By Don Quilici

Here is this week’s fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams for Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra and portions of Southern Oregon. This report is for March 7-14.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road to Angel Lake is now closed for the winter.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Bishop area is closed.
 
BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
The road to Blue Lakes is now closed for the winter.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
The fishing season for Bridgeport Reservoir is closed.

CARSON RIVER, CALIF:
East Carson River:
The fishing season for the East Carson River is closed upstream from Hangman’s Bridge.
West Carson River:
The fishing season for the West Carson River is closed.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Fishing pressure has dropped off considerably, but drift boaters are still reporting good catches of Steelhead, even with low flows.
This time of year anglers can expect a mix of spawned out and fresh fish.
Anglers should always check the flows before heading out and try to fish when river levels are dropping.
ODFW is conducting a steelhead angler creel on the Chetco this year.
At times, these projects may interfere with an anglers fishing. 
Please be courteous to all ODFW personnel and volunteers.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Convict Lake is closed.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Crowley Lake is closed.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Eagle Lake is closed.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are finding fast action for rainbow trout in the 12- to 14-inch range, and the tiger trout bite has improved significantly over past weeks.
The fish are hitting on Power Bait (orange or green), a white jig with a pink head, or a combination of night crawlers with a little bit of marshmallow. The ice is reported to be six inches thick, but anglers are encouraged to double check conditions before going on the ice.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The reservoir is completely free of ice and fishermen are catching fish from the dam. Their catch has included bass, crappie, and trout. The bass are averaging in the two- to three-pound range. A combination of night crawlers and marshmallow is a good bet for catching trout.

ELK GROVE PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Fall River is closed.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Feather River is closed.

FREMONT LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Fremont Lake is closed.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
Fishing has been good at Frenchman’s this past week
Ryan Eichenberger, Blake Anderson, Brett Gorra, and Jeremy Gray, all of Reno, NV, caught eight rainbow trout using nightcrawlers and marshmallows. They were ice fishing just left of the dam (Ship’s Cove).
Dana, Korrie and Josh of Reno, NV were shore fishing at Big Cove. They were using pink Power Bait and nightcrawlers. They caught six rainbow trout weighing 1 to 2 pounds, 14 to 16 inches long.
It is plowed up to the dam, but there is snow on the roads around the lake, so BE CAREFUL! Watch out for ice patches as well.

GIBSON RANCH COUNTY PARK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

GRANITE PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
The fishing season for Hat Creek is closed.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Heenan Lake is closed.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for Hobart Reservoir is closed.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Hoover Wilderness Area is closed.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 12 CFS. Fishing is good but the creek has been very crowded. The BWO hatch is picking up and the fish like it. 
Barrs Emerger and Midge pupa sub-surface  and CDC Baetis or Para Adams on the surface. 
Please do not wade here.


HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
We will be on Hot Creek in March a bunch as I believe it is perhaps the best month to fish adult mayflies here.
Flows are low and the weed beds are making extended drifts difficult in some sections currently.This can change quickly as the run-off from Mammoth Creek will swell and increase when it warms up some at elevation. There will be some ice and snow down in the canyon for a while after these last storms but the sun gets higher day by day in March and it will not last long. Midges in the morning, Mayflies afternoon. SJ Worms also fool some fish if there is nothing emerging.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water conditions:
Great. Flows constant at 21-22 CFS as of 3/1.
The road to the canyon section is clear and the gate has again been unlocked so you can drive right up to the parking lots.
No snow on the road to the interpretive section either.
Fishing conditions:
Good to Excellent.
Saturday Update: I fished the creek earlier today, using mostly small midges and mayfly nymphs and did very well! There were occasional rising fish as well, but few and far between.
For best results, stay sub-surface and keep your drifts very short.
Weather was spectacular, shorts weather for Sunday!
Looks like some great weather on the horizon. Probably back to the same ol same ol, with Midges early and Mayflies in the afternoons.
Once the water temp comes up about two degrees the food bell rings and it is downright good for 3-4 hours daily.

HOWE PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

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

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
The fishing season for the June Lake Loop is closed.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Kirman Lake is closed.

