crowley. They feed on the abundant Midge and Mayfly population in both the reservoir proper and the river section that is surprisingly very much like the East Walker but smaller.
Stillwater Nymphing from a float tube along the steep drop-offs can be incredible for numbers.
As the water warms in the late winter and spring, you that love to fish Crowley may want to look at PV for the same experience. Although not as picturesque, it certainly won’t matter when you have a shot at a 50 fish day.
Use the same rigs as you would on Crowley, fish them around the 10 foot depth to start. My favorite way to fish here is by using a dry/dropper bead head Nymph rigs and casting from the shoreline to rising "pods" of fish that migrate up from the Rez to feed in the slow moving transition water.
10 foot leaders and an absolute dead drift are tools you will need to get big numbers from these feisty rainbows and browns.
Tiger Midges are hard to beat as a Nymph but there is a great population of Mayflies and I have had great days using FB PT’s, Bird’s Nest, and Hares Ear patterns as well. Use a Stimulator or "high- vis" Para Post Mayfly or Midge adult and you may have quite a few grabs on the top as well during the hatch. We enjoy guiding this area and will provide tubes if you wish.

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

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775-476-0555) (www.fishpyramid.com) reports:
We had a report of a 12-pounder caught on Saturday.
Fishing has been consistently fair, with shore fishing on the slow side.
When you fish from shore, you will need to cast out as far as you can.
They are even using pontoons to get further out in the water.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
The water temperature around the shoreline is 44 degrees. This is really close to the wintertime low. Cold nights in the Reno area have off-set the warmer days. The fishing report is still really slow.
The best report we have heard from 1 angler is 8 fish. Most days it is 1 or 2 fish. Boaters are reporting fish in 20-60 feet of water.
Large schools of bait and warmer thermo clines have kept fish in deeper water. There have been a few really nice fish caught roaming the shoreline.
This year’s biggest fish is a little over 19 pounds.
Look for the fishing to remain on the slower side until we get a few storms to churn up the water a little or for warmer weather to warm up the water.
In the meantime stripping Woollys and Beetles very slowly is the way to go.
Fish beaches with deeper drop-offs. Fish before the sun comes up or in the evenings as it is going down. This will improve success a little. Dark colored Wooly Buggers with a Popcorn Beetle on the point is a good way to go.
For more information on Pyramid Lake visit a new website, www.pyramidlakeflyfishing.com

RANCHO SECO PARK LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

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

SAN JOAQUIN/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Road 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.
Steelhead fishing has been good. Most of the angling opportunity will be catch and release of wild fish; however, adipose fin clipped Steelhead can be harvested in the Smith.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) (www.blueribbonfishing.com) reports:
It is cloudy today (Tuesday) but there is no snow.
The fishing has been very, very good at the “Tahoe Trout Farm” (AKA Sugar Pine Point, Cal Neva Point and Dollar Point).
We’ve been trolling 100-250 feet deep with Dodgers and minnows.
The Macks are running up to about 6 pounds on the average, and we have caught a dozen that weighed between 8 and 21 pounds.
The toplining has also been very good for brown trout along the west shore.
My son Eric and I caught nine browns, from 4 to 8 pounds.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Chuck and Linda Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550) reported:
Not a fisherman out anywhere today (Tuesday), but they did OK on the weekend, especially the boaters.
They were trolling with natural-colored Rapala lures, one boat caught and released 19 fish and another boat did the same with 28 fish.
Not much going on with shore fishermen.

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Rick and Tresa Kennedy of Tight Line Guide Service (530-263-7944) (www.fishtightlines.com) reports:
We launched just shortly after sunrise at the Cedar Stock Resort and headed to the Papoose Arm. We dropped our rigs, which consisted of White Hoochies coated with Pro-Cure "Bloody Tuna" gel as well as the New Water Soluble "Bloody Tuna" teamed with UV Sling Blades.
The water temperature on the surface was 45.6 degrees, and after dropping a "Fish Hawk" probe down to 70 feet of water, the temp did not change a full degree. We made quite a few runs up this arm and netted 5 fish up to 4 pounds, we lost another 6 at the boat.
Most of the fish hit between 60 and 75 feet of water and seemed to be scattered throughout at different depths.

TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
The flows on the Truckee are perfect.
Access is not an issue right now and the fishing has been pretty good.
Fish are holding in slower deeper pools.
Baetis and Midges have been hatching sporadically and there have also been a few Stonefly sightings.
The best days for bugs are the cloudy ones.
The best day to fish is whenever you can get out there.
The best time to be on the water is from 11:00 am until about 3:00 pm. This is when the water is the warmest.
Nymphing has been the top producer for sure, but if you see some lips tie on a Baetis or Midge dry or Emerger.
For nymphs try a small dark Stonefly size 8-12 with a Baetis or Midge dropper size 18-20. Dries should be Baetis and Midges in 18-20.
Flows are: Town of Truckee 256 CFS, Boca Bridge 390 CFS, Farad 402 CFS, Reno 406 CFS.

