Fishing Report for the Week of April 20-27

Here is this week's fishing report for Northern and Western Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of April 20-27.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Brian Roccucci of Big Daddy’s Guide Service (539) 283-4103 www.bigdaddyfishing.com reports:
The Brown Bite Continues! More Browns are beginning to move in to areas along the east shore following the Pond Smelt.
On recent trips we have seen pretty solid numbers of Browns, some days having to cover more water than on others, but the fish are there.
Many of the fish I have cleaned are loaded with good sized smelt.
Several things are starting to line up that should pick this bite up even more. Hamilton Branch is now kicking out much less of the muddy water as in weeks past, and the clarity in many of the areas that were affected is starting to improve. The water temps are now starting in the low to mid 40's depending on location and getting as high as 50 if the conditions are right. Conditions are prime to support a great spring bite.
This week my best producers have been Trophy Sticks, of course covered in Pro-Cure's Trophy Trout Gel. These rigs hit fish in the 2 to 5 pound range.
The parking issues at Canyon Dam have been solved by the county doing a great job of opening the second parking lot.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

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

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760) 932-7707 www.kenssport.com reports:
Opening day is April 30, 2011. Ken's Guide Service is starting to get some bookings for Bridgeport so if you'd like to have a guided day of fishing on the pontoon boat just give us a call to check for availability!

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reports:
West Carson River: The river is really rocking and rolling from all of the melting snow.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
Crowley is ice free as of April 7.
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Murky water conditions are beginning to clear and fishing is picking back up. Tiger trout are hitting red and white spinners at the upper end of the reservoir. Rainbow trout are hitting on worms or Power Bait. Stocking plans called for a trout plant this week and the campground is completely open. Sites are available on a first come fist serve basis.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
The reservoir is completely full and the water is clearing as spring runoff slows down. NDOW planted rainbow trout last week and anglers are catching fish along the dam. The campground is completely open. Sites are available on a first come fist serve basis.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530) 993-4683 reports:
The snow is melting, slowly, but it is still difficult getting any farther than the dam.  Please BE CAREFUL, you still need a four-wheeled drive and possibly chains to attempt to go around the lake.
The boat docks are still inaccessible. The only type of boat would be a rubber raft that you can carry to the shore.
Fishermen are using nightcrawlers and/or Power Bait or marshmallows. Lures include Prince Nymph, Woolly Buggers, and Dark Lord ( most lures have been black in color).
Don't forget, the streams will be open April 30th.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
Water flow is 13 CFS. Fishing here remains good and conditions  have changed little. The Mayfly hatch has been a bit off and on. Nymph fish with FB Pheasant Tails, gray WD-40's and Caddis larva.
BWO patterns on the surface.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
Water Conditions: Flows are at 31 CFS as of April 14.
Paved road to entrance of Hot Creek ranch is completely dry.
Access to the canyon section is a walk from there over pretty much dry ground. Gate should be open this weekend per USFS as soon as last big puddle just before cattle guard dries up.
You can drive right up to the water at the Interpretive Center
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Excellent. Some big early spawners have shown up in the Interpretive Center section.
Use small midges early and BWO's later in the morning and into the afternoon or continue to fish subsurface - big and buggy Nymphs.
It gets going by 9 am, sometimes earlier.
Weekend temps close to 70F should really step up the hatches.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reports:
Indian Creek is wide open, with no ice and the BLM campground will open on Friday, April 29. The water level is as high as I’ve seen in many years.
Fishing has been fair.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.
 
LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Colorado River: Night crawlers have been catching stocked rainbows and carry over fish.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Anglers are finding good action for both smallmouth and largemouth bass, but the striped bass bite has been a little slow. Both competitive and recreational bass anglers are catching smallmouth and largemouth bass. With the fish hanging out in shallow water, some fishermen are even catching the bass from the shoreline. The winning team at a weekend bass tournament checked in with a five-fish bag weighing nearly 21 pounds. Their "big fish" tipped the scale at nearly 7 pounds.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife ( HYPERLINK "http://www.ndow.org" www.ndow.org) reported:
Boaters and shore anglers alike are finding fair action, though intermittent winds and rains made things difficult over the weekend and kept some anglers away. Fishermen targeting largemouth bass have been catching fish from one to four pounds using top-water and shallow-diving lures. In recent weeks, tournament anglers have weighed in several fish topping the four pound mark and some pushing seven pounds.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reports:
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 outside of 40 fathoms is closed from April 1 – Sept. 30.
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 reports:
Upper Owens River: Water flow 73 CFS. Closed from Benton Crossing downstream to Crowley Lake. Open to fishing up stream from the Benton Crossing bridge.
Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Fishing is slow. 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 496 CFS.  Fishing is poor due to high water flow.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
Upper Owens River: Water Conditions: As of April 14 flows are steady at 68 CFS above the Hot Creek confluence.
'Cold water so get those nymphs and streamers down to where the fish are.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good to Excellent. There are still some big Crowley fish in the system.
Ice out just happened so get those big Crowley fish before they head for home soon.
Dry action is excellent with good hatches midday on these warnm days.
Nymphing, streamers, Midges early and Baetis midday.
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: Excellent. No stinging nettles yet and fishing has been great. Good place to beat the crowds. Take water along as it is actually hot these days.
Lower Owens River Water Conditions: Flows are still raging at 445 CFS as of April 14. Wading not recommended. Watch out for crumbling bank.
Water is still cold but warming fast.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair to poor. Try to find area's of slower moving water, and stay subsurface until the flows subside. Also try more towards Big Pine as river is wider with no banks.
 
