Fishing Report for the Week of May 4-11

Here is the Nevada, Northern California, Sierra and Southern Oregon fishing report for the week of May 4-11.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Water surface temperatures are at 44.7 degrees and water clarity has improved in most areas to 6.5 to 7.5 feet.
Lake Almanor looks great, and the bite has really picked up.
Welcome to "Prime Time."
Water clarity and lake levels are improving daily. Surface temperatures are on the rise and a few more days of sunshine and bug hatches will have this lake fishing about as good as it gets.
The trolling bite has been very good along the east shore from the Snag to Skinny Dip Beach. Lake Cove has green midge hatches happening big time, stimulating the hungry Trout and Salmon populations.
Fish are active, and are feeding on midge larva as they move up toward the surface, where swallows are waiting to grab them as they make their break airborne. Look for swallows, the fish are just below.
Bug hatches are starting to happen all around the lake, but the east side is well ahead of most areas. And the fish are right there...all of them.  
Browns, Rainbows, and King Salmon, and we got many of each the last couple of days.
Lake Cove has been my #1 go to spot this past week. We have been working that area and have got limits of 10 fish and up every day.
The bite really picks up after 8:00 am and has been solid to 1:00 p.m., and even after that fish continue to casually feed.
The Salmon were all running 19 to 19.5 "one was 24" and weighted 4.8 lbs and they all looked very good.
Rainbows were all over the range, running from 13" to 20".
Brown Trout are showing up in bigger numbers too, as the fish have started to concentrate in areas where the bug hatches are abundant, it took them a while, but they figured it out.
All our strikes have come in the top 16 ft. of water; most fish have been in the 2 lb. range. If you go deeper than 25 ft., set your releases light, there are a bunch of small recently planted Salmons down there, and you could be dragging one around and not even know it.
Areas to avoid: The Hamilton Branch, brown water still coming out of the Powerhouse, clarity 2 ft. Big Springs, current flows take that brown water right into Big Springs, clarity about 3.5ft.
The Public ramps at Canyon Dam and the USFS ramps on the west shore are open with docks and plenty of parking.
The Private ramp at Almanor West is open, but the dock is not in place as of yesterday. Private ramps at Rec. #1 and # 2 are open with docks.
Lake levels are rising, watch for floating hazards while on plane! Smaller boats not advised if wind is forecasted. Dress for cool morning conditions, and a possible light spring shower.
— Courtesy of Doug Neal

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Sabrina Lake: Lake Sabrina – 4-30-11 - Opening Weekend:
Man, oh, man, what a weekend. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous – a bit on the cool side - 16 degrees at 7:00am and it took quite a while for it to hit our high of 32° on Saturday, but that didn’t stop those fisher people who couldn’t wait to wet a line.
Lots of those line-wetters couldn’t believe the fishing. Many had limits before 8:00am and came in for breakfast as their trucks were blocked and they couldn’t get out of the lot.
Father and son, Don and John McLaughlin, spent their 38th year out on the ice for opener. Dragging a power auger, out at 6:00am to the back natural lake, they drilled over 30 holes and caught and released 120 fish – Father Don and son John – tied this year 60 to 60.
Just about anything that hit the water was swallowed – many anglers wanted to get down deep thinking they might pick up a Brown, but the hook was snagged by a Rainbow or Brookie before it hit bottom.
Some complained that their beer froze cuz the fish just wouldn’t leave their line alone – boo-hoo. Another comment was “it only took 30 seconds between catches”. WOW!
No huge fish, but plenty hold-over fish in excess of 2 pounds came out – Randy Garcia (3 yrs old) of Bishop reeled in a Rainbow almost as big as him – weighing in at 1-3/4 pounds – way to bring in dinner for the family Randy!
Forest Service and the campground hosts worked hard to get the campgrounds available for Opening Weekend. BitterBrush, Big Trees, Four Jeffery and the Forks are all open.
Didn’t hear of anyone this year going thru the ice, but as the weather warms, please be careful – also, remember your polarized dark glasses and sunscreen – we saw a few anglers that looked a bit like cooked lobster. You’ve got that sun coming at you in ALL directions and the rays from the snow are deadly!
Looks like temps are going to warm up toward next weekend – not good for ice fishing, but good for opening up the Lake.
Doesn’t look like any of that nasty w-i-n-d due in like we had this past week – gusts up to 51mph – thought the 5th-wheel was going to tip over.
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing will serve breakfast from 7:00am to 11:00am and lunch until 4:00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for now.
The 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
And, of course, we'll have HOMEMADE pie, sodas, beer, wine, coffee, tea and hot cocoa!
We’ve got the same crew coming back this year along with a couple of new faces - looking forward to seeing you all!

