Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for July 22 and beyond

Here is the fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for July 22, 2015 and beyond.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Recent thunderstorms slowed the fishing, but it should pick back up when the weather warms up again.  Try nightcrawlers behind dodgers in 25 feet on the east side of the peninsular and east shoreline for Trout. 
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing for July 20, 2015. We’re calling fishing fair this week – some were catching and some weren’t, but it appears all had a great time on the Lake.
Fishing the Inlet with Nightcrawlers, Power Bait and Jigs.
If you’re wanting to troll, get deep – it’s time to bring out the lead-core line or just add some ‘lead’ weight to your line using Nightcrawlers or a lure with a bit of red.
Drifting Nightcrawlers with a bit more ‘lead’ to get deeper.
Might also want to try tossing Thomas Buoyants around the rock piles – Fish love the rock piles (easier to break your line on those sharp rocks - J). Shore fishing with Nightcrawlers or Power Bait.
DFW planted the Lake last Wednesday and will be back at it sometime this week for your fishing nd hopefully catching pleasure.
Still haven’t had any more BIG Desert Spring Trout Farm fish caught – they’re still out there. But there is one less BIG fish at North Lake, Tom Cramp of Cypress pulled out a beaut of a 6-pounder using a MouseTail.
Many on the Lake once again got to enjoy the Bald Eagles - seems we may have a pair and a juvenile, also, the Osprey puts on quite a show when it goes fishing.
Had another visit from one of the local Yogis – tipped over some trash cans, but so far has stayed out of the building. 
The wrens’ babies are almost ready to take flight – they definitely found their tweeters – squawking up a storm when Mom & Dad bring food to them.
The wildflowers are a blooming – got a bunch of purplish-pink Fire Weed out by the front door.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parchers Resort (760-873-4177) (sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
Parchers Resort: Fish and Trail. We had beautiful weather all week with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low 70’s at the resort. After weeks of scattered t-storms it was a nice departure and felt a little more like the high country summers we’re used to.
The biggest fish caught in the canyon this season was weighed in this week at 9.92 lbs – Jason Serafin of Oceanside was the lucky angler who nailed this nearly double digit Rainbow at North Lake using a black wooly bugger.
The wildflower bloom continues to surprise as more and more flowers continue to show. The most impressive displays at present are the flowers along the trail from Rainbow Pack Outfit up to South Lake, or over near the Lamarck Lakes trailhead above the North Lake campground.
Both areas have a gorgeous variety and impressive number of flowers.
With a chance of a bit more rain this coming week, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a few more weeks out of the wildly colorful forest décor.
We’re right in the heart of the peak hiking season so it is no surprise that the trails are pretty busy in the high country, especially the Bishop Pass and Piute Pass trails on the weekends as many thru hikers are making the most of the high country summer. For some less traveled trails, day hikers can find fewer folks up at the Tyee or the Lamarck Lakes trails, or visiting cross country lakes basins like the Baboons in the Sabrina Basin. 
Bishop Creek So. Fork
Creek flows have remained steady at an ideal rate for fishing, although the catching was a little slower this week.
Stocker Rainbows in the 10 to 13” range were the most common catch with salmon eggs and nightcrawlers being the best baits.
With the reservoir at South Lake having come up considerably due to recent rains, the forecast looks pretty good for the creek flows to remain excellent for some time to come. 
Weir Pond
No first hand reports from the pond this week. 
North Lake 
The big news in the canyon this week was a 9.92 lb Rainbow caught at North Lake. Jason Serafin of Oceanside scored the trophy using a fly/bubble rig with a black wooly bugger.
Aside from that monster trout, the bite on pan sized Rainbows was excellent early in the week but slowed a bit as the week progressed.
Thomas Buoyants, jigs, and power bait were best.
Intake II
Another busy week at Intake this week and while no lunkers were reported, most found a decent bite on pan sized Rainbows near the pump house, dam and the pipe. Inflated crawlers dipped in garlic sauce, power bait and jigs were best.
South Lake
The water seems to still be rising, but the fishing is very slow and the lake is too low for much recreation.   
Backcountry Fishing

The mid-summer bite is pretty typical in the backcountry with the fish feeding early and late in the day. Midges, dries, kastmasters and jigs have been the most productive.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
This lake is at an abysmal 13% right now and it won't get any better.  
Fishing here has been pretty good as fish are really concentrated. 
Small car top boats, prams, and float tubes. Be careful about driving down to the shoreline as most areas are like quicksand.
Best spots to fish here are around the dam in the morning tossing small minnow imitatiions, larger spoons and spinners for the browns that cruise here early and outside the inlet for trout looking for colder water temps. 
Nightcrawlers, Rapala's, Power bait, small Kastmasters, and jigs have been good for Rainbows and Browns. 

