Fishing Report For the week of May 25 through Memorial Day

Here is this week's fishing report for the week of May 25 through Memorial Day weekend. The report is for rivers, streams and lakes in Northern Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra.

ADOBE POND, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
I am really looking forward to fishing here this spring and summer from our drift boats. With all the water Dobe should be fantastic! The Callibaetis hatches will be off the charts. The fish have truly picked up in size since we started guiding here a several seasons ago. 
Click here to get more information and to book a trip please.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Just last week, the west shore seems to be getting the most bites.
Insect hatch's start, peak, and then decline. Fish move for the food. Most of the fish we have checked are feeding on bug larva, very few have had any smelt in them.
Surface temperatures are at 53.4 degrees with water clarity being very good at about 9 feet.
Launching at the Canyon Dam Public ramp offers good trolling along the east shore, and you can start trolling right from the ramp. This is a good producing area, and most boats hug the shore. Threaded crawlers are always a good bait to troll through area.
Fishermen have been seeing fish in the 2 lb. range, mostly Browns, followed by Rainbows and a occasional King Salmon. The Kings are looking very good for this early in the season, and running a little bigger and have been up to 4.3 lbs. but most have been 2.5 to 3 lbs.
Also, at Canyon Dam is Geritol Cove, a good place to float some Power Bait off the bottom, fly fish, or soak a crawler from your boat, Kayak, float tube, or lawn chair.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) reports:
Sabrina Lake: The good news is catching at Lake Sabrina is still great – the not so good news is the Lake continues to drop and we are not yet renting boats due to the low water level – too many rocks sticking up in the channels.
Mother Nature is just not ready to let winter end – a slight possibility of snow due in Monday – we need that summertime weather to start the run-off. It is what it is!
With the Lake so low, there is good shore access – you may be walking thru a bit of mud, so bring your old shoes and jeans (and maybe an extra pair of both, just in case – that mud tends to be a bit on the slick side).
Upon reaching the Lake, all baits are working and there is some action with lures – especially our favorite, the red and gold Thomas Buoyant.
The best bait we’ve heard doing the job is Salmon Eggs.   
Along with the Bald Eagles returning this year, we also had a beaver spotted paddling around the Lake.
No signs of bears on our side of the mountain, but there are a few roaming on the South Lake side – Bishop Creek Lodge & Parchers are dealing nightly with bears (hope they stay on that side of the canyon!).
Camp Sabrina and North Lake Campgrounds are still closed as is the North Lake Road due to snow. All the other campgrounds are open and ready for your camping experience.
As I said, Mother Nature is still letting us know who’s in charge – temps did warm up a bit on Thursday and Friday, but Saturday, the clouds returned to block that warm sun and we did have a few bouts of rain and little snowball pellets. A chance of snow on Monday, then it looks like the temps may get in the mid 50s toward Mule Day Weekend with the lows in the 30s – please don’t hold me to those numbers – MOM is still in charge and strange things can happen in the mountains. You can check www.weather.gov and enter Aspendell, Calif., on the site and it will give you a fairly good hint at the weather or check in with Howard at www.MammothWeather.com.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports: 
Bridgeport Reservoir is still off the hook! We've had great reports on trolling, bait fishing and fly fishing as well.
Good Midge hatches starting to come off so the Midging has been good.
Trolling down near the dam and in Buckeye Bay has been good, still fishing right out in the middle between the marina and Buckeye has been good as well as over in Buckeye where the inlets come in, same for fly fishing.
Baits working have been crawlers, Power Bait and Gulp Egg clusters, flies include red Zebra Midges, soft hackles, mini leeches, and for trolling you can fish Needlefish, excel lures, Rapalas and Mira Shads.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
My good friend and guide Mundo Robles mundo@staybentfishing.com has had some “epic” days while still water Nymphing here this spring.  He got into some big numbers of 20 inch plus fish and the best is yet to come for the “Bridge.” We have not yet fished here yet so give him or Jeffrey at the marina www.bridgeportreservoir.com a call for the best locations.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) reports:
Lake still has 2 feet of ice and 3 feet of snow.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
Still frozen but some open water showing in some locations.

