Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for first day of fall and beyond

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the first week of fall beginning Sept. 23, 2015 and beyond. Nevada Department of Wildlife fishing reports for Western Nevada waters are not included.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Bass fishing has been slow, they are dropping the water and they do not like it. Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports: The leaves are changing at this high elevation lake and fall fishing is in full swing here. Fishing continues to be good here for both bait and fly anglers alike, though the tiger trout seem to prefer small spinners or flies.
For bait anglers, worms seem to do a bit better than Power Bait on Angel Lake trout. Fish them about four feet under a bobber. During the heat of the day, use a slip sinker and fish from the bottom with either an inflated worm or Power Bait, both of which will float up from the bottom.
Small spinners work well, and the tiger trout will also take very small minnow imitation lures.
A fly selection should include small wooly and crystal buggers, prince nymphs, PT nymphs, soft hackle nymphs, hares ears and just about anything with peacock herl in it. They are also hitting dry flies such as Adams, PMD’s, Griffith’s gnats, elk hair caddis, red or yellow humpy’s, yellow stimulators and small ant, beetle and hopper patterns.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing: Probably one of the best weekends ever – the week wasn’t half bad either.
The colors are spectacular – golds, reds, lime greens, oranges – just down-right gorgeous – the temps in the low 70s with the touch of a breeze.

Now the beginning of last week saw smoke, then rain. By Tuesday morning, we had new snow in the backcountry basin and NO smoke. Yup, happy dance! And it just got better the closer to the weekend we got. 
A bit of patience was needed this week to get your limits, but with the stunning views all was good. A new one for you back at the inlet – some of the streamer flies are working along with the usual – Nightcrawlers, Jigs (Sierra Slammers) and Power Bait.
Trolling slowed a tad – fish aren’t down as deep as they were – might try using Flashers (Dave Davis) and a Nightcrawler or just a Nightcrawler, split shot and swivel (DON’T FORGET THE SWIVEL) – might want to also try a Lure with a bit of red on the them (Red/Gold Thomas Buoyant).
Drift a Nightcrawler or Power Bait thru the channels and enjoy the views.
Shore fishing with Nightcrawlers, Power Bait or a Fly and a Bubble. Chris Stark and Raymond Escarzega had their best day ever fishing the Lake – caught and released over 20 nice size fish and kept another 4 apiece for dinner.
Jesse Kindel of San Diego landed a 2-1/2 pound RainBow on a NeedleFish. Keenan Etter (7yrs old) caught his first fish at Lake Sabrina ‘on a fishing pole’ with Dad AJ and cousin Ayden.
Richard Stara with the help of Mai-Tai pulled in a 2-1/2 pounder on – wouldn’t tell us. (Mai-Tai also loves to ride with Richard on his motorcycle.)

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
This lake is at an abysmal 11.5% 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:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
September 20, 2015 
Bridgeport has been pretty hit and miss lately, the water temps have been fluctuating a lot due to the colder night temps and hotter day temps.
The surface temp on the reservoir have been in the low 50's in the mornings and jumping to the mid 60's by afternoon.
There's been a little action on the troll with thomas bouyants, small rapalas and kastmasters, as well as some action bait fishing with mice tails and power bait.
We have also started to hear about a few fish being caught from shore down near the dam on crawlers, powerbait and mice tails.
Again, the action isn't wide open but if you put in some time you should be able to get into some fish.                  

