Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of March 11-17

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 March 11-17, 2014:

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

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are reporting catching some rainbows, browns and kings this week. The best fishing at this time is around the Hamilton Branch.  
Courtesy of Big Daddy’s Guide Service.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service (530-283-4103) (www.bigdaddyfishing.com) reports:
Browns, Browns, Browns!!!!
Have I got your attention? The Almanor spring Brown Bite is on and we are taking advantage of it. This is some of the most exciting fishing of the year with big tough Browns slamming out bats while the rod is in your hand.
Lets re-cap the recent weeks of fishing. As the temps have been mild and most days warmer these fish have kicked into spring mode. Most days have been outstanding fishing for these trophies with solid numbers of hook ups and fish running from 3 to 6 pounds.
That said, this is fishing, and in the spirit of full disclosure, there have been a few tough days on the water, where weather, wind and water conditions have had me working overtime to get some fish hooked up, but overall the bite is about as good as it gets.
In addition to the Browns we are seeing just a few really nice Rainbows and a few Smallmouth Bass or "SMB's", and while not the intended targets, they are sure fun to catch.
If you have been waiting to get in on some of this spring time brown action, now is the time. I do have a few days available but thye are going fast.

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. Lake is free of ice and is coming up slightly. Too early for the ice to be gone but fishing here tends to be very good after this has happened.

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.

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:
The fish have been moving closer to shore recently.
Anglers report catching a trout or two, using  bobbers and worms.  
About 6 pm seems to be the most active right now.
Courtesy of Nor Cal Fishing News.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
The lake is totally ice free.
The fish have started to congregate in the arms of creek beds and looking for a place to spawn.
There is no water in the creek channels and fish are going to have a hard time spending any time at all spawning locally.
The heads of the Channels in deeper water has been the place to go so far.
Fishing Nymphs and Midges under an indicator in 8-20 feet of water has been working well.
The fish are only going to get hotter in the coming weeks.
The roads around the lake are open right now with no issues of snow.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The only ice on the lake is in the center, so boaters need to use caution, but the shoreline and dock are free of ice.
Action has been really good using Power Bait. Coloration doesn’t seem to matter. Nightcrawlers have also produced good action.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The reservoir is ice free, and anglers are finding good action for rainbow trout while using nightcrawlers and Power Bait. The fish aren’t being too picky and are taking a variety of Power Bait colors.

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 fishing a bit more difficult, however  there are still a few steelhead showing up.
Courtesy of FISHWITHJD.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
The fishing at Frenchman has been steady this past week. Bank fishing all around the lake has been good and trollers are doing pretty well too.
A group of guys from Reno - Eddie, Mike, Armando and Joe - came out on Tuesday, March 4th and caught 4 nice sized rainbows at Big Cove.
They used chartreuse and purple powerbait.
Erick Deliz from Cold Springs, NV caught a 16" and a 12" rainbow at Snallygaster floating worms off the bottom.
We also had a report that someone from Loyalton caught 4 rainbows within a half an hour at Turkey Point with worms.
Bob Parry, our resident fishing guide, says that the fish are in spawning mode now and can be found in the shallow waters near the stream entrances.
Please call us for current lake conditions and updates on the fishing - Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Lunker Point still seems to be a favorite hot spot this week fishermen are reporting. Anglers have had good luck catching rainbows.
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 5CFS. Nicer weather has improved fishing here.
Best  chance is nymphing with caddis larva or small pheasant tails.
The BWO's are beginning to show in decent numbers.

JACKSON MEADOWS, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
The road here is open to Jackson Meadows.  Way too early for this to happen but for those who need to get here it's good news.

