Fishing Report for the week of March 23

Here is the fishing report for Northern Nevada, Northern California, Southern Oregon and the Sierra for the week of March 23 through March 30:

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Brian Roccucci of Big Daddy’s Guide Service (539) 283-4103 www.bigdaddyfishing.com reports:
The winter trout bite at Lake Almanor continues to be pretty solid...when you can get to the lake!
Last weeks storms had cleared we were back on the water catching fish and them BOOOOOM!!! Things really blew up weather wise with fierce storms bringing high winds and more snow to the Almanor basin which is more accurately measured in feet not inches.
With winds gusting over 40 mph, and access to the lake being blocked by snow, I was forced to re-schedule a couple of trips. Prior to the storms we were on a solid bite along the east shore as in weeks past.
The hot rig was again the Arctic Fox Pond Smelt Tube Fly, run at of near the surface. For more details please read last weeks report.
With an eye to the weather, I hope to be back out on the lake soon hooking up clients with nice fish.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Water surface temps are about 38 degrees with water clarity at 7 feet.
Lots of action all around Almanor, from the Dam to Almanor West and all points in between.
Most Anglers launch out of Canyon Dam so that's a good place to start this report. Bank or boat fishing Geritol Cove at Canyon Dam has been really good. How good? 16 fish mornings can, and has happened all week.
Browns and Bows have been going for a variety of baits, that include chartreuse Power Bait, nightcrawler, roe and mealworms.
One big Brown that was reported came in at 29 inches long, It was not weighed, and quickly released, This fish was somewhere between 8 and 9 lbs., he took the roe. Most fish caught here at Geritol Cove were smaller of course, but it just goes to show you that there are some brutes here.
Even fly fishing green Midge larva patterns along the weed line has been rocking also with a short, 4 inch jerk/rip on the retrieve.
The trollers are working the east shore from the dam north to The Dorado INN and back, including me.
Reports said they started off with a double hook up of Rainbows just around the 2 lbs. trolling red and gold spoons, rigged down no deeper than 15ft. Fishermen said rainbow they caught looked good, plump, bright and clean. These fish have fed well over the winter and are looking fine.
Side finding sonar has been showing fish all around the surface the past couple of days so that's where most boats have been suspending their trolled baits and lures.
There are a couple of small storms due in through this weekend and into the week. Light rain should be expected, with some possible light snow overnight. This Snow should not affect the launch ramps.
Bass bite has picked up over at Goose Bay and over near the Airport flats.
The bottom line is, winter is done, and springtime is here, but remember at 4,500 ft. elevation and little more, winter type weather is always possible. Check the forecast before heading up.
Lake levels are rising, watch for hazards, safety first.
Almanor winds can be dangerous. Smaller boats not advised if wind is forecasted. Dress for cool morning conditions.
— Courtesy of Doug Neal

BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reports:
The road is closed for the winter.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reports:
High water. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather and flows before fishing the river.

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
A few bass have been showing up, but no trout due to the pike infestation. Pike fishing has also been poor. There are few if any trout left in the lake also due to the pike infestation.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530) 993-4683 reports:
The lake is all open water at this time.
You can fish from shore at the dam. It is plowed up to the dam. Getting around the lake, you still need a snowmobile. SO BE CAREFUL!
Fishermen have been catching their limits at or near the dam. Using nightcrawlers or Power Bait (all colors seem to be working), rainbow trout have been weighing 1 to 1-1/2 pounds, and about 17 to 20 inches in length.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Lake has a thin layer of ice near the dam, but there is open water visible from the dam. It's still difficult getting around the lake. Snowmobile is the best way. There's still plenty of snow on the ground, so BE CAREFUL! Fishermen have been using nightcrawlers and Power Bait (green and orange). Doing well in some areas (west of the dam), and not so well in others (hard to get across the dam, not plowed all the way across).
Most are hiking to open water.
— Courtesy of Wiggins Trading Post

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
Water flow is 13 CFS. Fishing slowed a bit this last week. 
BWO's or Midge adults on the surface. Nymph fish with FB Pheasant Tails, gray WD-40's and Caddis larva.


HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760) 935-4250 www.sierradrifters.com reports:
Timing will be everything here this spring.
The run-off influences Mammoth Creek making it swell-so this shall establish conditions on HC proper which stays for the most part very stable in flows and clarity.
It can be epic on the crick in March and it is by far my favorite time of year to fish here save maybe the blanket caddis hatches in the fall. 
BWO’s are still the main course on the trout’s diet but they snack on midges all day here.
I also suggest you go “rogue” and toss a streamer or two if the water gets off colored, especially in the larger pools and holes.
Road in remains closed to vehicles and will be a mess for a while.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
Water Conditions: Good. Flows are slowly rising at 28 CFS as of 3/17.
Paved road to entrance of Hot Creek ranch is plowed and dry. 
Access to the canyon section and Interpretive Center sections are a walk over packed snow.
Snow won't last long with high daytime temps and recent warm rain.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Excellent. Variable weather has produced some major grabs when overcast.
Major bites with fish boiling on surface.
Big and buggy patterns for body count if you do not want to fish dries.
Midges early and BWO's hatching midday as usual.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reports:
Not a thing happening out this way. We’ve got major snow and the pass (Kit Carson Pass) was closed yesterday due to blowing snow.
I came home from Arizona on Saturday and I had snow all the way from Bishop to Gardnerville. I should have stayed there.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reported:
Fishing for rockfish and lingcod has been good when the ocean has been “calm.” Concentrate your fishing near rocky outcroppings and drop-offs. Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is now open outside of the 40 fathom curve.
A few lingcod and rockfish are being caught along the jetties inside the bays. Effective baits to use for lingcod are bouncing a jig with a big plastic tail or bouncing a herring near the bottom.
There have been a few reports of surfperch being caught. To fish for surfperch look for places that have riptides or areas that has steeper beaches. Best fishing is usually on an incoming tide with ocean swells less than 6 feet. Sand shrimp or sand worms are great baits to use for surfperch.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reported:
Upper Owens River: Water flow 69 CFS. Closed from Benton Crossing downstream to Crowley Lake. Open to fishing up stream from the Benton Crossing bridge.
Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
A little slower with recent snow storms. A few Mayflies and Midges hatching sporadically. Parachute Adams on the surface and WD-40's and small flashback Pheasant Tails under the surface
Lower Owens River: Water flow 1241 CFS.  Fishing slowed down with the recent rise in water flow. Nymph fish with Caddis larva, cased Caddis and scuds.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reported:
Upper Owens River Water Conditions: As of 3/17 flows are down farther to 78 CFS above the Hot Creek confluence Water is somewhat off color.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good to Excellent. Action is excellent with good hatches midday.
Nymphing, streamers, Midges early and Baetis midday. It all works when they are waking up from a long winter and are HUNGRY!
Owens River Gorge Water conditions: Great. Flow: 45 CFS. This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP. Water is clear and cold.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good. Possibly a good bet but a little snow on the trails down. Be careful.
Lower Owens River Water Conditions: As predicted flows are now up to 247 CFS as of 3/17.
Wading won't last much longer. 350 CFS+ is in the forecast.
Water staying much warmer overnite and hatches are earlier in the day.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Excellent. Every day the bite starts earlier and goes later.
Even on rainy days everyone coming back is all smiles.
Major Midge clusters are coming off early and late with lots of BWO's midday. The Caddis have start showing in numbers and it goes "Richter" when they show.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF: 

Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760) 935-4250 www.sierradrifters.com reports:
Lower Owens River: I hate to say it but the party will soon be over here. The flows have been creeping upwards since the beginning of March and with Crowley Lake near capacity the water lords will unleash the hounds very soon. 
There is a real-time link to the LADWP website at the top of our website Fishing Conditions page to view flows on the Owens.
Wading & crossing will become tough above 300cfs, at 450cfs and above, forget it! After the levels stabilize for a week, the drift boat fishing will be fine and it will be business as usual again.
There has been some fine fishing in most sections recently and you will see solid hatches of spring Caddis, little yellow Stone Flies, some huge Drakes, Midges and the last of the BWO emergences.
A variety of Nymphs and winged adults with associated profiles will get you grabs. Quite frankly, it will be more location & the archer-not the arrow that will lead to catching as flows climb. 
Streamer fishing with heavy sinking tips and practicing the “dip & strip method” has been productive.
This has been a great season for larger fish. Punk Perch # 10-14, Loebergs # 10, and the deadly Spruce-a-Bu have been fooling the bigs daily.
Upper Owens River:
What a great winter! I will remember the 2010/11 snow bow season for a long time to come.
The winter strain fish are returning back to the lake and conditions on the UO are less than perfect as the snow begins melting tainting the water and increasing flows.
The thawing roads are an absolute mess and even our snowmobiles can’t safely access the roads until they freeze, or thaw and dry out.
Hiking in is the only way right now and with the lack of fish present I would say it is NOT worth the effort. 
Nymphing the deeper pools has been the silver bullet here most of the winter however, If you decide to make the trek up and fish under the current conditions I suggest you use streamers and a moderate sinking tip line.  Keep them in the # 6-10 range with some red, orange, and flash built in to make the profile stand out against the tannin colored water.
Spring this year in the Crowley tributaries will be challenging due to the low snow line & early run-off.
Crowley is thawing and will have an earlier ice out than last year for certain. McGee Bay is already showing clear water near the inlet, as is the Upper Owens inlet area. 
Just recently I am beginning to see fish moving upstream and stage on the redds here at McGee Creek where I reside.
In another month most of these tribs will be washed out and unfishable unless the weather turns cold again for an extended period. 
Quite possible this year, check out my Facebook updates for these changes.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760) 935-4250 www.sierradrifters.com reports:

Pleasant Valley Reservoir & the Gorge: PV is fishing very well right now and will continue to do so until full time power generation begins in the future.
The lake level is way up from this winter and tubing near the launch ramp and dam will be your best options when the turbines begin turning.
The gorge is going to be one of the best options this spring because of the consistent flows with no influence from run-off along its rocky banks.
It requires some legwork to get into the better areas here.
The numbers of wild browns are plentiful, although on the small side.
Have a selection of mayfly and caddis fly adult imitations # 14-18, as well as some yellow stone fly look-a-likes # 14-16. Drop a bead head nymph a couple feet below the dry for deeper pools and runs. I find it crucial to fish from a downstream approach-casting up and working further with each presentation here. The fish are spooky and conventional approaches will not get it done in most instances. Break out those 2-4 weights in this area.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775) 476-0555 www.fishpyramid.com reports:
We got a little dusting of snow last night (Sunday), but it’s gone with the rain that we got this morning.
The boats are having a hard time getting out due to the weather.
The fly guys are doing very well with black Woollies or white Beetles under an indicator. They are catching and releasing the fish.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775) 853-7368 info@renoflyshop.com:
The fishing at Pyramid has been up and down.
The best anglers are doing pretty well.
Moving around seems to be the key right now.
Reports have been from 1 or 2 fish to 15 or 20 on the same day.
The water is still really cold (43 degrees) due to the cold February and March in the Reno area. We are expecting another wave of storms into the area starting today through the end of next week so the water will likely stay in the low to mid 40’s for a while.
Fish are starting to show real signs of wanting to spawn. Most of the females are fat and loaded with eggs. The males are starting to color up as well.
It seems as though it is going to be a late spring and the fishing out at the lake could go on well into May this year.
Fish are still really spread out and can be caught all over the lake.
Be careful when heading to the south end of the lake because the Truckee has been coming in at over 1000 CFS and has been really muddy. As of Friday March 18th almost the entire south end of Pyramid was off-color. The beaches that are the most affected are Howard’s Dago and Popcorn. The river is starting to come back down and it could clear up both on the river and Pyramid in a few days.
Most of the normal techniques are catching fish right now.
Nymphing with Maholo Midges is definitely working and stripping Woolly Worms and Beatles are also. Olive Martini’s, Bloody Mary’s (the fly) and Popcorn Beatles are all worth a try.
Time of day has not been too important although first light has been producing pretty well.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916) 388-1956 reports:
Big Water! Top to bottom, the Sac is one BIG river right now! Up through Redding, they’re releasing 25,000 CFS outta the dam at Shasta. The water’s not muddy, but milky and nobody’s fishing for trout right now. Give it a few days to settle and you can probably catch a fish or two along the edges…but be careful out there!
Downstream, the river’s a chocolate mess. You’ve got close to 50,000 CFS coming in from the Feather and Yuba combined and then the American’s pumping in another 26,000.
When things settle out, it will be time to start striper fishing! Guide www.thesportfisher.com JD Richey will be chasing them in April.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Flows out of Keswick Dam remain low at 16,300 cfs. The Lower Sac is on the rise! This makes the river very unsafe to wade, pushes the fish out of the good holding water and downstream. With this week’s weather pattern calling for more rain you might want to take to the lakes to get some fishing done. Winter is still clinging on this week with more winter storms coming this weekend. Still, the springtime caddis are already beginning to hatch, indicating that the early "Mother's Day" caddis - which typically hatch in March on the Lower Sac — will be in full swing as soon as the skies clear and it warms up.
March is the single best dry fly month of the year on the Lower Sac, and April can bring some fish to the surface, too.
While dries are unfortunately never a guarantee on this river, your best odds and seeing pods of rising fish are March and April when flows are low and brachycentrus and PMD hatches create ideal surface conditions for rising trout. All of the bridge construction projects are finished, so there are no longer hazards in the river or flow-related boating restrictions.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Upper Sac is remains blown out from recent storms.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SAN JOAQUIN AND RED’S MEADOWS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
Road closed.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Fishing will remain good throughout the winter months.
The trout and bass are near the surface, and anglers are finding them in the top 12-15ft of water.
Even though most of the tributaries are currently closed that feed the lake, the trout are going to be concentrated near those inlets.
A boat is a good idea to cover the most water.
Bring a selection of lines from a floating to fish nymphs under an indicator, or sinking lines to fish streamers and leeches.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reports:
The Smith is open for adipose fin-clipped Steelhead and Chinook from mouth to Spencer Creek and North Fork from mouth upstream to Johnson Creek. This area is open to striped bass year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size.
Fishing on the mainstem Smith from Spencer Creek upstream to Sisters Creek and the North Fork from Johnson Creek to bridge 10 opened for adipose fin-clipped steelhead on Dec. 1.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530) 544-6552 www.blueribbonfishing.com reported:
Same as last week:
North Shore:
When we can get out between storms, we’ve been getting limits of Mackinaw Trout (2-6 pounds), with a few larger Macks up to 11 pounds,
We have been trolling at The Tavern Hole, Cal Neva Point, Dollar Point and Sugar Pine Point, 110-220 feet deep, with either Dodgers and minnows or Dodgers and large Trophy Stick lures.
East Shore:
Shore fishing at Cave Rock Landing has been slow for small rainbows and an occasional brown or Mack.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Chuck and Linda Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775) 266-3550 reported:
The weather has been miserable: Wind, rain, snow and cold.
We actually had some fishermen (in bigger boats) out this last weekend and they caught some fish.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Flows on the Trinity remain at winter levels at 311 CFS out of Lewiston Dam and are higher the further downstream you go with runoff from tributaries. The Fly Fishing Only Section is closed until April 1. The Trinity is still holding on for now.
There's definitely not as many fish around, but the ones that are there are wild, fresh, and very grabby.
You may only drift over a handful of fish in a day, but the odds are very good that if they see your fly they'll be willing to eat.
As a bonus, the fishing — including dry fly action — has been good for the Trinity's resident and migratory brown trout, and we've seen more than a few trophy browns taken on surface patterns in the past week.
Reports expect the Trinity to remain a viable option this year until the smolts are released from Lewiston hatchery, which usually takes place around March 15.
After the smolts are released it's too hard to get a fly to adult steelhead because there are so many smolts that will eat anything they see. That said, late March and April (remember that the Fly Fishing Only Section above Lewiston Bridge opens on April 1) are a fun time of year to fish light tackle (2 and 3 weight rods) and dry flies for the aggressive immature steelhead smolts. Plan on catching dozens of fish a day, though none of much size. It's a stellar spring break option for introducing kids, spouses, family and friends to fly fishing with a high catch ratio!
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775) 853-7368 info@renoflyshop.com:
Check the flows before you go!
Rain last week sent the flows to over 2000 CFS on the Nevada side. It was not as bad up around the town of Truckee but it was still blown out for a while. The river is starting to come back down to fishable levels due to colder weather. We are supposed to get dumped on again over the next week or so. It is a colder storm system and we should see snow down to the valley floor. What this means is the river should drop back to its normal levels and totally fishable but somewhat colder. Access in California could become an issue but it should be fine in Nevada.
Nymphing with a Stonefly and a smaller dropper should continue to be the way to go. The Truckee does not have a huge population of Stoneflies but there are enough to get the fish on them for sure.
Baetis, Caddis Pupa and general darker nymph patterns in size 16 and 18 are a good choice for a dropper.

