07-08-2004, 02:40 AM
Fishing report -- July 7
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
7/6/2004 11:02 pm
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to rapidly changing weather conditions in the Sierra and Northern Nevada, anglers are urged to call ahead to the sources listed at the end of each area description for reports on the latest road and water conditions.
FRENCHMAN LAKE: Fishing was good over the weekend, especially at Big Cove. Turkey point was also very good. Bank fish with Powerbait, worms and lures. Troll deep with nightcrawlers, Nedlefish and Rapalas. There’s a great midge hatch late in the evening. Try an emerger pattern such as a Bryeans Martis midge or a red headed stepchild. Fish are boiling all over the lake. Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683. [url "http://www.calvadaflyfishing.com/"][#0000ff]www.calvadaflyfishing.com[/#0000ff][/url].
LAKE DAVIS: Rainbow trout fishing was good last week. It’s been a while since we could say fishing is good however the shore fishing bite turned on last week and anglers caught good numbers of fish. Trolling, fly-fishing and shore fishing are all rated as good. The water surface temperature was 71 degrees over the weekend.
Shore: Rated good. The two hot spots have been the south tip of Honker Cove and Mallard Cove. Inflated nightcrawlers are doing the trick. Use a light line and make a long cast.
Trolling: Rated as good. Trolling has been consistently good for the last month. Most days the fish can be found 15-20 feet deep. The favorite area to troll is the channel outside the Honker cove boat ramp, which goes as far north as Lightning Tree Point. A variety of lures and baits are working, flashers and worms, Needlefish, Dick nites, Triple Teazers and Rapala’s. Over the weekend Dillard's Guided Fishing reported boating 17 fish on both Saturday and Sunday. He found the fish 15-feet deep and was trolling the channel from Lightning Tree to the Big Island. The best bite was from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On July 1, Sierraville’s John Fint landed nine fish to 20 inches trolling at the 20-foot level.
Fly-fishing: Rated good but spotty. The Damsel hatch continues strong (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Best areas are the west shore from Eagle Point north to Freeman Creek. Experienced anglers are landing 3 to 5 fish per rod. After the hatch, fish can be caught by moving out into deeper water off the points and fishing blood midges about a foot off the bottom.
Dollard’s Sierra Market (530) 832-5251. [url "http://www.dollardsmarket.com/"][#0000ff]www.dollardsmarket.com[/#0000ff][/url]. Email — [url "mailto:dollards@psln.com"][#0000ff]dollards@psln.com[/#0000ff][/url].
TRUCKEE RIVER: The river is alive with several hatches. Tibalias mayflies (pink cahill), along with little yellow stones are hatching in the evening with several different caddis hatching late just before dark. Stay late for the best evening grab. Lots of browns are being caught, one last week measured 20 inches and was taken on a dry fly. Most fish are small but there are a few large fish available. [url "http://www.calvadaflyfishing.com/"][#0000ff]www.calvadaflyfishing.com[/#0000ff][/url]. The Gilly, 358-6113.
LITTLE TRUCKEE: Flows are down to 100 c.f.s. Still good water flows for this time of year. The pmd’s have been hatching sporadically mid-day, but otherwise nymphing with small HBIs has been good. Warm weather has slowed the mid-day fishing. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: Summer conditions now with warmer surface temperatures. Fish early in the morning or late in the day after the sun goes down. Tubers doing well with wooly buggers in rust and olive. Small Mepp’s spinners and small Kastmasters also doing pretty well. Also, inflated worms and Powerbait. Algae will start forming now. Woodfords Station, (530) 694-2930.
CARSON RIVER: Flows are at 225 c.f.s. on the East Fork. Should be perfect. Look for a pale evening dun or a caddis hatch in the evenings. Nymphing the runs and bigger pools during the day should also be good.
On the West Fork, conditions are ideal, low, clear water. Some big fish taken with nightcrawlers. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. Woodfords Station, (530) 694-2930.
CAPLES LAKE: Fishing was good over the weekend with limits of rainbows and brookies at the auxiliary dam and on the south side. Powerbait and inflated worms. Trolling 1/4-ounce Panther Martins and silver-blue Kastmasters also doing well. Woodfords Station, (530) 694-2930.
