Don Q's Northern California and Sierra fishing report through Oct. 2

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of Sept. 26 through Oct. 2.

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

East Basin, Big Springs, Big Cove, and Hamilton Branch are producing fish.
Guides recommend trying naked nightcrawlers at 30-35 feet for early morning angler. Later fisherman use SMD dodger and nightcrawler combos down to 40 feet.
Report of kings and trout around 3-4 lb range. But expect a few big guys to show up. 

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Sabrina Lake:
Pick up your fishing license before coming to the lake. Also, watch out for photographers, they may be lurking around the next corner of the road.
Lots of color in Bishop Creek Canyon along with photographers – and the weather has been awesome – Ginny and I thought the nip had started on Tuesday – it sure felt like it – but alas, yesterday’s temp at 6:00 am was 55 degrees – hard to believe it was that warm that early in the am – and the day only got better from there!
Fishing was on the spotty side this week – not sure why – we’ve got lots of DFG fish in the Lake (and I mean lots) – might be the Lake going down – just not sure.
At the Inlet, Nightcrawlers or Power Bait was working for some, but not for others. Trolling the shoreline and around the rockpiles. Drifting the channels is working the best (probably cuz the fish are heading for deep water) using Nightcrawlers. Shore fishing with Nightcrawler or Power Bait.
We’ve got to our Fall hours this Monday – starting Sept 24th the café will be closed Monday thru Thursday – we’ll have soda, coffee, hot cocoa, beer, chips, candy, and homemade pie and ice cream. The café will be opened Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
New "Feed our Fish" Program Puts Lunkers in Lakes!
A few months back, the Bishop Chamber launched the new "Feed our Fish" program and it's going remarkably well! The concept is straightforward - we've asked people who believe that trout fishing is important to contribute funds that we use to purchase and plant Alpers Trout. 
"We hope to keep the program going year-round, stocking Bishop Creek Canyon during the summer and Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Lower Owens River in the winter," explains Tawni Thomson.  "Of course, we'll need some more help from people that believe in the importance of fishing here in the Eastern Sierra and any contribution would be greatly appreciated."
If you would like to become a "Feed our Fish" sponsor - give Tawni a call at (760) 873-8405.
Well this is the 12th week of working on the bridge and, boy, are they gettin’ it done! So now it’s week 12 of the bridge replacement – they poured the abutment on the south side and their getting ready to drill the pilling on the north side.  We’ll keep posting pictures each week to let you know what’s happening. Didn’t get down to take the 12th week picture, but we’ll get week 13 for you all!
We are assured the road will remain open during the season, so do not fret, you will be able to get to the Lake.
September is the month of change - Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 70’s with lows in the low 40s to high 30s. Don't forget to pack a jacket when you come to the lake. Please check www.weather.gov and enter ASPENDELL, CA on the site and it will give you a fairly good hint at the weather or check in with Howard at www.MammothWeather.com.
Haven’t heard the Campground schedule yet, but as soon as we do we’ll let you know!
And, of course, we'll have homemade pie and ice cream (until it’s gone), sodas, beer, wine, coffee, tea and hot cocoa!
Looking forward to seeing you all in the very near future.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
The Reservoir has been a little tough this week but for those anglers who are getting out there and putting their time in it's been producing pretty well.
We've had browns up to 4 pounds caught this week! 
Trolling seems to be the best method and lead core line is a big plus. Small 
Rapalas, needlefish and blades/crawlers have been the best things to use. Bait fishing has been ok with crawlers, power bait and mice tails.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water Conditions: Good. Water level down considerably and very warm. Weeds everywhere.
Water beginning to cool some.
Fishing Conditions: Decent hatches if you can find the fish. Inlets are clogged with weeds and very difficult to fish stream channels. Stay outside the weed lines by these cold water sources and you should do well.
Probably better off stripping from the tube than midging right now.

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

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
East Carson:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Even though the mainstem is closed upstream of river mile 2.2, anglers can still fish the tributaries flowing into the Chetco River for some excellent cutthroat fishing. Anglers are reminded to check regulations before heading out, as there are bait restrictions upstream of the estuary.

