Don Q's Nevada and Northern California opening weekend fishing report

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of April 22 and beyond. Opening weekend for fishing on most California waters is Saturday.
ADOBE POND:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The offshore waters holding the start-up hatches produced more rainbows than browns, and a few salmon.  The hatches are just getting started, but the bite was all over the map in terms of depths and spoon colors.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road is closed to the lake and there will be no fishing reports for Angel Lake until late May of 2015.

BISHOP CREEK, AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing: Don't forget your jacket, (even if it’s warm in Bishop). Watch out for deerif you’re on the road around dawn or dusk.
Only a few more days until Fishmas and Mother Nature is up to her old tricks – which we definitely don’t mind – rain and snowin the forecast cuz we need it! Thunderboomers and rain showers possible Monday thru Tuesday evening. Then rain and snow along with some thunderboomers and breezes starting Wednesday morning and then off and on thru the weekend – temps on the mountain highs in the low 50s and lows in the high 20s , so PACK YOUR WOOLIES, but if you’re heading into town – highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid 40s.
Y’all remember what to use on the Lake – if not, Nightcrawlers are always a good choice on Fishmas (and any other time, too) along with Salmon Eggs and Power Bait.
The DingleBerry Inlet will get hit hard – mind your manners – there’s still plenty of water and lots of hiding places out there – go find a new hole if the that Inlet is mobbed.
There’s the Little George Inlet in the back left hand corner and the George Inlet about 200 yards north of  Little George Inlet. And then there’s Jack’s Bay across from the Café or try up by the Dam and the outflow structure.
Oh, and don’t forget just drifting the channels and enjoying the view.
We’ll be getting a stocking for a Department of Fish and Wildlife stocking prior to Opener. 
We’ll have boats on the Lake – first come first serve – we open at 7:00am.
If you’re trolling might want to try a Red and Gold Thomas Buoyant or just drag a Nightcrawler (don’t forget that swivel or you’ll be hating life).
Just watch out for those shallow rocks.
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing will serve Breakfast from 7:00am to 11:00am and Lunch until 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday for Opener after that it will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
And, yes, there will be homemade pie and ice cream on the weekends.
Our store hours are as follows:
                       Sunday                    7:00 to 6:00pm
                       Monday                   8:00 to 6:00pm
                       Tuesday                  8:00 to 6:00pm   
                       Wednesday           CLOSED
                       Thursday                8:00 to 6:00pm
                       Friday                      8:00 to 6:00pm
                       Saturday                 7:00 to 6:00pm
The campgrounds in the Bishop Creek Canyon will be open for Opener except Camp Sabrina and Willow – bit too cool yet for the potable water at those camps. Bishop Creek Lodge, Creekside RV Park and Cardinal Village Resort will all be opened for Opener. Parchers Resort opens mid-May.
We do have a new addition to the pet family – Bryan adopted a puppy from the Inyo County Animal Shelter last year – meet Lily. She’s got lots of energy, but is still on the skittish side, so don’t be offended if she doesn’t come to you.

Max, A.N.N. and Nimrod are still around – Max and A.N.N. still love playing fetch whether it’s a stick, ball, or Frisbee. Remember, once you start it’s really hard to get them to stop – Max won’t bring you the flying article back, but will drop it for A.N.N. and she’ll bring it to you – if you do play with them, watch out for cars in the parking lot – thanks. And Nims just likes laying around.

If you’re coming to the Lake, don’t forget sunscreen and dark glasses – there is still some snow around and that sun is pretty bright against the blue sky. You may want to pack some bug juice – prior to the snow storm we had some skeeter lurking – so best to be prepared. You can check out the weather forecast according to Howard our local weather ‘guesser’ at www.MammothWeather.com.

You can also check out www.weather.gov – enter Aspendell, CA (which is the little community right below Lake Sabrina) in the search field and you’ll get the forecast for at the higher elevation. You may need to scoll down on the webpage to see the temps.

BRIDGEPORT, RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Bridgeport Reservoir as of April 21, 2015. The Bridge will fish well in the early part of this season. It received a good jag of catchable sized browns, rainbows, and cutthroat recently.
Conditions are excellent despite low water. There is a small boat launch near the dam that will get you on the water.
Tubers should do great this spring working the drop-offs with Loebergs, crystal leeches, and punk perch patterns.
On the warmer days still water nymphing with Assassins, callibaetis nymphs, broken back midges, gillies, and flashback PT’s will get you pull downs with your Under-cator. 10-13 feet should get you into them.
See Jeffery at the marina for boat rental and fishing info.