BUCKS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Try running watermelon dodgers with Uncle Larry’s pink tiger spinners or needlefish spoons for Trout. 
-Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The water level is dropping just a bit as water is being sent to Comins Lake to improve the levels there before the planting of trout next month. Fishing continues to be good for 9 to 12 inch trout. In a recent survey, NDOW biologists sampled quite a few brown trout all in great body condition. One or two very large trout were sampled with quite a few in the 12 to 14 inch class, but very fat.
To target them, try the southeast side of the lake and near the inlet either at first or last light. The usual small spinners, small minnow imitators, Power Bait and worms should all work.
Fly rodders should be using hare’s ears, PT, prince, copper Johns, zug bugs and small wooly and crystal buggers.
On warm afternoons when the midges are hatching Griffith’s gnats, Adams, elk hair caddis and other popular dry flies in sizes 12 to 18 are worth a try.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlake.com) reports:
Over the last two weeks the fishing has been excellent. A few numbers of just the fish reported at the general store over the last two weeks: 
4-5 pounders = 10+
6 pounders = 9
7 pounders = 4
8+ pounder = 1
Make sure to check out all the photos for this month in our September 2015 Fishing Gallery.
Catch of the Week: 
Jeff Spence from Peoria, AZ with a monstrous 8 pound 3 ounce Rainbow.
He was using a Nightcrawler while fishing the North Shore. Great catch Jeff! 
Other notable catches this week:
Skip Trueblood from Lakeside, CA hooked a solid 7 pound 15 ounce Rainbow while fishing near the Outlet. Skip was fishing a Nightcrawler.
Kevin Dooley from Santa Ana, CA caught a stout 7 pound 15 ounce Rainbow while fishing the Inlet area with a Tasmanian Devil.
Troy Butler from Forest Falls, CA caught a portly 7 pound 15 ounce Rainbow while fishing at the Inlet. Troy was using Garlic Chunky Cheese Gulp. 
Bryce Walker landed a hefty 7 pound 6 ounce Rainbow using a jig.
Bryce was posted up at the Inlet. 
Keaton Propps from Palmdale, CA caught a fat 6 pound 15 ounce Rainbow.
He landed it at the Inlet while fishing with a Gulp Pinched Crawler. 
Freddy Jaramillo from Los Angeles, CA hooked a 6 pound 7 ounce Rainbow.
Freddy was using a Nightcrawler while fishing along the South Shore. 
Carlos Sanchez from Palmdale, CA landed a 6 pound 7 ounce Rainbow with Green Power bait.
Rudy Samkow from Arcadia, CA with the Convict Lake hat trick. He caught a 3 pound 5 ounce, 5 pound 4 ounce and a 5 pound 11 ounce Rainbow.  
Rudy was using a Nightcrawlers and was fishing near the Inlet.
The Suzuki Family of Kahului, Maui traveled the farthest to get on the fishing report. They filled up their stringer by using Power bait while fishing at the South Shore.
Tactics/Bait:  
There are a lot of options when it comes to tackle.
The last two weeks a variety of different tactics were working.
For the anglers that prefer casting lures I'd start with a Red/Gold or Frog pattern Thomas Buoyant. Other lures that were working include Rapalas and Tasmanian Devils.
If you are going to troll any lure you will need to get down about 50-60 feet.
For the anglers that like to toss jigs, Fall is always a good time to do so. People that tied on either a Gulp Pinched Nightcrawler, Berkley Mice Tail or Berkley Worm rigs landed quality fish.  
If you are thinking about bait fishing you can't go wrong with Inflated Nightcrawlers, Salmon Eggs or Power bait. 
Over the last two weeks a number of Power bait colors were hooking up. The top colors were green, salmon peach, yellow, chartreuse and chunky cheese. Any garlic Power bait continued to drive the fish crazy.
Some of the most productive spots on the lake were the Inlet, the Outlet/Jetty area and the South Shore.
The "Catch of the Week" was caught along the North Shore. Other locations to try would be the North Shore down to the Inlet 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, Rooster Tails, 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: 
Running now!! The Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby runs September 7th - November 15th. Don't miss out on a chance to win $6,000 in Resort Prizes!
The Morrison Bonus Cash Weekend will be October 30th - November 1st. $2000 in cash prizes!
Weather:
The smoke has diminished greatly after some rain early this week.
The Rough Fire is reportedly 70% contained.  
The forecast is calling for continued sunny skies and clear at night for the beginning of the week. The high temps for the start of next week will be in the low-70's and the lows in the mid-40's. Here is the National Weather Service link that is usually quite accurate: 7-Day Forecast Convict Lake.
Sunrise - Sunset:
Sunrise this week 6:41 am - 6:46 am and Sunset 6:59 pm - 6:50 pm.
Stocking: 
We stocked 400 pounds of trophy trout on September 16th.
The DFW also stocked last week.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Crowley Lake: We have turned the proverbial corner on the fall turnover, & the bite is picking up again. McGee Bay and the North Arm continue to kick out some really nice fish.
Streamer fishing is picking up as the lake level drops and defines the weed lines.
Intermediate full sinks, or heavier sinking tips are the right lines to cast Loebergs & Punk Perch patterns along the weed lines; or in the larger “pockets”.
Chironomid hatches will remain strong during periods of high pressure.
Gillies and crystal mergers, and midge pupa patterns are good calls as the upper flies during hatches. Twin gillies, or a broken back gillie as the upper- along with dark zebras,  copper tiger midges, BB tigers and zebras will get you take downs during pupal ascents. If you locate some clean water along the weeds, try an assassin, punk perch, or crystal leech as your upper fly. Hang a midge pattern as the dropper below an Under-cator.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake has benefited from the cooler nights and has seen the bite improve slowly. 
For the trollers expect about 2-3 fish per hour in depths of 12-18 feet. 
Dick Nites copper redheads, Needlefish red dot frog, and Wedding RIngs in chart and red tipped with a peice of nightcrawler. For the fly flingers it's been about the same with Calibaetis in various stages and midges in the morning hours being the ticket. Lake will get progressively get better as we march on to the month of October. 

