Memorial Day weekend fishing report for Nevada and Northern California

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This Memorial Day weekend report is for the week of May 21-27, 2014.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Surface temps cooled, currently nearing 55 degrees by afternoon. Clarity still good, about 10 to 11 ft.
Several afternoons of big wind cooled the Almanor Basin off and stalled aquatic insect hatches. Expect that to rebuild with sunshine in the forecast.
We have been out the last 4 days and got blown off every day by 11:00 am.  However, we covered a lot of water this week, catching fish and talking to other boats. Spring time fishing is always good here. Where's the best spot? That's a tough question, when so many areas are reporting good results. Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Access to the alpine lakes is still difficult and not recommended.
The road to Angel Lake is expected to be open by Memorial Day weekend.
NDOT was up clearing snow on Thursday of this week, but the road wasn’t clear at that time.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Lake Sabrina: Watch out for deer and bring a jacket.
With the cooler temps last week, the amount of water from the snow run-off shut down dramatically, so much so that the Lake level dropped a few inches causing those that got a bit too close to the Lake to break out their shovels. The good news is that we had a few warm days and the Lake gained back what it lost and a bit more. We just need a few more feet to get our boats up front thru the channels.

There were a couple of kayaks that bobbed and weaved their way thru the channels to get back Natural Lake and limited out.

Catching at both ends of the Lake was good this week – limits were seen coming up from the dam and from those that took the hike to the DingleBerry Inlet. Lures (Red & Gold Thomas Buoyant),
Nightcrawlers, and Power Bait were once again on the menu.
Tim Carlson of Goodyear, Arizona, had what it took to haul in a 3-1/4 pound Rainbow on Thomas Buoyant!
Thanks again to DFG for the stocking on Tuesday!
Don’t forget it’s our MULE DAYS CELEBRATION this Memorial Day Weekend – here’s their website (www.MuleDays.org) where you can find all the information you ever wanted to know about Mule Days.
Every year during the Memorial Day Weekend, more than 700 mules compete in 181 events at the Bishop Mule Days Celebration.
There is no way to actually describe Mule Days. It is part mule show, part test of skills, and part Wild West show.
Situated on the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop, California, Mule Days has become an international world class event.
Crowds have grown from 200 to more than 30,000 fans!
Highlights of the Celebration include the Thursday night concert, featuring Country Music stars, the longest running non-motorized parade on Saturday morning, steer roping and penning, an event normally reserved for quarter horses, and the Packer's Scramble – the wildest, noisiest and funniest event of the weekend.
There are also barbecues, country dances and an arts & crafts show.
All taking place at the foot of the beautiful Eastern Sierra.
More important is the remembrance of our Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars will have a Chicken Fried Steak Breakfast with all the trimmings for $9.00 on Sunday, May 25th from 8:00am to 11:00am at 484 Short St. in Bishop – all are welcomed.
The flags you see in the cemeteries and along Main St are placed by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Thank you to all our Armed Forces for your service!
The Eagles are still hanging around so keep your eyes open.
No sign of bears up here yet – but please keep your food and trash picked-up. Speaking of trash – we are not your mothers – please pick-up after yourselves when you’re out and about.
We’re putting in a few more boats on the back Natural Lake for rent – you’ll either need to drive (with a high clearance 4-wheel drive short base vehicle) or walk. If you walk, we can take your tackle back to the boats for you. (Liability issues prevent us from taking you!)
And once again, we have snow showers in the forecast – Monday evening thru Wednesday up at this altitude – temps are to drop down to the mid-40’s for highs and mid-20’s for lows. Thursday, it’s a chance of thunder boomers and sprinkles, then Friday thru Memorial Weekend temp are on the rise – up to the upper-50’s for highs and low-30s for lows.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you’ve got to Mother Nature in the Spring. 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 the higher elevation or take a look at Howard Sheckter, our weather ‘guesser’ report at www.MammothWeather.com.
If you’re coming to the Lake, don’t forget sunscreen and dark glasses – the glare off the water and the bit of snow we have left is tough on the eyes.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parchers Resort (760-873-4177) (sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
Summary and Trail Report: With the heat wave in Southern California in full effect, the Bishop Creek Drainage saw more hiking and angling visitors than normal for this time of year, a testament to great weather and great early season access.
Overall the fishing was spectacular and the hiking, although a bit snowy above 10500ft, was excellent.
Grass Lake out of North Lake was the most accessible and was ice-free.
Several hikers did reach Long Lake on the Bishop Pass trail and reported that the lake was beginning to ice out but that there was some snow for the last 1/2 mile or so.
We also had some folks hike up to Green Lake where they found some open water towards the outlet side of the lake but the lake was mostly frozen.
Again, still quite a bite of snow towards the end of the hike here - but the Kamloops were biting for the few backcountry anglers that made the trip.
Bishop Creek South Fork
California DFW planted the stream mid-week and from then on, the bite was steady on Rainbow trout to 14".
The fish weren't terribly particular in the stream with fish eating various colors of power bait, salmon eggs, spinners, flies and mini jigs.
Weir Pond
This seemed to be the hot spot for big fish this week with 3 fish from 5lbs to 6.5lbs being caught here.
The pond got a little crowded on Saturday so waders are highly recommended to allow for maximum access to the pond.
All three of the big fish were caught on mini-jigs, two on orange/pink Sniperbaits and one on a king crimson Sierra Slammer jig.
North Lake
Most of our guests reported great fishing at North Lake on Thursday and Friday but things were slowing down a tad by the time Saturday afternoon rolled around. Still, the bite was decent and there were some really nice DFW Brood stock trophies being caught as well. Most of the fish reported were caught on artificials like mini-jigs and Thomas Buoyants.
Intake II
Good reports from the Intake this weekend but summer-like crowds matched the weather according to some folks.
Still, some nice fish were caught on the usual suspects and rumors of another 8lb + fish being taken were the buzz around camp.
No pictures to verify the catch as of yet so although the battle and landing of the fish was witnessed, the weight of the trophy remains in the rumor file.
Lake Sabrina
Visit the fish report on the Lake Sabrina website. The long and short of it is that the lake is being stocked, fishing is good, and while the water is low, they still have some boats for rent (hooray!)
South Lake
Hardest hit by the drought, South Lake is very low.
The lake is still bigger than Lake George in Mammoth, but hardly the large reservoir we're used to.
We don't expect any stocking this year as accessing the lake is just too difficult. There were a few anglers who made the hike down and they reported that the bite was slow, although folks did manage to pick off a few holdover Rainbows on bait and jigs.
Sierrally,
 Jared Smith and the Parchers Resort Crew

