By Don Quilici
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Seam Bottomly of Nevada City, CA with his 18 lb, 0 oz, 33 inch Cutthroat caught at Wino Beach at Pyramid Lake. -
Hayden Fagundes of Fernley brought in a 16 lb, 4 oz, 35 inch Cutthroat caught at Popcorn at Pyramid Lake. -
John and Max Oppio of Sparks with their 22 lb, 9.6 oz, 35.75 inch Cutthroat caught at Block House at Pyramid Lake.
Here is this week’s fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Jan. 8-14, 2015.
ADOBE POND:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
This is a great winter fishery with lots of big winter trout caught.
The ramps at Canyon Dam, USFS at Almanor and Rec. 1 and 2 ramps are operational.
In-between storms has been a good bet, since there has been no fishing pressure.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.
ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road is closed to the lake and there will be no fishing reports for Angel Lake until late May of 2015.
BISHOP CREEK, AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Ice fishing by the dam has been decent for anglers using nightcrawlers, eggs or little white jigs. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said jigs have been working best and anglers have been catching kokanee, browns and rainbows. Fish have been hitting under the ice in water 6 to 10 feet deep.
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.
BRIDGEPORT, RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East (Upstream from Hangman’s Bridge):
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
Carson River West:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
A report of a thin coat of ice on the lake with some people chancing going out on the ice in the area of the dam.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Jim and Jeannie of the J &J’s Grizzly Store and Camping Resort (530-832-0270) (www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com) report:
Jan 01, 2015
The lake is starting to freeze. Open water still at Mallard. I do not have a report on ice thickness, but folks have been out on it in the dam area.
Remember, you are the only one who can decide if it is safe or not for you.
The ice is NOT officially monitored.
EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Closed.
FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
A report of ice skaters on the thin ice near Beckwourth.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
A few decent 4-5 pound Steelhead have been caught in the high flow section using night crawlers with the additives of Pro-Cure Anise and hot pink bait oil according to Craig Bentley at Huntington’s Sportsman’s Store in Oroville.
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.
FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Lake is at 37-percent capacity.
Fishing for shore anglers and trollers has been excellent all week.
Brian Weber of Fremont caught a limit of 18- to 20-inch rainbows near the dam from shore with marshmallow/salmon egg combos and orange Power Bait.
The areas around the boat docks seem to be providing excellent results.
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.
HAT CREEK, UPPER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open May 01, 2015.
HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow 4 CFS. It’s hard to even find a fish. Try getting a scud or a midge puoa along the cut banks.
HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Hot Creek 1/5/15
Very cold in the morns-no bed or sheet ice except some near the confluence of Mammoth Creek in the interpretive section.
Water conditions have improved since the weather has become cold; however this cooling trend has once again dropped the flows making extended drifts more difficult.
There is less aquatic weed in many spots. Locate these slots in the weeds making short accurate drifts.
Midges are the only consistent hatches coming off currently. Small parachute patterns used with a 10 foot leader are best for surface presentations.
There are a few sections that can be fished with a dry dropper nymph rig.
Small dead drifted Punk Perch, Scuds, broken back zebras, small gillies, egg patterns, SJ worms, flashback PT’s, or assassin birds nest bead heads in #18 are good calls for the dropper.
This is a year around fishery with special regs in place.
JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Trout ranging from 14 to 19 inches can be fooled into going to a better place by trolling with a Sep’s dodger with a threaded nightcrawler trailed behind or a wedding ring combination tipped with a piece of nightcrawler.
Shore fisherman try using a white power egg and salmon egg combo, or a nightcrawler tipped with a power egg. Best places to fish from shore are the southern dock below the marina and the shore line above the marina. If you have any difficulties see Craig at Pine Cove Marina.
I was out two days last week and caught 31 fish with clients…not bad!
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.
LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
MAMMOTH LAKES, BASIN, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
MARLETT LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open July 15, 2015.
MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.
OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Flow is now 48 CFS. The water is low and clear. Try caddis pupa, San Juan worms and egg patterns. The fish are scattered so cover lots of water.
Lower Owens River:
The current water flow is unavailable. The mayfly hatch is slowing.
Nymphing with Barr’s graphic caddis, olive pheasant tails or copper zebra midges very productive.
OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River 1/5/15
Please be EXTREMELY careful when handling, or photographing fish at temperatures below twenty degrees.
Fish removed from the water for more than a minute can literally “flash freeze” and die. Resuscitating BEFORE, & AFTER your fight is essential for a safe C & R on these wonderful fish.
Do not remove them from the water immediately after you net them please.
Keep their gills out of the silt and completely submerged while removing the hooks and reviving them.
Ice situation has improved immensely in short order, water remains off color.