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 53 percent capacity.   
For those with boats 21 ft or larger be cautious of the "hitch" at the end of the boat launch now.
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.  
Mornings will be your best bet here as this lake hasn't seen a stocking in about 2 months now.  
Next year's Kokes are still being caught around the humps between Loch Leven (70-75 ft) and China Cove (60 ft) and still some nice Macks being caught in deeper areas of the lake by jigging or trolling along with those little shakers.
For the kokes using a RGT in pink, peach,or orange and similar colors in hoochies with pink or orange irredescent colored dodgers,sidekicks, or slingblades has been the go to's.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The bite has been hit or miss as the lake and fish transition. Some days it was all about the flies, others were better with bobbers or trolling. Once things level out it should be good until the end of the season. Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Current River Conditions: Fishing has been great for some anglers while others are finding the game on Fall River to be very demanding. Water conditions are great!
This river offers a great experience as we head into the Autumn season. Anglers fishing nymphs on the swing or suspended under indicators are doing best.
A popular and proven technique on Fall River is retrieving black or olive colored leeches on a sinking line.
-Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Lake is at 27-percent capacity. 
Wiggins Trading Post reports fishing was very slow for trout and fair for catfish. The boat ramp and camp grounds were closed due to the low water level. Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Very slow still.  Will need more time to recover than Davis.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek 9/20/15
Tough fishing here, with minimal water.
Some good caddis & 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, & 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.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is picking up here as the water temperatures are cooling.
Fishing for both browns and rainbows has been fair to good early in the morning and late in the afternoon, early evening.
The usual spinners, Power Bait and worms should all be effective here.
Fly rodders should be using wooly, crystal and seal buggers, hares ears, PT nymphs, hares ears and copper Johns.

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Jakes Creek has been fishing slow to fair for 9 to 14 inch trout.
Fishing has been fair to good for bass for those anglers who have a canoe, small rowboat or float tube and get get on the water as the weed growth along the shoreline is thick.
The usual assortment of wooly buggers, hares ears, copper Johns and PT nymphs should all work.
Power Bait, worms and small spinners should be used by spin fishermen.
Soft plastic baits and small minnow imitation lures are working well for bass

JIGGS/ZUNINO RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Construction on the reservoir is complete and the low pool area even held some water after the rains earlier in the summer. Pray for snow next winter to fill it and if this happens then NDOW will stock it with trout, largemouth bass and bluegill in the spring of 2016. It all depends on Mother Nature.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
September 20, 2015 
We haven't had any reports from Kirman this week but I would have to guess that the conditions haven't changed much yet, look forward to the weather cooling down more which will drop the water temps up there and hopefully the fishing will improve.             