BUCKS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The lake is full and the fishing and weather have been great. There was snow this past week though. They have been catching German Browns, Mackinaw, and Rainbow Trout in the middle of the lake. 
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East (Upstream from Hangman's Bridge):
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
Carson River West:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports: Fishing continues to improve for fish in the 9 to 12 inch range. The usual small spinners, Power Bait and worms should all work.
Fly rodders should be using hare’s ears, PT, prince, copper Johns, zug bugs and small wooly and crystal buggers.
On warm afternoons when the midges are hatching Griffith’s gnats, Adams, elk hair caddis and other popular dry flies in sizes 12 to 18 are worth a try. Cave Lake was stocked with 4200 nine to 10 inch rainbows this week.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Closed to fishing.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake: Weather looks good for opening week. The barometer should peak on Sunday/Monday of next week. Chironomids will be emerging on this cycle.
To be honest, we are in uncharted waters with regards to how low Crowley is this season to open, & where it will end up. The lake has only come up 7′ since its low last November ( it typically rises over 20 feet).
The LADWP did a remarkable job of keeping this fishery accessible to the boating public last fall. I will be amazed if they can do it again this year.
I believe that it will fish very good early on, with not only numbers-but quality sized fish showing for a good part of the summer.
I have seen solid chironomid hatches already coming off on the warmer days.
Look for a shotgun start to the season, still water nymphing in the 13-16 foot range near Hilton Bay, Sometimes Bay, Sandy Pt., Crooked Creek, Alligator Pt., and off the drop offs along Six Bays.
Have some broken back midges for surface conditions with a textured surface.
The fish will not be picky to start, most midge larva, and pupa patterns will get takes if you are set to the proper depth below your Under-cator. Crystal Tigers and zebras, crystal emergers, pupa, Crystal Vanderleeches, and Gillies are all good calls.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Don Rotsma of Fly Fish With Don (775-722-8418) (www.flyfishwithdon.com):
Lake Davis - April 20, 2015. Davis is low, clear, and temps are warming. Fish are starting to become active taking midges and attractor patterns. Low water conditions will benefit fly anglers with good weed growth and lots of insect activity. Lake Davis Yearly Prospective.
April 2015 - not much has changed, except we have an early spring with warmer temps and lake is at about 50 percent capacity. It is a low snow pack year, but lake will be ok this year if we can stay away from fires.
Seeing a healthy number of midges this spring, and hopefully a good damsel migration with cooperating fish.
Still no snails to speak of, even though DFG says there are some. I will leave this up all year.
Fish number and expectations for this year.
Since the fish kill 9 years ago the Lake Davis fishery has been coming back slowly. The fingerlings and the catchable fish that were planted the last couple of years are growing rapidly but nothing close to the past when we had a full complement of insects and heavy snail population.
The first year plantings were quite heavy and the results were very positive during last year's season. Last year, the number of fish planted was considerably lower than the first year after poisoning.
The fish are healthy and the early seasons has been very good for trollers and moderate for fly anglers.
The fish are just in spawning mode right now and fly fishing is hit or miss. With most of the cold weather behind us the fishing should just get better every day.
Fish size and the copapod problem is still a concern, but the colder water may help. Fish growth is still only about 3 to 4 inches per year and not the 7 plus inches we used to have when the snails and chronomids were more prevalent. 
Insects and Food Sources 
Another consideration about the lake is the insect populations and biomass available to the fish.
In the past, Davis has had incredible blood midge populations with good hatches most of the year. For the last two years, the blood midges have been spotty and not really driving the great fishing to emergers and adults that was so much fun in the past.
The damsels came through the poisoning quite well and we had very good emergences last year, but it was late and short lived.
The real problem (or reason) was that the lake was very high and it took until late July and early August for a lot of the weeds to reach the surface. For that reason, many of the damsels had to swim longer distances to shoreline or available above water weeds to hatch. This all led to a late damsel hatch and shortened. Remember, damsels can live for up to three years before migrating and hatching.
There is also some good callibaetis mayfly populations still in the lake although the fish don't often key on the large numbers of adults during the day.