CARSON RIVERS, NEV:
East Carson River:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
Fishing has been slow and you have to work to catch fish.
Steve Duke caught 4 fish one day and 3 the next.

CARSON RIVER, CALIF:
East Carson River:
High, fast and muddy.
West Carson River:
High, fast and muddy.

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
Don and Elaine Quilici of Carson City fished there Sunday and fishing was super slow. Don caught one Northern Pike (20.5 inches in length) on a green colored lure cast from shore. It was their only fish of the day.
There were three boats and two groups of shore fishermen at the lake, but none of them caught a fish.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
Jen Heintzelman of Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) reports:
Memorial Day Weekend Happenings: We have a few cabins open for Memorial Day Weekend, if you are making plans for a last minute getaway or know someone who is.
Call 760-934-3800 or 800-992-2260 for reservations.
Our Pack Station is open with 8 horses this year.
Round-up at the Lake Fishing Derby - $6,000 in resort prizes.
Jalapeno Bourbon BBQ & D.J. T's
11:00am - 4:00pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Gourmet Pizza in The Lounge 5:00pm to Close - 4 HD TV's & Wi Fi Access
Fine Dining 5:30pm to Close 7 Days a week
Catch of the Week: Despite the weather being a bit chilly at the beginning of the week, Sue & Ademo Martinez from Big Bear City, California pull out a full stringer caught on Power Bait!
Don Fenner caught the largest fish of the week at 2 lbs, 4 ozs.
Weather: Daytime highs this week will be in the high 50's and low 60's.
It looks like the traditional warm weather will be coming next week.
Lows will mainly be in the 30's.
There is a chance of showers through Monday and clearing after that.
Feel free to call us for a real-time weather report. Here is a local site that is usually quite accurate www.mammothweather.com.
Tactics/Bait: This week Power Bait, nightcrawlers and trolling with Needlefish lures are king and fish are being caught all around the lake.
Locations to try fishing are the South Shore, inlet, jetty, hangman's tree, near the outlet and the North Shore.
Here is a list of other baits that are good to try: Rapala, Trout Teasers, Midges, Panther Martin, Thomas Buoyants, Green Woolly Bugger, White Mini Jig and Garlic Power Bait.
Trolling with down riggers 3 to 6 colors or 20-50 feet is a depth range to try.
Stocking: DFG has been here this week
The next trophy trout stocking will be prior to Memorial Day Weekend by Mono County. Convict Lake will stock 100 lbs of Alper's Rainbow Trout prior to the following weekend before Hangman's Bonus Derby June 3-5th.
Sunrise - Sunset: Sunrise this week 5:41am - 5:37am and Sunset 8:00pm - 8:04pm.
Derby News: Round-up at the Lake going on now until June 5th. We have 100 entries and 35 fish entered into the drawing for $6,000 in resort prizes.
Hangman's Bonus Derby Weekend is coming up June 3-5 with $2,000 in cash up for grabs if you catch the right fish.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
Still on the slow side. Some limited action at Pelican Point and Sandy Point. Stevie's Wonder gray or Stevie's M-80.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
Definite improvement when the freak’n wind stops blowing!
I suspect some good things here as this extended period of nicer weather moves in over the holiday. 
The perch are showing up on the gravel in 8-12 feet so not all that pulls your Under-cator down is a trout these days.
All around Sandy Pt. and Layton/Alligator Pt. are best with some scattered fish in Six Bays and the North Arm. 
Stay out past eleven feet, they are also as deep as sixteen feet. 
Copper or bright bead head Midge larva and Emerger patterns # 16 & # 18 seem to be the best right now as the water remains clear. 
You will be amazed at how LOW the lake is. The LADWP has pretty much drained Crowley in preparation for the potentially massive run-off.  By August you will see full pool and then some I suspect.  No weed lines to speak of.  Watch the shoals around the Hiltons of you are in a boat, it is getting skinny!