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake level has leveled off now and may dip slightly as they are releasing more water out than in at the moment.  Small car top boats, small aluminum boats or float tubes here, water level is too low to launch anything else. 
Fishing by the dam in the morning has been good along with the inlet portion of the lake more towards the evening.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707)
www.kenssport.com) reports:
May 18, 2014
Bridgeport has fished excellent the past few days from boats but still a little tough from the shore. There's been a few fish being caught from shore with bait and lures but it's been pretty inconsistent.
The boat anglers have been doing great trolling in shallow water with blades/crawlers, needlefish, thomas bouyants and small rapalas, bait anglers have been killing it with power bait, mice tails, inflated crawlers and power eggs. There are lots of fish hanging out in water that is only 4 to 8 feet deep right now so don't be worried about getting into shallow water. 

BRIDEGPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Bridgeport Reservoir 5/16/14
Jeffery at the Bridgeport Marina is still putting out his rental boats and it is paying off for those fishing the Bridge.
He reports the “catching” has really picked up for numbers and size since they have had warmer weather and less wind. He also observes huge midge hatches and rolling fish most days this week.
I suggest trolling streamers around the drop-off from the dam to the launch ramp. He saw fish in 3-4 feet of water cruising the mud flats recently.  
Lake has been heavily planted recently.
Fish here early friends, fall may be tough.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort,com) reports:
May 13, 2014
DF & G planted 22,745 German Brown 3” fingerlings today from American River Hatchery. Eggs were originally from Crystal Hatchery by Mt Shasta.
Water temp was 42 degrees on the Caples Lake Resort boat ramp.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Cave is fishing like it normally does as fishing has been good for 8 to 10 inch trout with a few 12 to 13 inch fish being reported.
The old standby of worms or Power Bait should both work.
Fly rodders should be using small olive buggers, hares ears, small leeches and chironomids. On some of the warmer, sunny afternoons give small pale morning duns, Adams, elk hair caddis or mosquito patterns a try.
Cave was recently stocked and will be stocked again sometime over the next week or so.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports: Opens to fishing on May 24.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlake.com) reports:
This week 8 anglers brought in fish that were 14 inches or bigger to be registered in the derby raffle.
The fishing has been good but I'm looking forward to next week's report.
We will be stocking 400 pounds of trophy trout and DFG will also be stocking. There will be plenty of nice trout to be caught for the Hangman's Bonus Cash Weekend  on June 6-8.
The Bonus Weekend will have $2000 in cash prizes. It's three week away. 
Catch of the Week: 
Congratulations to Carlos Sanchez from Palmdale, CA with a nice rainbow caught at the North Shore. He was using a Garlic Power Bait when he landed this nice 2 pound, 11 ounce rainbow. Great job Carlos!   
Other notable catches this week:
Edgar Faci, Walter Echanique, Jose Anarado, Nicho Vera from Anaheim, CA all with a nice stringer. They were fishing the creek and they was using worms. Mike Trout would be proud. 
Tactics/Bait:
The hottest lures last week were Thomas Bouyants once again, Gulp Mice Tails (Pink or Red) and Kastmasters.The most successful Power Bait color was yellow, rainbow and Garlic Chunky Cheese.
The North Shore was the hottest spot this week. Other locations fishing well were the Inlet, Jetty, South Shore and Hangman's Tree.
Here is a list of other baits/lures that can be productive:
Sierra Slammers, Tasmanian Devil, Green or brown Marvel Fly Lures, Trout Teasers, Panther Martin, Needlefish, Roostertails, and Bite-on Fury Shad or Lip Ripperz Hatchery Dust on Power Bait.
Here is a list of recommended flies: 
Dry Flies:
Adams, Female Adams, Cutter's Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators, Black/Red Ants, Sierra Bright Dot, Royal Coachman and Hoppers. 
Streamers:
Wooly Bugger (black, brown, olive, or green), Mutuka (black, brown, olive, or green), Hornberg, and Muddler Minnows.
Wet Flies (Nymphs):
Prince Nymph, Flashback Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, Zebra Midge (red and black), Copper John (red and copper) and San Juan Worm (brown or red).
Other Resources:
View our Convict Lake Fishing Map and Fishing Rig Suggestion brochures. Both brochures are available in the General Store.
Derby News: 
The Round-Up at the Lake Fishing Derby will be running until June 12th. Come join us for a chance to win $6,000 in Resort Prizes!
Also mark your calendars for the Hangman's Bonus Cash Weekend on June 6-8. $2000 in cash prizes. 