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) www.kenssport.com reports:
Bridgeport fished pretty well this weekend, almost all of the anglers we spoke with caught fish, not always limits, but lots of nice fish from 1.5 to 9 pounds. We had good reports on trolling, bait fishing from boats and shore as well as fly fishing. For flies it seemed that streamers were the best, mostly down near the dam. Trollers caught fish on dodgers and crawlers, Needlefish, Rapalas among other things and bait anglers did well with inflated crawlers, Power Bait and Gulp Eggs.
The water over most of the lake was right around 50 degrees, and a bit warmer in the places where the depth was less than 10 feet.
 
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
Water Conditions: Cold like 50 F except shallows.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Nymphing was tough but streamer folks did okay on Opening Day weekend.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) www.capleslakeresort.com reports:
“Over 700 inches of snow and a cold spring will project to a mid to late June Caples Lake thaw!
Remember—- that in 1983 and 1996 after HEAVY WINTERS WITH OVER 700 INCHES OF SNOW THE LAKE THAWED ON JULY 2ND  BOTH YEARS!
We will update our lake report phone message and the blog lake photo every week. See you up here.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Todd Sodaro of the Carson River Resort (877-694-2229) www.carsonriverresort.com reports:
The fishing was fabulous for the Opening weekend:
West Carson River: Nicholas Mitchell (age 11) of Citrus Heights, California caught a 7.5 pounder, a 5.9 pounder and three 4-pounders, using orange Power Bait.
East Carson River: Rob Letrell of Sacramento caught a 6-pound rainbow on Salmon eggs at Pebble Beach near the Carson River Resort and Scott Miller also of Sacramento caught a 5-pounder on Salmon eggs at Pebble Beach.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
Jen Heintzelman of Convict Lake Resort (800) 992-2260 www.convictlakeresort.com reports:
We had a great opening day here at Convict Lake. 
Biggest fish 4 lb, 10 oz. brought in by the Nichols' Family from Pomona, Calif., caught on Hatchery Petite Power Bait near the inlet. 
Second largest fish 4 lb, 4 oz. brought in by John Giroux from Lakewood, Calif., part of a 10 lb, 14 oz. stringer, caught on Thomas Buoyant along the South Shore.
Lot's of full stringers coming in. 
Fish were caught all around the lake but mainly the South Shore and Inlet area with a few strings out near Hangman's Tree. 
The most productive baits were yellow, rainbow and cheese Power Bait, Thomas Buoyants and Needlefish. 
Sunrise this week 5:59am - 5:53am and Sunset 7:42pm - 7:48pm.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
Water Conditions: Crowley is cold and generally clear but not crystal. Uniformly 47-48 F everywhere.
Fishing Conditions: Bait slingers and trollers failed miserably on Opening Day weekend and 100,000 lives were spared!
Fish were everywhere but nowhere with no weeds or warm water to hold a good concentration any one place.
Try west side of McGee, Leighton, Sandy and Hilton as all holding big fish but you must be patient. 12 to 20 ft. depth and spread out.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
On the slow side for flyfishers. The fish are holding in about 20 feet of water. Try a dark Woolly Bugger on full sink line with a slow retrieve.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Jim and Jeanne of the J & J Grizzly Store (530) 832-0270 www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com reports:
Yesterday we finally got the boat ramp in the water!
The mooring cable was broken and Pandora from USFS funded the replacement. We appreciate the support from Ed Dillard, Larry Goldsmith, Tony Olson, and Jeanne Graham (at least) that supported this effort! 
Thanks to all!