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 conditions have been good this week. Most of the smaller fish are gone, leaving some nice size adult steelhead to catch.  
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
Action has been slow for holdover rainbow trout that remain in the river.
Striped bass are beginning to make an appearance with anglers catching a few in the 10-pound range while fishing from shore in the area of Community Park.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The best fishing time this week is from 10 am to 2 pm. Fishermen are telling us you should be able to catch a few smaller rainbows averaging 12” to 15”.  The best time to fish is late morning to early afternoon.  
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.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Reports have been light, but those coming in are that the fish are hanging deep. With the new moon on March 1, anglers may see a slight change in fish behavior. Fishing under a light or with a submersible light during a new moon is an effective way of catching stripers.
With the warmer weather, anglers are already seeing signs of pre-spawning activity by largemouth and smallmouth bass.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
With the unseasonably warm weather, smallmouth and largemouth bass are exhibiting spawning behavior. Nesting activity is apparent in the shallows and all along the shoreline.
The sometimes elusive striped bass may be more receptive during the new moon, which begins March 1. Fishing under a light or with a submersible light has generally produced good results.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are saying this lake has been fair this week.
You can expect to catch a couple black bass.
Courtesy of Oroville Outdoors.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River (3-10-14)
The warmer morning temps and overcast skies moved the fish back into the channels and out of the pools making it more difficult to locate concentrations of migratory jumbo sized rainbows I call Crowley Steelhead.
It remains good up here, you just need to cover more water.
The upper section of the river called “Long Years” has good numbers of trophy rainbows and way less pressure.
We have had some EPIC days recently with clients landing over thirty trophy sized rainbows in a single day.
Roads along the river are still soft and muddy in some areas after they thaw, overall access is good.
We are seeing good midge and mayfly (BWO #16) activity daily if the wind does not hook up.
The school sized fish are active and feeding. Have some mayfly nymphs like flashback PT’s, assassins, hares ear, #14/20.  The dark assassin bird’s nest was the hot fly today #14/16.
You will also want broken-back articulated or regular crystal tiger and zebra midges, crystal olive zebras and caddis larva patterns #14/18 for tandem nymph rigs fished beneath an Under-cator.
On bright sunny days use the yellow or clear 3/4 inch Under-cator.  It will not be as obtrusive to the wily trout.
Hi-vis para BWO adults are good to use as an indicator on a dry/dropper bead head rig.  Parachute midge patterns #20/22 are also hot surface flies for the sipping trout late morning.
#18/16 BWO adults are also on the menu, I really believe in the quill wing ones I sell and use, check them out at the least.
The hot rig during off hatch periods is a crystal leech, dark assassin, or SJ worm as your upper fly.  Use the Otter egg patterns we sell at Reagan’s, and Crowley General store as the lower. This set-up is just flat deadly, and we have perfected how to rig and present it to fool those Crowley Steelhead.
Streamer fishing can also be productive using a light or clear sinking tip.
This is a good option if the wicked witch of the west blows in. Use Loebergs, punk perch, agent orange, or crystal leeches working the deeper cut banks & pools from an upstream position.
Book a trip with us and you will obtain the keys to the castle & learn how to catch these incredible fish. The run lasts through March so get up here before it’s over.
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.
Middle Owens River 3/10/14
Flows have finally begun to trend upwards and are currently at 120 CFS.  This is near perfect in my opinion and will allow the fish to spread out into the riffle water during the hatch cycles.
Be careful navigating some of the dirt roads around the Middle Owens, they are very soggy from all the wonderful rain the OV received.
Fishing is as good as it gets in the wild trout section currently.
The BWO mayfly hatch is in full swing and the wild fish are moving into the riffle water and tail outs to feed mid-day. You will also see some good caddis hatches coming off afternoon.
The trout are really keying in on these hatches & you may experience a decline in grabs after the emergences some days.
The midge hatch is nearly a blanket emergence on the high pressure days. 
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 adults #20/22 are best for dry fly enthusiasts. The BWO or baetis mayfly hatch is also a hot ticket now.
The recent warm weather has also triggered the beginning of the spring caddis emergence. On the high pressure calmer days you will see good numbers of these light bodied delta winged insects covering the water. 
Hi-vis Elk hair caddis adults are good replicas #16/18. 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.  First generation adults are larger-#14/18 will get looks if you keep them high riding in the suds or foam lines.
“The foam is home, don’t roam from the foam” during a good mayfly hatch! Streamer fishing using the “dip & strip” (see my guide tips on how to fish this method- top of any page of this site) is also productive & will fool larger trout more often.
During low light periods , or “off hatch” cycles use the Spruce-A-Bu.  This has been my top producing fly for many years on this river fooling countless larger trout. 
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.
And did I mention the first little yellow stoneflies are popping? It be true!
Stimulators are great representations for the adults #14/16. 
Larger PT’s and assassin birds nest are great as nymph clones #14/12.
Flows are currently at 106 CFS and stable. 
The LADWP real time gauge at the Pleasant Valley outlet is currently functioning (I have a link to it on my resources page of this site).
The “Middle Owens” near Bishop was once named the “Lower Owens “and was changed since the LORP project re-watered the section of river down from Tinemaha Reservoir a few years back.