Weather: 
This weekend's forecast is warm and breezy. Highs in the mid 60's  Early next week the temps will drop a little and there will be chance of showers. Here is the National Weather Service link that is usually quite accurate: 7-Day Forecast Convict Lake.
Sunrise - Sunset:
Sunrise this week 5:45 am - 5:41 am and Sunset 7:59 pm - 8:04 pm.
Stocking: 
DGF is scheduled to plant at the lake and creek the week of May 20th.
The resort will  also be stocking the lake with 400 pounds of trophy trout the week of May 20th.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
The fish are still scattered and  no one spot is "the spot."
Fly fishing is best with midge patterns under an indicator in 10 - 14 feet of water. Our best results lately have been with a black/red zebra midge.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake 5/18/14
Chironomids emerge consistently when you have a high pressure.
The warm weather has got the fish on the chew here. You will see much tougher conditions if the winds blow as hard as forecast the next few days. Some nice fish are showing up more consistently as the water warms and weather improves.
McGee Bay had a nice push of fish recently in 10-12 feet. Some nice browns in the mix. The usual early season spots have fish. Hilton, Sandy, Sometimes Bay, Alligator Pt., & Crooked Creek. Depth to target is 9-13 feet. 
Sacramento Perch are already staging on the sand in some areas, so you will get  ”drive- bys” from them.
Gillies #18/20, crystal emergers & pupa #18/20. Broken back tiger & zebra midges) good when you have some texture on the surface. Tiger & zebra midges #14/18 also good choices for the lower or larva imitation. 

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
This lake has been fishing very well and with a stocking of DFW trout this week fishing will even be better!  
With temps nearing the upper 80 mark this week it's a great time to get out and fish now. 
Mack fishing here has been good for those trolling with fish ranging in the teens!  Jigging for these guys too have been good at depths from 70-100ft and some smaller guys being caught along the shoreline.
Kokanee fishing has started now with fat little guys ranging from 10-12 inches in 15-30 feet with most of the schools being between Loch Leven Lodge and China Cove.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Bass fishing has been good this past week with fish hitting rubber worms in dark purple or black jigged near spawning beds or using crayfish imitators.
Trout action remains good and browns have been taking ¼ oz. silver spoons with red dots. Recently stocked rainbows are taking the usual night crawlers and power bait with a few larger holdover rainbows striking at most spinning lures.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This is a great time of year to take rainbows, bass or crappie throughout the lake. One angler this week had great success for the crappie off the south end of the dam, using small jigs below a bobber in white and yellow. Fly fishers were having a good time for all three species using small streamers and nymphs, while the bass are also taking rubber worms in dark colors, such as purple and black.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been fair to good this week. The forecast though the week of the 12th looks great with sunny sky and comfortable daytime temperatures.
Get out on the water early to find rising rainbows.
Nymphing with small dark patterns under an indicator or swinging olive colored nymphs in #16 should get you hooked up. Norma's Wiggle Tale PT is a good fly to swing.
The bite can die down after about 2:30 PM, but it depends on where you are on the river. Our guides seem to know where the sweet spots are.
Courtesy of the Fly Shop.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Feather has been fishing fair to good.
There are some big and wild fish in the system.
We've been floating the low flow from Montgomery St. down to Thermalito Afterbay. The best part is these fish are eating an assortment of flies. Fish are not keying into any one particular fly.
The flows are about 420 CFS at Gridley.
The lower stretch should hold stripers with Shad soon arriving.
We'll keep you posted on the progress here.
Courtesy of American Fly Fishing Co.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
On Saturday, May 17th, Steve Grovell and Jerry DiRegolo from Sacramento caught 2 nice rainbows, 18" and 16", at Frenchman boat launch from the bank. They were using black AP nymphs and black wooly buggers, size 12.
Also on Saturday, Mikey from Spanish Springs caught 5 rainbows at the dam using worms jigging off the bottom.
He came back yesterday and caught 5 more!
Dick Young caught a couple of rainbows using red head Dick Nite’s and brown Hackle Peacock flies, size 12. He was using red core line 2 to 3 colors out in 20 to 25 ft of water just past Turkey Point.
Please call us for current lake conditions and updates on the fishing - Wiggin’s Trading Post