Fish populations have dropped as many moved downstream to escape the severe conditions. Still some bigs around, and numbers will pick up as the water temps climb again.
No snow on the ground, access is fine.
LADWP is periodically flushing the Rush Creek Diversion pipe, & irrigation canals to prevent ice build up from clogging them. Consequently you will see some very muddy, cold water that has slowed the bite down here overall in many sections.
Look for single digit air temps along the river at sun-up, highs may reach fifty in the next five days.
Water can be extremely dirty with weed below the confluence of Hot Creek.
You will need to cover a lot of water to locate the larger fish, and the deeper pockets they hunker down in.
Solid mending techniques are critical in getting the bigs to hit.
Stay on the “tail” of your targets whenever possible & keep those nymph rigs bouncing on the dirt. If you are not tickling the bottom at least half the drift, your leader is too short; or improperly weighted. Your presentations and mending might just suck too!
As Crowley slowly fills, the communication between the lake and river improves, giving the trout a more favorable pathway to migrate upstream.
This is why winter fishing here can be so great!
The colder air temps force the fish to seek refuge in the deeper pools.
Nymphing below an Under-cator is the best method to get the larger migratory rainbows and browns to take a fly.
Use attractor patterns-appropriately weighted, and in tandem such as San Juan Worms, & roe imitations. Flashback PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, GILLIES, Agent Orange, & Crystal Vanderleeches are also good choices especially after the gravel warms up in the afternoons.
You will see a decent midge hatch and small mayflies during periods of warmer weather. Small para BWO’s or duns, and midge cluster patterns are good surface profiles. Streamer fishing can also be a good call during windy days.
Stay along the deeper/channel side of the river and use the “dip & strip” technique with a light sinking tip, or floating line. Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s, & Punk Perch #10-6 can get those big boys out from under those deeper cut banks where it is difficult to dead drift a nymph rig.
Special angling regs in effect.
Open year around upstream from the Benton Crossing Bridge.
Closed from the Bridge downstream to Crowley Lake until next season.
Middle Owens River (Bishop area) 1/5/15
Access is good in all areas of Owens Valley, no snow or rain from last storm.
Drift boat fishing has been good during warmer periods, with some big male rainbows showing consistently on streamers.
The LAWDP realtime website is down. Flows are currently 75 CFS below the dam at Pleasant Valley. This is a very low release and perfect for wading the immediate tailwater sections.
Fishing is fair/good from the Footbridge at PV Campground downstream to the Five Bridges Crossing.
We are seeing a more seasonable weather pattern develop, and the colder water has slowed feeding activity. Smaller midges are the primary hatch, but the cold water mayfly called the “blue winged olive” will begin emerging more frequently as January rolls on.
Nymphing with tandem rigs-properly weighted will get you into fish consistently. I suggest you use Flashback PT’s, Assassin birds nest, broken back midges, tiger midges, small gillies, crystal emergers, or chironomid pupa, olive crystal zebras, & caddis larvae (to imitate caddis larva & rock worms).
You can use dry/dropper bead head rigs for the warmer days working the tailouts of larger pools, & riffles.
Have some high vis para BWO’s for the uppers & keep them dressed with desiccant to suspend your bead head nymphs.
Guided drift boat trips are a great vehicle to reach the secluded, and less fished areas of the river.
We predominantly fish streamers like Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s, Punk Perch, Agent Orange, and Crystal Vanderleeches.
Using a light sinking tip line we position the boat upstream from the target water, casting about 35 feet down towards larger pools. We then insert the rod tips below the surface to get the streamers down without using excessive weight. Stripping the line in an erratic series of short and long pulls imitates the swimming motion of injured baitfish. The “dip & strip” technique is a fun way to get into numbers and large rainbows that hold in the lower sections of the river well below the wild trout section. Check out my “be the fly” video by clicking on the videos link at the top of the page to see how we do it.
This fishery remains open year around.
Special regs from the footbridge at Pleasant Valley campground to the fishing monument 4.7 miles downstream.
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.
PINE FOREST COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Onion Valley Reservoir:
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Blue Lakes:
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Knott Creek Reservoir:
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir 1/5/15
Fishing in the short river section & transition area picked up after it warmed.
Most of the rainbows you will catch here on flies are very small.
Looks the CDFW dumped plenty of dinks here this year due to low water in some penstocks.
Thanks to Garrett Tracanna & Cap’n Jon Bell for the scoop-they whacked them on my crystal tiger midges.
You may have some rising flows, and off colored water in the inlet section as the LADWP flushes ice from the pipe that feeds the hydro plant at times during the winter months. This practice is done when it gets well below freezing for extended periods. The reservoir level has been stable for an extended period – around (4383′-4385′). Be cautious when the mud thaws along the river bank. The small river directly below the powerhouse can be awesome when the flows are low, or stable.
