Don Q's fishing Nevada and Northern California fishing report for Feb. 12-18

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Feb. 12-18, 2014.

ADOBE POND, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The mornings are a bit chili at about 16 degrees and the water temps are approximately in the mid 30’s. You can expect clear water to around 10 feet which is very good for this time of the year. You can expect a thin coat of ice to form at night with some bigger chunks floating around the water during the day. Fishermen are reporting catching some rainbows and browns trolling from 5 to 15 feet deep.
Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This lake is frozen and the road is snow covered. Travel isn’t recommended and there will not be a report on this lake until next spring.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
Road closed.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake level is very low at 22 percent capacity. 
Ice is dangerous and is breaking up in many spots because of the amount of rain we have received recently! With this recent storm we may have seen the end of ice fishing for the winter. 

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

BURNSIDE LAKE, CALIF:
Road closed.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East:
Upstream from Hangman's Bridge, closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.
Carson River West:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Rain this week should get the steelhead on the move and make for some good fishing by the weekend. There are a lot of steelhead throughout the river, with February still a great month for steelhead fishing.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Anglers report the trout are biting. The morning hours seem to be best although very cold. The rainbows and browns seem to be plentiful this week.
Courtesy of Big Daddy’s Guide Service.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
February 04
The lake is almost completely open and free of ice. There were a few anglers out and about after our last week’s report and a few fish caught as well.
The East side of the lake is plowed and totally accessible.
Fish tend to hang out in the coves this time of year in some deeper water.
The conditions could change rapidly this week with some unsettled weather on the way over the next week or so.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The clear and low water levels are making for poor fishing condition. 
Courtesy of FISHWITHJD

FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in February, 2014.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Ship’s Cove has been a good place for fishermen. There have been reports of angler’s catching there limit of rainbows.
The ice at Big Cove is melting quick and is another good spot to fish.  
Courtesy of Wiggins Trading Post.

HAT CREEK CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the Friday before Labor Day, 2014.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2014.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is at 3 CFS. The recent cold and windy weather has the fish off the bite. Best  chance is nymphing with caddis larva or small pheasant tails.


HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Not much change since my last update. Access remains good, no snow here.
There is limited water to fish here although access to the area remains very good.  Look for the deepest pools-check out the area just below the hatchery called the “interpretive” site.  Not a place you want to spend a day on, and it becomes crowded with 4 anglers. 
Keep driving if you see a few cars by the kiosk.
The bulk of HC’s fish winter here and DFG survey’s show this is the most densely populated section of HC. 
Dry/dropper’s, streamers, swinging soft hackles, all will get grabs. 
You can’t fish Mammoth Creek this time of year so I suggest you do not cross and stay on the HC side of the river. Hit the deep holes and slots in the canyon, weeds are unfortunately still an issue in the prime riffles.
Midges and mayflies-smaller sizes are the standard.  Try a crystal scud, or a SJ worm and roe pattern to spice it up on the cooler days.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
A report of three fishermen catching and releasing rainbow trout that were caught on orange colored Gulp bait from shore.

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 Saturday, April 26, 2014.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Klamath has been fair to good. With the recent rain fishermen report you can expect to catch a couple steelhead this week.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are saying you should be able to catch a few smaller rainbows this week. The water level is low. The best time to fish is mid-day.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2014.

MARTIS LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANGEMENT AREA, NEV:
Hinkson Slough - North Pond - West Walker River - Crappie Pond:
Closed until the second Saturday in February, 2014.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Bidwell Marina is the only ramp open to launch at this time. However Fishermen are saying this lake has been an excellent destination for catching bass this week.
Courtesy of Nor Cal Fishing News.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current flow 54 CFS. The section downstream  of the Benton Crossing Bridge is closed for the season. Upstream of the bridge is open all year. Fishing is slow due to the wintery weather of late Some larger lake fish showing up here and there. Some hold over stockers and a few wild fish available. Nymph fish with WD-40,buckskin nymphs and midge pupa.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow still around 100 CFS. Fishing is  good  in the wild trout section with WD-40's,  pheasant tails and hares ears. Not much surface action


