08-04-2004, 02:42 PM
Fishing report -- Aug. 4 [url "mailto:online@rgj.com"][/url]RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
8/3/2004 10:49 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 has been pretty good although warm weather and the full moon slowed the bite. A few limits here and there. Fish early or late. Use Powerbait or worms. Some luck with Dick Night lures trolled behind flashers. Also, Thomas Buoyant lures. Go 20-25 feet down. Fly guys using Bead Head nymphs fished with a type two sinking line in 4-12 feet of water. Prince nymphs, hares ears, stillwater nymphs and bird’s nests. Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.
LAKE DAVIS: The fish have moved to deeper water. Most fish are being caught in 6-15 feet of water using a type two sinking line and olive and brown crystal buggers in size 8-12. Mornings have been best. There is some sporadic blood midge activity in the evenings. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
TRUCKEE RIVER: Fishing has been good, but not great. Spin fishermen using salmon eggs and nightcrawlers are catching a few. Panther Martins in darker colors are doing well. Stick with deeper holes in deeper areas as the water temperature has risen quite a bit. Fly fishing in the evenings has been excellent. Yellow stones and caddises. Bead head flies fished with short, stout leaders are the way to go. Try crayfish patterns, dark stonefly nymphs and big tungsten prince nymphs with a smaller size 16-18 dropper. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559. The Gilly, 358-6113.
LITTLE TRUCKEE: Flows are perfect. Fish being caught on everything from small May fly nymphs to big streamers. Reports of muddler minnows fished on a floating line in deeper water doing well. Evening dry fly activity also doing well. It is really crowded now though. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
CARSON RIVER: Flows are down to 60 c.f.s. It is starting to get a little low and warm. Nymphing in the mornings and fishing hoppers in the early afternoons have been best. Being very stealthy is a must as water levels drop over the next few weeks. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
GOODRICH CREEK: The hoppers are out in force. Afternoons with a little breeze are the best time to fish. Burk’s hopper size 10 and parachute hoppers the way to go. The Hexagenia hatch is all but over due to warm weather, but the terrestrial fishing is awesome now. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
STAMPEDE: Kokanee fishing has been fair, but getting better. Fish are deep, about 60-80 feet. Using dodgers and kokanee bugs. Spinners using wedding rings and Sierra spinner rigs. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
BOCA: Fishing pretty well. Single dodgers and kokanee bugs with white corn or small Rebel crawdad lures are working well. Good for trout and kokanee both. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
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: Flows at 14,500 c.f.s. Fishing for kings is still a bit slow, catching a few salmon. Counts passing the Diversion Dam are increasing, more salmon making their way up river. Watch for fishing to improve as the weeks pass. Aug. 1 marked opening day of the Anderson area of the river.
Fishing for rainbow trout is still great. 15-30 fish days. Great bug hatch in the afternoon. Lures working well include pheasant tails No. 16, micro May fly No. 16 and fox pupa’s.
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/"]www.sacriverguide.com[/url].
FEATHER RIVER: Flows at 6,500 c.f.s. Fishing for Kings is fair. Chrome king salmon are bright fish, 12-25 pounds with an occasional 30-pounder. Back-trolling Flatfish lures, green and gold, T-50’s, starting to catch a few on roe. Fishing between Oroville, Calif., and Gridley, Calif. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"]www.sacriverguide.com[/url].
WILDHORSE: The lake will be left at a little higher level than last year. Fishing at night has been especially good. On Saturday there were five browns caught, 14-24 inches, eight channel cats, 3-11 pounds, five cutbows, 14-19 inches and 37 perch in the 8-12-inch class. Wildhorse Resort, 758-6471 or email: [url "mailto:dunns@direcway.com"]dunns@direcway.com[/url].
LAHONTAN: The carp bite should start any day now. Wipers catfish, carp and bass can be caught in shallow water feeding on small bugs this time of year. Small nymphs in sizes 12 to 16 are a god bet. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
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/"]www.calvadaflyfishing.com[/url].
