Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for Labor Day weekend

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Sept. 2, 2015 through Labor Day. This Saturday the California Department of Fish and Game is hosting the second of two annual free fishing days.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Saw more fish coming out of the Lake this past week; catching is picking around the Inlets using Nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Troll in deeper waters, about 40 feet down, with lures and a bit of red or Flasher with a Nightcrawlers.
Drift thru channels and around rock piles with Nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Shore fish with Nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The state planted us with fish on Wednesday.
Local Kendis Harter picked up a nice 2-1/2 pounder on a Needlefish. Chris Azpeitia of Chino, also, landed a 2-1/2 pounder but on a Red and Gold Thomas Buoyant. Morgan Hobbs, 10, still has a few tricks to learn from Dad Shane. Morgan’s fish, 1-3/4 pounds, Dad’s fish – 2-3/4 pounds. Fun times catching dinner were had by Jeff Miller Junior and Senior, Kelly Dougherty and Bailey MacDonald using Power bait.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
This lake is at an abysmal 13 percent 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 imitations, 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:
Bridgeport has slowed down a bit this past week but they're still catching some nice fish over near Rainbow Point, mostly bait fishing from boats. We haven't had any good reports from the shore or trolling lately.
Anglers bait fishing on the other side of the lake are catching some nice fish with mice tails, garlic power bait and nightcrawlers.                  