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: 
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
July 19, 2015: The trolling on Bridgeport has been pretty tough this past week but the bait anglers are still doing pretty well from boats over near the Rainbow Point area.
Power bait, inflated crawlers and mice tails are doing well for lots of nice fish up to almost 5 pounds.
Haven't heard of any perch making a showing lately.
Unfortunately the shore fishing is pretty slow so you'll need to be out in a boat, kayak or tube.              

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Bridgeport Reservoir: A small boat launch/courtesy dock near the dam will get you on the water. Tubers should focus on the drop-offs near the dam with Loebergs, crystal leeches, and punk perch patterns.
On the warmer days still water nymphing with Assassins, callibaetis nymphs, broken back midges, gillies, and

BUCKS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Try running watermelon dodgers with Uncle Larrys pink tiger spinners or needlefish spoons for Trout.  There are still a few Macks from 6 to 10 pounds biting spoons or custom painted plugs.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlake.com) reports:
The number of anglers fishing the lake has increased, so the result is an increased number of people getting skunked. This doesn't mean the fishing is bad, it just means you have to change your tactics.
Folks are still landing big fish at the lake.
We had 8 fish over six pounds check-in at the store this week. I'm not sure of the depth these fish were caught at but in general you will have to go deep.
The feedback I'm getting from boaters with fish finders is that most fish are holding at 50-60 feet. One angler that was trolling with lead core was consistently getting his limit using a Tasmanian Devil at 8-9 colors.
Mice Tails and Mini Jigs are also killing it.
Make sure you are getting deep and jigging off the bottom.
We have a good selection of Sierra Slammers and Lip Ripperz jigs in all the top colors for Convict Lake at the general store. Catch of the Week: 
Cassie Peterson from San Diego, Calif., with a fat 8 pound 3 ounce Rainbow.
She caught her elephantine trout with a Nightcrawler and was fishing an unknown location on the lake. Great Other notable catches this week: Justin and Jack Waldron from North Carolina caught themselves a toad.
They were using Rainbow Power Nuggets when they landed a 7 pound 8 ounce Rainbow. They were fishing at the Inlet.
Jack Azua of Covina, Calif., with a hefty 7 pound 7 ounce Rainbow.
Jack was using Green Power bait while fishing near the Hangman's Tree.
Kelly Shimabukuro from Westchester, Calif., with a great catch. She landed a 7 pound 5 ounce Rainbow while fishing along the South Shore. Kelly used a Nightcrawler to catch her lunker. 
Trent Hasuike from Orange, Calif., hooked a butterball while fishing near the Inlet. He landed his 6 pound 8 ounce Rainbow with Salmon Eggs. Fishing milestones are always fun to post. Especially a first fish.
Sam Robillard caught his first fish from a boat along the South Shore.
He was using Rainbow Power bait.
Tactics/Bait:
Old standbys like Salmon Eggs and inflated Nightcrawlers did very well.
The top Power bait color was Rainbow.
Garlic Power bait was hooking up fish all week.
Don't forget to add some Lip Ripperz Hatchery Dust or Bite-On Fury Shad to your Power bait for extra fish catching strength.
For the trollers, the Bleeding Frog Tasmanian Devil was the hot lure. This trolling lure filled a few stringers.
In the creek, mini jigs, Pautzkes Salmon Eggs and small spinners (Roostertails and Panther Martins) are worth a try.
The top shore locations on the lake were the South Shore and Inlet area.
Other locations to try: Jetty area, North Shore, the Outlet and Hangman's Tree.
Anglers on boats were having success. The fish in the lake are deep. They are in the 60 foot depth range.
Here is a list of other baits/lures that can be productive: 
Sierra Slammers, Tasmanian Devil, Green or brown Marvel Flies , Trout Teasers, Panther Martin, Needlefish, Roostertails, and Bite-On Fury Shad on Power bait.
I would suggest using some type of added attractant.
Pro-Cure, Bite-On, Lip Ripperz and Berkley all make excellent attractants, which are sold at the general store. 
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 Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby will start on September 7th. It will runs until November 15th. Don't miss out on a chance to win $6,000 in Resort Prizes!