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
Flows are 57CFS. This is a good number for February.
Access is not a problem and shouldn’t be unless we get some snow.
Cloudy afternoons are the best time to go for sure. Since we have not seen too many clouds you might have to go whenever.
We have had the occasional Baetis hatch but it is mostly Midges.
For Nymphing use size 18-22 and if you can find fish rising try it with a dry Midge size 20.
Keep an eye on the storms and our report to see any changes.

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 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 RIVERS, NEV:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775-853-7368) (info@renoflyshop.com):
East Walker River:
Flows are 26 CFS. This is really low and with the air temperatures as cold as they are overnight, there is some ice forming along the banks. The closer you stay to the dam at Bridgeport Reservoir the less ice you will see.  As the
Nymphing with small Nymphs in sizes 18-20 have been working well. Baetis and Midges are a good bet. There have been some fish rising as well so make sure to have some Baetis and Midge dries in your box.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker – West Walker – Sceirine Ranch - Hunewill Pond:
East Walker River:
Things are still going great on the river this past couple weeks, lots of nice fishing caught, mostly on small Midges and Nymphs and some on dries.
The water is still at about 25 cfs. The weather has been great, and the crowds haven't been too heavy.
Nymphing is probably going to be your best bet right now, but if you see any lips on the surface be sure to have some small dries (20's and 22's) in your box.
The other day I was down there and there were fish rising for several hours.
Patterns to be packing would include: Zebra Midge, WD-40, GT Emerger, Flashback Emerger, Lite Brite Prince, San Juan Worm, blue wing Olive, Para Adams, Blue Dun.
West Walker River: Closed.
Sceirine Ranch:
We haven't had any clients on the Sceirine lately but it should be fishing excellent as well. If you want solitude this could be a great opportunity!
Hunewill Pond: Closed.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River:
There is some snow and ice along the banks but it is not a factor in accessing the EW right now.
It has been actually much warmer than usual this winter here although there have been some sub-zero days when the inversion layer sets in.
I had a great day here a while back C & R 13 fish in three hours, 2 over 20 inches, and it never got above 40 degrees all day!
Flows should begin to come up here some by the end of the month if it does not start raining soon.
As is always the case in during winter releases-concentrate your efforts on the deeper pools and runs. It is not often that trout will move in any numbers into riffle water under these conditions.
The BWO hatches are just beginning on the EW along with a consistent Midge hatch on the high pressure days.
Fish don’t move a long ways this time of year- so redundant dead drifts in the deeper water will get you grabs if you have patience and properly weighted Nymphs. Smaller patterns in the # 18-22 range are the norm here, but I have found that if you tie on a larger Nymph and repeatedly drift it by one of those big EW browns you can get the fish to hit the fly out of aggression as opposed to it being hungry
Not everyone’s cup of tea, and I am not suggesting you foul hook the fish by any means. This is common practice with steelhead and salmon fisherman to get lethargic fish to bite your imitation.
If the weather holds look for the EW to turn on big earlier this year. Bridgeport has plenty of water this winter and the fishing should be great on the EW through early summer.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
East Walker River:
Water Conditions:
Good. Flat at 25 CFS forever as of 2/4. Snow is not a problem for access.
Fishing Conditions:
Excellent. Water is still cold but midday bite is strong to wide open!
Average report is a dozen fish in 4-5 hours with guides and clients 2x that.
Midges in the 18-20 range producing all day and decent hatch midday for an hour or two.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River:
Most recent flow 25 CFS. Most of the ice is now gone but the water temp is a chilly 38. Due to the low flows not many "good" spots exist.
Some mid day surface action with adult midge patterns.
Add a midge pupa as a dropper.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Rick and Tresa Kennedy of Tight Line Guide Service (530-263-7944) (www.fishtightlines.com) reports:
We our on our way to Trinity Lake and we decided to stop at Whiskeytown this afternoon. We launched at the Oak Bottom Ramp and headed out about five hundred yards. We worked the coves and rock piles pulling a variety of Cripplures and Humdingers down to fifteen feet.
A few rainbows to twelve inches were hooked on these rigs before switching over to orange and gold F-7 Rapalas which were smeared with Pro-Cure Garlic Plus. We hooked a few more rainbows about the same size.
The water temp was 45 degrees.
We ended up fishing for an hour and a half before heading to Trinity Lake.

WILLIAM LAND PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

Photo Captions

Photo No. 1:
Jim Maguire with a trophy-sized rainbow trout caught on a Flashback Pheasant Tail fly while recently fishing on the Upper Owens River near Bishop, California.
Photo courtesy of Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters – Guide Service

Photo No. 2:
Jim’s son Sergey (AKA “Rambo”) with another trophy rainbow caught on the Upper Owens with an Assassin fly.
Photo courtesy of Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters – Guide Service

Photo No. 3:
An ice fisherman with his auger at Davis Lake, California on Saturday, February 04.
Note the thin-looking places in the ice.
He was one of the 100 entrants in the annual Davis Lake ice fishing derby, which is sponsored by the Portola Rotary Club.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 4:
Another angler drilling a hole in the ice.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 5:
Some of the contestants in that derby.
Note the open water at the top of the photograph.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 6:
More contestants and more open water.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 7:
Most of the 43 ice fishermen who were counted on the ice at 9:00 a.m. on that very cold and breezy, Saturday morning.
Photo by Elaine Quilici