Caddis flies still are good numbers and very heavy hatches occur most spring and summer days. The fish don't key on the caddis adults much and It is not apparent that they are taking the emergers either.
The most dramatic change is the the absence of the snails that made the fall fishing incredible.
I saw no snails the last three falls and hope they will make a resurgence.
It was quite common to pick up a fish in the fall and they rattled because they had eaten so many snails with more snails coming out of their mouths because they were so full.
The major food source has always been the midge population (70 percent) with damsels, snails, and other aquatic insects making up the rest.
That particular combination of available food sources contributed to the average fish growing over 7 inches during the season (now about 4 to 5 inches).
This meant that a 10 to 12 inch planter was 17 to 19 inches by the end of the first season and well over 20 inches the next year.
Last fall, fish were averaging just over 16 inches with some good fish going 20 plus inches. This seems to indicate that the fish are getting enough food.
I am concerned that during heavy damsel migrations and hatches last year, there were days when very few fish were working on damsels which left anglers scratching their heads. 
Lake Condition this Spring
The lake is starting off at high levels this year, so conditions are going to be interesting. In the droughts of the early 90's, the fishing was very good and the damsels would hatch in mid to late May and last until almost mid July.
I think this year the damsel hatch will be a little late with the high water with weeds reaching the surface later and the water temperatures stay cooler for a longer time.
The last two weeks of June (maybe earlier) should be fantastic for the damsel hatches and there is a possibility of it happening earlier. 
Fishing Strategies
Fishing recommendations are different depending on the type of angler you are and what you feel most comfortable with.
One of the more successful strategies is to use intermediate or sinking lines and just troll your wooly bugger or damsel imitation behind you. By varying your speed your will eventually find the right depth and motion to get into fish. Another advantage to that method is your imitation is in the water more time, and more time means more fish.
For anglers who like to play the game of trying to use more realistic imitations and strategies, the trick is to find the right depth and retrieve to get into fish, the action seems to be more rewarding when the right combination is found.
I don't like to troll behind and tube, but I would rather hunt game with a bow instead of a gun. It is really a matter of your personal preferences.
The biggest problem for most anglers using either method is moving the imitation too fast. Most aquatic insects just don't move very fast and there are very few minnows in the lake for large fish to chase.
The most productive strip seems to be a very slow one with short strips or varied strips. I lie to use a very slow hand twist retrieve and then stop the fly every few inches. You would be surprised to find that 70% of the strikes comes when the imitation is not moving at all.
Lastly, I should mention there are a number of anglers who find great success using an indicator and a couple of flies at various depths.
I liked that method when I had clients who could not cast well or the wind was giving them a bad time, but find it very boring myselt.
It is that personal preference thing again. We all like to catch fish, and sometimes we must all be open to different strategies. 
Flies and Tackle
Recommended flies are of course wooly buggers or wiggle tails.
Make sure the tails are 1 to 1 1/2 times the body length so that the movement is enhanced. Damsel imitations should vary from size 10 dark olive in the first of the season then getting smaller and lighter and the season progresses. Most people don't realize that the damsel's color reflects directly to the depth and color of the weeds they are living in.
By the end of the season, we are using size 14 or even size 16 bugs that are light tan and sometimes even golden yellow or olive.
The fish can get very picky and I have watched and been part of an armada of boats that could not buy a take during the height of the hatch.
It is humbling to make a 100 casts for each take one day when the week before you had the right fly and everything figured out.
Always have some red, tan and black midge larvae in sizes 18 to 12 (yes I said 12) and don't be afraid to use one as a trailer on your damsel or other attractor.
I always carry some Sheep Creeks, PT nymphs, prince nymphs, and even a Staynor ducktail or two.
If I were to pick my best fishing imitation combo it would be damsel with a long tail and a red bead head midge larvae as a trailer.
Lines should be 3 to 6 wts and I would have both an intermediate and floater ready to go. Use 9 foot 4x leaders and have lots of tippet on hand. Of course you want to go with smaller tippets on smaller imitations