SPARKS MARINA: Anglers using bait are doing well. The freeway side is best. Try rainbow Powerbait early in the morning or late evenings or on overcast days. The Gilly, 358-6113.
SQUAW CREEK RESERVOIR: Fishing still good here. Powerbait and nightcrawlers off the bottom and a variety of Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and Rapalas. Float tubers using intermediate floating lines with wooly buggers and nymph patterns. Almost everything is working. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
SACRAMENTO RIVER: Redding to Anderson area. Flows at 15,000 c.f.s. Fishing for rainbow trout is great. 15-30 fish days. Great bug hatch in the afternoon. Best late afternoon until sunset. Lures working well include pheasant tails No. 16, micro May fly No. 16 and fox pupa’s.
King salmon fishing opens July 16. Salmon counts for 2004 as of May 7 to date, 1,5450 salmon passed over the Red Bluff Diversion Dam, last year-to-date, 1,233 salmon. Nate Theissen from Reno, his father and Bill Jones from Canada caught limits fishing with guide Kirk Portocarrero on Monday.
Guide services and information: Hank Mautz Professional Guide Service, (800) 355-3113. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"][#0000ff]www.sacriverguide.com[/#0000ff][/url].
FEATHER RIVER: Flows at 6,900 c.f.s. Catching nice chrome king salmon, bright fish, 12-25 pounds. Back-trolling Flatfish lures, green and gold, T-50’s. Fishing between Oroville, Calif. and Gridley, Calif. The limit is one salmon per person now, on July 16 the limit per person will increase to three salmon. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"][#0000ff]www.sacriverguide.com[/#0000ff][/url].
WILDHORSE: Fishing was good for catfish, trout and perch. Work your way through the smaller perch by using jigs and tubes (pearl). Trolling is good. Try Rooster Tails in flourescent, orange, red or chartreuse. Wildhorse Resort, 758-6471 or email: [url "mailto:dunns@direcway.com"][#0000ff]dunns@direcway.com[/#0000ff][/url].
EAGLE LAKE: Fishing very well in the deeper, cooler water. The best areas are the south side near Eagle’s Nest and the Circus Camp. The Spaulding Tract near the airport has also been productive, with the early morning grab being best. Dragon fly nymphs, large dark brown leeches and minnow patterns have been the flies of choice. Most fish have been in the 2-3-pound range with a few as big as 5 pounds. [url "http://www.calvadaflyfishing.com/"][#0000ff]www.calvadaflyfishing.com[/#0000ff][/url].
CROWLEY LAKE: Pea soup. Some open water near the inlets. Try red/black midge pupa close to the bottom in about 7-feet of water. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"][#0000ff]www.performanceguideservice.com[/#0000ff][/url].
UPPER OWENS RIVER: Still on the slow side. The water is pretty weedy. Nymphs, San Juan worms and crystal buggers. Cover a lot of water as the fish are spread out. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"][#0000ff]www.performanceguideservice.com[/#0000ff][/url]
HOT CREEK: Water flow is at 32 c.f.s. and a little off color. Small nymphs (sizes 18-22) such as hares ears and flash back pheasant tails are productive through out the day. Little yellow stones beginning to show up around mid-day and the fish have been grabbing yellow sallies and yellow stimulators on the surface. Some afternoon caddis activity. Very crowded. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"][#0000ff]www.performanceguideservice.com[/#0000ff][/url].
EAST WALKER RIVER: Water flow is 230 c.f.s. This is perfect streamer water. Stanley streamers, sculpin patterns and bunny leeches have been good. Fish with either a floating line or a sink tip in the mornings and late evenings. Mid-day has been slow due to high temperatures. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
UPPER TWIN LAKES: Water temperature is holding at 56 degrees. Thomas Buoyants in red and gold are workinmg well as is Zeke’s Sierra Gold yellow. Mono Village Resort (760) 932-7071.
LOWER TWIN LAKES: A lot of fish being caught. Since June 28, there have been more than 20 fish 3 pounds or bigger landed. Powerbait, nightcrawlers, spin-a-lures and Rapalas are working the best. Robinson Creek is also doing well. Twin Lakes Resort (760) 932-7751.