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Keith Kerrigan of Sierra Anglers Guide Service (530) 414-1374 www.sierraanglersfishing.com reports:
We have been fishing on Donner Lake for the past few weeks. The water temperature just came up last week and the bite is now on. Have not got a big fish (20 plus yet) but that will change.
The lake is coming up so larger boats can launch with no problem. There is still snow in the parking lot so parking is tight.
I have seen lots of Kokanee on the screen at about 50 feet.
Fish & Game did a fish plant last week. They put in some nice looking trout 15 plus inches. The weather has been rain and snow and wind all weekend,
Please let the Big Macks GO (fish over 10 pounds). If we don't your KIDS won’t have the chance that you have to catch one of these big fish that have been in the lake for 40 years.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
NDOW released nearly 13,000 rainbow trout into this reservoir during spring break week.
Anglers have found success with spinners, Power Bait, mini marshmallows, worms and flies. Combining worms with mini marshmallows is productive as well. The bite isn't fast, but anglers are taking limits.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Largemouth bass are hitting on this Lincoln County reservoir, and crappie are just starting to get active. Anglers are also finding success fishing for stocked rainbows. Spinners, white Power Eggs, worms and mini marshmallows are catching the fish.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Fall River opens for fishing on April 30th, 2011. That's the last Saturday in April! River conditions are good. A little on the high side, but rainbow trout are cruising, swilling down PMDs and all other bugs of that mayfly ilk. On Fall River in the month of May, expect hatches of pale morning duns that can carpet the river. Early spring hatches of this rainbow trout food staple produce some of the best dry fly fishing to be found anywhere!
A fly box during the month of May should have # 18 Tilt Wing Dun PMDs, # 18 Last Chance Cripple PMDs, Norman's Wiggle Tail PT # 16-18, Zack's Swimming Leech in black and olive, # 16-18 Micro Mays in brown and olive and last but far from least, you must have # 16-18 PT.
Fall River is such a diverse stream. Prolific hatches can keep most anglers opening their fly box in search of just the right fly for that hog that keeps poking it's nose up next to the bank. Go to this river prepared with more than a few nymphs, dries and leeches. Expect 16"-20" rainbows that will break your 6x tippet if you are not careful.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Striper fishing on the Feather River was hot, and then not, and then as the water came up last week, the fishing turned right back on big time. Though the action was a bit tougher on Sunday because of all the boat traffic associated with the derbies, the overall action has been very good for anglers drifting live minnows In the Low Flow, there are still steelhead around, according to Craig Bentley at Huntington’s in Oroville.
There have been a few anglers fishing below the hatchery, but few reports of fish being caught coming from those anglers fishing just below the Table Mountain Bicycle bridge, down to the Chinese temple.
The water upriver has taken on a slate green color last week with increased runoff above the lake and now has about three feet of visibility.
The temperature in the Low Flow continues to rise and is now between 53 and 57. The Feather opens on July 16 to salmon fishing.
— Courtesy of JD Richey

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530) 993-4683 reports:
Streams opened on Saturday, April 30th. 
Fishermen have been limiting out at Galeppi Creek, using nightcrawlers tipped with a salmon egg. 
Lookout Creek is doing good also. 
Frenchman's Creek is running high and fast.
Galeppi is on the east side of the lake and Frenchman's is on the west side.
The lake fishing is slow and steady.
Boat ramps are in the water, and getting around the lake is no problem. 
The lake is rising 2 to 5 inches per day.
Campgrounds are open, except Big Cove.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Lake is filling up, and fishing is excellent. 
The boat docks are in the water, both at Frenchman's and Lunker's. Frenchman and Chilcoot campgrounds are open. You can get to either boat landing with no problem.
The fishermen have been using nightcrawlers and marshmallows (white or Chartreuse). Some are using flies, such as Dark Lord, Prince Nymph, or Wooly Buggers.
The streams are open on Saturday, April 30th. 
— Courtesy of Wiggin’s Trading Post

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Hat Creek opens for fishing on April 30th, 2011. Last Saturday in April! Not many rivers in Shasta County are fishable due to snow run-off.
Hat creek is a spring fed creek. Few tributaries contribute much if any negative volume or color to this fly fishing icon.
Rainbow trout will be there, will you?
Hat Creek is going to be great for this year’s opener.
Anglers should expect hatches of pale morning duns, green drakes, mahoganies, blue wing olives, Baetis, Caddis.
Bring a fly box including Mercer's Missing Link # 16, Last Chance Cripple Green Drake # 12, Pseudo Mays # 18, Micro Mays #16-18, Rubberlegs # 6-8.  We are really looking forward to the salmon fly hatches on Hat Creek that start after warmer days in late May.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

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: Good. Flows have increased to about 45 CFS, water is still clear as of 5/3.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Excellent. Major hatches Midges early and BWO's midday. Some caddis showing but fish aren't quite on the grab. Wait until the end of this week.
Guides are reporting like 30 fish per client . . . "It was stupid!"
Dry/dropper time for max body count.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
Grant – Gull – June – Silver Lakes and Rush Creek: Rush Creek flow is 127 CFS. Fishing was fair on Saturday. Basic Nymph patterns were successful. Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears and Prince Nymphs. 


KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707 www.kenssport.com reports:
Unfortunately we haven't received any reports yet from Kirman, we'll post them as soon as we get some.
 
KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) www.shastacascade.com reports:
Flows are high at 3,700 CFS. Tough conditions, fishing is tough too. All the snow we have has to melt. Not the best conditions for our old friend the Klamath River. Sub 2,000 CFS releases out of Iron Gate dam are best. All the recent rain and snow has made this river, which is usually a solid bet at this time of year, not such a solid bet.
Wait for June and hope flows come down.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Colorado River: Nightcrawlers have been catching both stocked rainbows and carry over fish.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) www.shastacascade.com reports:
Good water conditions, fishing is good to great. Huge fish lurk here! It's a blast when it's on. Suspending tiny midges, stripping Woolly Buggers and retrieving leeches on Lewiston Lake has produced some really nice rainbows in recent days and weeks.
Use a full sinking type 7 line for fast, speedy retrieves, like Woolly Buggers cast to the shallow bank and stripped back through progressively deeper water. RIO's Auqua Lux Intermediate Sink Fly Line is a great all around line for slow or fast retrieves on Lewiston.
Insect hatches of Callibaetis are frequent.
Finding fish on the surface happens. Fishing has improved as water clarity has improved. Funny how the fishing improves as the weather gets better.
A knowledgeable guide is key to getting the results on Lewiston.
You can't go too small. Can you? When using indicators, the takes can be difficult to detect and grasp, and then the takes can be electric. Successful indicator anglers keep the flies in the water, all the way to the backing, then low and slooooow retrieve.
Sink tip fly lines allow anglers to retrieve leeches and Buggers fast or slow.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
George Lake - Mary Lake – Mamie Lake – Twin Lakes: Some open water at Lower Twin Water temps still very cold.
Not recommended right now. 


MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
George Lake - Mary Lake – Mamie Lake – Twin Lakes: Fishing under ice with conventional gear.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Windy conditions have kept many anglers at home.
Those who have made it out to the lake have found fair action for small stripers off of rocky points in the Vegas Bay and Overton arms of the lake. The fish are biting on a variety of shad imitations, anchovies or sardines.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass are in shallow water and biting shallow-diving crankbaits, spinner baits and plastics.
Carp will hit sweet corn threaded on a number four bait hook and fished over an area chummed with frozen corn. These often overlooked fish will provide a good fight.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Striper fishing is beginning to pick up. Drifted anchovies are taking the fish, though you may need to experiment with both cut and whole anchovies. Near Willow Beach, anglers are still catching striped bass with trout imitating swimbaits. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, some topping five-pounds, are keeping anglers busy.
The fish are in shallow water and hitting jigs and plastics.
Trout anglers will find good fishing following the weekly trout plants.

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 70 CFS. The section from the Benton Crossing Bridge to the monument is still closed until the Saturday preceding Memorial Day.
The river from the monument to the mouth of Crowley Lake is open and some spawning fish from the lake have been moving in.
Try San Juan Worms or Beadhead Pheasant Tails.
The section above the Benton Crossing is still under special regulations.
Fishing there is slow. Some Caddis activity.
Lower Owens River: Water flow 560 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 5/3 flows are up to 92 CFS above the Hot Creek confluence. Clear and warming some.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair to Good. Fish are getting more active with each day and a few big guys are being nabbed but no high body count. Keep moving.
Fish are up in Big Springs but need a few more days of warm weather to get on the bite. 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 hot these days.
Lower Owens River Water Conditions: Flows are still raging at 545 CFS as of 5/3. Wading not recommended. Watch out for crumbling bank. Water is warming fast.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair to poor. Try to find areas of slower moving water, and stay subsurface until the flows subside. Also try more towards Big Pine as river is wider with no banks.