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open the Saturday of Memorial weekend.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports: 
04/21/2015
Frenchman campgrounds are now open and even with the cool night temperatures, it didn’t keep the friends and families away from pitching their tent to do some late night cat fishing or early morning trout catching. We had quite a nice crowd over the weekend to enjoy the sunny days up at the lake.
Friday, April 17th, James from Reno caught 8 catfish using nightcrawlers.
He was night fishing from the boat dock at Frenchmans campground. 
Saturday April 18th James McDermott and his friend caught 6 rainbows, each about 18 inches in length.
They were using nightcrawlers at Turkey Point fishing from the bank.  
One of our good ol’ Frenchman Fisherman, Mitch from Reno, NV caught one 3.5 lb beautiful rainbow fishing by the dam.
He was floating nightcrawlers off the bottom.
Monday, April 20th, Mitch again caught another beautiful 3 lb trout fishing at the dam and once again floating his nightcrawlers from the bottom. 
OPENING STREAM FISHING- THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH
Please call us for current lake conditions and updates on the fishing - Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Don Rotsma of Fly Fish With Don (775-722-8418) (www.flyfishwithdon.comn): Frenchman's - Pretty much the same as Davis, with a little more midge activity.

HAT CREEK, UPPER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open May 01, 2015.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek as of April 21, 2015.Spring through early summer will be the best periods to fish the crick this year. As the spring and summer roll on, conditions will only worsen in drought years. The weeds are beginning to grow earlier than usual making drifts tougher in the limited open water.  
Some good caddis/mayfly activity currently. High winged dark olive, or dun colored bodies #16/18 are good profiles for the BWO’s. Keep them well dressed to ride high in the foam.
PT’s and bird’s nest patterns are best for nymphs.
Small parachute midge or mayfly patterns used with a 10 foot leader are best for surface presentations when the fish are on the midges/or clusters.
There are a few sections that can be fished with a dry dropper nymph rig.
Try my hi-vis caddis pattern, it works well here. 
Small dead drifted Punk Perch, broken back zebras, small gillies, egg patterns, SJ worms, scuds, flashback PT’s, or assassin birds nest bead heads in #18 are good calls for the dropper. Size 18 or smaller crystal olive caddis larva or zebra midges are good calls as droppers. This is a year around fishery with special regs in place.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The water quality at Illipah is good and fishing is fair to good.
Best area for fishing seems to be where the stream enters the lake, though shore anglers are doing well along the western shore.
The usual assortment of worms, artificial baits, spinners and lures should all work. Fly rodders should be using wooly and seal buggers, hares ears, PT nymphs and copper Johns.

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports: Jakes Creek is near capacity and is free of weeds and shore fishing is good. Surface water temps have are in the mid 40’s and the water is fairly clear. The usual assortment of wooly buggers, hares ears, copper Johns and PT nymphs should all work. Power Bait, worms and small spinners should be used by spin fishermen.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.


KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MAMMOTH LAKES, BASIN, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MARLETTE LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:

Closed. Will re-open July 15, 2015.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: Flows continue to be at high levels (140 CFS) They will stay this way until May as the LADWP pulls all its allotted water from Grant Lake early this year.
The water is high and off color in the lower sections downstream from the CDFW Monument which will open on April 25, 2015.
The waters DOWN from the Benton Bridge, to this large regulation placard remain CLOSED until May 23.
Water clarity and overall conditions are fine in the sections above Hot Creek & the irrigation canals.  
You will need heavily weighted nymph rigs to get down in the deeper pools.
There are some cutthroat, and medium sized cuttbows, around if you cover a lot of water.  SJ worms, flashback Pt’s, crystal leeches, broken back midges, & egg patterns strung below an Under-cator will get you fish if you can locate some slower water.  
At this water level streamers can be a good call when used with a light sinking tip line. Work the deep side along the cut banks using the “dip and strip” technique. Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s, Punk Perch in #6-12. 
Middle Owens River (Bishop area):
Conditions remain very good, with flows up to 150 CFS below the dam at Pleasant Valley Reservoir. They are much lower in the drift boat sections, as water is being diverted into the irrigation canals. I have been told that a significant flow increase is not in the short term water management plans this year due to the extreme drought.
Fishing has picked up nicely for both wading, and drift boat trips during the warmer weather we experienced this week.
We are settling into a typical late spring pattern, with the bite slowing down as the sun gets higher.
You will see some large spring caddis, and last generation smaller BWO’s #18-20. High-vis & natural caddis adults, parachute hi-vis mayfly, or blue dun adults are correct profiles for surface presentations. Assassin birds nest, flashback pheasant tails, broken back midges, crystal olive caddis, & olive zebra larva patterns good calls for nymphing with an Under-cator. Have some Loebergs, Punk Perch, & crystal Vanderleeches if you choose to toss streamers.
This fishery remains open year around.
Special regs from the footbridge at Pleasant Valley campground to the fishing monument 4.7 miles downstream.

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.

