Don Q's Nevada and California fishing report for week of Nov. 27

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of Nov. 27.

ADOBE POND, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing pressure has been very light, especially during mid week. 
Fast action lures seem to be working well, meaning 2.7 to 3.3 mph.
We hear the Speedy Shiners are best this week, also the “Moose Looks” wobbler, has been another great fast action lure. 
Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East, Upstream from hangman's Bridge:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.
Carson River West:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Persistent  weeds  on the surface  make fishing difficult. If you can find weed-free water  you’ll get trout from the surface to 10 feet down.
Flashers or spoons will work.
Courtesy of Guide Ed Dillard.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Trout catching remains good using Power Bait, nightcrawlers, small spinners and flies. Bass action has really dropped off with the chilly nighttime temperatures. Ice has been forming along the shoreline in the mornings, but doesn’t last long.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Rainbow trout have been taking most baits and lures, but the bite is a little slow. With nighttime temperatures dropping into the teens, the shoreline has been a little icy. The ice is melting off by afternoon.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The salmon are ranging between 15lb to 40lbs.
Fisherman are using Quikfish, Sacramento Spinners, Beads, and Jigs.
The fishing is doing well, but the water has lowered to 1500 CFS.
Use extreme caution when boating.
The salmon are thick from the 5th St. bridge on up.
Courtesy of Johnson bait & Tackle.

FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in February, 2014.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
Fishing at Frenchman Lake continues to be going well, especially for those trying their luck at Lunker Point.
Yoe, visiting from Monterey, CA, fished Lunker Point from Tuesday through Thursday this past week. He caught 4 nice-sized rainbows on each of the first couple of days, and limited out on Thursday. He was using chartreuse Gulp eggs and says that the fish were biting best mid-morning.
On Sunday, November 24th, Nick Sanchez from Susanville caught 6 rainbows at Lunker Point using rainbow power bait.
Bank fishermen are also having success with nightcrawlers - float ‘em off the bottom, and trollers continue to do well using nightcrawlers and flashers at the north end of the lake.
Call us for updates - Wiggins Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Morning temperatures are getting down into the 20's, but most afternoons are still nice. The streams closed on November 15th, but the lake remains open for fishing year-round.
Courtesy of Wiggin’s Outpost.

HAT CREEK CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

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

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2014.


HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water conditions:
Flows at 5 CFS as of 11/21. Clear.
Fishing conditions:
Good. Winter is fully upon us so the weeds are dying off quick.
Nymphing is now easier with the dries being just as affective.
Make sure to stay really small in fly size.

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

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are giving good reports on the Klamath around Iron Gate.
Expect to catch numbers of smaller 10"-12" juvenile fish and a couple adults around 23-26".
As we get closer to December, those smaller fish should move downstream and more consistent catches of adult steelhead will be the norm.
All in all, the fishing has been good!
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
Anglers have been catching limits of rainbow trout since the last fish plant.
Power Bait or Panther Martins have been producing good results, but the trout have not been especially picky. They are taking various types of lures and baits.
Lighter line setups are generally the best choice when fishing for trout.
Just remember to use a little more patience when reeling in those lunkers.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Conditions are low, but the fishing has been good through the AM hours, tapering after 2:00 PM.
The Trinity River is nearby and gets most of the attention during the month of November, but there's good fishing at Lewiston Lake and only a few anglers take advantage of it.
What to expect? Leech patterns retrieved on Type III sink tips or full sink Type I lines can produce many bites.
Suspending midge patterns under small indicators is a reliable technique.
Bring your float tube or pram.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

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

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANGEMENT AREA, NEV:
Hinkson Slough - North Pond - West Walker River - Crappie Pond:
Closed until the second Saturday in February, 2014.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
With the high-flow release from Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell, the water level at Lake Mead has increased to about 1106 feet. This may have changed some familiar fishing holes and even created new fishing holes.
Anglers are still finding gizzard and threadfin shad to be the best bait for striper. They are netting the shad in the backs of coves with lots of brush.
Carolina rigs fished in about 50 feet of water have been productive.
Striper action has been a little better in the afternoon than in the morning.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Reports from the lake have been few, but those making it out are having moderate success.
Anglers are finding largemouth and smallmouth bass in the back of coves.
The fish are hitting dark plastics as well as various crankbaits.
Striper action has been fair.
Meanwhile, those fishing at Willow Beach report increased activity compared to the past couple of weeks. Anglers have brought in several double-digit stripers, and have done so with both conventional rod-and-reel and by spear fishing.
Lake levels have dropped to 633 feet.
Boaters need to be careful while on the water.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Bass are moving into deeper water. Find them around the 30 feet deep drop-shotting RoboWorms. Most are 13 to 16 inches.
Overall  a bit slow fishing right now.  
Courtesy of My Outdoor Buddy.



OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Water conditions:
68 CFS as of 11/21.
Fishing conditions:
Good. Fish are starting to run out of Crowley Lake. Getting reports that BIG browns have made it into the private waters far north.
FYI-bring some cold weather gear cause the temps have dropped!
Lower Owens River:
Water conditions:
Good. Flows are at 80 CFS as of 11/21.
Fishing conditions:
Good. Flows being so low, fishing has been great. Lot of surface action throughout the day. Nymphing is preferred if targeting Mr. Hog Johnson!
Owens River Gorge:
Water conditions:
Great. 35 CFS as of 11/21.
Fishing conditions:
Alright. DWP are doing some maintenance so water level can increase in a short period of time.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
Water conditions:
Good.
Fishing conditions:
Excellent. Ideal weather for big browns! not a bad idea to carry a tube in.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Just in the nick of time Crowley has begun the long process of filling.
This is crucial to the fish that migrate up from the lake during the fall spawn.
Numbers of catchable sized bows and browns have increased recently.  Flows remain on the low side here; however there is ample water for the rainbows and browns to make redds in the gravel sections at the tail out of the pools.
The section from the Benton Crossing Bridge upstream to Big Springs is open year around with special angling restrictions.  Pinch those barbs down flat and DO NOT USE BAIT OR SCENTED LURES,  release all the fish you catch unharmed & you will be fine.
Access good as of this report with no ice or mud on any of the roads. 
Nymphing is fooling some of the larger fish. Try using a properly weighted tandem rig with patterns like Assassins bird’s nest, flashback pt’s, broken-back midges, crystal leeches, San Juan worms, & glow bugs/roe imitations.
You may find that removing your “under-cator” strike detector can get educated fish to hit especially on the brighter/sunny days.
The surface action is waning; however the warmer days still have a few snouts sipping smaller mayflies and midges. 
Under current conditions the fish have really spread out and you will observe some bigs holding along the deeper channels near the undercut banks. Another tactic this time of year is to work downstream with a light sinking tip line swinging streamer patterns like Loebergs, punk perch, crystal leeches, & Spruce-A-Bu’s along the cut banks and through the deeper pools & oxbows.
You can cover nearly all the water with this method and get presentations to fish you would otherwise spook with conventional strategies.
These fish are migrants and are not accustomed to people or shadows. 
A quiet, stealthy approach will most certainly get you more opportunities at a trophy fish.
As the weather gets cooler the fish will tend to gravitate to the deeper pools once again.  These pods can be as large as six 20 inch fish per hole.
Middle Owens River:
Numbers have slowed down considerably after a few days of cooler weather and some snow on the drift boat runs. Still good, but not the epic trips we were seeing a week ago.
Loebergs out fished all other streamer patterns today, light sink tips are better than moderate at these flows.
Real time LADWP gauge is broken at PV, they are currently holding at 75-80 CFS below the dam. 
Conditions remain very good for wading and expect this to continue until we get another cold snap or another substantial storm-or a major flow increase; which is very unlikely this winter. 
The trico hatch is on its last legs, so look to fish those midge, & caddis larva patterns in the future.
Rock worms are also a good call, they resemble caddis larva and are insect green/olive in color #16-20.

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

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Great fishing this week! Afternoons seem to be the best time.
Small dark nymphs ranging from #16-18 are working great.
Try a black A.P. in #10-12 as the top fly in a 2-fly nymph rig.
A small midge or pheasant tail can go on bottom.
Also Fish October's big orange caddis fly nymphs and dries. The dry version can work best near sunset.
The Pit has been fishing great! This river continues to make happy anglers all the way through December or the first big winter storm.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
A report of good fishing from shore but the boaters are doing better.
Another report that Dr. Richard Yamamoto of Carson City caught and released a 34-inch Cutthroat, north of "The Nets."