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake: The lake is experiencing a turnover.
We are seeing a slight algae bloom in all areas.  
Fish are stuffed with fresh water fleas called “daphnia”. 17-22 feet target depth.
The cutthroat and browns have moved in to gobble the perch fry, and damsel nymphs in McGee, Sandy Pt., and Hilton.
Sacramento perch fry are now present along the shorelines and weed beds. The predatory fish really target these larger sources of protein from this point forward in the season.  
If you don’t get bit in Hilton, pull the picks and head to Sandy Pt. or the north end.
Some big rainbows have moved into short water near the inlet at McGee to feed on the callibaetis mayfly hatch.
Opportunities to fish adults during calm periods.  
The lake level continues to come up slowly, & the heavy aquatic weed lines are growing out to 16 feet all over the lake. Water clarity has worsened; however the algae is not coating the flies at this point .
You will see the damsel nymphs getting pulverized on the surface as a predatory trout aggressively slams the surface.
Still water nymphing using crystal emergers and pupa patterns #18, gillies No. 18 and 20, crystal tiger midges both dark, and copper No. 14 through 18 along with their articulated brethren the “broken back midges” No. 16 and 18. Try the BB dark zebra, or the long shank crystal zebra midge as your lower fly in deeper water.
Articulated patterns like broken backs work well when you have “texture” from the wind on the surface.
Try hanging an assassin, or punk perch No. 14/16 as your upper fly along a weed line.
The Under-cator strike detector “slides” if you wish to make it easier for you to fish deeper water.  
If you prefer tugging streamers from a tube -use a light sinking tip and have some damsel nymphs, crystal leeches No. 12, or No. 16 and 14 punk perch streamer patterns. Look for those aggressive boils around the weed lines in 16 feet. These are the predatory trout feeding on the damsel nymphs and small perch fry.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Don Rotsma of Fly Fish With Don (775-722-8418) (www.flyfishwithdon.comn):
Most lakes are too warm and the fish are on a delicate balance.
Please don't fish if the water temp is over 70 degrees.
Davis and Frenchmans are both very warm and low right now.
There are some lakes and streams that can handle the pressure, but do some research and protect our fishing for next year.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Fishing from the bank has been tough recently.  
A lot of the holdover fish have moved into deeper water and those with boats will have the best success.
Hot spots are in the Northwest part of the lake with a good Damsel hatch and a very good Hex hatch on the Northeast shore with hardly any fish feeding on these very large Mayflies.
Patience needed here but the pay-off could be a large Rainbow! 
Needlefish, Wedding rings, Dick Nites, or similar trolled in about 20-35 feet of water has been best.

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 70 percent capacity.  
Lake is getting an injection of life for bank anglers as it is expecting a stock of trout this week!  
Throw everything you have at the trout now, ie:  power bait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs and combinations of these baits, spoons and spinners of different varieties.  
By casting closer and then working your way out a little further one can detect what depth the trout are cruising and having patience is key to success now. Kokanee fishing has remained consistent, though small fish, around the south side west end of the lake and the hump between China Cove and Loch Leven lodge in 45-80 feet of water.  
Orange has been the go to color here but don't discount trying others as you progress to deeper depths and other areas of the lake. 
Marc Christophel reported catching a 15 1/2 inch Koke on the Hump this weekend and said there would be more like this one but you'll have to drag your gear or jig!  
Some good Mack fishing also in the south side west end of the lake at depths of 80-100 feet with #3 needlefish in Silver, White and Cop Car prints.  
Set back on clip about 80 to 100 feet with no dodger!

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
You can still troll in 50 to 60 feet of water with five colors of lead core, but fish are headed down.  Anchoring in 50 feet of water with a treaded nightcrawler down 25 feet is producing limits to 2.5 pounds. 
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Don Rotsma of Fly Fish With Don (775-722-8418) (www.flyfishwithdon.comn):
Most lakes are too warm and the fish are on a delicate balance. Please don't fish if the water temp is over 70 degrees. Davis and Frenchmans are both very warm and low right now.
There are some lakes and streams that can handle the pressure, but do some research and protect our fishing for next year.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Has been fishing slowed a little with the increasing water temps. 
Recommend fishing in the morning and evening hours here with the emphasis on the morning hours as fish will be more active then.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek flows are very low currently. Find the slots in the weeds. Short, accurate dead drifts will get you looks.
Some good caddis and micro mayfly activity currently. Dark bodied, or natural colors for the caddis bodies are the hatch. Light olive to gray for the Mays.
Keep them well dressed to ride high in the foam.
Pheasant tails, and bird’s nest patterns are best for nymphs.
Small parachute midge; or mayfly patterns used with a 10 foot leader are best for surface presentations when the fish are on the midges or clusters.
There are a few sections that can be fished with a dry dropper nymph rig.
The hoppers are now present. A stimulator is a good profile for them. Use these in the wind, as the terrestrials get blown off the banks, & the trout hunt for them along the shoreline.
Try my hi-vis caddis pattern, it works well here.
Dead drifted broken back zebras, small gillies, scuds, flashback PT’s, or assassin birds nest bead heads in #18 are good calls for the dropper. Size 18 or smaller crystal olive caddis larva or zebra midges are good calls as droppers.
This is a year around fishery with special regs in place.