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Trollers should use red dot frog Needlefish and Sockeye Slammers at 1.4 to 1.6 mph at 10 feet deep, while bank anglers should toss out Power Bait and nightcrawlers in Mallard Cove, Coot Bay, Grasshopper and Eagle Point. Fly fishermen should use pheasant tail and other nymphs.
Courtesy of Wiggins Trading Post.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
What's going on at Hat Creek? It's springtime and conditions are about as good as they can get on this river. The Power House #2 riffle has been giving up fish. It's such a reliable and easy spot to fish.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the Friday before Labor Day, 2014.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is  up to 15 CFS. Dry fly fishing is non existent.
Nymph fishing is the best bet. Try WD-40's, green rock worms and scuds.


HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek (5/17/14)
Weeds are becoming an issue in some sections very early I am sad to report.
Winds will whack the hatch for a while.
Very good caddis & mayfly activity occurring daily during during warm spells. The small spring caddis are like candy to these wild fish and you will enjoy the best snap during this hatch. #18/20 hi-vis elk hair imitations will suffice, try some crystal olive caddis larva patterns for nymphs. San Juan Worms and egg patterns are good choices for spring conditions on the crick.
Dry dropper rigs using para midge or hi-vis para BWO or blue wing olive adult patterns #14-18 as an upper, while dropping a broken back zebra or tiger midge, assassin bird’s nest, or crystal olive caddis/zebra larva pattern will get you into fish in the slots between the weeds.
Lengthen your leaders to ten feet here, 5X is a good tippet size.
The deeper pools can be fished with weighted attractors like SJ worms and egg patterns hung beneath an Under-cator. A hot rig is an olive or light Punk Perch as your upper fly with an assassin or PT as a dropper.
You may also “swing cast” the Punk across the deeper slots and pools for a shot at one of the bigs that hunker along the weed lines or in the gut of the larger holes. Use the yellow, or clear for short water nymphing.
Midge cluster, or para midge adults in the #20-24 range are hot flies for surface action.  BWO adults fished high in the suds #16/18 also good calls afternoon when the baetis start to emerge.
Access remains good as of 2/26/14 however the forecast calls for some snow to hit on the weekend.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water temps have climbed into the 60’s and fishing has picked up.
Minnow imitations, natural baits and wooly buggers are all worth a try here.
Fish the northern shorelines (they get the most sun and warm up first) in the shallows as the trout cruise them looking for bugs to eat. Also, the inlet where the creek enters the reservoir has been producing a few fish as well.

JACKSON MEADOWS, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
The road here is open and with the pressure this lake has received the fishing isn't as easy as it was a week ago.  
Rainbows have dispersed from the creek mouths and have fallen into a more normal feeding pattern.  
Lake is relatively low for this time of year so launching larger boats may be a problem!

JAKES/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Jakes Creek has good water level and no weeds yet, so fishing from shore has been productive with anglers reporting 12 to 17 inch fish.
Even a few bass are being taken.
Anglers should try Power Bait and worms or small spinners fished slowly.
Fly rodders should give hares ears, PT nymphs, zug bugs and prince nymphs along with wooly buggers a chance.
Fish are averaging 10 to 17 inches in size with most anglers using small spinners, minnow imitations or flies.

JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Unfortunately, Jiggs has dried up.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Rush Creek is fishing well. The flow is up to 53 CFS. 
Try a humpie or stimulator with  a hares ear or pheasant tail dropper.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
May 18, 2014
Kirman is fishing very well still this past week, lots of nice fish being landed in the 16 to 20 inch range and some of the cutts are even larger.
The scud haven't seemed to take off yet but the streamer action is very good.
Small leech type patterns have been the ticket, seal buggers, stillwater nymphs, mini leeches and buggers have all been doing well, I'd suggest dropping a soft hackle or ap emerger off the back for added success.    