Forget fishing the river, or inlet if the hydro station is ramped up (this is uncommon during the winter, but can occur to flush ice from the huge aqueduct pipeline at times).
The quiet water at the inlet can be great for tubers during this period.
Dry dropper combos using 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 & zebra midges as your dropper bead head nymph.
Streamers like Loebergs, Agent Orange, Crystal leeches, & Spruce-A-Bu’s will get you into some nice browns in the rez proper.
Use a full sinking line to get down to 10-15 feet quickly.
You can also fish “Crowley midge style” in the rez near the drop-offs. Fish the same 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 1/5/15
No snow or ice, trails are fine.
This maybe the best dry fly fishery we have during the winter months.
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. 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, & crystal olive larva patterns as the nymphs.
Hi-vis para BWO’s, Stimulators, parachute midge adults, & elk caddis are good choices for your dry fly.
ack in water , have cleated wading boots and a stout staff. 2-4wt. rods are perfect for this water.
Season open year.
PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Valarie Taylor of Crosby Lodge (775-476-0400) (www.crosbylodge.net):
Good afternoon all,
This week started out hot with John and Max Oppio of Sparks, NV bringing in their 22 lb, 9.6 oz, 35.75″ catch on 12/29/14.
They were fishing by boat at Block House using a frog flatfish.
Hayden Fagundes of Fernley, NV brought in a 16 lb, 4 oz 35 in, fishing from a boat at Popcorn on 1/1/15.
He was fishing with a flatfish (color unspec).
Seam Bottomly of Nevada City, CA brought in his 18 lb, 0 oz 33 in catch on 1/2/15 fishing from shore at Wino and using a bugger (color unspec).
Totals for this week are (11 of the 14 fish weighed in were caught during a full moon cycle) :
(1) 22#
(1) 18#
(1) 16#
(1) 13#
(3) 12#
(3) 11#
(4) 10#
Fishing was good from both shore and boat but mainly south from the north Nets to Popcorn.
Hot colors this week were frog, white, green and black.
Talk to you soon,
Valarie Taylor
Crosby Lodge
PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY,NEV:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
January 6th
Well along with bringing in the New Year we also got another dose of the full moon phase at Pyramid Lake. Nice weather also played a part in the fishing being quite tough over the past week or so.
The water temperatures are in the area of 43-44 degrees which is right around the winter time low.
Most of the fish are hanging out in a little deeper water where it is warmer.
The Tui chubs also prefer warmer water and are helping to keep fish down deep right now. That does not mean that all is lost. Wind and weather can move fish into the shallows on a day to day basis.
Most days are tough, especially calm, bluebird sunny days.
The long term forecast is for dry sunny warmer days so getting to the lake early and or staying late is going to help some.
That time when the sun is off the water has been the time to fish over the past week or so.
Fish are spread out all over the lake and weather is more important to fishing success than a particular spot on the lake.
Areas with deeper drop offs and that have close access to deeper water are good spots to try right now.
See http://pyramidlakeflyfishing.com/fishing/beaches/ for more information on these types of areas.
Fish are being caught on a variety of techniques right now including stripping Wooly Buggers and Tadpoles with a fast sinking shooting head as well as hanging flies under an indicator.
It can be a long time between grabs right now and it is hard to take that long of a look at a strike indicator.
Hopefully we get some weather into the Truckee Meadows soon and helps the fishing.
RED LAKE, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reported that he and Jerry Dow of Carson City were ice fishing last weekend. He said there was about 6-10 inches of ice on the lake and they caught quantities but not qualities of fish.
SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon fishing is closed.
SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of January 5, 2015 water flow is currently 3,250 CFS and stable.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report – Rainbow trout fishing is good. Redding area to Anderson area of the Sacramento River fishing well now. Windy this morning. Most days 15 plus fish hook ups. Working best in these water conditions are egg patterns.
Drift boats or Jet boats available. We cater to all levels of anglers.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.
SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Releases out of Keswick Reservoir are 3042 CFS. Water conditions are muddy brown. Not say’n one can’t get tight to rainbows in these conditions. More than once we’ve been pleasantly surprised. But, it’s just not right for us to dish out a good report on this river for now.
What’s the prognosis? From a water color angle, it’s going to be months before we see clear water conditions. When will the fishing improve is another story.
Keep checking back. Safe to say, we are looking at least a week before anyone decides to check the fishing out. Maybe then we’ll have a better report.
Better days ahead. Hang in there.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.
SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Conditions are still on the big side along the lower half of this river. Around 2,000 CFS. Best fishing can be found up near Dunsmuir where more favorable water conditions exist.