JACKSON MEADOWS RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is officially sitting at 71 percent capacity.  
With another stocking of DFW trout last week fishing should be better from the shoreline. Fishing from boat has been best in 25-40 feet of water with Needlefish, Wedding rings or similar lures tipped with nightcrawlers have been the most effective. Don't discount using Rapalas as some of the larger trout have gone for these.  
Some nice rainbows being caught around the Dam and smaller planters off the Pass Creek area. Some days are good and some days are not.  Hey, it sure beats work. Best areas here for the boaters has been Southwest corner of the lake and across the dam. For the shore fisherman going for DFW stocked Trout they will be pretty eager to bite on nightcrawlers floated with a mallow or power bait, while those throwing hardware are using small Kastmasters, Roostertails, and Panther Martins.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports: 
July 19, 2015: Kirman is still pretty tough with anglers mostly reporting only one or no fish for their efforts. It sounds like the water is very low and there's a LOT of scud in the water and it seems the fish are just gorging themselves on the naturals.
Throwing one fly patterns amongst thousands of real scud kind of hurts your odds of getting bit.
We're very much looking forward to later in the season when the water cools and the scud become less active, this should help the angling considerably.           

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Middle Owens River (Bishop area)
Caddis and small mayflies are present. Have some No. 18/20 light bodied adults, light assassins No. 18, and FB pheasant tails for nymphs, No. 18 and 20. Early mornings, and calm late afternoons are best for dry fly fishing.
Caddis emerge when the barometer goes up.
Use hi-vis caddis No. 16 and 18. Nymphing with crystal olive caddis larva, assassins, and broken back midges are also good when the hatch is off. Flows are very low (90 CFS) so dry/dropper bead head rigs can be effective in the deeper riffles.
Drift boat trips have been temporarily suspended due to low/warm water.
The bass have moved up from the lower sections of the river, and migrated through the canals from Buckley Pond into the Owens. Even the wild trout section has numerous bass now.
Prolonged periods of low flows have elevated water temps, & lowered oxygen levels this summer.
Not good news for the trout here, and we hope the flows come up soon. 
Upper Owens/ McGee Creek: Fishing is only fair here.
Some planted fish have moved upstream into the deeper pools. 
Stream bed conditions are much better above the bridge. You can get into a few decent browns on caddis, and last generation BWO adults at times. 
Stimulators, hi-vis caddis, and natural caddis are good calls for dry flies.  
Flows are low here (40 CFS) with aquatic weeds an issue in the lower sections below the Benton Crossing Bridge.
If you walk all the way to the lakes inlet, there are some large rainbows working the callibaetis hatch during the calm periods. Not significant numbers; but an adult mayfly pattern could be cast to a rising trophy right now.
McGee Creek proper has some small browns and a few decent rainbows.
Dry dropper rigs, and nymphing with FB PT’s, Assassins and olive crystal caddis below an Under-cator, or hi-vis caddis or hi-vis para BWO will work.