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Bass bite has tapered. The lake level is dropping and bass are in a slow, post-spawn mode. A few nice bass can be had with top water lures in the main body of the lake or the middle fork.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Middle Owens River (Bishop area) 9/20/15 
The water levels have doubled recently, & are at a seasonal high after a prolonged period of very low releases. Currently 200cfs. If they continue to increase you will experience significant debris and turbid water. It typically takes a few days for it to clear up.
We will begin drifting, and tossing streamers in the near future.  
Caddis & small mayflies are present below the dam at PVR.
Have some #18/20 light bodied adults, light assassins #18, and FB pheasant tails for nymphs, #18 & 20.
Caddis emerge when the barometer goes up. Use hi-vis caddis #16 & 18.
Nymphing with crystal olive caddis larva, assassins, and broken back midges are also good when the hatch is off.  
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/ McGee Creek 9/20/15
The water levels have come up a tad here.
Dry/dropper techniques are the way to go here.
Conditions remain good here with a few larger fish moving up from Crowley.
A few nice cutty’s & 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, & olive crystal caddis below an Under-cator, or hi-vis caddis or hi-vis para BWO will work.

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

RUBY LAKE NWR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water levels are down, but you can still launch a boat at the main boat ramp.
However, stay away from the Narciss boat launch, you can’t get a boat in the water there.
Bass fishing is still fair to good, with the afternoons being the best time, which is when the water is at its warmest.
Get out soon, because with the projected cooler air temperatures, the water temps are going to drop quickly here with all the springs and the bass bite will really slow down.
Dark colored soft plastic baits with some sparkle or a contrasting color tail, fished weedless should work for the bass in the south lake.
Fishing is fair for bass and slow for trout.
On the good days, experienced anglers are catching one keeper bass for every three fish caught.
Fishing in the collection ditch is slow to fair for trout but with the cooler temps should start picking up.
Brown trout are starting to cruise the northern end of the collection ditch.
Damselfly nymphs, dragonfly nymphs, wooly and crystal buggers, hares ears and copper Johns should all be productive. Anglers should also try hares ears, PT’s, and Mayfly dries as well as emergers.
For spin fishermen the usual assortment of small spinners and minnow type lures are all effective here.
The ditch is artificial lures and flies only and wading is not allowed in the ditch.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon:
September 21, 2015 King Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. 
The river is at 7,200 CFS and steady.
Sacramento River salmon fishing has finally turned ON!  Catching  over 
25 salmon this weekend between 5 boats out was an amazing weekend. 
There are more fish on the way and that break in temps,  helped bring up a nice rush of fish.  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.  
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  September 21, 2015 water flow is currently 7,200 CFS and steady.
Lower Sacramento River fishing report - Lower Sacramento River Rainbow trout fishing is fantastic. Over 30 fish days on the Sacramento River right now for Rainbow trout. 
Water is clear and low.
We are fishing from Redding to Anderson , CA, Bonneyview Bridge to Jellys Ferry Bridge is excellent.  
The largest fish have been caught the last few days in the Bonneyview area. Working great is egg pattern, Cinnamon Pupa, and  PMD’s.   
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 9/20/15
The flows are super low here. Locating water over a foot is difficult.
The trout will hit surface imitations in the #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.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
With the water temperatures dropping into the mid 60’s and the recent rains putting some colder water in at the south end of the lake, expect to see the weeds pulling back over the next couple of weeks.
Trout fishing is starting to pick up a bit and with the full moon this weekend, expect slow fishing in the middle of the day and fair to good fishing first thing in the morning or right at dusk.
One local angler reported good fishing for trout just south of the buoy line in six to eight feet of water using a brown and black verigated wooly bugger.
Trout anglers should be trying damselfly nymphs, leech patterns, hares ear nymphs, wooly and crystal buggers.
At the south end, look for holes in the vegetation and fish soft plastics hooked weedless first thing in the morning or late in the evening.
Expect the bass to be a bit more active late in the afternoon when the shallow water is a bit warmer from the sun.
Fish structure off of rocky points for black bass.
The inlet, where the river comes into the lake, is also a good spot to target both trout and bass looking for food.
Dark soft plastic baits in motor oil, guacamole, root beer and dark purple with some sparkles in them have been working early and late for bass.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is at 13% capacity.  
Surface temp is 68 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 due with the lack of incoming water.  
Again, shore fishing will be decent for the Bows with powerbait, 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.  