CROWLEY LAKE: Fishing was a little slower last week. Hilton Bay and McGee continue to be the most popular spots. Black/red and gray/black midge pupa fished in 12-13-feet of water about a foot of the bottom has proven to be effective. Also, try stripping a damsel nymph or olive woolly bugger on a full sink line along the edge of the weeds. www.performanceguideservice.com.
UPPER OWENS RIVER: Pretty tough for the most part. Cover lots of water. Stimulators, elk hair caddis, Prince nymphs and San Juan worms. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"]www.performanceguideservice.com[/url]
LOWER OWENS: Water flow is 338 c.f.s. Fishing is very tough and daytime air temperatures are near 100 degrees. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"]www.performanceguideservice.com[/url]
HOT CREEK: Water flow is at 12 c.f.s. Small nymphs (sizes 18-22) such as hares ears and flash back pheasant tails are productive through out the day. Some Trico activity early in the day. Little yellow stones around. Mid-day fish have been grabbing yellow sallies and yellow stimulators on the surface. Some afternoon caddis activity. Also try a hopper with a nymph or emerger as a trailer. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"]www.performanceguideservice.com[/url].
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Float tubers at June Lake have been reporting some nice fish along the swim beach area. Cinnamon woolly buggers and leech patterns fished on a sink tip of full sink line fished slowly along the ledge has been the ticket. Rush Creek flows have slowed and fishing is pretty good with Royal Wulff's, Coachmen and Humpies. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"]www.performanceguideservice.com[/url].
UPPER TWIN LAKES: Tony Valdes from Gardnerville caught a 4-pound, 14-ounce rainbow using a rainbow Kastmaster. Lots of stringers coming in. Still-fishing seems to be best with nightcrawlers. Derby continues through Sunday. Norm Arnett released 50 2-5-pounders from his private ponds last week. 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 remains very good although it has slowed a little. Trolling with a nightcrawler or red-headed Matuka has been great. Some activity with Rapalas or Cultivas on the troll. Most fish seem to be pretty high. Shore fishing with Powerbait or nightcrawlers is very good by the dam or in Boiler Cove. Behind the island is fantastic for views or fishing. White Stingers or Trout Traps have been awesome. Some good reports with Roostertails and gold Kastmasters. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
BISHOP CREEK: The water level is very good with nice small pools to catch some great fish. Several large Alpers reported coming out this week using nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. Weir Pond has been very good with bait or fly-fishing. Many anglers reporting great results with Royal Coachmen and Hornbergs. Still good action with green bodied Mosquitoes. Small (T101) perch or red/gold Thomas Buoyants have been super. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
NORTH LAKE AND INTAKE II: A popular spot for anglers, especially in float tubes. Fishing has been good with Powerbait or nightcrawlers doing best. Good results reported with Stingers and with Roostertails. Thomas Buoyants also doing very well. Intake 2 was stocked pretty heavily last week and that resulted in great fishing. Kids with Powerbait or a bobber and a Stinger have been catching dinner. Nightcrawlers have been bringing out a lot of fish. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
LAKE SABRINA: Fishing was a bit sluggish last week, but many persistent anglers still brought out limits. With the water going down and the water temperature up, the fish are deeper. Lead core fishing has been successful at 4 to 5 colors with Needlefish, Thomas Buoyants or flashers and a worm.
The normal producing spot for limits -- the inlet -- slowed a bit over the past week as did catching fish using Powerbait or worms. Throwing lures is delivering the expected results rather than worms or Powerbait. But if Powerbait and worms are your bait of choice, try drift fishing in deeper water. Trolling morning and evening with wooly buggers or matukas around the shore is working pretty well.
The lake is stocked on a regular basis by the Department of Fish and Game. The DFG stocked on July 27 with pan-size rainbows.
Instead of Oct. 1 for the repair work to start on the dam, the date’s been moved to Sept. 1. As you can see, the level of the lake has dropped significantly since last week. Edison has opened the second pipe and the water level is now dropping about 12 inches a day. Two natural lakes (behind the island and past Cook’s Point) will appear with the back lake still being 200-feet deep when the front part of the lake is empty. We expect the fish to migrate toward the back, so fishing should remain steady. Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, (760) 873-7425.