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River (2-9-14):
No precipitation again today on the UO, just a whole lotta wind. It was 50 degrees & raining in Mammoth (town of) off and on, not the storm that was forecast, ski area reporting 2 feet for the entire period. 
Fishing is much tougher here with gusty winds as there is no vegetation or structure to break the wind in Long Valley.
Mending is the key to good nymphing techniques; and under storm conditions the Upper Owens is not the best place to be fly fishing.
Timing the holes and lulls in the storms is like timing the stock market. 
The fish are still here and in very good numbers. We got into decent scores considering the severe winds our clients had to deal with today. Overline one size if you can, Use our Under-cators, or smaller strike indicators to cast into the wind more efficiently-poly yarn strike detectors suck in the wind!
A good tactic is to go full ninja and spot fish holding in the runs, then position to make a good presentation. 
Midge hatch is picking up as the days lengthen & I am seeing good mayfly emergences on the warmer days.
A variety of imitations will get looks.  I like tandem nymph rigs using Assassins, crystal leeches, flashback PT’s, San Juan Worms as your upper. Stick to #12-16 as your top flies. Hang glow bugs/eggs, broken back midges, smaller assassins and PT’s,  tiger and zebra midges, olive crystal zebras & Killa baetis nymphs as the lower. These can be #14-22.
Use a para high-vis BWO, or mayfly adult #14/16/18 and one of the aforementioned bead head nymphs for a dry/dropper rig if you observe sipping fish. 
This is an excellent way to fool spooky fish and one can stay downstream of the feeders for casting. It is crucial that you keep your flies near the bottom and alter your depth/weighting with each location and section of any given pool you fish. It is the “little” things that separate those who get these bigs, & those who do not.
The forecast is calling for some unstable weather moving in for a week. 
Good news if it actually snows! 
The UO is very prone to gusty winds so have a plan B like the Middle Owens near Bishop for the next week.
GUIDE TIP:  Winter time takes are as soft as a butterflies kiss, so set on anything.  If your Under-cator stops, shimmies, hovers, or plunges, SET IT! 
I tell clients look for reasons to set the hook, not excuses why you didn’t!
Swings are free, and you can’t strike out while fly fishing.
Try to set the hook moving your rod the direction your indicator is moving.
This establishes ANGLE & insures you pull the hook INTO the fish, not out of its mouth.
Anything 4 feet or deeper may hold a fish or two.
You can pick up our flies and Under-cators at Reagan’s Sporting goods in Bishop & the Crowley General Store in Crowley if you are in the area and need the hot flies we use on this report. 
They are also sold on my online store at the top of this page.
Middle Owens River:
Well above normal temps for air & water on the MO recently.
The BWO hatch is in full swing and the wild fish are moving into the riffle water and tail outs to feed mid-day.
Flows remain very low and many of the prime riffles are so low fish can’t hold here so look for the tail-outs of deeper pools to locate rising trout. 
The midge hatch is nearly a blanket emergence. These smaller insects are a mainstay for the Sierra’s trout. 
Use very small patterns like tiger and zebra midges with crystal tails #20/22 to imitate the shucks they crawl from. # 20/22 gillies, pupa, & crystal emergers work well while nymphing beneath an Under-cator.  Midge cluster patterns and parachute hi-vis adults #20/22 are best for dry fly enthusiasts.
The BWO or baetis mayfly hatch is also a hot ticket now.  Nymph patterns like assassins birds nest, flashback pheasant tails, and ribbed hares ear patterns work great to represent the larger sub-surface profiles. #14/18 are good calls. The adults have upright wings, twin tails, and ride high in the foam lines.
Streamer fishing using the “dip & strip” is also productive & will fool larger trout more often. 
With the fish feeding now and warmer water temps, patterns like olive and light punk perch #12/16, Loebergs #10, crystal leeches & agent orange #12/16 are good choices. 
Recent drift trips have the olive punk perch as the top producer. This fly is a “strymph” pattern.  Cross between a streamer and a nymph. Use these with a light sinking tip & swing your fly into the foam lines or main current-do not cast on top of where the fish are holding so you don’t put them down or spook them.
The Lower Owens River is now being designated as the “Middle Owens” due to re-watering of the section below Tinemaha Reservoir down to the Owens Dry Lake several years ago.
This has been deemed the LORP, or Lower Owens River Project. 
The mid-Owens is around Bishop Ca.