SOUTH LAKE: The fishing has been awesome for the last month and continues to be great. Most baits and lures are working with nightcrawlers being the top from shore and Powerbait working well by the dam. Trolling on the rockslide with monofilament and a red-headed green Matuka has been fabulous. Behind the island has been incredible with silver-blue Trout Traps or with a perch Thomas Buoyant. Anglers are reporting 30 fish days constantly, some nice sized fish, but most in the 1/2-pound range. Even a few Brookies showing up. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
BISHOP CREEK: The water level got a little lower last week because of the cooler afternoons in the backcountry. This has not affected the fishing. It remains good to very good. Nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are best with Roostertails and gold Kastmasters also doing very well. Be sure to bring insect repellent, which tells you the fly to use. Green-bodied mosquitoes and black ants have been doing very well. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
NORTH LAKE AND INTAKE II: Continues to do very well. Rainbow Powerbait or nightcrawlers are bringing in nice limits. With a nightcrawler just inflate and put on the bottom or cast out with a bobber and slowly retrieve. Roostertails doing well along with gold Kastmasters. Intake II just keeps pumping out fish. Powerbait and salmon eggs doing very well. Yellow or Root beer Stingers are fantastic. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
LAKE SABRINA: Fishing is still terrific for most anglers even with the afternoon thunderstorms. Plenty of stringers of pan-size fish were seen leaving the waters of Lake Sabrina over the Fourth of July weekend. Working the inlets with worms or eggs is your best bet. All colors of Powerbait are also landing quite a few fish. Trolling red or gold lures or flies such as wooly buggers or matuka’s are succeeding near the shore lines. Mosquitoes with a bobber are enticing quite a few fish early in the morning or at dusk.
The lake is stocked on a regular basis by the Department of Fish and Game. Once again, the DFG stocked on July 1 with pan-size rainbows along with 25 trophy-size trout. Four weeks now and we know of no trophy fish coming out of the lake. If you catch one, please let us know. We are waiting now on the DFG for a stocking permit to be able to stock from a private hatchery – Alper’s Ranch.
The water is still a bit murky from the lake turning (the cold water on the top went to the bottom and the warm water came to the top) and there’s still a bit of pine pollen on the lake, but it’s clearing up. Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, (760) 873-7425.
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RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
7/6/2004 11:02 pm
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to rapidly changing weather conditions in the Sierra and Northern Nevada, anglers are urged to call ahead to the sources listed at the end of each area description for reports on the latest road and water conditions.
FRENCHMAN LAKE: Fishing was good over the weekend, especially at Big Cove. Turkey point was also very good. Bank fish with Powerbait, worms and lures. Troll deep with nightcrawlers, Nedlefish and Rapalas. There’s a great midge hatch late in the evening. Try an emerger pattern such as a Bryeans Martis midge or a red headed stepchild. Fish are boiling all over the lake. Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683. [url "http://www.calvadaflyfishing.com/"][#0000ff]www.calvadaflyfishing.com[/#0000ff][/url].
LAKE DAVIS: Rainbow trout fishing was good last week. It’s been a while since we could say fishing is good however the shore fishing bite turned on last week and anglers caught good numbers of fish. Trolling, fly-fishing and shore fishing are all rated as good. The water surface temperature was 71 degrees over the weekend.
Shore: Rated good. The two hot spots have been the south tip of Honker Cove and Mallard Cove. Inflated nightcrawlers are doing the trick. Use a light line and make a long cast.
Trolling: Rated as good. Trolling has been consistently good for the last month. Most days the fish can be found 15-20 feet deep. The favorite area to troll is the channel outside the Honker cove boat ramp, which goes as far north as Lightning Tree Point. A variety of lures and baits are working, flashers and worms, Needlefish, Dick nites, Triple Teazers and Rapala’s. Over the weekend Dillard's Guided Fishing reported boating 17 fish on both Saturday and Sunday. He found the fish 15-feet deep and was trolling the channel from Lightning Tree to the Big Island. The best bite was from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On July 1, Sierraville’s John Fint landed nine fish to 20 inches trolling at the 20-foot level.
Fly-fishing: Rated good but spotty. The Damsel hatch continues strong (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Best areas are the west shore from Eagle Point north to Freeman Creek. Experienced anglers are landing 3 to 5 fish per rod. After the hatch, fish can be caught by moving out into deeper water off the points and fishing blood midges about a foot off the bottom.