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Bridgeport Reservoir: Reports have some nice rainbows getting caught by the dam during the cooler days, & early mornings. There is a small boat launch/courtesy dock near the dam that will get you on the water. Water is low and warm, get those streamers down near the bottom by the dam.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort,com) reports:
Mark and Matt Moorehouse, from Penryn, Calif., were trolling near shore August 27 on Caples Lake with our rental boat for 3 hours with no results. They decided to change their luck and fish deep, 55 feet on the bottom in the middle of the lake trolling a Rapala minnow with lead core line and “BAM,” one hit after the other and landed a 3 pound Rainbow and a 2 pound Mackinaw. Water still only 7 feet down and warm at 67 degrees.
Rental fishing boats and kayaks on the dock. Open 8 to 5, first come first serve. Cabins and Lodge rooms available into November.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Anglers are reminded to check regulations before heading out. Starting Sept. 1 and running through Nov. 3, there are gear restrictions upstream of river mile 2.2.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlake.com) reports: The bite has picked up again after a few slower weeks of fishing. Several lunkers were landed at the lake with the biggest being 9 pounds. The weather is still on the warmer side and I believe most the bigger fish are still holding in deeper water. Soon it will be prime time for trophy trout season. The Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby starts in a week on Sept. 7 and runs until Nov. 15.
Since Salmon Eggs were one of the hot baits this week, I thought I'd give a quick summary of the four types of Balls of Fire eggs we carry from Pautzke Bait Co.
The Green Label is Pautzke's original and is probably the most common to anglers. The size of the eggs may vary slightly in each jar.
The Premium or "Red Label" is very similar to the Green Label but they are larger eggs and are uniform in size. There are no fragments in the jar. Due to the fact the Premium egg is larger than our Green Label egg you'll only need to put one on the Salmon Egg hook, instead of two in most cases with the Green Label.
The last two types we carry at the general store are the Gold and Silver Label. The Gold Label is a combination of the Premium egg but with glitter. The Silver Label is a combination of Green Label egg but with glitter. The glitter will help with added flash to attract and deceive larger trout. We sell all four of these Pautzke's Balls of Fire eggs at the Convict Lake General Store.
Catch of the Week: 
Todd Moseanko from Hesperia, Calif., with a monster 9 pound Rainbow.
He was using Garlic Power bait. Great catch Todd!   
Other notable catches this week: Bill Kearns from Pomona landed a fat 8 pound 8 ounce Rainbow while fishing along the South Shore. Adam Eld from Mariposa landed a stout 6 pound 15 ounce Rainbow while fishing at the Inlet. Adam was using an Nightcrawler. 
Melissa Gonterman from Huntington Beach landed a plumb 6 pound 6 ounce Rainbow using Salmon Eggs.
Melissa and her son Jude were fishing at the Inlet. Jude and Finn Gonterman had a great week fishing at the Inlet.
They landed several nice Rainbows using Salmon Eggs and Garlic Power bait. The fish ranged in size from 2 to 3 pounds.  
Tactics/Bait: Salmon Eggs were the hot ticket this week both at the lake and the creek. Also at the lake, fish with Inflated Nightcrawlers and spoon lures like a Thomas Buoyants. The top Bouyant color was red/gold.
For trolling try Bikini Pearl, Rainbow or Red Dot Frog Needlefish. The most productive Power bait color this week was rainbow. A few of the bigger fish caught this week were with garlic Power bait.
The top spot on the lake this week was the Inlet. Try the usual locations: Jetty area, North Shore, South Shore, the Outlet and Hangman's Tree. 
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 fall derby starts in a week! The Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby runs Sept 7 through Nov. 15. Don't miss out on a chance to win $6,000 in Resort Prizes. The Morrison Bonus Cash Weekend will be Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. There is $2000 available in cash prizes.
Weather: We are still dealing with smoke from the Rough Fire on and off.
The severity depends  a lot on the wind. The forecast is calling for mostly sunny and clear at night for the beginning of the week. The high temps for the start of next week will be in the mid-70's and the lows in the high-40's. Here is the National Weather Service link that is usually quite accurate: 7-Day Forecast Convict Lake.
Stocking: DFW is scheduled to stock the creek and lake the week of August 30. We are scheduled to stock 400 pounds of trophy trout on Sept. 3.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake: McGee Bay turned on big time recently. The west wind cleaned the water up along the weed lines & brought the bigs into 12-14 feet. The wide open bite has slowed in the north end.
Still good at times along North Landing with another concentration of fish around Sandy Pt. providing some bendo. Have patience and wait for the fish to cruise by, especially if you are fishing the hard weed edges. The aquatic weeds are protruding now (16 feet) making it easier to identify the hard weed edges.
Spot up along these weed lines. 14-17 feet is the sweet spot in the north end. Shallower in McGee.
Still water nymphing with chironomids, and perch fry imitations has been the hot ticket. My go to rig has been an Assassin as the upper with a long shank dark zebra as the larva. The CDFW has begun it’s planting of sub-catchables here.
Thousands of juvenile cutthroats and rainbows have been planted. Crowley is managed as a “put and grow fishery” due to its potent ability to grow fish.
Water clarity is fine; some algae can drift through when the winds blows east. 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:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports: The water is starting to cool fast. The lake is fishable right now for sure. The lake is very low probably lower than most of us have seen it.
The boat Ramp at Honker Cove is still usable but barely. Be careful launching.
Float Tubers need to pick their launching spots to get around the expansive weed beds in the lake right now.
The Rainbows are starting to come up out of the deep water and cruise around the weed beds.
Early morning and late evening are still the best times to fish. The water is still warm and the middle of the day is still quite slow.
The fishing should continue to get better over the next month and Davis should fish well for the next three months. Blood Midges fished under an indicator in 8-14 feet of water is always a good bet. Look for some Callabaetis and even some smaller Damsels as well.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Fishing has slowed a little with 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.

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 65 percent capacity. Lake is fishing better for some with the most recent plant of trout a couple of weeks ago! 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 13 1/2-inch Koke on the Hump this weekend and said they're 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.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Fishing has slowed a little with 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.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
Hobart is fishing great. The cooler weather has the bugs going wild. Fish can be seen rising hard in the mornings and evenings, especially during non-windy periods. Callabaetis, Midges, Ants and Beetles are all great flies to try right now. You can spend all day fishing the surface, hang flies under an indicator or slow strip small Wooly Buggers with an intermediate line. Hobart has been stocked heavily this year by NDOW as one of the few local fisheries with decent water conditions.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek: Tough fishing here, with minimal water. This is as low as I have ever seen the levels in August.  
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 and 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 58 percent capacity.  
Fishing from boat has been best in 25-35 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 for boaters has been Southwest corner and across the dam. For 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: 
August 30, 2015: We haven't had any news from Kirman this week, hopefully we'll get some reports and get them to you as soon as we can.        

