Fishing report though Jan. 11

Here is the fishing report for the week of Jan. 4-11. The report covers rivers, streams and lakes in Nevada, Northern California and Southern Oregon.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:

Weather on Lake Almanor is clear and cold early, around 38 degrees, warming sun in the late morning to 48 degrees, and water clarity is at about 6 ft. on the west basin, and 7.5 ft. on the east basin.
Lake levels are at 4485.98ft and the lake is as flat as glass.
It seems that the Brown Trout Spawn is still going off, and thus attracting lots of other feeders, so try using some Roe or salmon eggs along the bottom. Other baits of choice include: Recommended baits include: roe or Salmon eggs, crawlers with Pro-Cure Garlic scent,  Mini Micro flashers/crawler and for a real spin, try an Injured Minnow Rig.
There is a phrase among the fishermen saying that “80 percent of the fish are in 20 percent of the lake” that area appears to be concentrated on the west peninsula.
— Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Bishop area is closed.
 
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:
Rain is on the way, which should make for some excellent steelheading. Anglers will want check the flows before heading out. 
ODFW is conducting a Steelhead angler creel on the Chetco this year, along with Chinook salmon scale collection, and winter Steelhead broodstock collection. At times, these projects may interfere with an anglers fishing.  Please be courteous to all ODFW personnel and volunteers  

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
A few bass have been showing up, but no trout due to the pike infestation.
Pike fishing has also been poor. There are few if any trout left in the lake also due to the pike infestation.

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

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

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Don Quilici of Carson City reported seeing 6 ice fishermen near the dam on the morning of January 01. One of the fishermen had a small rainbow out on the ice, which appears to be clear and thin but thick enough for the fishermen to be out there.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Due to cold weather, fishing is pretty much over at Eagle Lake for the season. Warmer days might liven the fish up for those who want to try their luck though.
— Courtesy of Big Daddy Fishing

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Ice is present and reported to be only around 7 inches thick.
NDOW reminds anglers to check conditions before venturing onto ice and select an alternative approach if conditions are not optimal.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No reports of ice at this reservoir however there may be thin layers around the shore.  The fish are taking a bobber or just about any bass lure.
Rainbow trout are still taking Power Bait and nightcrawlers, but the action is slow due to the holiday time of year.
Best action is found in the morning or evening hours.

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

FOLSOM LAKE AT GRANITE BAY, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

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

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
There have been reports of the lake being frozen over, 5 to 7 inches of ice at the dam, some open water, but that is out past the ice.
The weather has been warm during the daytime, so the ice may be thinning.
Fishing has been good at the dam, and near Frenchman’s boat landing.
Most fishermen are using nightcrawlers and marshmallows.
The road around the lake is in good shape, there may be a little ice on the road on the way up to the dam, and in some shaded areas of the road, but all roads are passable.
No boats can be put into the water at this time, the ice around the edges is too far out.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Ft. Churchill Cooling Ponds is closed.

HALSEY FOREBAY, 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.

HINKSON SLOUGH, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for Hinkson Slough 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 9 CFS. Nymph fishing is the best bet right now. Try small WD-40's Miracle Nymphs and Pheasant Tails.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
The flows are well above their historical average for this time of year.
We are seeing some run-off due to the warm temps above the inversion layer making Mammoth creek higher than usual.
Been pretty good overall down in the canyon with a decent Midge and Mayfly emergence on the warmer days.
You will still find more consistent action in the deeper pools while Nymphing near the bottom. SJ Worms and a small Midge, PT, Birds Nest, or broken back will get you looks.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water Conditions:
Great. Flows at 25 CFS as of 12/29. Actually the water is slightly off color due to increased runoff from, yes, melting snow, what little is left on Mammoth Mountain.
Zero snow and gate is open so you can still drive all the way up to the parking lots above the canyon section.
Fishing Conditions: Excellent. No change since last week and its all good.
With the warm temps the fish are biting earlier, like 9:30am.
Start with midges, then go to Baetis nymphs and dries if they start sipping on the surface.
Once the action gets going you can go "big and buggy" and they'll gobble flies they wouldn't even look at in summer.