Dollard’s Sierra Market (530) 832-5251. [url "http://www.dollardsmarket.com/"][#0000ff]www.dollardsmarket.com[/#0000ff][/url]. Email — [url "mailto:dollards@psln.com"][#0000ff]dollards@psln.com[/#0000ff][/url].
TRUCKEE RIVER: The river is alive with several hatches. Tibalias mayflies (pink cahill), along with little yellow stones are hatching in the evening with several different caddis hatching late just before dark. Stay late for the best evening grab. Lots of browns are being caught, one last week measured 20 inches and was taken on a dry fly. Most fish are small but there are a few large fish available. [url "http://www.calvadaflyfishing.com/"][#0000ff]www.calvadaflyfishing.com[/#0000ff][/url]. The Gilly, 358-6113.
LITTLE TRUCKEE: Flows are down to 100 c.f.s. Still good water flows for this time of year. The pmd’s have been hatching sporadically mid-day, but otherwise nymphing with small HBIs has been good. Warm weather has slowed the mid-day fishing. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: Summer conditions now with warmer surface temperatures. Fish early in the morning or late in the day after the sun goes down. Tubers doing well with wooly buggers in rust and olive. Small Mepp’s spinners and small Kastmasters also doing pretty well. Also, inflated worms and Powerbait. Algae will start forming now. Woodfords Station, (530) 694-2930.
CARSON RIVER: Flows are at 225 c.f.s. on the East Fork. Should be perfect. Look for a pale evening dun or a caddis hatch in the evenings. Nymphing the runs and bigger pools during the day should also be good.
On the West Fork, conditions are ideal, low, clear water. Some big fish taken with nightcrawlers. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. Woodfords Station, (530) 694-2930.
CAPLES LAKE: Fishing was good over the weekend with limits of rainbows and brookies at the auxiliary dam and on the south side. Powerbait and inflated worms. Trolling 1/4-ounce Panther Martins and silver-blue Kastmasters also doing well. Woodfords Station, (530) 694-2930.
SPARKS MARINA: Anglers using bait are doing well. The freeway side is best. Try rainbow Powerbait early in the morning or late evenings or on overcast days. The Gilly, 358-6113.
SQUAW CREEK RESERVOIR: Fishing still good here. Powerbait and nightcrawlers off the bottom and a variety of Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and Rapalas. Float tubers using intermediate floating lines with wooly buggers and nymph patterns. Almost everything is working. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
SACRAMENTO RIVER: Redding to Anderson area. Flows at 15,000 c.f.s. Fishing for rainbow trout is great. 15-30 fish days. Great bug hatch in the afternoon. Best late afternoon until sunset. Lures working well include pheasant tails No. 16, micro May fly No. 16 and fox pupa’s.
King salmon fishing opens July 16. Salmon counts for 2004 as of May 7 to date, 1,5450 salmon passed over the Red Bluff Diversion Dam, last year-to-date, 1,233 salmon. Nate Theissen from Reno, his father and Bill Jones from Canada caught limits fishing with guide Kirk Portocarrero on Monday.
Guide services and information: Hank Mautz Professional Guide Service, (800) 355-3113. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"][#0000ff]www.sacriverguide.com[/#0000ff][/url].
FEATHER RIVER: Flows at 6,900 c.f.s. Catching nice chrome king salmon, bright fish, 12-25 pounds. Back-trolling Flatfish lures, green and gold, T-50’s. Fishing between Oroville, Calif. and Gridley, Calif. The limit is one salmon per person now, on July 16 the limit per person will increase to three salmon. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"][#0000ff]www.sacriverguide.com[/#0000ff][/url].
WILDHORSE: Fishing was good for catfish, trout and perch. Work your way through the smaller perch by using jigs and tubes (pearl). Trolling is good. Try Rooster Tails in flourescent, orange, red or chartreuse. Wildhorse Resort, 758-6471 or email: [url "mailto:dunns@direcway.com"][#0000ff]dunns@direcway.com[/#0000ff][/url].