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Middle Owens River, Bishop area: Heavy smoke at times settling into the OV. Flows below 100 CFS.  
Conditions continue to be poor in the drift boat sections below the Five Bridges Crossing. Stick to the early mornings, and late afternoons as the water is very warm with hot air temps.
Caddis and small mayflies are present below the dam at PVR. 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 trending upward and have increased to 100 CFS.
Dry/dropper bead head rigs can be effective in the deeper riffles. 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. This fishery remains open year around.
Special regs from the footbridge at Pleasant Valley campground to the fishing monument 4.7 miles downstream.
Upper Owens and McGee Creek: Dry dropper method is the way to go here. Conditions are good here with a few larger fish moving up from Crowley. A few nice cutty’s and browns in the deeper holes.
The sections up from Benton Crossing are much better.
You can get into a few decent browns on caddis, and last generation BWO adults at times. Some larger browns hitting crystal leeches fished with a sink tip in the deepest pools.  
Stimulators, hi-vis caddis, & natural caddis are good calls for dry flies.  
I like a tandem nymph rig in the deeper pools using an assassin, FB PT, or crystal leech as the upper-put an egg, or smaller Assassin as the dropper.
Flows are low here (40 CFS) with aquatic weeds an issue in the lower sections below the Benton Crossing Bridge.
McGee Creek proper has some small browns and a few decent rainbows.
Dry dropper rigs, & 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. Some really nice fish working the inlet to the lake. Use mayfly/callibaetis adults and sight fish to risers.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Levels have been “yo-yoing” the last two weeks. They are currently trending upwards-4384 feet. 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 and zebra midges are always a solid choice for your larva pattern. This fishery is open year around.
The Gorge: Still too warm for me this time of year unless it gets nasty in the upper valley.
Flows are running at 40 CFS. This is up a little from historical norms. 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, & 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.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake has dropped slightly to about 25% capacity. 
Recently, a decent Smallmouth bite around the dam and along the shoreline for those who prefer the Bronzebacks to Trout.  With the recent pressure this lake has seen the Smallmouth have become quite picky.  
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: August 31, 2015 King Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. 
Sacramento River salmon fishing is fair to good. Fishing is up and down. The river is at 7,200 CFS and steady. 
Averaging 2 to 5 salmon a day per boat. Salmon are weighing in at 20 pounds plus.
Seeing larger fish as the days go on. More  salmon will continue to make their way up river.
Bouncing roe and back trolling Flatfish lures is way to bring in the big kings. 
Water temperatures are warm this year, causing us to fish higher up in the river system than normal for this time of year, as the fish are all headed up river into the colder water
We are fishing every day.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
As of  August 31, 2015 water flow is currently 7,200 CFS and steady.
Lower Sacramento River fishing report - Lower Sacramento River Rainbow trout fishing is awesome. 
Water is clear and low, weather is mild. 
We are fishing from Redding to Anderson , CA, 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: Heavy smoke in the valley at times.
The flows are really getting low here, & will continue to drop unfortunately. The trout will hit surface imitations in the No. 14-18 range. Look for shady areas along the banks deeper that a foot.
Make upstream presentations, staying on the “tails” of the fish. 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:
August 28, 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. Fishing has been amazing ! 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. Wow great days on the lake right now.

SMITH RIVER, OREGON:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Smith River, including all tributaries, is closed to fishing for trout, steelhead, salmon and sturgeon 2 p.m. until an hour before sunrise except in tidewater.
As of May 23, retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead is allowed in the Smith River mainstem from the mouth upstream to Spencer Creek and in the North Fork of the Smith River from the mouth upstream to Johnson Creek.
The use of bait is allowed in tidewaters.
Trout fishing on the Smith River and tributaries also opened on May 23, and anglers should pay close attention to catch and release, harvest, and artificial fly use deadlines outlined in the regulation manual.
Sturgeon fishing is catch-and-release only.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is at 13 percent capacity.  
Surface temp is 74 degrees here, which is driving the Kokes and Macks to the deepest portions of the lake. 
With a stocking of trout weeks ago shoreline fishing has picked up but morning will be your best bet for success!  
Kokanee and Macks are holding in the deepest portions of the lake now at about 70-80 feet. The bite has been tough recently and jigging has been a viable option for these guys now. Use scents and anything else you have to get these finicky fish to bite. There is a film that is being seen on this lake and it has to be due to the lack of incoming water. With hot temps this week and the water becoming stagnant we could possibly see a fish kill similar to last year because of low oxygen levels in areas of the lake.  Again, shore fishing will be decent 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.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
What water that is in the River is starting to cool off. The only stretch of the river that is even close to fishable for Trout is the Canyon section on the California side of the river. That stretch between Boca Bridge and the Nevada state line is still running very low around 100 CFS. We will probably see low flows until we get some rain and or snow this coming fall and winter.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Don't Fish and Don't Ask If you have any idea of what is going on! I would highly recommend looking for other water to fish at this time and I would NOT fish the Truckee for the rest of the summer and fall if you have any Ethics.    