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
You can catch 6-inch Kokes all day long.  
The ramp is decent but take it slow. They also have a dock in now.  
Trinity is down 120 feet.
-Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Outflow was pumped to 2,650 cfs to draw salmon into the system.
Head of the flow hit the mouth Wednesday.
-Courtesy of SacRiverGuide.com.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
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!  YES, THAT IS CORRECT, DON'T FISH THIS RIVER IF YOU HAVE ANY ETHICS AND with the DFW and States stance on the Truckee that it can run dry and it still will not fall under closure regulations.    
Not sure what to say as temps below the Boca outflow are good for the trout but with flows at 81 CFSI still wouldn't fish.  That goes for many of us as these trout just survived a brutal summer and are now on the mend to make a recovery.  They are like a boxer just getting up off the mat from being knocked down, let them get that count to gather themselves and then you can get at them.
For me that would be after the browns spawn in October/November and by that time hopefully winter has arrived and my thoughts of fishing will have waned until the spring.  
Many should focus on Pyramid opener in October as the season there is being slated to be very good.  Just my opinion that I hope many will share.  
We've waited this long why not wait a little longer.

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:
September 20, 2015  
They're still picking up some really nice fish from the Twins lately with some of them tipping the scale at around 7 or 8 pounds.
Bait anglers are doing well with mice tails, power bait and crawlers and trollers are still doing the best fishing deep with rapalas, thomas bouyants and jake's spin a lures.
The kokanee are starting to spawn now so think about using some orange colored lures, this time of year orange is a pretty good color up there!              

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:  
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
September 20, 2015  
The Virginias are also a good place to go right now with some nice fish up to around 4 pounds being caught.
Fly anglers are doing the best with intermediate sink lines and streamer patterns like simi seal leeches, matukas and seal buggers with soft hackle and zug bug droppers. Bait anglers are going with power bait, crawlers and mice tails. Lure anglers are doing the best both early and late in the day with kastmasters, thomas bouyants and rooster tails.    

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) report:
Weather: -   (7am Temp First light/Last light)
Sunday 50º 6:08/7:30 Warm, hazy from smoke with lots of grey clouds, rained from 4-7pm with thunder
Monday 45º 6:08/7:28 Hazy, some sun, getting windy 11am through most of the day, brief rain black sky 5pm
Tuesday 38º 6:09/7:27 Raining, windy, dusting of snow on peaks
Wednesday 44º 6:10/7:25 Windy, clear, cold, dusting over the peaks, wind calming but clouds building
Thursday 32º 6:11/7:24 Clear, calm, cold
Friday 32º 6:12/7:22 Clear, calm, cold
Saturday 34º 6:13/7:20  Clear, calm, cold
The stock truck arrived Wednesday with 400 pounds. 
Also, Desert Springs trophies were planted on the 3rd.
The fishing just took a huge upswing due to the cooler water and the double stock, but I think the fish have been sipping the feel of fall in the air.
EPAC ridge builds in today thru Monday, bringing with it warming temperatures to our forecast area. Of note here, this is not the hot Desert Southwest Ridge we have been experiencing this summer. None-the-less, we will still have above normal temperatures by Sunday / Monday (say mid 90s for the Owens Valley and 75 º 85 for Mono County). By Tuesday / Wednesday there is the that an upper low off the Baja Coast will move northward, up into Southern California. How far north it moves remains to be seen, so stay tuned.  Dennis Mattinson's Sierra Wave weather report.
The weather continues to be on the warm side during the peak heat of the day and a breeze continued through most of the day.  The week was mostly clear with 6:30am temperatures ranging from 32 degrees to 50.  Tuesday brought relief from the haze from the smoke also with wind and rain leaving a dusting of snow over the peaks. 
The aspens are barely 50% with more turning daily. 
It still looks uncertain as to the peak date.
BAIT: 
Inflated crawlers are still are doing as good as mice tails, glitter orange power bait, pink power worms, mice-tails with pink/white head and red/tan head, orange/red head, pink power worms.
LURES: 
The best action was on silver/blue Kastmasters, gold Hot Shots, silver Super Dupers, and red/gold Buoyant's.
FLY AND BUBBLE: 
The main hatch had been caddis flies so fish the top with olive elk-hair caddis, Hemmingway caddis, Solomon caddis, Grey Hackle Peacock, yellow/gold mosquito, and small Griffith's Gnat, soft hackle yellow bead-head as the spider trails are starting to come off the pines. 
Also try some foam ants, dark Chernobyl ants, Dave's hoppers (small), blue-grey hoppers (small) and black beetles. 
Best action is when there is a chop on the water which is usually late afternoon to legal limit at night.
FLY RODS:
Olive Twin Lakes Special (my Dirty Doc) took first place, then Rickard's tan AP nymph, and his seal bugger.  Some fly rodders were using midges (larvae stage) but after the brief rain storm early in the week emergers and surface flies took over, but always bring pheasant tails, zebra's and hare's ear as you never know what key will unlock the secret to the bite.
Here's my new designed fly called "mice fly Tail", but my fingers are still too split to tie. I'm going to use dark olive acrylic yarn tied in a ball with red acrylic yarn in the center and black and olive silly rubber for the extended body with a small weight inside to give it more substance to wiggle. Antron for the head with maybe some black deer hair to keep it upright,
BACKCOUNTRY: 
Fishing has been good depending on day temperatures using dry flies with a bubble or fly rod with black fur ants, small #16 Stimulators, Coachman, olive elk hair caddis, beetles, lures and worms. 
Early morning and early evening is the best time for good action as always. 
Also try some black gnat parachutes
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.  Also, IT ATTRACKS BEARS!
Carolyn 9.20.15