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.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Pit River is high and crazy! Water is dumping over the top of Lake Britton Dam into Pit #3. Too high. Fishing guides are not recommending fishing anywhere on the Pit River until early June at best.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775-476-0555) www.fishpyramid.com reports:
People are still catching fish, but we have not weighed any for a couple of weeks as they are all doing catch and release. Some 11 and 12 pounders have been caught and released. On one of my charters we caught 20 fish but nothing super big.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The fishing remains good here in Redding!
River flows are 6,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), with no changes in the forecast for now.
Conditions are excellent! Hot flies have been Superflash PTs, Mercer's Beaded Biot Epoxy Golden Stones # 8-14, Pat's Brown Rubber Legs # 4-8, Zack's TB Pseudo May in brown or olive # 16-18.
Oregon Cheese Micro Spawns continue to produce hook-ups! 
Fishermen have found the occasional rising fish. Have a second rod ready to go with a Sparkle Dun Sulphur or a Tilt Wing Dun-PMD attached to a 11' leader @ 5x.
Pink Albert's are coming off the water after 2:00 PM, pushing the bite into the late afternoon hours, after 5:00 PM. PMDs are popping up steadily all day. Fishermen are expecting thick PMD hatches anytime, any day.
The bite is definitely best in the late morning through 3:30.
Hard to justify stopping and eating lunch!
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Upper Sacramento is flowing at 2,000 CFS near where it meets Lake Shasta. The fishing is tough!! This river is fast and dangerous! Snow run-off will prevent us from enjoying safe productive fishing. For now, we are expecting this river to drop to ideal levels in July.
The Upper Sacramento River in the town of Dunsmuir, Calif. is high and fast, but we have heard a couple reports of dedicated anglers going for it, fishing along the edges of the river and finding a few fish.
We think it's best to wait until levels drop to reasonable flows.
Fishermen advise if you decide to fish here, do your best to stay out of the river. Don't wade into fast water.
— 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 is closed.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Lake is near full. Lots of water this again this year. This is great for fishing conditions. Fishing is fair. Picking up more fish as the weeks go on.
Rainbow trout fishing is fair. Catching Rainbows now on the surface. 
A few Salmon are starting to be caught near the Dam, salmon from 15 to 20 inches. Trolling Cripp lures and Wiggle Hoochies for salmon is best bet, 35 to 50 ft deep. 
Shad balls have also been seen around O' Brien on the Sacramento Arm.
As weeks go on fishing will hit its prime. 
Looking forward to many adult King Salmon and very large trout this year fishing Lake Shasta. 
— Courtesy of Outdoor Adventures

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Keith Kerrigan of Sierra Anglers Guide Service (530) 414-1374 www.sierraanglersfishing.com reports:
The trout bite has been real good around all the inlets.
The Pit River trout have been mostly in the ski inland area. If the weather warms up the fish will move up the Pit and feed on plankton.
The Browns have done their thing and are back in the main body of water.
I would look for them in 100 feet of water at about 50 feet, this is where they like to hang out and look for food.
The Sac arm has been good up around Gooseneck.
The Kings are in the same place Dry Creek and the Dam area.
When the pressure gets hard in the Dry Creek area, move out into deeper water by the point.
My prototype Dodger was working real good on the Kings, can’t wait till Stampede opens to try them out on the Kokes. Hopefully they will be out later this summer.
You can troll half the speed and get twice the kick with them, so you save on your batteries. I troll at about half the speed I use to troll.
Kokanee Power is having a trout/salmon derby this weekend go up and fish the derby. It’s fun for the whole family.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Keith Kerrigan of Sierra Anglers Guide Service (530) 414-1374 www.sierraanglersfishing.com reports:
Well, we all are waiting for the weather to clear up so we can get into Stampede. As of right now there is still snow on the road. Some with 4x4 and car top boats are getting in.
We are hoping for the road to get plowed in the next week.

LAKE TAHOE:
Keith Kerrigan of Sierra Anglers Guide Service (530) 414-1374 www.sierraanglersfishing.com reports:
Remember 500 feet from any inlet or you will get a ticket.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530) 544-6552 www.blueribbonfishing.com reports:
North Shore: Fishing has been very good.
We’ve been getting our limits of average-sized (2-6 pounds) Mackinaw (Lake) Trout with larger Macks running up to 10-12 pounds.
One party of four fishermen limited out in four hours.
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 reports:
Fishing has been real slow, there are not a lot of people because of the California Opener last Saturday. They are all fishing somewhere else.