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
The Little Truckee is still flowing at a mere 16 CFS due to ongoing restoration projects. There is some really good long term projects going on right now and we really should leave the fishing alone until the water comes back up to at least 30 CFS.

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:
August 30, 2015: The Twins are still producing some nice fish these days, trolling seems to be the best if you have either lead core or downriggers to get your lures down deep, bait fishing from shore has also been producing some good fish with mornings and evenings being the best time to be out there. Fly anglers are struggling with floating lines but those who have fast sinking lines are doing better. Lures to try include tazmanian devils, kastmasters, thomas bouyants and rapalas. Bait is mice tails, power bait and crawlers. Flies to try include simi seal leeches, mini leeches, stillwater nymphs, seal buggers and matukas.               

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:  
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
August 30, 2015: The warmer weather has made it a little tougher on the Virginias, morning and evenings are going to be the best times to be on the water there.
Fly anglers are doing pretty good with matukas, seal buggers and leech patterns with soft hackle or zug bug droppers. Bait anglers are using mice tails, powerbait and crawlers. Lure anglers are going with thomas bouyants, kastmasters and mini jigs.  

WALKER RIVER, EAST, NEV. & CALIF:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
20 CFS is the flow and the East Walker is really low. It is fishable however as we have had some cooler overnight lows in the Bridgeport area. The river is in full on winter time mode now with flows in the 20-30 CFS range.
Continue to fish in the early mornings and evenings for a while until we see cooler weather.
It probably is not worth the drive just yet.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River, August 30, 2015: The flow on the East is down to 21 CFS this week, very low for this time of year but the temperatures are still hanging in there.
We were wondering where some of the smaller fish had gone but it seems we may have found out this week! We had several reports of excellent fishing below the bridge on Highway 182 for lots of fish in the 10 to 15 inch range, several reports of 30 to 50 fish per angler, only a couple big ones but plenty of action!!
The Nevada side seemed a little slower with much lower numbers but much larger fish being caught.
Patterns that seem to be working the best include: Fox's Poopah, z-wing caddis, san juan worm, miracle midge, rainbow warrior and zebra midge.                    
Sceirine Ranch: The ranch fished a little tough this week with some nice fish in the 20" range making an appearance but very few of them. The fish we did hear about were being caught on caddis nymphs and small midge patterns.
I'd look forward to the weather cooling even more over the next couple weeks and the fishing on both sides of the state line improving.              

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River: Running at 20 CFS. Go elsewhere. 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:
August 30, 2015:  The West is still a little hit and miss with the low water conditions, it's important to be stealthy so as not to spook the fish. Most of the fish will be hanging out in the deeper pools. Salmon eggs, crawlers and power eggs are doing well, panther martins and rooster tails for lures.
Flies to try are elk hair caddis, stimulator, humpy, san juan worm, prince, hare's ear and pheasant tail.         

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
West Walker River: Flows are low here; but this location is running better than most of the freestone creeks in the Sierra. Dry dropper rigs are my choice for fooling the trout in the deeper pools and runs. I like a Stimulator, hi-vis para BWO, or hi-vis caddis as the upper fly. Hang a crystal tiger midge, Assassin, or FB PT about 2-3 feet off the dry. Pikel Meadows is a fun spot to fish with plenty of area to fish. Winds can make it tough, so get on the water early.

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