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River: The flows on the East are still in the 20 CFS range and the water temperatures are good, averaging in the high 50's and low 60's, the fish are happy, healthy and feisty. Of course the water is thin so you'll need to focus on the deeper pools and runs to be successful.
Most anglers are reporting good days both on the "Mile" section as well as the section below the bridge.
We haven't had any reports from the Nevada side lately. Some anglers are reporting 30 fish days on the California side.
Seems like most of the fish being caught lately are in the 10 to 15 inch range with a few running around 18 or 19 inches. Successful patterns include: flashback emergers, zebra midge, rainbow warrior, san juan worm, fox's poopah, z-wing caddis, 3 wire caddis and miracle midge.
Sceirine Ranch: September 20, 2015  We haven't had anyone on the ranch this week, as soon as we get some reports we'll let you know!              

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports: East Walker River as of Sept. 20, 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:
September 20, 2015  
The West is of course still running very low and clear but the fishing hasn't been too bad.
You'll want to be in stealth mode up there so as not to spook the fish too much. Spin anglers are using panther martins and rooster tails, bait anglers are going with salmon eggs and mini crawlers. Fly anglers are still doing well with hoppers, ants, humpy's, royal wulffs on top and prince nymphs, pheasant tails and hare's ears underneath.        

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
West Walker River as of Sept. 20. 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.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
While there is still plenty of algae, it is starting to clear just a bit with the cooling water temperatures.
However, the water level is still hovering around 10% of capacity and few if any anglers are visiting Wild Horse. Those that are fishing here are finding fishing very slow.
However, if you are in the area on a hunting trip and have some time to kill, you may want to try your luck on the water.
While you won’t catch very many trout (expect 1 a day at best), when you do catch one chances are it is going to be over 20 inches in length.
Make sure you check the current Nevada Fishing Guide for current regulations and limits.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Extremely low water levels with warm water make this reservoir a poor choice for fishing. Not worth the trip.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
While it is mostly hunters camping a Wilson, those who are fishing are finding trout fishing to be picking up.
Water temperatures have dropped into the 60’s and trout fishing is fair to sometimes good, while bass fishing is fair to good.
Just like at South Fork early morning or late evening seems to be the best times for both bass and trout.
As the water temps cool into the low 60’s expect the fishing to pick up for trout.
The same presentations and baits that are used at South Fork should also work here. This lake is getting very little visitation so your fishing experience should be good.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
It has been windy so anglers took to more protected areas.
The Whiskey Creek arm had kokes but only from 11 to 13 inches and smaller than a few weeks ago. You’ll have to work hard for each fish right now. Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

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