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8/3/2004 10:49 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 has been pretty good although warm weather and the full moon slowed the bite. A few limits here and there. Fish early or late. Use Powerbait or worms. Some luck with Dick Night lures trolled behind flashers. Also, Thomas Buoyant lures. Go 20-25 feet down. Fly guys using Bead Head nymphs fished with a type two sinking line in 4-12 feet of water. Prince nymphs, hares ears, stillwater nymphs and bird’s nests. Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.
LAKE DAVIS: The fish have moved to deeper water. Most fish are being caught in 6-15 feet of water using a type two sinking line and olive and brown crystal buggers in size 8-12. Mornings have been best. There is some sporadic blood midge activity in the evenings. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
TRUCKEE RIVER: Fishing has been good, but not great. Spin fishermen using salmon eggs and nightcrawlers are catching a few. Panther Martins in darker colors are doing well. Stick with deeper holes in deeper areas as the water temperature has risen quite a bit. Fly fishing in the evenings has been excellent. Yellow stones and caddises. Bead head flies fished with short, stout leaders are the way to go. Try crayfish patterns, dark stonefly nymphs and big tungsten prince nymphs with a smaller size 16-18 dropper. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559. The Gilly, 358-6113.
LITTLE TRUCKEE: Flows are perfect. Fish being caught on everything from small May fly nymphs to big streamers. Reports of muddler minnows fished on a floating line in deeper water doing well. Evening dry fly activity also doing well. It is really crowded now though. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
CARSON RIVER: Flows are down to 60 c.f.s. It is starting to get a little low and warm. Nymphing in the mornings and fishing hoppers in the early afternoons have been best. Being very stealthy is a must as water levels drop over the next few weeks. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
GOODRICH CREEK: The hoppers are out in force. Afternoons with a little breeze are the best time to fish. Burk’s hopper size 10 and parachute hoppers the way to go. The Hexagenia hatch is all but over due to warm weather, but the terrestrial fishing is awesome now. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
STAMPEDE: Kokanee fishing has been fair, but getting better. Fish are deep, about 60-80 feet. Using dodgers and kokanee bugs. Spinners using wedding rings and Sierra spinner rigs. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
BOCA: Fishing pretty well. Single dodgers and kokanee bugs with white corn or small Rebel crawdad lures are working well. Good for trout and kokanee both. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
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: Flows at 14,500 c.f.s. Fishing for kings is still a bit slow, catching a few salmon. Counts passing the Diversion Dam are increasing, more salmon making their way up river. Watch for fishing to improve as the weeks pass. Aug. 1 marked opening day of the Anderson area of the river.
Fishing for rainbow trout is still great. 15-30 fish days. Great bug hatch in the afternoon. Lures working well include pheasant tails No. 16, micro May fly No. 16 and fox pupa’s.
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/"]www.sacriverguide.com[/url].
FEATHER RIVER: Flows at 6,500 c.f.s. Fishing for Kings is fair. Chrome king salmon are bright fish, 12-25 pounds with an occasional 30-pounder. Back-trolling Flatfish lures, green and gold, T-50’s, starting to catch a few on roe. Fishing between Oroville, Calif., and Gridley, Calif. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"]www.sacriverguide.com[/url].
WILDHORSE: The lake will be left at a little higher level than last year. Fishing at night has been especially good. On Saturday there were five browns caught, 14-24 inches, eight channel cats, 3-11 pounds, five cutbows, 14-19 inches and 37 perch in the 8-12-inch class. Wildhorse Resort, 758-6471 or email: [url "mailto:dunns@direcway.com"]dunns@direcway.com[/url].
LAHONTAN: The carp bite should start any day now. Wipers catfish, carp and bass can be caught in shallow water feeding on small bugs this time of year. Small nymphs in sizes 12 to 16 are a god bet. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
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/"]www.calvadaflyfishing.com[/url].
CROWLEY LAKE: Fishing was a little slower last week. Hilton Bay and McGee continue to be the most popular spots. Black/red and gray/black midge pupa fished in 12-13-feet of water about a foot of the bottom has proven to be effective. Also, try stripping a damsel nymph or olive woolly bugger on a full sink line along the edge of the weeds. www.performanceguideservice.com.