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Not much to report on for this river. Conditions are great and it's possible to find a few smaller steelhead here, but it's not the kind of fishing this river is known for in the winter months.
Look for better fishing as we close in on June.
As this river produces more insect activity in the form of Stonefly and Salmon fly hatches, more and more fish can be found eating off the surface and chomping big stonefly nymphs underneath.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
As the weather changes from cool to hot, so does the fishing.
Action for striped bass continues to improve. Anglers from shore and on boats are reporting success with anchovies being the top bait to use.
Most being caught are under four pounds but the big ones are there ready to take your line.
Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass has been good in the Sunshine Peninsula area, as the bass are coming off their beds and are hungry.
Nightcrawlers have been a productive bait for these.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been fair at times, awesome by some reports.
This reservoir is really, really low. Launching a boat might be difficult.
Lewiston is known for it's big, bad bows. The reservoir level is low.
Best fishing happens mid day. Lewiston is a good choice for anglers over in Lewiston/on the Trinity River that want to get a few rainbows in the net on their 5wt fly rod.
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:
All the lakes are ice free. The water is still very cold and fishing is slow.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2014.

MARTIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
A real sleeper of a lake early on, wide open and no crowds.  Great for those who are learning to fly fish without the critics you'll find on the rivers!

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The striped bass are hanging in about 30 feet, as warming temperatures continue this will send the fish deeper. Large and smallmouth bass should be found in shallower waters due to spring spawning.

MCGEE CREEK/HILTON CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
McGee Creek/Hilton Creek 5/18/14
Mediocre at best. Pods are scattered, and with gusty winds forecast the next few days I would look elsewhere.
Drifting attractor patterns like SJ worms & crystal eggs are good calls. Dry/dropper bead head rigs using a stimulator,  hi-vis para BWO, or caddis as the upper, and an olive crystal  caddis or midge larva pattern as the dropper can be deadly.  Broken back midges, assassins birds nest, and flashback PT’s should also be in your box if you plan on the 30 minute hike to the promised land.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The black bass species are off their beds and becoming more active. Crankbaits are working well during this time. The various species of sunfish should be on nests for their spawn.
Catfish action continues to do well with many around three pounds being brought in.
Success at Willow Beach is beginning to improve as reports of double digit fish being caught are coming in.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Bass bite is wide open. It’s hard to get big fish but there are plenty of 1 to 2 pound fish. Plastics like RoboWorms, Senkos or tubes are good. Find bass from the bank to 20 feet deep. Bass are in all stages of spawn. Bass are in the main body and in coves – everywhere. Fifty fish days are common. Courtesy of Nor Cal Fishing News.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current flow is 199 CFS.
The water  has cleared but not much change in the fishing.
The section downstream  of the Benton Crossing Bridge to the monument is closed  until  next Sat. The section from the monument to the lake is now open. Upstream of the bridge is open all year.
Fishing is slow. Some larger lake fish showing up here and there. Some hold over stockers and a few wild fish available.
Nymph fish with WD-40,buckskin nymphs and midge pupa.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow 227 CFS. This last week fishing good in the wild trout section.
Try WD-40's,  pheasant tails and hares ears. 
Hatches have been sporadic lately and surface action is minimal.
Some rainbows in the 18"- 20"  showing up of late.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Middle Owens River (Bishop area) 5/18/14
Big numbers have slowed the last few drifts, but it is still good on drift boat trips with some nice fish in the mix.  
Some issues with free floating weeds from irrigation canals, increased flows on the Bishop Creek, etc…Flows currently 216 CFS out of PV Reservoir.
Look for continued caddis and pale morning dun mayfly hatches.
I suggest you have some hi-vis elk caddis & para mayflies #14/18. Theses are adults and good choices for surface action.
Have a good selection of mayfly and caddis nymphs. Olive crystal caddis larva, olive zebras, assassin bird’s nest, flashback PT’s, money!
Streamers like Loebergs & Spruce-A-Bu’s are how we consistently get the huge trout you see posted.
There are also some good numbers of damsel and dragon flies hovering here.
Using the nymph stages is a good call while fishing streamers.  
You will need a heavy sinking tip line like the one Rio makes. 150/200 grain, 24 foot streamer tips are good for current flows & you can use them in lakes as well. Check out my guide tips link at the top of the page and scroll down to “dip & strip”. This technique is the key to getting the bigs in the Sierra on streamers. 
Upper Owens River 5/18/14
Cutthroats are here in force right now.  
Flows have stabilized, but remain high at 200 CFS.. Gonna get breezy making mending difficult. You will need plenty of weight to get those SJ worms, egg patterns, flashback PT’s, Assassin bird’s nest, broken back midges, crystal olive caddis & zebra larva patterns near the bottom.
Lengthen your standard nymphing leaders 2-3 feet friends, you will get better results!
I prefer to use a clear or yellow Under-cator on moving water as they are less conspicuous. The pink & orange work better on the still waters like Crowley and Bridgeport.
Streamers like Loebergs, Punk Perch, Crystal Leeches, & Agent Orange will also get takes when used with a light to medium sinking tip line.
As it warms up this week we may see some off colored water and floating weed due to run-off.  Keep your bugs clean every cast!
Make sure you wear a wading belt if you have waders on. The UO is ripping right now and is very deep and swift in some places.
Bring a staff along to cross.