Our long range prediction is the fishing can be fair at best, but prepare to contend with high water. Can be dangerous during and just after rains.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Road closed.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
You’ll find bass scattered throughout the lake chasing the scattered bait, but the clarity has been a real problem due to the runoff dumping a lot of silt back into the system from what were dry creek beds still. The lake is also rising, so that adds to the scattering of fish. Watch out for a lot of debris in the system.
The low water ramp at Sugarloaf is back in but there’s no dock.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
January 5, 2014 Shasta Lake guided fishing
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta.
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta. The best bet during the Late Fall or Winter months is for large and small mouth bass.
RED HOT BASS FISHING! Loads of fun and plenty of water.
Fishing the top water and picking up a few Rainbows mostly bass now.
Shasta Lake Bass fishing has been great!
Grab your rain jacket and let’s get fishing.
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, California.
TOPAZ LAKE:
An Opening Day (January 01) report of cold, early morning ice fog, many shore fishermen and overall poor fishing success.
TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The springers are now showing up in the upper river from Big Bar all the way to Lewiston. The salmon weighing from 8 to 15 pounds can be caught using a tuna/roe combination. Kastmasters and Blue Fox spinners are also working.
The key to catching the piscatorial delights is to fish very early in the morning.
I mean early or late in the evening.
Courtesy of myoutdoorbuddy.com.
TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
January 5, 2015 Fishing report
Currently, Trinity River flows are as follows: Currently 300 CFS.
We are fishing the Trinity River for Winter Steelhead fishing and fishing has been awesome! Steelhead have been ranging from 4 to 10 pounds, number of hook ups are up to 10 a days, varying. Getting into some nice steelhead now.
Fly or Spin fishing are both productive.
We are fishing from Lewiston Bridge to JC Campgrounds. We have gotten a lot of the needed rain and this has been great for the steelhead fishing, as it has brought up many new fish.
Call Kirk or Justin at 1800-670-4448 for more details.
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, CA fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.
TRUCKEE RIVER, NEV AND CALIF:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
January 06
The Truckee River continues to be in pretty good shape.
It is still really low in the upper stretches but from Boca Bridge on the California side down through Reno the flows are great.
Most of the water is coming through the Little Truckee system right now and that could change anytime. As the winter goes on and if we continue to struggle for water these conditions could change fast.
The weather over the next week to ten days should be perfect for winter time fly fishing on the Truckee.
The lower river East of Reno could even start to see a Baetis hatch in the middle of the day.
Nymphing with smaller flies like a Baetis Nymph is a good way to go right now. Smaller Winter Stones are a good dropper. Smaller streamers can also attract fish in the afternoons when the water is at its warmest.
No need to get out too early, the middle of the day is the time to be on the water.
Keep an eye on the flows over the next few weeks.
Flows are: Town of Truckee 19 CFS, Boca Bridge 235 CFS, Farad 258 CFS, Reno 198 CFS and Vista 257 CFS.
TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
January 06
Flows are 148 CFS. These are outstanding flows for January.
Fish are pretty spread out and willing to take a fly.
There are no travel issues and the roads are clear right now.
If you can plan a cloudy non windy day on the L.T. you might run into some dry fly fishing.
Midges and Baetis are in the system and are usually prevalent in the winter.
Nymphing with lighter tippet like 5X and 6X are a good way to start.
The water is cold and fish are usually in slower deeper water this time of year.
You may find some fish in some of the riffles during any kind of a hatch.
At 150 CFS fish will spend more time in side channels and near the bank away from faster currents as well.
TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) report:
Have a great winter, and let’s pray for a lot of snow for water to refill all the reservoirs, lakes and streams with plenty for the ski resorts.
May you all have a Happy, Healthy 2015, see you on the water in late April!
Carolyn
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:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
January 06
Flows are 20 CFS. Even though we have seen some warmer weather around Reno, it is still quite cold near Bridgeport.
At 20 CFS the East Walker does not create enough current to keep the ice from forming around the edges, banks and slower water. This makes getting around the river and getting a good drift pretty tough.
The afternoons are the time to be on the water when it is warmer.
The river is fishable but be aware of winter time conditions.
Nymphing with small flies in 18-22 has been the best lately.
Midges, San Juan Worms and Baetis Nymphs tend to be the best.
Take your time and approach the water with some stealth.
Wear neutral clothing as well.
Look for these low flows to continue for the remainder of the winter.
WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 21 CFS. Low and slow. Try the Lower Owens.
WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River 1/5/15
Poor conditions. Flows currently at 22 CFS. Limited fishable water.
Diploid browns will be planted here again-great news!
This fishery is open year around with special regs in place.
WALKER RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com.