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Water conditions are very clear upstream of Island Road.
Below Island Road to the confluence with the Tule, conditions are good.
There has been a mixture of reports from great to poor coming in.
It's Fall River, expect rising rainbow trout! Can't beat that!
There are good hatches of PMDs, especially from Island Road. Bridge upstream, with the peak dry fly activity from about 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon.
There are some really big rainbows around, slurping these tasty dry fly morsels, and since it's still early in the season they're not particularly tippet shy yet.
With high runoff on many of the mountain streams, the Fall River is a super option this year for May, and beyond! It's always a great option.
Best fly/most fish ate: Green leech stripped on a type II uniform sink line through shallow water.
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 nymphs.
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

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
The lake is looking full and fishing is excellent. 
Shore fishing has been good at the dam, and on the east side of the lake between Big Cove and Crystal Point. They are using nightcrawlers (inflated) off the bottom.
Trolling is excellent around the dam and near Lunker's Point.They are using Dick Nites and Tasmanian Devils.
Reports of catching Brown trout in the creek below the dam. They were using Copper John flies.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Hat Creek has been fishing great!
Water conditions are clear and wader friendly.
Pale Morning duns are hatching mid day, in the evening look for tiny # 16 caddis flies.
Can't ignore the eventual Salmon Fly emergence in the days to come.
Not known for huge numbers of rainbows brought to hand, Hat Creek has produced top quality fishing this month. Sometimes crowded, especially since some of the other streams like the McCloud, Upper Sac, Pit River are less than ideal for angling with a fly rod.
Come to Hat! Bring your dry fly box and go hunting for rising fish!
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,and Rubberlegs # 6-8.
 Fishermen 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) reports:
Water flow up a bit to 60 CFS. Fishing is good. Nymph fish with FB Pheasant Tails, gray WD-40's and Caddis larva and olive Scuds.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
The flows are coming up slowly and not really messing up the consistent bite. The winds have flat ravaged the place at times but it looks good for the holidays. Clarity is good with steady hatches of PMDs and last generation Baetis emerging. 
At these flows many of the spots you may be accustomed to fishing will look very different and there will be good opportunities to fish the infinite amount of channels in the weed beds (hint, hint) that are not possible under lower flows.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
Grant – Gull – June – Silver Lakes and Rush Creek:
Rush Creek flow is 154 cfs. Fishing is fair. Basic Nymph patterns like Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears and Prince Nymphs.

KINNEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
S.R. 4 is still closed.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports:
We've started getting some decent reports from Kirman.
Haven't heard of any fly anglers getting after it up there partially because it's been pretty windy up there lately, but we've had some good reports on mini-jigs and lures like Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants.
Most of the fish being caught seem to be in the 16 or 17 inch range with a few being caught that are going over 4 pounds!

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Flows are high at 3,200 CFS, tough conditions for now.
Better reports will come in as flows drop and salmon show up. 
Anglers can easily fish it from a boat, however, launching at Iron Gate will put you at Klamathon bridge within a couple hours. At these flows, if your guide isn't constantly pulling hard on the oars, the boat will be at interstate 5 by lunch time.
All this will change by the end of the month. 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

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Good water conditions, fishing great on warm days.
It's been really cold up here!
Look for cruising rainbows eating Callibaetis duns along the edges of Lewiston Lake. Suspending tiny Midges and scuds, stripping Woolly Buggers and retrieving leeches on the 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.
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 slow 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) reports:
George Lake - Mary Lake – Mamie Lake – Twin Lakes:
Some open water at Lower Twin. Water temps still very cold.
Not recommended right now.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
Upper Owens River: Water flow 82 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 bead head 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 379 CFS. The water has lowered but still to high for fishing.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF: 

Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
Upper Owens/McGee Creek: It has been so windy here lately I expected to see Dorothy and Toto spinning around above me in a tornado! It may take the Wizard of Oz to catch consistent numbers of fish here. 
It has been slow overall and the bigs are getting thinner by the day.
The Long Years section is holding more quality, the monument area better numbers but pounded by the meat hunters as the campground area remains closed until May 28th. 
Hard to beat a flashback PT # 16 as the upper with a crystal tiger or broken back as the dropper.
Look for a MAJOR blowout here in the future as the Rush Creek diversion will be roaring soon to drain the June Lake Loop for the run-off.
McGee has been slow as well despite the good conditions. The wind has not been an ally here and you may want to bring along a kite just in case the fish aren’t snapping!
If you are not averse to fishing egg patterns or SJ Worms on the redds, there are still ample opportunities but the majority of fish are returning to the lake. Better numbers closer to the lake, but it is a hike!
Lower Owens River: As promised the flows are dropping making for some good fishing from the drift boat these days. You can click on the LADWP flow rates at the top of the page on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm.
Currently they remain on the high side for wading the wild trout section, but keep an eye out especially as it begins to heat up in the lower Sierra.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised to find some excellent conditions in the not so distant future.
We are still doing the “dip & strip” technique of pulling streamers for the most consistent results. The numbers have been steadily picking up on most floats as the release rates continue to fall. 
Spruce-a-Bu’s and our Punk Perch patterns are getting the rascals. 
The hatches have not been red hot recently but you will see some golden stones, Caddis, and PMD Mayflies emerging for the main course. Midge activity has been weak as well lately but we have had more low barometers than we like to see this time of year down in the Owens Valley. We are going to have a great June on the Lower Owens for a change, hope you can make it up and fish with us.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
High and brown. The Pit River is fishing poor to fair. Higher than normal water releases are preventing the truly good reports this river is famous for at this time of year from coming in.
That said, anglers are finding fish on the Pit by covering the water, fishing deep with lots of split shot. # 6 Pats Brown Rubber Legs is the best fly.
In spite of the tougher conditions, anglers are still getting out on the rivers and fishing, making for a decent report here and there.
We are looking forward to mid June before we can hope for any really good reports from the Pit River.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir/the Gorge: For whatever reason the DFG is cramming PV with a bunch of stockers. My guess is that the Owens is high and they are putting that allotment in the res? Knowing this - I suggest if you like tubing go here as opposed to Crowley for numbers. 
The inlet on the far west side, the launch ramp (stay out of mortar range from the bank) & even the dam section are all kicking out good numbers. 
Full sinking lines are best; most streamer patterns in the 8-12 range will get grabs. Still water Nymphing can be as good as it gets here as well and is seldom talked about.  Use the same rigs as you would on Crowley or Bridgeport and identify the drop-offs along the banks. It is very much like fishing Six Bays or Alligator Pt. 
Setting your depth is more difficult because of the steep slope, but once you get adjusted it will be game on! 
Midges and PT patterns # 14-18 below the Under-cator.
The Gorge is a good choice because it has very stable flows relative to what the weather or water lords are doing. 
This is not a tailgate spot and hiking and rock hopping is mandatory for the better, more consistent regions. 
Dry dropper bead head rigs, dry/dry tandems, or just a good old fashion # 18 Elk Caddis cast from a downstream position will work well here. 
Smaller on average, they all have big hearts and appetites.

RED LAKE, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
Still frozen but do not venture out onto the thin ice.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Current release on the Lower Sacramento is 7,500 CFS, increasing to 8500 CFS on Wednesday May 18th.
Good hatches of golden stones, yellow sallies, PMD's, water color in Redding all the way down to Red Bluff is excellent.
The fishing has been great! Sometimes May can produce a few tough days on the Lower Sac, but this year is different.
Although many rainbows are sitting on redds, spawning, we are easily finding eager fish taking flies in all the usual places. In the event you spot some rainbows holding in shallow water, go easy on them, they are probably producing the future of this great fishery! 
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
More snow! This river is absolutely full of water, too much for good fishing. And, it's going to get higher as the weather warms up! 
So, fishing is poor, for now.
The water up in Dunsmuir, Calif. specifically Ney Springs, can offer the dedicated Upper Sacramento angler some limited fishing options. Look for big pools and try fishing the tail-outs. Fishermen have reported that they have done very well fishing along the edges of the river at these flows, looking for smooth, slower water and finding rainbows podded up.
Good weather is in the forecast, a day just cruising around this river and enjoying the big riffles, runs and pools just might be what you need to do.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

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

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
Lots of water again this year! This is great for fishing conditions. 
Rainbow trout fishing is good. Catching Rainbows 40 to 60 ft deep, throughout the lake's main body, trolling using shad patterned lures. 
Several beautiful Brown trout caught this week according to the guides. 
Some Salmon are being caught throughout the lake between 15 to 20 inches. Trolling using Cripp lures and Wiggle Hoochies.
— Courtesy of Outdoor Adventures

SILVER LAKE, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
Still frozen with some open water showing by the dam.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) reports:
North Shore: Fishing has been obscene, it has been so good. Everyone is catching limits.
I’ve had some clients limit out in one hour.
We’ve been getting easy limits of Mackinaw (Lake) Trout (2-15 pounds).
We have been trolling at The Tavern Hole, Cal Neva Point, Dollar Point and Sugar Pine Point, 110-220 feet deep, with either Dodgers and minnows or Dodgers and large Trophy Stick lures.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Chuck and Linda Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550) reports:
Most of the action is from a boat.
Boats have still-fishing at the south end and some are catching limits.
Shore fishing is slow.