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

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Best bite has been late morning through the afternoon!
Good flies are #16-14 P.T. Nymphs, #14 Black Micro Mayflies.
Try some bigger stonefly patterns like Mercer's Poxy Back Dark Stone, or the good 'ol stand-by "Pat's Rubber Legs". Bring Salmon fly patterns and Golden Stone nymphs.
Although we haven't seen any stoneflies coming off, these big bugs of spring should start popping off along lower stretches any time, any day.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.
 
PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR AND THE GORGE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir/The Gorge 5/16/14
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
Power generation is now occurring intermittently. It is difficult to time your fishing here due to continued maintenance. Find some softer water in the transition section between the lake and inlet stream with fish feeding in the suds, it can be deeper at times depending on the rez level and may require an Under-cator instead of a dry fly to get those nymphs down. 
Tubing is best under current conditions using Loebergs, Punk Perch, Agent Orange, & crystal leeches. Use a full or heavy sinking tip line.  Still water nymphing Crowley style can also get you into numbers along the drop-offs.  Use Broken back midges like gillies and tigers, crystal emergers, and pupa patterns are good calls as upper flies on a tandem rig. Stick to tigers and zebras as the lower flies. 
The Gorge:
LADWP is doing extensive work & testing on valves and hydro electric plants, & this is why we are seeing such abnormal & fluctuating flows in this fishery. It may be this way for sometime.  Flows here will vary between 35 CFS and 200 CFS on a daily basis.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 38% capacity and has been fishing well! 
Fishing outside the inlets and around the dam has produced the best results.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Valarie Taylor at Crosby Lodge at Sutcliffe (775-476-0400) (www.crosbylodge.net) reports:
We only had one over 10 pounds weigh in this last week. 
A lot of windy days have kept boaters close to shore.
Dave Stoddard from the Sacramento area was fishing east of the Willows by boat using a Jake lure. 
His catch measures in at 14 pounds, 4oz and 31 1/2 inches.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
if you want to go to Pyramid I would plan to go when the weather is changing, a chop on this lake is good while glassy conditions tend to be bad. Has been sporadic recently.

RUBY LAKE NAT. WILD. REFUGE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) report:
Very little change here as fishing for trout is good one day and fair the next in the collection ditch.
Small olive buggers, hare’s ears, leech and chironomid patterns should all work. Give damsel and dragon fly nymphs a try as well.
The ditch and a number of the ponds have been stocked over the past couple of weeks and fishing for 10 to 12 inch fish has been good, though getting to the larger fish through the stockers can be a challenge.
The ditch is artificial lures and flies only.
The water temperatures are still cool enough that the bass haven’t really started biting yet.
No boats may be put on the water until the June 15th electric motor opener.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Releases out of Keswick Reservoir is around 6,932 CFS as of this writing. Fishing has been productive, weather is great, water conditions are awesome. A few of the hot flies have been #18 Super Flash PTs, TB Peaches & Cream, Bat Wing Emerger.
Please consider avoiding the spawning redds across from the Posse Grounds launch. Or any redds for that matter. Those rainbows are ensuring the future of this great fishery.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.
 
SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been good thanks to great water conditions.
A few Salmon Flies coming off along the lower river. Golden stones too!
Bring a few Salmon Fly Dries and search the edges o the river, near shade.
A Parachute Adams in #12-14 can get a few fish to the surface.
For nymphs, try #14-16 Amber Wing Princes, #18 Zebra Midges in black, #12 Copper Bead Birds Nests.
Fish on the upper Sacramento are not all that selective at this time of year, so go forth and confidently fish nymphs for optimal results and reliability.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of May 19, 2014 water flow is currently 7.500 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing is excellent.
Weather is warming, great bug hatch mid day. 
Trout fishing Redding area, fishing is great.
A bit windy this afternoon, but a great day, mild weather....Rainbow Trout fishing, 18 in to 26 inches, from 20 plus hook ups. 
Trout fishing through the town of Redding has been excellent. 
Fishing Keswick Dam to Balls Ferry ramp.
Using PMD's, Black Caddis, Prince Nymphs,  Pheasant Tails, Brown Micro Mays,  & Yellow Sucker Spawn.
Call or email us today. We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. Drift  boats or Jet boats available. 
For those of you who are not fly fisherman, we offer spin fishing trips on the Sacramento River are available.
We cater to all levels of anglers. Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California. 
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Road closed. Due to open May 23.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Shasta is 25 feet from the top. Water Temp 55 the lake is warming and the Trout and Salmon bites is improving. All ramps are open. 
Trout bite is improving daily with warming weather. The best area for trout is the McCloud arm from Holiday Harbor to Dekas rock, the Squaw Creek arm from Monday Flat north, the Sacramento arm Goose Neck to Elmors Bay and the Pitt above Arbuckle Flat. Work the surface to 25' down. Cripplures Brass Chrushed Fire, Brass Red, Fire Tiger, UV Red ,Fishscale, HumDingers Red gold sand, glow silver sand, silver blue and Wiggle Hoochies are all doing the job.
The salmon bite is good. You can fish Dry Creek and Backbone 25 to 75 feet deep. Try UV Sling Blades with Pee Wee hoochies, Koke-a-nuts, and Wiggle Hoochies.
Courtesy of The Shasta Tackle.
 