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.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: The lake level is very low (4374 feet), this will eventually kill off the aquatic weeds in the transition area making for better conditions. The small river section has been best for numbers of smaller rainbows, and browns-use dry/dropper bead head nymph combos here.
Forget fishing the river or inlet if the hydro station is ramped up due to hydro power generation which can happen at any time.  
Heavy weeds are now present in the transition section near the inlet, and along the lakes shoreline.
Stimulators, hi-vis para BWO’s, or hi-vis caddis may be used as the upper fly-use crystal olive caddis larva, flashback PT’s, Assassins, broken back or crystal tiger and zebra midges as your dropper bead head nymph.
Tubing  has really picked up from the launch ramp, up to the inlet section.
Streamers like Loebergs, Agent Orange, Crystal leeches, and Spruce-A-Bu’s will get you into some nice browns, and larger bows in the rez proper.
Use a full sinking, or heavy sink tip line to get down 10-15 feet quickly.
You can also fish “Crowley midge style” in the rez near the drop-offs.
Fish chironomid patterns below an Under-cator. Gillies, broken back midges, crystal emergers & pupa patterns. Tiger & zebra midges are always a solid choice for your larva pattern.
This fishery is open year around.
The Gorge: Definite alternative if it gets nasty in the high country. The Gorge could be classified as the true “tailwater” from Crowley Lake. The fish here are all wild browns with a large one going 16 inches.
Moderate/difficult hiking is required to access the more secluded sections. Watch out for rattlers.
Rock hopping and bush whacking can be expected.
Dry/dropper bead head nymph combos work well in the deeper pools. Use PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, and crystal olive larva patterns as the nymphs.
Hi-vis para BWO’s, Stimulators, parachute midge adults, and elk caddis, and hi-vis caddis are good choices for your dry fly. Pack in water, have cleated wading boots and a stout staff. 2-4wt. rods are perfect for this water.
Snakes may be out early.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake has come up slightly to about 26 percent capacity.  Recently, a decent Smallmouth bite around the dam and along the shoreline for those who prefer the Bronzebacks to Trout.  
Some good reports of stocked rainbows and some stocked Cutties in the Prosser Creek arm. Use small flashy lures for these guys and if that doesn't work go with nightcrawlers and power bait. 

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon: July 20, 2015 King Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River.
The salmon fishing season opened July 16th.
Tough day on the river for salmon only a few fish caught.
The salmon will continue to make their way up river, hopefully numbers of fish coming up will increase, as they normally do over the next few weeks.
We are staying optimistic. 
The last few days since have been tough since opener, which is normal. 
Salmon have left the ocean so they should be making their way up river.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report: As of  July 20, 2015 water flow is currently 7,200 CFS and steady.
 Lower Sacramento River fishing report - Lower Sacramento River Rainbow trout fishing has been great this week and over the weekend. 
Water is clear and low. Mornings and afternoon trips have been great. 
We are fishing from Bonneyview Bridge to Jellys Ferry Bridge is excellent. In early morning, fish are being caught in the shallow choppy waters around the Redding area, and middle of the day fish are moving into the deeper water. The largest fish have been caught the last few days in the Bonneyview area. Working great is egg pattern, Cinnamon Pupa , and PMD’s. Dry flies late afternoon, last hour. We are spin fishing and fly fishing

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
San Joaquin River 7/20/15
T-storms forecast the next few days. Water conditions are very good.
Campground sections have some small planted fish.
The wild trout here are eager to hit most surface imitations in the #14-18 range.
I like hi-vis para mayflies, Stimulators, and  hi-vis caddis patterns as a point fly.
Tie a two foot dropper off the hook bend and add a blue winged olive or natural caddis adult.  Dry/dry tandems are effective and can really help you see you imitations in riffle water, or shadows.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
July 20, 2015  Shasta Lake guided fishing-
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta. 
Offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta.
 For Shasta Lake fishing, we are catching Rainbow Trout and King salmon, trolling Shasta Lake main body, Rainbow trout fishing is excellent !
Limits of fish daily.
We are fishing 35 to 100 ft deep depending on the time of the day.  Early morning fish are ranging from 35 to 50 ft deep, Mid day 80 to 100 ft deep using triple teasers and rolling shad.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is at 16% capacity.  
Surface temp is 72 degrees here, which is driving the Kokes deeper now.  
With a stocking of trout last week shoreline fishing has picked up but morning will be your best bet for success!  
Kokanee fishing has been steady here with most kokes being caught through the narrows between the island, Davis Creek Arm and the dam, where one will be chasing schools of these guys.  
Microsquids,  Green kokanuts, and the like have been go-to lures here at 35-50 feet with Watermelon Dodgers. 
Pink and Orange have been the go to colors here with Green and Yellow variations also picking up some fish in the mornings. 
In the PM with the sun on the water try some darker colors such as Purple, Blue and Black.  Go deeper later and shallow in the AM.  
Macks can be found here under the schools of Kokes around the dam and can be trolled or jigged for with imitations of these.  
Again, shore fishing will be good for the Bows with power bait, nightcrawlers, and various hardware. 
Smallies are suspended along shelves in the Davis Creek arm and most are being taken on suspending baitfish patterns, Crayfish patterns, and various Jigs worked down these shelves.  Some big smallies here, but you'll have to work hard for them.