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775) 853-7368 info@renoflyshop.com:
Flows are 60 CFS. The flows are great but the road is still covered in deep snow and with another round of snow coming it is going to be a while before it clears. If you have other means of getting in it could be worth the effort. The snow is deep in the Little Truckee Meadow and going to get deeper so use extreme caution if you are going to try it.
Smaller dries (especially on cloudy non windy days) have been working as well as Nymphing with a dry dropper set-up. Baetis and Midges in size 18 and 20 are what the fish are eating right now.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
No fish have been reported or seen at Walker Lake so far this fishing season. 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: The East Walker is running at 850 CFS as of Friday March 18th. These are really un-fishable flows. With the tremendous snowpack in the Sierras it really could stay that way until sometime in the fall. Keep an eye on the flows and the report before you make the trip for sure.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760) 935-4250 www.sierradrifters.com reports:
East Walker River: Blown out as of 3-11-11. 
700 CFS currently; 200 or below is excellent here. 
Bridgeport Reservoir is full pool and there is a ton of snow in this watershed.
I believe that water flows will remain high for a while but will come back down to reasonable levels before opener unless it gets unseasonably warm, or rains a bunch.


WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
East Walker River Water Conditions: FLOWS ARE OFF THE CHART AT 770 CFS HIGHEST EVER RECORDED.
This flow will purge river of silt, bad for fishing but great for the future.
This could make for some stellar PMD hatches down the road.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Much tougher. Get your wading staff and spey rod! Find the slower pockets.

***

Photo information: Kat Howe of Carson City with her 3-pound, 6-ounce catfish caught at North Pond on Sunday, March 13.
She and her husband, Sam, were trolling for bass, when the catfish struck her Heddon “Tiny Torpedo” lure.
It was the only fish that they caught all day.
If she had been in the Ormsby Sportsmen’s Association (OSA) annual fishing contest, her catfish would currently be in first place in that category.
— Photo courtesy of Sam Howe