ROCK CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

RUSH CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Flows are low at 3,743 CFS. Wade anglers should be happy with these releases since much more of the river is now accessible on foot compared to higher summertime flows of 12,000 CFS or more.
Fishing has been touch and go.
There's a few salmon spawning, so egg patterns in orange should be handy.
Nymphs are working better since the egg bite has tapered.
Try nymphs, #6 brown rubber legs, #16 Amber Wing Princes, Poxy Back PMDs in #16-18.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon fishing:
As of  November 25, 2013  water flow is currently 3,750 CFS. 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Salmon fishing is good. The recent rain we got pushed some nice chromers our way. Most days getting one salmon per person, some days more fish.
We are picking up Rainbows and a few nice Steelhead too.
Rain is great for the salmon fishing.
Only a few weeks left of the salmon season ends December 16th, 2013. 
We will be turning the steelhead fishing next on the Sac and up North, the Chetco River steelhead. 
Flatfish lures working best, turning to roe later in the day, using Pautzke Red cure. Weather perfect.
We are fishing until December 16 for salmon. Call us today. 

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been good!
October Caddis still showing near sunset, but tapering daily.
Fishing is happening best in the early AM hours thanks to midges and some #16-18 dark/black caddis.
Gordon's Amber Wing Prince in #18 is a good dark caddis imitator.
The evening fishing has been good this week. More dark caddis near sunset.
Throw big October Caddis dries near sunset too. Good October Caddis dries are Orange Stimulators, Turks Tarantulas, October Irresistible Caddis. Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing is still great right now, especially around Bay Bridge and Packers Bay. Rainbows are being caught on the surface in the morning but then drop down, along with the Salmon, to about 80 feet. Use humdingers, wiggle hoochies, and 4 inch worms for the best chance of getting a hook-up.  Courtesy of Sacriver Guide. 

LAKE TAHOE:
A report of average sized Mackinaw trout being caught while trolling with flasher blades and minnows near Homewood on the west side of the lake.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Closed until January 01, 2014.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Some extra water coming from the Trinity's many tributaries should bring in new steelhead.
For now, water conditions are low and clear.  Expect to get a chance or two, maybe more for some steelhead. More fish will arrive. A little rain will help move steelhead up into Lewiston, Douglas City, Junction City.
Most anglers are working hard for 1-2 a day and quite honestly that's perfectly acceptable.
Add a couple big 23" brown trout into the mix makes for a very good time!
Just remember, these are steelhead. There's not a lot of them. They have to show up. You can't trust them. Go and enjoy but avoid a numbers mentality.
Certainly those days when the hook ups add up happen, but really... not every day or every week. The best days of the '13/'14 season are ahead of us. Rain always makes the fishing pop!
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

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:
November 22, 2013 
We haven't had too many reports from the EW the past couple weeks, the weather is cold and there's not too many anglers around right now.
The reports we have received though have been pretty good.
Sounds like the best time to be down there is from about 10am to 3pm, depending on how the weather is going.
Today the flow is at 36 CFS but I'd expect that to go back down to 25 or so pretty soon.
Small midge patterns as well as streamers have been the most successful lately. Flashback emergers, zebra midge, wd-40, top secret midge, rainbow warrior, san juan worm, copper john, prince, dark lord, zuddler, zonker, moal leech and jj specials have all been doing well.      
Sceirine Ranch:
November 22, 2013
The Sceirine is fishing well also, most of the same patterns that are working on the Cali side will also work on the ranch. Lots of nice water at this flow with plenty of fish holding in the deeper runs and pools.       
Hunewill Pond:
November 22, 2013
Haven't had any clients on the pond for a while, getting a bit cold for tubing. If we have anyone out there we'll let you know!! 

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water conditions:
Flows up to 36 CFS as of 11/21.
Fishing conditions:
Good. With the winter time upon us, the crowds are gone which results in less pressure on the fish. good throughout the whole day.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707)
www.kenssport.com) reports:
November 22, 2013
The West is closed to fishing for the winter, however, beginning March 1, 2014 there will be new regulations in place for the section from the bridge on Hwy 395 to Topaz Lake, during the winter months (the off season for regular fishing season) this section will be open to artificial flies or lures only, barbless hooks, zero fish limit.  

WHISKEYTOWN LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Best Time to fish this week is from 4:53AM through 6:53AM. Or from 10:48AM to 12:48PM looks promising. Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes.  
Courtesy of Hook & Bullet.

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