LAKE TAHOE: A continuing report of limits of average sized Mackinaw Trout being caught on silver flasher blades and minnows, trolled at depths of 100-300 feet on the west side of the lake near Homewood, Calif.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Don't fish.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
July 19, 2015 
The Twins picked up nicely this week with lots of good reports on bait and some nice fish being caught trolling.
The fly anglers had a little tougher go this week compared to last week.
For fly angling I'd recommend using a fast sinking line and trying to run your streamers down around 20 or 30 feet when possible, buggers and leech patterns with soft hackle droppers should get you some fish if you get them deep.
Bait anglers did great with mice tails as well as fish on crawlers and power bait.
Trolling anglers are doing the best with lead core rigs with 6 to 8 colors out dragging small rapalas, needlefish and thomas bouyants.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:  
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
July 19, 2015: The Virginias are still hanging in there with some nice fish being reported on mice tails, power bait, crawlers, panther martins, kastmasters. The fly anglers are using beetles and ants on top as well as seal buggers, simi seal leeches, soft hackles and aggravator prince nymphs.    

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) report:
July 12-18, 2015 VLR Fish Report: Mother Nature has decided to cool things off again on Thursday with a thunderstorm, and it was refreshing. The week started out clear with temperatures ranging from 36 degrees to 54 in the mornings. Fishing was good with the cooler air and a lot of large trout were caught.
DFW did stock 300 pounds.
BAIT: Slammer bubblegum mouse-tails tied with inflated crawlers for the top spot again.
Orange/green mouse-tails and rainbow garlic glitter but most dough baits picked up, aGulp pinch-worms did well including Sierra Slammers throughout the week.
LURES: The best action was on Black/yellow dots 'Lil Jake lure, Thomas Buoyant's red/gold, Kastmasters and Buoyant Cyclone's silver/gold have been working and small gold Panther Martin's, and black with yellow dots.
Always try different lures, you never know what the "fickle" trout will hit.
FLY AND BUBBLE: The main hatch has been mayflies (dark dun) and small surface midges and a few bottom larvae. Fishing has been up and down with the water/air temperature but early morning with a riffle and always evenings between 6 and 8:30pm. Wind blew from about 10pm until around 3am then worked in small gusts to keep you guessing. But in walking the bushes around 3:30pm, hatches were coming out of the woodwork, mayflies, caddis flies, moths, sphinx moths, and especially blue damsels which are early.
FLY RODS: Olive Matuka's, Black bead head wooly buggers were all seeing action also try Hornberg's either plain or the rainbow version.
A with a dropper (prince nymph, olive bird's nest. Midges: Try 'em all.
BACKCOUNTRY: Is seeing more action every week as the traffic has more than doubled even with the unstable weather so try small dry flies with a bubble, lures and worms.
Please keep only what you can eat, it is a valuable resource.
NOTE: If the trout bleeds, it’s yours, PLEASE don’t toss it back into the lake as it will die. If you care about the resource please be careful when releasing fish back into the lake.

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 July 19, 2015:  The East is still running at 60 CFS, the water temperatures are still good and the fish are still healthy and strong.
The fishing has been a bit tough but if you're on your game and get your casts in the right places and your drifts good you should be able to bag a few nice fish.
The section below the bridge on hwy 182 as well as the Nevada side of the river are still the most productive areas.
There are fish hanging out on the deeper pools as well as underneath overhanging willows and some are hugging undercut banks. Be stealthy and look for fish in close before you get in the water.
Patterns to try include fox's poopah, buckskin caddis, san juan worm, tungsten death, silver streak, rainbow warrior, chubby chernobyl, madam x and dark lord.
Sceirine Ranch: July 19, 2015: The ranch is still hanging in there though some anglers are reporting having to change flies multiple times before figuring out what the fish want to eat.
As with the Cali side you'll need to be stealthy and try not to spook fish before you have a chance to run a fly by them a few times. There are some smaller fish being caught but some of the bruisers are running up to around 22 inches. Give us a call if you want to spend some time on the ranch.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River: Flows running at 59 CFS. Trout fishing is slow. This fishery is open year around with special regs in place.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
July 19, 2015: The West is clear and fishing pretty well right now, bait anglers are doing well with salmon eggs and crawlers, lure anglers are using panther martins, thomas bouyants and rooster tails. Fly anglers are doing well with hoppers, ants, humpy's, royal wulff, prince nymphs, pheasant tails, zug bugs and hare's ears.

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