UPPER OWENS RIVER: Pretty tough for the most part. Cover lots of water. Stimulators, elk hair caddis, Prince nymphs and San Juan worms. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"]www.performanceguideservice.com[/url]
LOWER OWENS: Water flow is 338 c.f.s. Fishing is very tough and daytime air temperatures are near 100 degrees. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"]www.performanceguideservice.com[/url]
HOT CREEK: Water flow is at 12 c.f.s. Small nymphs (sizes 18-22) such as hares ears and flash back pheasant tails are productive through out the day. Some Trico activity early in the day. Little yellow stones around. Mid-day fish have been grabbing yellow sallies and yellow stimulators on the surface. Some afternoon caddis activity. Also try a hopper with a nymph or emerger as a trailer. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"]www.performanceguideservice.com[/url].
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Float tubers at June Lake have been reporting some nice fish along the swim beach area. Cinnamon woolly buggers and leech patterns fished on a sink tip of full sink line fished slowly along the ledge has been the ticket. Rush Creek flows have slowed and fishing is pretty good with Royal Wulff's, Coachmen and Humpies. [url "http://www.performanceguideservice.com/"]www.performanceguideservice.com[/url].
UPPER TWIN LAKES: Tony Valdes from Gardnerville caught a 4-pound, 14-ounce rainbow using a rainbow Kastmaster. Lots of stringers coming in. Still-fishing seems to be best with nightcrawlers. Derby continues through Sunday. Norm Arnett released 50 2-5-pounders from his private ponds last week. 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 remains very good although it has slowed a little. Trolling with a nightcrawler or red-headed Matuka has been great. Some activity with Rapalas or Cultivas on the troll. Most fish seem to be pretty high. Shore fishing with Powerbait or nightcrawlers is very good by the dam or in Boiler Cove. Behind the island is fantastic for views or fishing. White Stingers or Trout Traps have been awesome. Some good reports with Roostertails and gold Kastmasters. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
BISHOP CREEK: The water level is very good with nice small pools to catch some great fish. Several large Alpers reported coming out this week using nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. Weir Pond has been very good with bait or fly-fishing. Many anglers reporting great results with Royal Coachmen and Hornbergs. Still good action with green bodied Mosquitoes. Small (T101) perch or red/gold Thomas Buoyants have been super. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
NORTH LAKE AND INTAKE II: A popular spot for anglers, especially in float tubes. Fishing has been good with Powerbait or nightcrawlers doing best. Good results reported with Stingers and with Roostertails. Thomas Buoyants also doing very well. Intake 2 was stocked pretty heavily last week and that resulted in great fishing. Kids with Powerbait or a bobber and a Stinger have been catching dinner. Nightcrawlers have been bringing out a lot of fish. Bishop Creek Resorts 760-873-4484.
LAKE SABRINA: Fishing was a bit sluggish last week, but many persistent anglers still brought out limits. With the water going down and the water temperature up, the fish are deeper. Lead core fishing has been successful at 4 to 5 colors with Needlefish, Thomas Buoyants or flashers and a worm.
The normal producing spot for limits -- the inlet -- slowed a bit over the past week as did catching fish using Powerbait or worms. Throwing lures is delivering the expected results rather than worms or Powerbait. But if Powerbait and worms are your bait of choice, try drift fishing in deeper water. Trolling morning and evening with wooly buggers or matukas around the shore is working pretty well.
The lake is stocked on a regular basis by the Department of Fish and Game. The DFG stocked on July 27 with pan-size rainbows.
Instead of Oct. 1 for the repair work to start on the dam, the date’s been moved to Sept. 1. As you can see, the level of the lake has dropped significantly since last week. Edison has opened the second pipe and the water level is now dropping about 12 inches a day. Two natural lakes (behind the island and past Cook’s Point) will appear with the back lake still being 200-feet deep when the front part of the lake is empty. We expect the fish to migrate toward the back, so fishing should remain steady. Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, (760) 873-7425.
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