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.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Not a lot has changed since last week. Conditions on the Klamath are still proving to be excellent. We are starting to see more and more adult fish in the net and fewer smaller steelheads.
Productive flies include Red Copper Johns, Rubber Legs, Champagne Redd Reapers, Clown Eggs, Shrimp Pink Micro Spawns!  
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River: Action for striped and smallmouth bass has slowed down along the river below Davis Dam. Rainbow trout action is also slow.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Not a lot has changed since last week. The lake level is high, and perfect for finding rainbows unaware and perfect for finding cruising rainbows, sipping on Mayflies, along the edges of the lake mid day. Best results can be found fishing the current near where it starts to slow down and become lake-like.
Fishing streamers and leeches on a RIO Deep 7 should get you into some of the more insistent rainbows. 
We still recommend floating line for indicators and dry flies, RIO's AquaLux Intermediate Sink Fly Line for swinging and stripping flies at middle depths, and RIO's Deep 7 Full Sink Line for fishing streamers and leeches deep and fast.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

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.

MASON VALLEY W.M.A., LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Mason Valley W.M.A. is closed.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Catfish anglers are finding occasional hits in both the upper and lower basins with cut anchovies or commercial baits as the day warms up. Reports show striped bass are boiling in shallow water very early in the morning and are producing decent sized stripers.
Anglers are catching a few largemouth and smallmouth bass in areas with newly flooded brush as temperatures warm up in the day.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are finding good action for stripers in the five to 20 pound range.
Large trout imitations, like the AC Plug and SPRO swimbaits, continue to catch double-digit striped bass south of Willow Beach. According to reports, one lucky angler caught a 19.5 pound fish last week.
Trout in the 11 to 12 inch range remains constant around the harbor.
The Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery plants rainbow trout every Friday. Anglers are catching stocked bows on common trout baits such as Power Bait, nightcrawlers and a variety of lures or spinners.
Changing weather and the holiday season has restricted some anglers from getting out there, so reports on striper fishing remains sluggish in the Cottonwood Cove area.    

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Recreational crabbing re-opened in the ocean on Dec. 15.
Fishing for bottom fish is open at all depths. Anglers are reporting that bottom fishing has been spotty. Rough ocean conditions are keeping anglers from fishing in the ocean. Anglers fishing from boats may no longer retain Cabezon because the quota of 15.8 metric tons will have been met.

OWENS RIVER GORGE, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
The Gorge is also fun and fishing like mid-fall instead of winter.
Hit the period of the day between 10-2 and you should see some decent surface action on Midges and # 18 BWO patterns.
The deeper pools will also hold more fish and can be fished with bead head nymphs below a dry.
If you do not mind hiking you will escape the holiday crowds in the more popular year around waters. Try Lower Gorge up from the powerhouse. Walk twenty minutes from the furthest parking area. It is very consistent for small wild browns upstream from here with lots of nice pools and runs.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: Current water flow is 76 CFS.
Fishing is closed below the Benton Crossing Bridge. The river upstream is open to fishing all year. Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Fishing is slow with winter now upon us.
Nymphing is the best bet. Try standard Nymph patterns like Pheasant Tails or Hares Ears. Cover lots of water.
Lower Owens River: Water flow is 125 CFS. Flows are steady. Water temp is up slightly due to warmer day time temperatures and fishing has improved a bit. 
Olive WD-40's, Caddis larva and small Pheasant Tails.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Upper Owens Water conditions: Good. As of 12/29 flows have been stable at 76 CFS for a couple of weeks.
You can still drive all the way up to Long Ears as zero snow anywhere.
Fishing conditions: Good to Excellent. Small midge dries around mid-day, with bigger midges subsurface. More bigger fish have moved up from the lake. They'll go for a streamer midday.
Do keep moving if you aren't getting grabs anytime after 10 am.
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.
Lower Owens Water conditions: Excellent. The flows are staying down around 126 CFS for last 10 days as of 12/29. Wading is excellent.
Fishing conditions: Good. The hatches have slowed some with the warmer weather, go figure.
Fish are feeding earlier and later but not all at once during 3 hours midday.
 
PINE VALLEY COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Pine Valley Complex is closed.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Not too much has changed on the Pit River in the last week. Conditions are still great and the best bites are occurring mid-day, but mornings are not lacking in activity.
The best flies should be dark colored stone flies like Zack's Thurmanator Stone, Dark Lords in all sizes and of course the always reliable Pheasant Tail Nymph in # 14-18.
The Pit River is the perfect choice for those who enjoy to fish in solitude.
— Courtesy of the Fly Shop
 
PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
PV has been really good in the small creek section just below the powerhouse using dry/dropper bead head combos.
A Para BWO or Stimulator as the upper and a FB PT or crystal tiger midge or crystal caddis larva as the dropper.
The reservoir is still at high levels and access to the transition water near the inlet is difficult right now with limited areas to fish from the bank.
Ideal level is 4383’ and under.
A float tube in this section is a must for consistent results. The warm weather is nice for tubing and far from the "freeze tubing" experience that is typical for winter here.
The level has been coming down slowly and it will not be long if this trend continues before the transition area will be the hot place to fly fish.
Check out my Facebook link periodically for updates here.