OWENS RIVER, CALIF:

Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760) 935-4250 www.sierradrifters.com reports:
Lower Owens River: Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. 
Here is an update on the Lower Owens River for any of you who are contemplating a trip up here for the Easter Holiday.
As forecast the conditions have GREATLY improved on the LO this week and the flows have stabilized and dropped some which has really made life way better for the fish and the fisherman! 
I had a great drift on 4-14-11and we got into some really nice fish and good numbers. Wading or crossing will still be very difficult however. With the warmer temps and stable release rates you can expect to find fish in the larger pools and slower water consistently. 
I am seeing some little yellow Stoneflies, a few Caddis, and the start of the ephemerella or Pale Morning Duns emerging. 
The PMD’s are # 16, the Caddis are # 16, the Stones in the # 14-16 range.  Midges are thick in the late morning.
My first choice for rigging up is using streamers and the “dip & strip” technique. Spruce-a-Bu’s and Punk Perch are fishing well with a heavy sinking tip.
I have found that the fish are beginning to move out of the holding water and crossing the current lines to attack the streamers as the conditions have improved and the larger mature rainbows are displaying aggressive spring time spawning behavior. This is a significant change for the better and a foreboding of good things to come. 
Water clarity is very good and the H20 temps are climbing nicely with the longer days and warmer weather.
Drifting the Owens is a great way to access this area with high flows and is a really fun trip this time of year. 
Give us a call if you want to do a trip this spring.
Upper Owens River:

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 night crawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

POORE AND SECRET LAKES, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775) 476-0555 www.fishpyramid.com reports:
Fly guys are getting the majority of the fish.
The lure guys are not doing as well.
The boats seem to be doing OK, they are catching fish up to 8 pounds.
Most of the action is between Sutcliffe and Pelican Point.
We heard a report that the Pyramid Lake Tribe has closed the east side of the lake to access due to problems with graffiti.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775) 853-7368 info@renoflyshop.com reports:
Pyramid is really close to peaking right now.
A week ago the water temperatures were up to 51 degrees. We had some cold weather over the past week and the water went back down to 46-47 degrees. When this happens the fishing can taper off a bit.
Anglers still caught fish during this cool down period but it slowed down from a week ago. Warmer air temps are on the way and the fishing should steadily improve over the next few weeks.
There are still those days when it is a little tough but overall it should be great. The best days for fishing is when you have some wind and or some clouds. The blue bird days are usually the tough ones.
Pyramid is a strange lake to figure out.
We find new spots and give up on old spots every year due to change in water levels. This year is no different. The great thing is if you move around and try new areas you can fish alone on beaches that are on fire and have few anglers. What a great place to fish. The techniques remain the same (if you know what they are) but the beaches change.
The next month or more should be awesome.
Nymphing with a floating line and retrieving flies with a shooting head will all be working. The fishing should be good through May this year. Hope to see you catching a fish of a lifetime at the lake!
We have plenty of guide availability if you give us some notice. We also still have all the Reno Fly Shop fly patterns for sale.

RED LAKE, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reports:
The lake is still iced over.

ROOSEVELT AND LANE LAKES, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916) 388-1956) reports:
STRIPER FISHING JUST GETTING STARTED
The river is dropping pretty quickly now — and greening up. That means there should be a wide open striper bite coming up here almost any day now. Boats over the weekend were poking around the Princeton area and finding some fish, but the water needs to drop just a bit more for things to take off.
Down below, guys are bait dunking with good results near the mouth of the American, Freeport and Verona.