PINE FOREST COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Onion Valley Reservoir:
Has dried up.
Blue Lakes:
Closed.
Knott Creek Reservoir:
Closed.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are reporting fair to good fishing this week. Late morning to about 3pm is the best time to catch this week.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR AND THE GORGE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
Levels have fallen considerably since my last update here which has improved access to the “transition” section near the inlet to the Rez proper. 
Still plenty of weed but with the lower levels you can now get to the elbow area which has better conditions. 
Watch for the mud! It will be frozen in the morning, and can thaw rapidly. I know of a few wading boots buried in the muck due to this common error.
The DFG planted a bunch of big brood stock here and some catchables recently. Not the prettiest fishery, but it can kick out Fifty fish days if you know how to fish it.
The short creek section is fishing well in the deeper pools & runs.
Midge patterns and smaller mayflies are good choices for nymphing or dry/dropper combos in both areas. 
FREEZE tubing has been the most consistent currently.
Still water nymphing can be productive along the drop-offs on the west side in 9-12 feet. The rainbows and browns here on the chew by late morning.
Tiger midges, gillies, crystal pupa and emergers are hard to beat here fished below an Under-cator.
If the wind picks up use a broken back tiger as the lower. 
Small Assassin birds nest work well for imitating the mayfly nymphs, use these under a stimulator or hi-vis para Bwo as your indicator.
Streamer tuggers have a full sinking or heavy sink tip line.
Loebergs, Agent Orange, & Spruce-A-Bu’s will get you grabs near the inlet and launch ramp areas.
The Gorge:
The Gorge has very low flows due to work being on the hydro plants.
The wild browns are holding in the deepest holes and significant dry fly action has been dropped off the last couple weeks even though the weather has been near perfect for this area. 
Dry/dry, or dry dropper bead head rigs using small mayfly and crystal olive caddis nymphs are good choices. 
Fish are small and scrappy here, but plentiful in the middle and upper area of the lower sections.
You need to be able to hike and rock hop. 
Waders are a must, studs & a staff will help immensely.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 18% capacity and ice has become dangerous with many thin spots.
It may look safe at a distance but with as much rain we are receiving the ice is degrading at rapid pace.
Friday the ice was about 12 inches thick with a 2 inch layer of snow on top but by Saturday it was 6 inches and fracturing a lot underneath.  
Caught and released a limit of Rainbows on Friday but only one Saturday morning when checking ice conditions.
Needless to say, I was on the ice for only  25 minutes on Saturday as the ice was degrading fast with many thin spots of ice around dam.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
This year has been the comeback year for this lake as anglers are catching some large cutts. Recently though, fishing here has been okay. 
Using full sink lines or shooting heads after a running line is the way to go here now.  Woolley Worms, Beetles, and leech patterns. 
Some fish are being caught of deeper points with nymph-indicator rigs. 
Color is dependent on the day so come prepared. 
Best areas are Popcorn, Blockhouse, Wino, Monument, and Diego Bay. 
We carry all the signature patterns for Pyramid by Umpqua!

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (pyramidlakeflyfishing.com) reports:
February 4th
January at Pyramid was about as good as could be expected.
The water is cold at its normal wintertime lows of 42-43 degrees but there have been some really big fish hanging around and feeding all winter.
The numbers of fish are down which can be expected this time of year but when or if you catch a fish it has the potential to be huge. There have been lots of fish caught between 10 and 20 pounds over the past month.
The beaches with access to deeper water continue to be the hot spots.
Places like Blockhouse, Sand Hole and other areas on the south end of the lake have been pretty good.
It looks like we are in for some weather over the next couple of weeks and that should help the fishing out as well.
The best days have been when we get some wind and some chop on the water. There have been some really good early mornings and late evenings but it is really cold out there so dress warm.
Nymphing in 9-20 feet of water with Red, Wine or Black Maholo Nymphs has been working well. Stripping Wooly buggers and Beetles in deeper water with a fast sinking shooting head is also the way to go. Olive Martini’s, Bloody Mary’s, and Loco Beetles and Tadpoles are great choices.

ROCK CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

RUSH CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are reporting very good results this week.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Mid day, Anglers have been pleased with the catches this week.
Fishing in the shadows has been good.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
JD Richey of JD Richey Guided Sportfishing (916-952-1554) (www.fishwithjd.com) Reports:
SLOW!
There have been some sturgeon showing near Courtland but that’s been the bulk of the action here lately. Low flows and slow action overall.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of February 9, 2014, water flow is currently 3,250 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing is great. 
Fishing Posse Grounds area in Redding, fishing well. 
Rainbow Trout fishing, 18 in to 22 inches, from 12 to 20 fish days. Later in the day best.
Rain on the way this week.
Using Prince nymphs, Iron Sallies, Pheasant Tails, and  Black Rubber Legs.
Call or email us today. We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week.
Drift  boats or Jet boats available.
Fly fishing and spin fishing trips on the Sacramento River are available. 
We cater to all methods of fishing. Daily drifting Redding, Calif., and Anderson, Calif.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Reports from fishermen are saying that Bass fishing has been great.
Even though the lake level is very low you can still plan to catch fish up to two pounds.   
Courtesy of Phil’s Propeller.

LAKE TAHOE:
A report of limits of small to average sized Mackinaw Trout caught on the west side of the lake near Homewood in 150-300 feet of water, bouncing the bottoms with silver Herring Dodger flasher blades and minnows.

TOPAZ LAKE:
A report that the water level is low and the fishing is slow.