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

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) reports:
The Trinity River is flowing at 4,160 CFS. That is a very high flow considering we find the best overall fishing on this river when flows are well below 2,000 CFS. Flows are reported to come down to 3,040 by May 31st.
We will find favorable flows for wade fishing by August. Until then, there is no reason why an angler in a drift boat or raft couldn't enjoy a day floating and fishing where slow, conveyer belt speed water is found.
As for the fish, well, we are in between the steelhead runs of the late winter and too early for the King Salmon that show up in at the end of June.
The Fly Fishing Only Section, above the Old Bridge located in Lewiston, CA. on the Trinity River is open, but fishing is tough.
Limited wading options exist at 3,040 CFS, not to mention the dangers of wading in these conditions. Swift water sustains the real possibility of being swept downstream and drowning. 
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

TWIN LAKES AREA, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports:
Upper Twin Lake – Lower Twin Lake – Robinson Creek:
The Twins are fishing well lately too, the best reports we've had the last few days have been trolling on the upper lake with blades and crawlers or small Rapalas. We've also had some good reports from anglers fishing from shore with Power Bait and nightcrawlers.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) reports:
I just took a drive up to the Virginias to see with my own eyes how the ice was doing, it's still pretty frozen up there!
There were 3 guys out on the Big V fishing, though I don't know how they were doing, there's no blue patches anywhere on the lake so I'd guess the ice is still pretty good.
If I was going to fish up there I'd try jigging some lures or mini jigs off the bottom, or go with crawlers or Power Bait for bait fishing.

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.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760) 932-7707 reports:
East Walker – West Walker – Sceirine Ranch - Hunewill Pond:
East Walker River: The East was bumped up to 400 CFS earlier this week. It took a day or two to settle down but these last couple days it has been fishing ok. It's a bit tougher with the higher flow rate but it's definitely not un-fishable.
Add some weight and use a larger indicator and you'll be in the game!
Small Midges have still been doing well and there's also been some decent streamer action.
We haven't heard much from the Rosachi this week, but we have had some good reports from the Sceirine so I'd expect the Rosachi to be fishing well.
Fly patterns include Zonkers, Zuddlers, moal leeches, JJ Specials, silver streaks, Zebra Midges, micro Mayflies, flashback emergers, GT Emergers, San Juans, etc.
West Walker River: The West is still running pretty fast but some hearty anglers are catching some good fish by drifting bait through the calmer pools or running lures through those same pools.
Just this morning we had a 5 lb 9 oz brown come in from the West that was caught on a brook trout colored # 9 Rapala, not too shabby!
Sceirine Ranch: The ranch is pretty much the same story as the California side of the EW, a bit tougher with the higher flows but if you get your bugs down to the bottom you should be able to have some success.
In addition to the flies mentioned above we've also had some good reports on pink San Juan worms and Birds Nests.
Hunewill Pond: Haven't had anyone on the pond yet, will post report as soon as we have one!

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) reports:
East Walker River: Not quite the Mississippi, but getting there. 400 CFS is not huge and those that are strong waders and know how to properly weight their rigs will do just fine. The average fly fisher may struggle here at these releases and should respect the crossing points unless you want to do your Brad Pitt water ride imitation! My guess is you will see some big water here this summer so get your EW fix soon. PT’s, SCUDS, SJ Worms, & broken back Midges are good choices for Nymphing.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) reports:
East Walker River: Water flow 400 CFS. Water flow jumped up last Wed and slowed down the fishing a bit. Nymph fish with gray or black Midge pupa, WD-40's and  Prince Nymphs. Although the Mayfly hatch has been strong 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 Mountains.