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:  
Anglers are catching stocked rainbows, along with a few larger fish, in the Casino Row area. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait and hardware are catching fish.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Mammoth Lakes Basin is closed.

MARKLEEVILLE CREEK CALIF:
The fishing season for Markleeville Creek is closed.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
The fishing season for Marlette Lake is closed.

MATHER LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Unsettled weather has kept many anglers away in recent days and made fishing difficult for those who have ventured out.
Anglers have found slow fishing for striped bass in much of the lower basin, though some are connecting on small fish near Vegas Wash.  
Striper action is slow to fair at Temple Bar and other areas of the upper lake. Reports are that the fish are staying in deep water.
Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass also remains slow. There are reports that catfish action is starting to pick up for anglers using cut baits.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Double-digit stripers continue to bend rods at Willow Beach. There are reports of fish tipping the scales at anywhere from 12 to nearly 30 pounds. Trout imitations are catching the fish.
Trout fishing has been good from the fishing pier following the weekly trout plants. Worms and Power Bait are catching the fish.
Striper action remains spotty out of Cottonwood Cove, though some anglers are catching fish as large as eight pounds while fishing with cut anchovies. Catfish are beginning to show as well.
Action has been slow for smallmouth and largemouth bass, but anglers are finding some success by working soft plastics slowly over grass beds or other structure.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The ocean swells have been big lately making very difficult for fishing. 
When the swells are smaller (less than 6 feet) anglers have been catching surfperch from the beaches near Coos Bay and Bandon. Sand shrimp or sand worms are a very good bait to use when fishing for surfperch. 
Fishing for bottom fish is open at all depths.
Rough ocean conditions are keeping anglers from fishing in the ocean.
Fishing for lingcod has been excellent when anglers are able to get out on the ocean.
Anglers may not retain cabezon between Jan. 1 and March 31.
Fishing from shore near the rock outcroppings can be very good this time of the year for catching rockfish.
Be careful of slippery footing and sneaker waves.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Lower Owens River:
She’s running at 125CFS below the dam at PV currently. The gages are “kaput” on the LADWP real-time website, no word on the repair date. These flow rates will be on the rise very soon, Crowley is full.
I am seeing Caddis flies, Midges, Mayflies (BWO’s with some huge drakes), and Golden sSoneflies emerging this week.
It has been pretty windy and that has slowed down the great dry fly action a few days but the streamer fishing remains good overall with some larger rainbows showing up consistently.
At 125CFS wading is very easy in the sections nearest the dam located by Pleasant Valley Reservoir.
Nymphing with Pheasant Tails, Bird’s Nest (Assassin’s) and Midge’s # 14-20 will work well. High riding adult Mayfly patterns are best for the afternoon hatch # 16-18. # 8-14 streamer patterns used with a sinking tip line are my choice in the drift boat areas until we see some noses start to pop around noon. Loeberg’s, punk perch, and the deadly Spruce-A-Bu are all working now.
The Sierra Drifters Guide team would like to thank the San Diego Fly Fishing (SDFF) club for their support once again this year. We had a great time drifting and wade’N the Owens Rivers with you all on your annual winter trek to the Sierra.
Upper Owens River:
It be slowing down here for sure folks.
Some of the larger hens we are catching have dropped their load and although they still look beautiful, they have lost that rotund look that spawning hens have.
The big numbers of smaller browns and rainbows that held over while Crowley had ice on it are returning to the lake as well so don’t expect a huge numbers day here although there are still decent numbers of Kamloops and Eagle Lake rainbows & Cutts beginning to migrate up from Crowley for the spring run.
Patience in the deeper pools & runs will get you some nice fish while Nymphing with SJ Worms, roe patterns, Birds Nest and Pheasant Tails # 14-18. Streamers will also work this time of year used with a light sinking tip line. You can cover more water this way and hit some areas that would be difficult to fish while Nymphing.
Sections like tail outs off an oxbow are shallow however will hold big fish near the undercuts. Tough to Nymph here without spooking the trout, perfect to swing a streamer or soft hackle in front of them.
The access was getting good until this last series of storms, so be careful when driving off the main dirt roads down to the walk thru’s along the river. Mucho muddy after it thaws!
Owens River Gorge:
The late winter and early spring periods here are prime time.
The flows will remain constant here even when they increase in other areas.
This section is open year around and not subject to runoff or seasonal fluctuations. Moderate hiking and rock hopping are mandatory, wild browns kinda on the small side- but as pretty as you will see anywhere.
The BWO hatch is the “thang” right now and these fish are eager to take dries. You need to approach from a downstream position casting upstream in order not to spook these wild browns.
Keep your patterns in the # 14-18 range; a 3-4 wt rod is perfect.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current water flow is 101CFS. Fishing is closed below the Benton Crossing Bridge. The river upstream is open to fishing all year.
Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Fishing is fair. The water is murky and the current temp is 46.
Try standard Nymph patterns like Pheasant Tails or Hares Ears. 
Not much on the surface. Cover lots of water. 
Some reports of larger lake fish in the river.