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

TOPAZ LAKE:
Chuck and Linda Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775) 266-3550 reports:
It is really blowing today (Monday).
The weather has been miserable all week and weekend.
There have been a few boats down on the south end. They have been anchored and fishing all day with nightcrawlers to catch their limits.

TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775) 853-7368 info@renoflyshop.com reports:
The stretch of the river between the town of Truckee and Boca Bridge is fishable and has been really good.
Reports of a Caddis hatch as well as some Winter Stones.
The water is a little high and off colored and could change at any time so be careful, especially if you do not know the river.
Nymphing with a dark Stonefly nymph in about a size 12-14 and a Caddis dropper in a size 16 is a good bet right now.
Fish the seams and the edges out of the main current.
Everything downstream of the Boca Bridge is blown out right now. The flows are over 1000 CFS and are extremely dangerous. The water is quite clear given the amount of water flowing right now. If you must fish the Truckee River right now do not wade in it at these flows. We have had a huge winter and the Truckee could remain in this situation for a while.
Here are the current flows as of April 14th:
— (Safe fishable flows in parenthesis):
Town of Truckee 206 CFS (100-350)
— Boca Bridge 1190 CFS (anything below 650)
— Farad 1270 CFS (400-600)
— Mogul 1290 CFS (300-500)
— Reno 1200 CFS (350-500).

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER:
The Truckee River Outfitters (775) 853-7368 info@renoflyshop.com reports:
Flows are 227 CFS. The road still has some snow on it but it is melting fast. The road does not get plowed in the winter and will open up when the snow melts. There have been some larger 4 wheel drives get to the top of the meadow already.
If you have a way to get in the fishing has been pretty good.
Baetis and Midges have been hatching mid day and the few anglers who have fished have had some success.
Cloudy non-windy days are the best days to see some dry fly activity.
The flows are pretty high for the Little Truckee and could remain so for a while. I guess we could call it the medium Truckee!
It is totally fishable at these flows but you have to use more big river techniques. More weight on your nymph rigs and fish them deeper. Fish will be more along the edges and in slower water. These are great flows to break out your streamer gear as well.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Fishing season opens on Saturday, April 30.
 
WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reported:
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 reports:
Flows have been all over the map. Currently they are 227 CFS.
Bridgeport reservoir is full and I would imagine Upper and Lower Twin lakes are as well.
At some point in the near future they will be forced to run the East Walker pretty high. There is just nowhere to put all the water. Irrigation season is just around the corner so if you want to fish the East Walker go sooner than later. At these flows there are few places that you can cross so be careful.
Nymphing with a Golden Stone and a smaller dropper like a Caddis or a Baetis is a good way to go right now. Make sure you use enough weight to get your flies down and fish the seams and edges out of the main current. Streamers are also a good bet right now.

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: The flow on the river today is 235 CFS.
The fishing overall has been good, though there has seemed to be a couple tough patches here and there this past week.
We're starting to see some action on streamers this past few days, bellyache minnows, Zuddlers, mini leeches and dead-drift crayfish patterns have been good. For Nymphs we've been hearing about small Princes, silver streaks, GT Emergers, Pheasant Tails, Flashback Emergers, and San Juan Worms.
There have been a couple good reports from the Nevada side with dries, but we haven't heard much about dries on the Cali side.
Most anglers seem to be getting into 10 to 20 fish per day with usually a few in the 20 inch range.
West Walker River:
Opens on Saturday, April 30.
Sceirine Ranch: The ranch has been fishing good also, it hasn't been too crowded yet but bookings are starting to increase.
Streamers and nymphs have been the best, with some dry action and dry/dropper action as well.
Access is limited on the ranch so often these fish tend to be a bit more grabby than more heavily fished waters.
Hunewill Pond: The Pond is thawed out now but I haven't had a chance to get out there to fish it, as soon as I do I'll let you know how it's going!


WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
East Walker River Water Conditions:   Flows are bouncing around but now steady at 230 CFS for the last three days as of 4/14. Excellent.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good to Excellent. The fishing is excellent now that the flows are back down to perfect levels for a while.
Good baetis hatches mid-morning on with warm weather.
Watch the flows could change any time.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
East Walker River: East Walker River 
Water flow 227 CFS. Fishing here has been good as water flows have been consistent. Best bet is Nymphing with gray or black Midge pupa,WD-40's and  Prince Nymphs. Not much surface activity.
 


YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AREA, CALIF:
The Tioga Pass Highway (California S.R. 120) to Yosemite (from the east side) is closed for the winter. Tioga Pass has an elevation of 9,943 feet, making it the highest automobile pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.