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
May 19, 2014  Shasta Lake guided fishing -
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta. 
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta. Lake Shasta fishing is good. Catching a Rainbows and salmon now on Lake Shasta.
The bass fishing is RED HOT ! 60 bass days.
LET'S GO FISHING !

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
With the warmer weather, the water temps have climbed into the low 60’s by the afternoon here and fishing has been good for trout, fair to good for bass and wipers. No word on anyone catching any catfish yet, but fishing for cats generally picks up about this time of year.
Anglers appear to be having good luck around most of the lake for trout, while the black bass appear to still be holding in a bit deeper water.
For trout, fluorescent orange seemed to be the preferred color of Power Bait. Fishing for trout has really picked up, and fly fishermen have had success for three to six pound trout with black and red chironomids as well as olive seal buggers and olive crystal buggers on the east and south ends of the lake. Most trout being caught in the coves, with some boaters reporting success.
Wipers are being caught in a bit deeper water, no longer in the real shallow stuff. Remember, you may not keep any black bass between March 1st and June 30th, they must be released immediately back into the water. You may keep one wiper 15 inches or longer now.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Fishing here may improve for the shore fisherman around the boat launch and cove leading up and down the shoreline with the recent stocking of fish.
Smallmouth fishing has been sporadic in the Davis Creek arm but some smallies have been pretty nice. 
Rick Kennedy has reported good Kokanee action with fish ranging in the 12-13 inch range in the top 15-30 feet of water.  Spinners, Hoochies, and small tubes have been go to lures in colors with pink and orange.  
Look for Macks underneath these schools of Kokes and some larger ones still hanging out in the deeper sections of the lake around the dam.  

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Rick and Tresa Kennedy of Tight Lines Guide Service (888-975-0990) (www.FishTightLines.com) report:
Stampede 5/16/14
We launched at 6:00 AM and headed towards the Island.
We dropped two lines down to 30’ and one top line. Within a couple minutes we had fish on. By 8:15 AM we had 14 Kokanee up to 13” and one Rainbow in the box and lost another eight or so.  
The best depth today was 26’ to 35’, we did get a few on the top line as well.
Sep’s Watermelon Dodger and a RMT Assassin spinner tipped with pink Pautzke Fire Corn was the hot set up today.
Launching wasn’t a problem. They have cleaned up the ramp and it helped a lot. You will still be launching in the mud but it’s better than it was last week. I was able to launch without four-wheel drive today.

LAKE TAHOE:
A report of average sized Mackinaw Trout being caught on silver flasher blades and minnows on the west side of the lake near Homewood.

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Few people have been trout fishing at Trinity Lake lately, but we are told fishing should be productive for rainbows in the mouths of the tributaries, including the Upper Trinity, East Fork, Stewarts Fork and Swift Creek.
Use Pautzke salmon eggs, Power Bait, Power Eggs and nightcrawlers.
Black bass fishing has been good when the wind is down.
Boaters are nailing a mixture of smallmouths and largemouths while tossing out tube baits, Senkos and ripbaits.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
May 19, 2014 Fishing report
Currently, Trinity River flows are as follows; 
Trinity River will reach 1,500 CFS and slowly decrease, starting May 31 to 400 CFS by June 26th, 2014.
Fishing for trout now. Fishing up and down with water flows high at the moment. We are fly fishing and spin fishing the river, fishing from Lewiston to Junction City. 
Fly fisherman are using eggs patterns and doing very well. 
Please give us a call to reserve your day on the water. 
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding fishing from the town of Weaverville, Calif.