PINE FOREST COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Onion Valley Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Blue Lakes: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Knott Creek Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: The level has come up to 4388 feet. 
The transition section is tougher to fish currently, and you will be right up along the trees under this condition.
The small river section has been best for numbers of smaller rainbows and browns-use dry/dropper bead head nymph combos here.  
Forget fishing the river, or inlet if the hydro station is ramped up. Power generation can occur anytime during the spring.
Stimulators, hi-vis para BWO’s, or hi-vis caddis may be used as the upper fly-use crystal olive caddis larva, flashback PT’s, Assassins, broken back or crystal tiger & zebra midges as your dropper bead head nymph.
Tubing  has really picked up from the launch ramp, up to the inlet section.
Streamers like Loebergs, Agent Orange, Crystal leeches, & Spruce-A-Bu’s will get you into some nice browns, & larger bows in the rez proper. Use a full sinking, or heavy sink tip line to get down 10-15 feet quickly.
You can also fish “Crowley midge style” in the rez near the drop-offs.
Fish chironomid patterns below an Under-cator. Gillies, broken back midges, crystal emergers & pupa patterns. Tiger & zebra midges are always a solid choice for your larva pattern.
This fishery is open year around.
The Gorge:
This fishery is not effected by flow increases on the Middle Owens.
Have those mayfly nymphs, PMD adults, & caddis adults handy.
The spring caddis are coming off steady.
This maybe the best dry fly fishery we have during the spring months.
The Gorge could be classified as the true “tailwater” from Crowley Lake.
The fish here are all wild browns with a large one going 16 inches. Moderate/difficult hiking is required to access the more secluded sections. Rock hopping and bush whacking can be expected.
Dry/dropper bead head nymph combos work well in the deeper pools.
Use PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, and crystal olive larva patterns as the nymphs. Hi-vis para BWO’s, Stimulators, parachute midge adults, and elk caddis, and hi-vis caddis are good choices for your dry fly. Pack in water, have cleated wading boots and a stout staff.
2-4wt. rods are perfect for this water. Snakes may be out early!

RUBY LAKE NWR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Harrison pass is open, though there are some slicks spots due to a little snow and ice and for at least a few more days, 4WD is recommended.
Fishing is still fair to good for trout depending upon the day, the angler and where you are fishing along the collection ditch.
The go-to fly seems to be the hares ear, with the pheasant tail nymph close behind. Also, wooly buggers and flies that have some red in them also seem to be working.
For spin fishermen the usual assortment of small spinners and minnow type lures are all effective here.
The ditch is artificial lures and flies only and wading is not allowed in the ditch.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon closed. Will re-open July 16.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of  April 20, 2015 water flow is currently 3,250 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report -  Fishing daily, water is clear, and gorgeous weather. With most days averaging over 30 fish days, fishing for rainbows has been fantastic. 
Rainbow trout fishing in the Redding area to Anderson area is GREAT!
Working best are PT's, and  Micro Mayflies. 
Drift  boats or Jet boats available.
We cater to all levels of anglers. Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, Calif. Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Striped Bass: April 120, 2015 
The Striped Bass fishing has started.  Let's go fishing.  
Catching stripers now!! The Striped bass fishing  is up and down, the weekend was tough. Still bring in a few nice ones, and  ranging in size 8 pounds to 12 lb average, a few larger. 
Call us today at 1800-670-4448.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER/RED’S MEADOW, 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:
The lake has been in transition and the trout bite backed off all around the lake.
All that is needed, though, are a few days of consistent warm weather so the bait will show up and then the Trout will get going again.
Crappie fishing has been great with fish to 2.5 pounds on 3-inch swimbaits.  
For big bass try topwater early and late, and then toss worms and Senkos, ripbaits and spinnerbaits.  The fish are smaller, but you can catch a ton of them during the day.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
April 20, 2015  Shasta Lake guided fishing-
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta. Offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta. For Shasta Lake fishing,  catching Rainbow Trout and King salmon, trolling Shasta Lake main body, fish ranging in size 2 to 4 pound King salmon, up to 75 ft deep.
Catching limits of bass daily- RED HOT !!! Spotted bass and Small mouth bass. We are catching bass along the banks and down 35 ft. Averaging 25 to 35 hook ups a day. Using spinner baits and crankbaits early morning, and using rubber worms the rest of the day, with mid-afternoons being the best as the day warms.  
If you have any more questions or to book your Northern California guided Lake Shasta fishing trip, please call us at 1-800-670-4448. 