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 AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260) (www.convictlake.com) reports:
Catch of the Week: Steve Bachman of Big Pine, Calif., caught a 6 lb 8 oz with Power Worm at the Inlet! Denny Stubblefield of Frazier Park, Calif., caught a 2 lb 9 oz with Thomas Bouyant on the South Shore! Sue O'Brian of Placerville, Calif., caught a 1 lb 12 oz  with a Nightcrawler at the Outlet. Steve Besiveatte of Placentia, Calif., caught a 2 lb 14 oz. with Thomas Bouyant Red/Gold by the Marina.
Best Location to Fish: The best locations to fish right now are the middle to east shore, by the Marina, 6 Colors, South Shore, Inlet, Beach Area, Jetty, Lake, North Shore and Convict Creek.
This past week anglers have had most success with:
Frog Needle Fish, Thomas Buoyant Perch, Yellow Turbo Powerbait, Mice Tails, Gold Lures, Nightcrawlers, Trout Magnet, Rooster Tail, Red and Gold Thomas Buoyant, Garlic Power Bait, Yellow Power Bait, worms, cheese worm, Trout Teaser, salmon eggs and Rainbow Nuggets. 
Other Locations to Try:  "Windy Point" (picnic area south shore), The Inlet, Hangman's Tree, Outlet, Handicap Pier and Convict Creek.
Water Temperature: 56 Degrees. 
Weather:  Fall is approaching! Weather conditions are expected to drop to the low 70's this week. Expect overnight temperatures to be in the high 30's. Here is a local site that is usually quite accurate  www.mammothweather.com. 
Tactics/Bait:  Pinched Crawlers, Gulp Worms, Night Crawlers, Power Eggs, Power Worms, Small Spinners like Mepps and Panther Martins. Chunky Cheese Power Bait, Troll with Rapalas, Needlefish, Thomas Buoyant. 
Lures:  Panther Martin, Thomas Buoyant, Phoebe, Little Wolfs, Cripplure
Trolling:  Little Cleos, Dave Davis Night Crawler or Lead Core 4-6 colors, Rapalas, Rebels, Pin Minnows
Flies: Marvel Fly, Prince, Hares Ear, Lopper Johns, Ant Beatles
Convict Creek Flies: Strip Streamers
Bait: Eggs, Nightcrawlers and Power Worms
(Information provided by the Convict Lake Staff, Kittredge Sports, and Rick's Sporting Goods)  
Fall Happenings Derby News:  Ambush at the Lake- Fall Fishing Derby starting September 3 to November 15th , $6,000 in resort Prizes! We have 56 derby competitors so far and 38 fish entered into the drawing 14 inches are longer.
Stocking: DFG stocked this week. 
Convict Lake will be stocked October 9th & 25th with Alpers Trophy Trout from Conway Ranch.
Sunrise - Sunset: Sunrise this week 6:45 am - 6:50 am and Sunset 6:43 pm - 6:52 pm.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Fishing on the lake has slowed as the lake level continues to lower.
Leighton Springs and Green Banks have been productive.
Stevies Wonder in gray /blk in 8-10 feet of water

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water Conditions: The lake continues to drop about 6 inches/day.
Water temps on the bottom are getting colder away from inlets making for good fishing over wider area.
Algea isn't an issue as we had some high winds the past few days that blew it up on shore. Water is considerably clearer than it was this time last week.
Fishing Conditions: Good. McGee pretty much done, a few fish hanging out at the mouth.
Fish are now holding, in about 7-9 feet of water up in Green Banks, Six Bays and Leighton.
Fishing mostly Copper Tigers now but with the water as clear as it's become, grey and black should be just as good with the sun overhead.
Not quite clear enough for a dub head yet.
Good bite under the indicator, but better on the strip. Get out in that tube!
Fishing from the shore in late afternoon in six bays has been good.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Trolling is only fair and shore fishing producing but slow bites.
Copper/red head Wee Dick Nite Spoons working best in the morning.
Fire tiger Needlefish were reported well during the afternoon.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Trout fishing has been worth the effort. Power Bait and night crawlers combined with mini marshmallows have been most productive for rainbows measuring from 11 to 13 inches in length.  Anglers also have caught a few brown trout while trolling with gold and silver Mepps spinners.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Bass and crappie have been hitting jigs with a silver body and red heads. 
Anglers have found good fishing for rainbow trout in the 10- to 12-inch range while using Power Bait.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The entire 9 miles above the confluence river has been fishing well this week. Anglers are finding a small dry fly window in the early AM hours, then nymphing on the swing or under indicators should conjure up more than a few rainbows through the rest of the day.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop 