PAHRANAGAT WILDLIFE REFUGE, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are finding some success at the upper marsh for panfish and catfish.
Mealworms or nightcrawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

PINE FOREST COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
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:
Make sure you are prepared on this river as it is very remote.
Fishermen are reporting good fishing action this week.  
One fishermen just caught an 18” rainbow a couple days ago.  
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 28% capacity and is wide open now as the ice is gone. 
Fishing outside the inlets and around the dam has produced the best results. 

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.  Fishing here has been very good! 
Using full sink lines or shooting heads after a running line is the way to go this time of year.  Woolley Worms, Beetles, and leech patterns. 
Recently though, 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. 

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
March 5th
The lake continues to fish well. Summit Lake strain Lahontan’s are starting to move in to some of the popular beaches looking for moving water for their annual spawn.
The water temperature is starting to climb out of its winter lows and the fish can sense the beginning of spring conditions at the lake.
If this year is anything like last the shift is on to a few more fish caught and without a doubt more Summit Lake Strain fish over the next month.
The beauty of having two strains of Lahontan’s in the lake now is that they are showing up at different times of the year.
The Pilot Peak Strain is a great addition to making our fishing season better at Pyramid and last much longer.
The Summit Lake strain is more likely to school up and run the shallows in the spring months when we see an increase in angler days in March and April and when it seems to become more difficult to catch some of the larger Pilot Peak Cutty’s.
Another year of fishing for this new amazing fish will undoubtedly reveal more about what they are all about.
The best times to fish still remain to be days with chop on the water.
10-20 fish days are happening already and you just have to be there on the right day with the right weather at the right time.
Nymphing continues to produce the most fish. Red and Wine colored Maholo Nymphs fished either under an indicator or stripped slowly with a hover line is hard to beat along with the Albino Wino. For the shooting Head set-up Olive Martini’s and Bloody Mary Wooly Buggers are working well.

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 say you should do pretty well this week drifting.
There are reports of seeing up to 25” rainbows.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
You can expect tough fishing conditions with all the muddy water this week. Ney Springs and the Cantara area are your best bet anglers have said. Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of March 10, 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.
We are fishing rain or shine.
Using Prince nymphs, Iron Sallies, Pheasant Tails & Brown Micro Mays, Yellow Sucker Spawn.
Call or email us today. We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. Drift  boats or Jet boats available. 
For those of you who are not fly fisherman, we offer spin fishing trips on the Sacramento River are 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, 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 good.
Even though the lake level is very low you can still plan to catch a few fish. Courtesy of Phil’s Propeller.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Some nice macks are always cruising around the dam this time of year so if you can get out, do.  Access here is wide open and those with small aluminum boats are already trolling for some of the bigger fish that are not accessible by shore fishing.

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.