Lower Owens River:
We estimate the flow to be around 175 or so.
Fishing is good. A brief Baetis hatch around noon brought fish to the surface. Extended body BWO and BWO emergers. Prior to that Midge pupa in gray or black and FB Pheasant Tails under the surface.
This time of year the hold over stocked fish in the lower sections feel the spawning urge and begin to migrate toward the dam.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) ( HYPERLINK “http://www.thetroutfitter.com” www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:

Upper Owens:
Water conditions: Excellent. As of 3/1 the flows are constant at 98 CFS.
Road is open all the way up. 4X4 a must now and expect to get a wash job when you get back to town.
Fishing conditions:
Good to Excellent.
With the recent gale force winds, not too many of us have been out there. Should be pretty darn good by this weekend though.
Almost t-shirt weather (mid 60s) by Sunday!
Getting some reports of better results with streamers than nymphs. Best bet would be to fish a size 16-18 attractor Nymph, with a much smaller 20-22 Midge or Western Coachmen below.
Mostly Nymphing but a 45 min hatch midday is typical. Maybe longer now with the expected warmer weather.

Owens River Gorge:
Water conditions:
Great. Flow: 45 CFS.
This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP
Fishing conditions:
Excellent and nice and warm on cool sunny days this time of year.
Beautiful these days and lots of hungry fish to greet you!
Lower Owens:
Water conditions:
Excellent. Notice how the flow report hasn’t changed by even a tenth of a CFS in two weeks. ‘Found out the gauge is stuck.
Actual flow is really about 125-150 CFS as of 3/1.
The latest first-hand info from LADWP is that the flows will be gradually increased until they reach 400 CFS then hold there indefinitely.
Warmer and longer days have brought water temps up.
Wading and drifting are still good now so strike while the iron is hot.
Fishing conditions:
Wide Open, Hatch-o-rama, especially this weekend.
Leave the jackets at home and work on your tan.
Going to be warm Saturday-Monday.
Pat’s formula is still the hot ticket . . .
Midge clusters showing up as early as 9 am, so start with small Midge patterns sub-surface or go with Griffth’s Gnat up top.
About 10-11am the Mayflies start to come off big time.
To get your “one of the many” noticed try a surface emerger in the film off a big BWO as the indictor. If they take the “indicator” skip the dropper and enjoy life for a couple of hours.
Late in the day, like 3-4 pm, go back to Midges.

PINE VALLEY COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Pine Valley Complex is closed.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
It has been disappointing the last two weeks in the transition area due to very high lake levels that have this sweet section flooded into the trees. The gage for the lake level is not correct here, it is currently 4387’ plus most days.
The small river section below the powerhouse has been great using dry dropper Bead Head or Emerger patterns & BWO or Para Midge adults, but it is not large enough to spend an entire day on, especially if there are other anglers on this section.
Tubing has been fair near the inlet and around the launch ramp, but it got pounded over President’s Day weekend so a truck load or two of DFG fish will need to get dumped to get numbers back up again.
Full sinking lines and streamers fished along the drop-offs on the west side are best. Still water Nymphing here will also produce-stay down 10-13 feet and rig like you would for Crowley using Midge and Mayfly imitations.