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Salmon fishing has become good. Most reports concentrated just below the Outlet hole outside the restricted area using Blue Fox # 5 spinners, and eggs.
In the mornings, Shore fishermen are tossing Blue Fox and Mepps spinners in silver/ blue for some bright kings and then switching to fishing eggs later.
Boaters have been working both runaways with plugs early then fishing roe under floats.
— Courtesy of Fish with JD

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Rick and Tresa Kennedy of Tight Lines Guide Service (www.fishtightlines.com) report:
09/20/12.
We fished the Feather River today with a friend.
We started back bouncing plugs. After about an hour with no results we switched over to roe. It wasn’t long before we started hooking fish.
The first fish of the day was a nice hen that Mike landed.
We fished several different spots above Gridley.
We ended up keeping two, releasing four and losing another four or five.
I was using Pautzke Fire Cured eggs on Gamakatsu 1/0 hooks on P-Line 15-pound Fluorocarbon leader.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has also been great early morning and evenings with this cooler weather. Blue or rainbow power bait and nightcrawlers have been the getting good bites. Trollers running flasher/worm combos and needlefish 25-30 feet deep out from boat ramp.
— Courtesy of Richard Wiggin

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500)
(www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been fair. Go in the early morning and at sunset. Rainbows have been eating # 16-18 cadis in the AM hours. Some anglers have found that a dry-dropper set up has worked.
Fly fishing is expected to improve come autumn.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closes to fishing on September 30.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is a bit lower at 4 CFS but fishing is still good.
CDC caddis or e/c caddis on the surface. 
Nymph fishing remains the most productive. WD-40's, flashback pheasant tails, hares ears and sparkle caddis pupa.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water Conditions: Good. Flows at 16 CFS as of 9/19.
Water is very clear and low when compared to this time last year.
Weeds everywhere. Only a few pockets of deeper water here and there.
Fishing Conditions: Good. Not much of a change here over last week except I found frost on my car this morning, so if you want to fish hoppers, don't wait much longer as it's not getting any warmer.
Lots of scuds in the water right now.
Getting reports of a nice evening Caddis hatch.
Still some Tricos early, although this may vary depending on how cold the night before is. With Caddis mid-day along with some Baetis.

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

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Try Silver Lake with black or purple woolly buggers on sink tip or full sink lines. Try Rush Creek with a Royal Wullf, Royal Coachman or a stimulator. Nymph fish with P.T.'s, San Juan worms and olive hares ears.
The flow in Rush Creek is 354 CFS.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
Still haven't heard any news from Kirman lately, if anyone has been up there give us a call or drop an email so we can help out some other anglers!



KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Anglers on the Klamath near Klamath Glen are reporting good fishing.
The cool water from the Trinity has been making fishing better.
Salmon and steelhead fishing is doing well.
The season should be great this year season on the Klamath near Hornbook.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River: Fishing has slowed but anglers are still getting a few bites.
Reports are that the big ones are getting away right at the shoreline though one lucky angler reeled in a five-pound fish near Bullhead Park.
The Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery is scheduled to begin its seasonal stocking program in the second week of October.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been great on Lewiston Lake this week.
Lewiston is great for fly fishing.
Rainbows 12-14” should be expected to be found and a few that go bigger. Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
George Lake - Mary Lake – Mamie Lake – Twin Lakes:
George has been the better lake for fly rodders. Doc's Twin Lakes Special in black or olive on a sink tip or full sink line  with a hares ear trailer.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
George Lake - Mary Lake – Mamie Lake – Twin Lakes:
Water conditions: Water is still clear. Cooling now with overnight lows in the upper 30s.
Fishing conditions: Fishing is great now at all times of the day.
Look for fish at inlets and outlets feeding actively!

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Hinkson Slough – North Pond – West Walker River
Close to fishing on September 30.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing has been good across the board. Largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass all are hitting and anglers are catching fish throughout the lake.
With striper boils taking place later in the day top-water action has followed suit. Trolling with shad imitations also has been productive.
Catfish are hitting along the beaches north of Hemenway.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers continue to find good fishing out of Cottonwood Cove.
Striper action has picked up but the fish are on the small side. Anchovies and lures are catching the fish.
Trout fishing is good following weekly fish plants at Willow Beach.
The area continues to produce larger stripers for anglers using trout imitations like the A.C. Plug, SPRO or LA Slider.