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:
Anglers are reporting that the best fishing conditions are now.
The word is, this is the time of year the big steelhead are passing through.
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:
March 10, 2014 Fishing report
Currently, Water is at 300 CFS. Trinity River steelhead fishing is awesome.  Trinity River is low but very productive, 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:
Flows on the Truckee continue to be low through the town of Truckee down to Boca Bridge and then are outstanding through Reno.
The water is very clear and cold.
There has been an awesome Baetis hatch East of Reno especially on cloudy days. The weather is starting to warm and we could see more and more bugs over the next month.
Run-off should not be an issue in March or April and the early season fishing should be outstanding.
Nymphing with a Skwala Stone and a Baetis dropper either under an indicator or “High Sticking” is a great way to go.
The water is a little higher right now than in weeks past so make sure you use a little more weight.
The Department of Wildlife in Nevada has already started stocking the Truckee due to the possibility of warm low water in the summer.
Flows are: Town of Truckee 179 CFS, Boca Bridge 429 CFS, Farad 436 CFS, Reno 424 CFS and Vista (East of Reno) 484 CFS.

TRUCKEE RIVER, BIG, CALIF AND NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
California:
Scattered rain and maybe some snow over the next two days and then some partly cloudy days with temps getting into the low 60's by the end of the week makes for some prime early spring fishing. 
Look for days before or after storm fronts to fish as these are key days that fish will feed for longer periods of time. 
Some sighting's of March Browns have been reported and Skwala stones. 
With some of the overcast days we may see this week look for some BWO and Baetis hatches. 
If you're a patient person (which I'm not) one can wait for heads to start breaking the surface or one can try to bump them on the nose repeatedly nymphing.  Lots going on right now as fish are found everywhere in the river system, so get out if you have a chance and fish. 
Hatches this time of year will consist of Midges, BWO's, Baetis, Skwala Stones, and March Browns. 
Nevada:
Caution!  If you do fish the Truckee in Nevada please be aware that New Zealand Mudsnails have been found in sections of water there so please clean your shoes and gear accordingly to avoid aquatic hitch hikers!  
Study the water and turn rocks and see what is going on, also seine for what is in the drift. Little things like this and slowing your approach to the river’s edge will greatly increase your chances of being successful. 
Again, make sure your box is stocked with every conceivable stage of bugs that are present now!  (x) = drawer number.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
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:
Flows are at 49 CFS. They really spiked on March 3rd to 80 CFS and now back down to 49 CFS. What water there is for irrigation can change the flows anytime now.
It should not be a problem for fishing this season but the lower flows could affect the summer months and the water temperatures in July and August.
49 CFS for now is great.
The Skwalas are starting to show sub surface and Nymphing with a smaller Stonefly and a dropper like a Baetis, Midge or San Juan Worm is a great way to go.
Usually we say the best days to go are when the flows stay the same for a few days.
When the flows only spike 60 CFS it is not usually an issue.
The East Walker is a great place to go right now.
Fish the slower, larger pools and approach slowly and look for rising fish.
Check the flows before you go just in case.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
March 09, 2014 
The East is running at 65 CFS right now and has been fishing pretty well on both the Cali and Nevada sides.
Mostly small midge patterns are doing well but we have been getting some good dry reports and some good streamer reports.
With the higher flows the fish have spread out a bit more than they were with the lower flows so there's more water to fish and the fish aren't quite as spooky as they were, but I'd still try to be a bit sneaky when approaching the water. Patterns to try include, silver streak, micro mayfly, zebra midge, san juan worm, flashback emerger, top secret midge, cooper john,dark lord, moal leech, zuddler, sculpzilla, para adams, blue wing olive and blue dun.     Sceirine Ranch:
March 09, 2014
Had a couple good reports from the ranch this week with some fish up to 5 or 6 pounds making a showing. The same patterns that have been working on the public water should do the trick on the ranch too!      
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 is 65 CFS. Fishing is better with the bump up in flow and the warmer weather. Midge patterns, baetis emergers and pheasant tails.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
March 09, 2014
The West opened up for C & R fishing on the first of this month, we've had a couple reports come in from anglers so far. It sounds like the fish are holed up in some of the deeper pools and are being pretty picky with their diets.
The water on the West is usually gin clear so I think to have any success you're going to have to be very stealthy and sneak up on those fish.
I think I would try starting with a small leech or streamer pattern with a flashy nymph dropper like a prince or copper john. Work them slow as the water is very cold on the West right now so the fish may be slow as well.

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.
Courtesy of FISHINGNOTES.COM.

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