TRUCKEE RIVER, BIG, CALIF AND NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
California: Great weather this week so get out and fish the Truckee. The rest of this week looks very nice with high temps getting into the 70's.  Look for days before or after storm fronts to fish as these are key days that fish will feed for longer periods of time. 
March Browns are still lingering, big Stones, sporadic BWO's, sporadic PMD's, and more Caddis now with the warmer temps and water temps starting to rise. 
Big Carpenter Ants are out and about!  Have these tasty morsels with you when you go down to the river. 
With the high flows being seen below Boca it's time to think about using your high water techniques! 
More activity of fish feeding just under the surface above the Glenshire stretch. Try a Skwala dry or Stimi and trail a small bead nymph or soft hackle a couple of feet behind and see what happens.  
Lots going on right now as fish are found everywhere in the river system, so get out if you have a chance and fish. 
Hatches this time of year will consist of Midges, BWO's, Baetis, PMD'S, Caddis, Skwala & Golden Stones, and March Browns. 
Nevada:
Caution!  If you do fish the Truckee in Nevada please be aware that New Zealand Mudsnails have been found in sections of water there so please clean your shoes and gear accordingly to avoid aquatic hitch hikers!  
Study the water and turn rocks and see what is going on, also seine for what is in the drift. Little things like this and slowing your approach to the river’s edge will greatly increase your chances of being successful. 
Again, make sure your box is stocked with every conceivable stage of bugs that are present now.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Stocked last  week and should fish well for those who want to keep fish and get away from the crowds coming off I-80 and the local Tahoe area.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Judy Allen at Annett's Mono Village (760- 932-7071) (www.monovillage.com) reports:
Upper Twin Lake:
We enjoyed great weather the first part of the week, than the winds arrived and are expected to stay around for the week-end. 
This effected the boaters more than the Anglers.
We had reports of many pan-sized trout caught, but Dave Cummings from Glendora landed a beautiful 6 pound, 8 ounce Brown while trolling with a J-18 Rapala.
Most of the landed fish this week were hitting on Gulp floating pinched crawlers, garlic infused.  The Bubblegum flavor was exceptional. The Power Bait mice tails were another good choice.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
We've been getting some good reports from the Twins this past week though we haven't heard of any big browns making a showing lately.
Lots of nice rainbows in the 1 to 3 pound range being caught both trolling and bait fishing. The shoreline anglers are doing well with power eggs, mice tails and crawlers and the trollers are doing well with blades and spoons or small rapalas. 

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
The Virginias are fishing excellent right now. They're all thawed out and fishing great.
Fly anglers are using small streamer patterns like mini leeches, matukas and wooly buggers with soft hackle droppers and doing well. Bait anglers are using power worms, mice tails, power bait and crawlers for great success. Lure anglers are casting kastmasters, thomas bouyants and panther martins for their part.  

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:
May 18, 2014 
The East is running at 53 CFS now and has been there for several days now.
The fishing has been a bit tough in the upper mile of the river but down below the bridge and on the Nevada side it's been much better.
Nymphing has still been the best way to connect with some nice fish though we have had a couple good streamer reports as well as a few dry and dry/dropper reports.
Sceirine ranch and Rosachi section in Nevada have been fishing pretty well so consider these two sections for some good action.
The water is still low so you need to bring your A-Game right now!
Patterns to try down there include dark lord, mercury midge, wd-40, flashback emerger, san juan worm, disco midge, mirrored midge, rainbow warrior, silver streak, ext body bwo, para adams, madam x, fat albert, chubby chernobyl, moal leech, seal bugger and zonkers.               
Sceirine Ranch:
May 18, 2014
The Sceirine has been fishing very well this past week, lots of nice fish in the 16 to 20 inch range being caught.
The water is low so you need to focus on the deeper pools and slots and try to be stealthy so as not to spook the fish.
Give us a call if you want to book some time on the private water.  
Hunewill Pond:
May 18, 2014
We had several clients on the pond this week and 90% of them had great days! There was lots of surface action with parachute adams, bwo's, extended body bwo's, and even some elk hair caddis as well as good success with leech patterns like seal buggers and mini leeches. The water is still low but the weeds haven't grown up yet and the fish are hungry!

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is 53 CFS. Fishing is still tough.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hopefully the water will continue to come up here. Flows currently at 53 CFS. Fishing has been so-so at best.
The EW is facing some tough times this season, go easy on them friends.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
May 18, 2014
The West has been running a little high and dirty most days this week due to the snow running off, this has made fishing a little difficult. When fishing bait or flies on the river in these conditions you'll need to add some extra weight to bet your bait/flies down towards the bottom and try to search out the calmer pools and slots where fish might have an easier time hanging out. They still gotta eat so you just need to get the food down to them!    

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing has been good for trout and fair to good for bass and wipers at Wild Horse, though it isn’t getting much visitation.
Luckily shore fishing has been good, because the State Park isn’t recommending that people launch boats at this time. The edges around the water are soft and the boat ramps are way out of the water.
Most anglers are having luck with plain old garden hackle, though others are using Power Bait and lures. Fly rodders have had success with buggers, hare’s ears, leech patterns and chironomids.
Some black bass are being caught and wipers have been hit or miss, on some days anglers hitting a school and catching quite a few, while on other days getting skunked.
The fish cleaning station is open.
Anglers should be aware that if they are going to try to launch a boat, that they must get it inspected at the AIS station at the state park headquarters. This goes for boats being launched anywhere on the lake. If you are just going to the inspection station, but not using the park, you will not be charged an entrance fee. At some point, the inspection station will move to the entrance of the park right off of the highway.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wilson must have gotten a good dose of precipitation during the last front that moved through as the water level has risen dramatically with the boat ramp now only about three feet out of the water.
You can launch small boats here now.
Water temperatures have exceeded 50 degrees and fishing has been good for trout, fair for bass, though as the water warms, bass fishing should pick up.
The county road was graded a couple of weeks ago and the ranch road was in fair shape, so as long as it is dry, you should be able to get here okay. Anglers should use the same presentations and techniques as at South Fork.

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