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The lake is still around 75% of capacity and water temperatures in the coves are in the mid to high 40’s, as the recent weather dropped the water temps a bit. They should start to climb back up with the projected temps over the next week. A few large trout are still cruising the shorelines looking for spawning habitat and fishing has been good for shore anglers.
While the larger spawners aren’t biting, there are fish hanging just off of the shoals where the spawning fish are that will. Most of the spawning fish are in the north end of the lake on the east side of the dam as well as along Jet Ski Beach.
Sherbet Power Bait or worms is what most anglers have been using with the Power Bait doing the best.
Flyrodders have been having luck with smaller flies such as hares ears, prince nymphs, black micro leeches and copper Johns in sizes 16 and 18.
Egg patterns are also producing a fish or two.
There have been some minor midge hatches and when these are present, anglers may try the usual chironomid patterns such as snow cones, frostbite chironomids and Yankee buzzers.
A few smallmouth, largemouth and wiper bass have been showing up in the creel. Black bass may not be kept until July 1st and must be returned to the water immediately upon catching. However, one wiper 15 inches or larger may be kept.
The lake has been stocked a couple of times already and spring stocking should continue into May.

LAKE TAHOE:
A continuing report of limits of average sized Mackinaw Trout being caught on silver flasher blades and minnows, trolled at depths of 100-300 feet on the west side of the lake near Homewood, Calif.
 
TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) report:
Have a great winter, and let's pray for a lot of snow for water to refill all the reservoirs, lakes and streams with plenty for the ski resorts.
May you all have a Happy, Healthy 2015, see you on the water in late April!
Carolyn

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, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
April 19, 2015 
Starting to get more and better reports from the East Walker this last week, the flow is still at about 20 CFS but the water temps are good and there seems to be more activity for some nice browns lately.
Some anglers are reporting only 2 or 3 fish per half day but there are increasing numbers of anglers who are reporting 12 to 15 fish per half day as well!
We've also had a couple good reports from the Miracle Mile section from anglers using large streamers.
The best sections are still below the bridge on the Cali side, the Sceirine section and the Rosachi section.
Patterns to fish down there right now include, zebra midge, wd-40, silver streak, rainbow warrior, soft emerger, miracle midge, san juan worm, stimulator, solitude stimulator, herbie, skwalla, madam-x, zuddler, zonker, wooly bugger, double bunny.                  
Sceirine Ranch:
April 19, 2015
The ranch is still hanging in there with the same patterns doing well as reported above, it's starting to get a bit more traffic so if you want to book some time on this section give us a call ahead of time so we can get you on the calendar!       
Hunewill Pond:
April 19, 2015
Unfortunately the pond has become the first real casualty of the extended drought we're in right now, at this time there isn't enough water to fill it up so for the time being it will not be fishable.
If/when things change out there I'll let you know asap!!

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
April 19, 2015
Haven't heard much from the West lately, if I was going to head up there I'd probably be fishing some small attractor nymphs like a prince, hare's ear or pheasant tail underneath a madam x or stimulator.
The water is pretty clear so you'll want to be plenty stealthy!    

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River 4/21/15
Flows have dropped to 20cfs. Will be another tough year here I’m sorry to say.  
This fishery is open year around with special regs in place.

WALKER RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Very little change here as the recent precipitation hasn’t done much for the lake level, but the shorelines are muddy. Wild Horse continues to hover around 20% of capacity and the fishing is still just fair. While the catch rate is slow, the size of trout is averaging between 18 and 22 inches. Shore anglers have had some luck in the canyon by the dam as well as off of the state park.
Bait anglers catching fish are using either worms or Power Bait. Anglers are also using a combination of worms with either corn or marshmallows with some success.
Fly rodders are using wooly buggers, leeches, copper Johns, PT nymphs, prince nymphs and hares ears.
Effective Sunday, March 1, 2015 the limits were put back on at Wild Horse Reservoir. So make sure you check the 2015 Nevada Fishing Guide for current regulations and limits. NDOW biologists will re-evaluate the limits as water conditions warrant.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water is only about 10% of capacity and is covered with unsafe ice.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wilson Reservoir is at capacity and spilling, though the water is turbid. However, don’t expect fishing below the spillway to be as good as years past due to light stocking last year followed by slow to fair fishing. Fishing was slow to fair last fall and expect those conditions to continue until it is stocked later in the spring after the lake is done spilling and it is stocked.
While trout fishing will improve for smaller fish after stocking, bass fishing will probably be slow to fair this year.
NDOW expects to stock between 40,000 and 50,000 fish this summer due to improved water conditions. This lake should be stocked once it stops spilling.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

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