EAGLE LAKE: Fishing very well in the deeper, cooler water. The best areas are the south side near Eagle’s Nest and the Circus Camp. The Spaulding Tract near the airport has also been productive, with the early morning grab being best. Dragon fly nymphs, large dark brown leeches and minnow patterns have been the flies of choice. Most fish have been in the 2-3-pound range with a few as big as 5 pounds. [url "http://www.calvadaflyfishing.com/"][#0000ff]www.calvadaflyfishing.com[/#0000ff][/url].
CROWLEY LAKE: Pea soup. Some open water near the inlets. Try red/black midge pupa close to the bottom in about 7-feet of water. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"][#0000ff]www.performanceguideservice.com[/#0000ff][/url].
UPPER OWENS RIVER: Still on the slow side. The water is pretty weedy. Nymphs, San Juan worms and crystal buggers. Cover a lot of water as the fish are spread out. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"][#0000ff]www.performanceguideservice.com[/#0000ff][/url]
HOT CREEK: Water flow is at 32 c.f.s. and a little off color. Small nymphs (sizes 18-22) such as hares ears and flash back pheasant tails are productive through out the day. Little yellow stones beginning to show up around mid-day and the fish have been grabbing yellow sallies and yellow stimulators on the surface. Some afternoon caddis activity. Very crowded. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"][#0000ff]www.performanceguideservice.com[/#0000ff][/url].
EAST WALKER RIVER: Water flow is 230 c.f.s. This is perfect streamer water. Stanley streamers, sculpin patterns and bunny leeches have been good. Fish with either a floating line or a sink tip in the mornings and late evenings. Mid-day has been slow due to high temperatures. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
UPPER TWIN LAKES: Water temperature is holding at 56 degrees. Thomas Buoyants in red and gold are workinmg well as is Zeke’s Sierra Gold yellow. Mono Village Resort (760) 932-7071.
LOWER TWIN LAKES: A lot of fish being caught. Since June 28, there have been more than 20 fish 3 pounds or bigger landed. Powerbait, nightcrawlers, spin-a-lures and Rapalas are working the best. Robinson Creek is also doing well. Twin Lakes Resort (760) 932-7751.
SOUTH LAKE: The fishing has been awesome for the last month and continues to be great. Most baits and lures are working with nightcrawlers being the top from shore and Powerbait working well by the dam. Trolling on the rockslide with monofilament and a red-headed green Matuka has been fabulous. Behind the island has been incredible with silver-blue Trout Traps or with a perch Thomas Buoyant. Anglers are reporting 30 fish days constantly, some nice sized fish, but most in the 1/2-pound range. Even a few Brookies showing up. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
BISHOP CREEK: The water level got a little lower last week because of the cooler afternoons in the backcountry. This has not affected the fishing. It remains good to very good. Nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are best with Roostertails and gold Kastmasters also doing very well. Be sure to bring insect repellent, which tells you the fly to use. Green-bodied mosquitoes and black ants have been doing very well. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
NORTH LAKE AND INTAKE II: Continues to do very well. Rainbow Powerbait or nightcrawlers are bringing in nice limits. With a nightcrawler just inflate and put on the bottom or cast out with a bobber and slowly retrieve. Roostertails doing well along with gold Kastmasters. Intake II just keeps pumping out fish. Powerbait and salmon eggs doing very well. Yellow or Root beer Stingers are fantastic. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
LAKE SABRINA: Fishing is still terrific for most anglers even with the afternoon thunderstorms. Plenty of stringers of pan-size fish were seen leaving the waters of Lake Sabrina over the Fourth of July weekend. Working the inlets with worms or eggs is your best bet. All colors of Powerbait are also landing quite a few fish. Trolling red or gold lures or flies such as wooly buggers or matuka’s are succeeding near the shore lines. Mosquitoes with a bobber are enticing quite a few fish early in the morning or at dusk.
The lake is stocked on a regular basis by the Department of Fish and Game. Once again, the DFG stocked on July 1 with pan-size rainbows along with 25 trophy-size trout. Four weeks now and we know of no trophy fish coming out of the lake. If you catch one, please let us know. We are waiting now on the DFG for a stocking permit to be able to stock from a private hatchery – Alper’s Ranch.
The water is still a bit murky from the lake turning (the cold water on the top went to the bottom and the warm water came to the top) and there’s still a bit of pine pollen on the lake, but it’s clearing up. Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, (760) 873-7425.
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