MONO COUNTY, CALIF:
Rush Creek:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Silver Lake:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Trumble Lake:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Upper Twin Lake:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Lower Twin Lake:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Twin Lakes, Mammoth:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Upper Virginia Lake:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Lower Twin Lake:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Crabbing has been good in the ocean.
Boat anglers may no longer retain cabezon but fishing for other bottom fish remains open out to 30 fathoms.
Shore anglers, including shore-based divers, may still keep cabezon. 
The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish. There are separate daily limits for lingcod (two) and flatfish other than Pacific halibut (25). 
Fishing for rockfish has been very good near Coos Bay and Bandon. 
Recreational chinook salmon is open in the ocean from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. Fishing for chinook salmon picked up a little this past week near Charleston.
The non-selective coho season opened on Sept. 1 and ocean anglers were catching coho in the Coos Bay and Winchester Bay areas this past weekend. As of Sept. 9 there were 4,059 coho left of the quota of 11,800 fish.
Check with the ODFW website before Sept. 20 to see how much of the 11,800 fish quota is left.

OROVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Very little boat traffic, best time to fish.
Fish are still chasing the small balls of pond smelt.
Lipless cranks in 5-15 feet, dart heads Senkos and jogs 15-30 feet, and drop-shot shad worms to 40 feet are working well.  

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: Same as last week. Current water flow is 64 CFS.
Fishing is good. Fox's Caddis Poopah, Brooks Hot Creek caddis San Juan worms and egg patterns. Recent stockings have improved the fishing here.
No more bait fishing from the monument to the lake.

Lower Owens River: Water flow is up to 478 CFS. Try elsewhere.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Upper Owens River Water Conditions: Good. As of 9/19 the flows are steady at 64 CFS.
Tons of Mud Snails so clean your gear before you wade somewhere else!
Fishing Conditions: Good. Water should be starting to cool now with the cold nights we've been having. Only a matter of time before the ranchers take their cows home with them and the water clears up a little.
The fish are wising up to the big attractor flies, and it's become necessary to start fishing some more realistic patterns. Still in larger sizes, but not as flashy as we've been using.
Hopper Dropper rigs are working best way up above the Hot Creek confluence where the water is clearer and dredging the bottom of the deep end pools is working down below the campground closer to the lake.
Owens River Gorge Water conditions: Great. Flow: 45 CFS.
This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP
Fishing Conditions: Not much changing here week to week.
Water was gin clear prior to the elevated flows.
Slightly off color, but not for long.
Stinging nettles are back. Also watch out for snakes. (and ticks)
Nettles should be gone after the first cold snap. Shouldn't be long now.
Rock Creek Water conditions: Good. Flows are at 30 CFS as of 9/19.
Fishing conditions: Good. Better to hike in a little bit to get away from everybody else.
Some of the lakes along the trail are fishing very well in the early evening at inlets and outlets.
Mostly small fish, but they've seen a lot of flies this summer.
Or go way down below the lake and fish below the campgrounds.
Big and bright usually does the trick here
Rush Creek Water conditions: Fair. As of 9/19 flows are at CFS above Grant Lake and 40 CFS Below.
Water temps in the upper 60's above Grant lake and even warmer down below 395.
Fishing Conditions: Good. Getting reports of good fishing to be had down below 395, but it's very technical fishing.
Lots of bushwacking, wading up to your chest and very wary fish.
If you can get to the productive holes without scaring every fish away and make an excellent presentation without snagging your fly on overhanging brush, you will be rewarded.
Mainly fishing small hoppers and caddis in the late afternoon as the sun goes behind the mountains.
Lower Owens River Water conditions: Poor. Flows down to 486 CFS as of 9/19.
Fishing conditions: Only a matter of time now...
Keep a watchful eye for ticks and tuck your pants into your socks.
Fishing is best in the early morning before it really starts getting hot.