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen report that they are not seeing the numbers they would normally see for this time of year. A few runs every so often. It might be a challenge for fishermen right now.
Courtesy of E.B. Duggan .
                          
TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Some anglers are reporting having a tough time catching fish this week, while others are doing very well.  
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
February 7, 2014 Fishing report
Currently, Water is at 300 CFS. Trinity River steelhead fishing is awesome. 
Rain is here. 4 to 10 fish hooked and landed, a day, on average.
Fishing daily, now is time for steelhead fishing.
We are fly fishing and spin fishing the river, fishing from Lewiston to Junction City. 
Fly fisherman are using eggs patterns and doing very well. 
Please give us a call to reserve your day on the water. 
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, CA  fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
February 04
The lower river East of Reno has been fishing pretty well. Just like any January the weather has a lot to do with the fishing. It looks like we are in for some colder temperatures over the next week or so and that could slow the fishing some. The best days are overcast and when we can get the temperatures up around 50 degrees.
There has been some blue Wing Olives hatching on most days as long as the wind doesn’t blow too hard.
The flows are really low and the water is very clear on the river right now.
Use a little more stealth and approach holes and runs a little slower and try to look for feeding fish before jumping right in.
The Lower California side is also fishing O.K. and access is not a problem with little or no snowpack around the river.
Nymphing with Baetis, small dark Stones and Midges is your best bet now.
Flows are Town of Truckee 78 CFS, Boca Bridge 234 CFS, Farad 258 CFS, Reno 261 CFS, Vista 300 CFS.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

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, NEV:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
February 04
Flows are 30 CFS. There is a little ice around the edges of the river and the overnight lows in the area have been really cold. Translation is take your time getting down there and fish later in the day when it has a chance to warm up a bit. The flows are low and the fish are holding in the deeper holes and runs. Small nymphs like Baetis and Midges have been doing the best.
Keep an eye on the weather over the next week. The cold air we are expecting could add to the ice on the river over the next week or so.
Travel in the area could also be tough with some snow expected soon.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
February 09, 2014 
The East is still running at 20 CFS right now. We had a bit of a cold snap last week but the last few days have been pretty warm with some overcast days and a little bit of snow up high.
The fishing is doing pretty well but you still need to keep in mind that with the low flows the fish are pretty concentrated in the deeper pools, pockets and slots. You really need to be sneaky right now with these conditions so you don't spook the fish. It seems that the best time of day to be on the water is from about 9am to 3pm still and with the daytime air temps being in the 40's it's been pretty nice down there.
Nymphing has been the mainstay but there's been some decent dry action from time to time as well. Patterns to try include flashback emergers, zebra midge, wd-40, top secret midge, rainbow warrior, san juan worm, para adams, bwo, blue dun and if you want to drag some heavy streamers through the deep pools go with something heavy like a conehead zuddler or conehead moal leech.
GO TEAM USA!!         
Sceirine Ranch:
February 09, 2014
Haven't had anyone on the ranch lately, should be fishing pretty much like the Cali side though often this time of year the streamer action is even better down there! Give us a call if you want some time on the ranch!!      
Hunewill Pond:
The pond if frozen now, we'll start checking in March or so and let you know when it thaws!

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow has dropped to 20 CFS. Fishing is tough and you may encounter ice in the channel. Midge patterns, baetis emergers and pheasant tails.


WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
We finally did a trip up to the EW and am happy to report it is good for numbers. The bigs were a tad shy, although a few came up and gave the proverbial fin!  The bad news remains the same-very limited water where you will find concentrations of fish due to low flows. The warm front before the storm had the fish on the chew in the miracle mile. 
Some BWO’s coming off.  Nymphing the deepest pools with Punk Perch, Agent Orange, & crystal Leeches as the upper fly or as a streamer will get you grabs. 
Hang a broken back  tiger or zebra midge, assassin birds nest, crystal glow bug, olive crystal zebra, SJ worm or copper tiger midge as your lower. 
Loebergs also work well in the deep pools used with a light sinking tip line.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
A report that on November 6, 2013, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife announced that the West Walker River has been designated for winter fishing, from the confluence with the Little Walker River (Hwy. 395 Bridge at mile marker 96), north to the inlet of Topaz Lake, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April.
These new regulations go into effect on March 1st, 2014.
Along with these new dates, the winter fishing regulations are as follows: Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used for catch and release only, zero daily bag and possession limit.

WHISKEYTOWN LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
This lake is deceptively cold. There are plenty of trout near the Power House, however fishing this lake is very difficult even for the veterans.  There seems to be a code of silence when it comes to fishing this lake. Trial and error and a whole lot of patience is the key to ultimate success here.
Courtesy of FISHINGNOTES.COM.

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