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:
Fishing is fair. Boats are doing best, the fly guys are using Copper Johns and Woolly Worms and the shore fishing is slow for the spincasters.
Nothing big was caught this last weekend.

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

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

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
River flows on the Lower Sacramento are 5,000 CFS, and the weather has been fantastic! Hydro psyche Caddis are hatching like crazy, so try attracting fish by using imitators fly patterns resembling small and green bugs.
Flies proving their worth are # 14 Bird's Nests, ,# 16 Red Copper Johns, # 8 Super floss Rubber legs in brown, # 16 Mercers micro Mayfly in olive, and Hoggin’s S&M. BWOs and Baetis are also hatching tiny # 16-18 Mayflies in olive and brown, so try using a RK Flatulator.
— Courtesy of the Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Not too much has changed on the Upper Sacramento River in the last week.
Insect hatches include BWOs and Baetis (basically small olive and/or brown flies in # 16-20). The best flies reported to throw are Zack's Thurmanator Dark Stone and Skwalla Stone, Pat's Brown Rubber Legs in # 6-8, # 16-18 Pheasant Tails, a selection of Midges and a couple olive micro-Mayflies.
— Courtesy of the Fly Shop

SAN JOAQUIN/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) ( HYPERLINK "http://www.performanceanglers.com" 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:
The Smith is open to striped bass year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size. The Smith is now closed for trout fishing.
Steelhead will start entering the Smith as more rain occurs in the area. Most of the angling opportunity will be catch and release of wild fish; however, adipose fin clipped Coho and Steelhead can be harvested in the Smith.

LAKE TAHOE:
Maurice (Mo) White of Carson City fished with his grandson Steven (09) fished on Tuesday morning fished with Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters of South Lake Tahoe, California (530-544-6552).
They caught four Mackinaw (Lake) Trout: 2-pounds, 5-pounds, 5-pounds and 7-pounds (25.5 inches).
Steven caught the big fish.
The trout were caught at the Tahoe City Shelf at a depth of 300 feet with large, silver flasher blades and little minnows.

TOPAZ LAKE:
The fishing season for Topaz Lake opened on January 01.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reported that shore fishing was slow, slow, slow for the Opener. He did manage to catch and finally release unharmed a Coot that dove down and took his worm that he was using for bait.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Don Hettrick of Carson City reported that he and his fishing partner got skunked while trolling on the north end of the lake.
In addition, his boat was leaking water.
They counted 47 boats in that same area and only saw one fish caught.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing the Trinity River is proving to be a welcomed challenge!
Some steelheads have given up waiting for the rain to come, and are now traveling the river, a perfect opportunity for a patient fisherman.
The best flies are proving to be those that are small and buggy looking, such as: # 14 ruby micro Mayflies with a copper bead, # 14 Blue Montana Princes, Psycho Prince in orange belly and purple, PB Solitude golden stones, Copper Johns in red and blue, and egg patterns.
The water is low and clear so break out the smaller flies in order to catch the bigger fish!
— Courtesy of the Fly Shop

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 fish have been reported or seen at Walker Lake so far this fishing season.
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:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
East Walker River: We have not fished it for over a month, just been too darn good on the Owens. Flows are not bad for winter, 25 CFS and with the warmer days Nymphing the deepest holes can be productive right below the dam.
The Bridgeport area can get wicked cold this time of year with the temperature inversion being amplified by cold and clear windless mornings.
Sub-zero temps are common currently so if you want to fish it I suggest look at the Nevada section which is much warmer and lower in elevation. Otherwise the 11-4 period is best.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
East Walker River: Water Conditions: Good. Flows down from 34 to 25 CFS as of 12/29.
Fishing Conditions: Good. No reports from guides but locals report it has been good some days and excellent others. Water is still cold but midday bite is strong.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River: Most recent flow 25 CFS. No change here. Water is low and cold and fishing is tough. Try red or gray Midge pupa. 


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