POORE AND SECRET LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Poore and Secret Lakes is closed.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775-476-0555) (www.fishpyramid.com) reports:
We had three inches of snow this morning (Tuesday), it is melting, it is very windy and the roads are dry.
Fishing has been slow to fair with not too many fishermen, however yesterday there were quite a few shore fishermen.
We haven’t weighed a big fish here at the store since Feb. 09.
I fished Saturday and Sunday (Cutthroat Charters), we caught 7 fish on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. A lot of boats did not get a strike.
The water temperature is 42 degrees which is cold for this time of the year.

ROOSEVELT AND LANE LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Roosevelt and Lane Lakes is closed.

SAN JOAQUIN/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Road closed.

SILVER CREEK, CALIF:
The fishing season for Silver Creek is closed.

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Steelhead have arrived in the Smith River.
Although most of the angling opportunity will be catch and release, a few hatchery fish have been reported.
Only an adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested.
Striped bass have been caught recently in the basin.

SOUTHSIDE PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

LAKE TABEAUD, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) (www.blueribbonfishing.com) reports:
The Mackinaw fishing continues to be very good.
The Macks are running about 2-8 pounds with an occasional one in the double digit weight size.
I’ve been trolling 250-280 feet deep with Dodgers and minnows at the Tahoe City Shelf on the west side of the lake.
Don and Elaine Quilici of Carson City were scheduled to fish with me on Monday but had to cancel as they both have bad colds.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Twin Lakes is closed.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Virginia Lakes is closed.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lake since 2009. Mineral County Road Dept. has done some work on the State Parks Launch. Launching is improved but you still need four wheel drive.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker – West Walker – Sceirine Ranch – Hunewill Pond:
East Walker River:
The flows on the East are at 65 CFS right now, what a great flow and a great time of year to be down there. Since the flow is up a bit we’ve had some good reports on streamers as well as Nymphing.
The last couple days there were some pretty good Midge and Baetis hatches but they didn’t last very long, there have some fish being caught on dries but mostly on Nymphs and streamers.
Our guides are all back in the area and ready to help you out on the river if anyone is interested in a guided day of fishing the EW.
Some patterns that have been doing well lately are Sculpzilla, Zuddler, WD-40, Zebra Midge, Flashback Emerger, Micro Stones, San Juan Worm, Para Adams, BWO, Neversink Gnat.
West Walker River: Closed.
Sceirine Ranch:
We haven’t had any clients on the Sceirine lately but it should be fishing excellent as well. If you want solitude this could be a great opportunity!
Hunewill Pond: Closed.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River:
This will be an interesting season on the EW.
Bridgeport is super full & Jeffery at the lakes “finest kind” of marina is keeping a life jacket handy if it gets any higher!
The flows as of this report are at a trickle (19cfs) this is very low, even for winter releases. I prefer not to fish it at this level. The irrigation people are holding water back until the last minute due to the poor snowpack. You can expect flows to go up soon and condition’s to improve after the fish adjust to the new levels.
Typically early March is when water demand begins to increase.
Flows have been at 25CFS most of the winter and during the warmer days the BWO hatch was very strong with active fish. The warmer winter has kept the fish feeding and overall reports here have been pretty good. Nymphing the deeper pools near the dam section or Miracle Mile have been productive. Midges and Mayfly imitations with or without an Under-cator, and BWO adults after lunch.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
East Walker River:
Water conditions:
Good. Flows are now up to 64 as of 3/1. Access with 4X4.
Fishing conditions:
With the rising flows over the past few days, the fish might need a little time to settle in. Still fishing with small Midges under the indicator. Might need a little more weight now too!
I’d probably expect some company this weekend on the river as this is the highest the flows have been in months and it’s definitely going to attract some crowds. Still try to be stealthy when approaching the water, it’s low, but not as low as it’s been.
 
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River:
Flows up to 65 CFS. The river is fishing pretty well.
Nymph fishing is good with Midge emerger patterns. On the surface most small dry flies (20-22) will work as the fish are actively feeding on midges. Some sparse Baetis activity 


WILLOW HILL RESERVOIR, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

WILLIAM LAND PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

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