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Lake is now at 94 percent capacity.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Fishing is tough and getting tougher!
Releases on the Trinity are increasing and will peak at a whopping 11,000 CFS on May 4th and hang there for three days. Releases only slightly drop to 4,500 CFS by May 9th. Through the summer, releases will gradually drop to 450 CFS by August 1st. The Trinity River is indeed "Wet".
Consider other options like Lewiston Lake until late July at the earliest!
The Fly Fishing Only Section, above the Old Bridge located in Lewiston, CA. on the Trinity River is open, but fishing is tough.
Flows will be too high by next Friday to safely fish this river from the bank.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

TWIN LAKES AREA, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760) 932-7707 www.kenssport.com reports:
Upper Twin Lake – Lower Twin Lake – Robinson Creek: The Twins had some mixed reports, with folks reporting anything from a little tough to excellent. It sounded like overall the fish were running in the 1/2 pound to 3 pound class and they were getting them on Power Bait and crawler rigs, as well as casting lures from the shore.
Most of the folks we talked to reported that the shore fishing was a little better than the boat fishing.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760) 932-7707 www.kenssport.com reports:
The Virginias did really well through the ice this weekend, Power Worms, crawlers and Power Eggs seemed to be the best baits. There were also a couple anglers that did pretty good jigging lures off the bottom. I'd expect the ice to hang in there for awhile, we'll keep you posted on that.

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, 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 East is up to 425 CFStoday, it's still been fishing ok, not as good as it was last week it seems but folks are still catching fish.
Small Midge patterns are still the best ticket, not much for dries or streamers still. Zebra Midges, San Juans, Flashback Emergers, silver streaks, GT Emergers and the like have been doing well. T
he only report we've had from the Rosachi since the flows were just that it was dirty, I'd expect it to clear up a bit as the flows stabilize, if they do.
West Walker River: We heard of a few fish being caught on the West, anglers reported that it was very tough due to the high flows and the colder water.
They said they were able to catch a few by sticking it out and getting their lures as deep as they could.
Sceirine Ranch: We had a few anglers on the ranch this past week but were not able to get any reports back from them before they left.
I'd expect the same midge patterns to be working down there as they are on the California side, as well as some Birds Nests, PT's and Princes.
Hunewill Pond: Haven't had anyone on the pond yet, will post report as soon as we have one!
 
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
East Walker River Water Conditions: Flows popped up to 425 CFS just in time for Openers and slowed the action considerably.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair. The fishing is a little tougher at these flows but still some excellent fish being caught by guides and their clients towards Nevada line.
Good hatches and Streamers on the swing is still producing.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
East Walker River: Water flow 428 CFS. The water flow jumped up on Sat. and really slowed down the fishing here. 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 still closed. Tioga Pass has an elevation of 9,943 feet, making it the highest automobile pass in the Sierra Nevada.

Photos

Cover Photo: John Giroux of Lakewood California with a 10-pound, 14-ounce stringer of trout caught on Opening Day with a Thomas Buoyant lure along the south shore of Convict Lake. The largest fish weighed 4-pounds, 4-ounces.
— Photo courtesy of the Convict Lake Resort

Photo No. 2: A successful group of fishermen at Convict Lake on April 30.
— Photo courtesy of Convict Lake Resort

Photo No. 3: The largest fish of the 2011 California Opener at Convict Lake was a 4-pound, 10-ounce trout that was caught by the Nichols family of Pomona, California.
They were fishing with Power Bait near the Inlet.
— Photo courtesy of Convict Lake Resort

Photo No. 4: Some of the huge Opening Day crowd of ice fishermen at Lake Sabrina, located in the mountains west of Bishop, California.
— Photo courtesy of Rick and Patti Apted of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing

Photo No. 5: Chris MacKenzie of Carson City with a Lahontan Cutthroat Trout caught on an artificial fly at the “South Nets” at Pyramid Lake last Saturday. He caught and released 30 fish that morning.
— Photo courtesy of Chris MacKenzie