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.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Conditions have been fair this week. For anglers who enjoy a wade stream and solitude Pit River is a great option!
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Opens to Lahontan Cutthroat Trout fishing on October 01.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of Cutthroat Charters (775-476-0555) (www.fishpyramid.com) report:
George said that he and Carla no longer run the Pyramid Lake Store, but it remains the headquarters location for Cutthroat Charters.
He said that there are no changes in the regulations from last year.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been great again this week and all day has been a good time to go. This time of the year offers big rainbows and perfect fly fishing conditions. Salmon season is open below Deschutes Rd. Fish deep! Use a # 14-16 Brown or Olive Micro Mayfly, and # 14 copper beaded birds nest for good results.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER, LOWER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at email outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly Fishing: As of September 22, 2012, water flow is currently 7, 000 CFS.
Fly fishing Sacramento River in Redding to Anderson is excellent.
Fantastic fishing for Rainbows. Catching wild rainbows Redding to Anderson. 20 to 35 fish days now. Fishing has been very productive.
The last few late afternoons and evenings have been fantastic fly fishing in the Redding area.
The Posse ground area of the Sacramento River has been producing lots of trout, with the presence of salmon, egg patterns are working best now. Bonneyview Bridge to Balls Ferry. 
Flies working best now are Sucker Spawn # 14, Pheasant Tail # 14, Gordon Prince nymphs # 16, Cinnamon Pupahs # 14, PMD's # 18, Silvies # 16, Egg patterns, and Brown Micro May flies.
Our guides are fishing daily, call or email us today. We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. 
All fly fishing gear is included on our guided fly fishing trips.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California fly fishin for wild rainbow trout.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Conditions have been fair. Mid day activity is slow. For anglers willing to walk pass common access points, pockets of activity have been reported.
The best fishing reported late in the day into sunset hours. Near sunset the caddis hatch can produce a flurry of top water feeding rainbows.
Fish deep and concentrate on fast, bubbly, choppy water.
Best flies are going to be most anything that is # 16-18 and dark brown or black. Think flies like midges, black micro mayflies, and pseudo mays.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at email outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon: As of September 22, 2012, Water flows are at 7,000 CFS. 
Sacramento River Salmon fishing is fantastic. Hooking and landing 8 to 12 fish a day. This week has produced many large salmon, 18 to 30 pounds, great size salmon. Larger salmon will continue to be produced as we move in October, November, and December.
Pro Guide Kirk Portocarrero, and our Pro Guide Justin have landed over 100 salmon since Monday this week between the two boats.  
Fish are moving north daily.
Corning starting to slow down now, we will be following the fish upriver where fishing has been productive in the early mornings.
Anderson area is excellent for salmon and trout.
Saturday, landed 8 fish by 10 AM in the Balls Ferry Area.
 This is prime time fishing! 
Bouncing roe and back trolling FLATFISH LURES.
We have caught over 550 fish in our boats since the opening of salmon season. Lures have been producing the largest King Salmon.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water conditions: Fair. Flows bottomed out at 12 CFSas of 9/19. Very clear and cold.
Fishing conditions: Fair. Finally found some stockers at the campgrounds. Easy fishing in those areas. Considerably harder elsewhere but rewarding.
Mainly nymphing with small stones, caddis and mayfly patterns.
Still plenty of insects in the water, mostly Caddis larva, Stone flies and some small mayflies.
With the flows this low, fish are concentrated in deep pools. Better to nymph early in the morning and then switch to small dries after the sun hits the water. Fishing dries in the shallow riffles.

SAN JOAQUIN/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Fishing is even tougher as the water flow continues to lower.
Para Adams, stimulators and ants.
Sotcher and Starkweather Lakes have been slow.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at email: outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report: Lake Shasta fishing is fair to good.
We are catching many of our Kings trolling, around 60 to 100 feet deep.
The Dry Creek area and Little Bone area has been the best.
We are catching Rainbows first thing in the morning on the surface from 5:30 to 8 in the morning, as water warms, rainbows are going down to around 40 feet deep, using Cripp Lures and Wiggle Hoochies.
The Bridge Bay area around the buoys has been producing some nice size Rainbow trout. 

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Red Hot in Dry Creek area for King salmon and rainbows. Kings are around 120-150’ and trout are 60-70’. Anglers using top water bait, trolling gear, sling blades and wiggle Hoochies. 

LAKE TAHOE
Limits have not been easy. Anglers are working hard for a limit in the boat. The Mackinaw are running 1 to 5 pounds. Best method is still minnow dodger set up in 150 to 200 ft. Kokanee fishing has been slow as well but the dedicated have had some luck using Sep’s dodger trailed by a corn tipped red Wedding ring.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Closes to fishing on September 30.

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Becoming the go-to place for those big Kings! Bite is slow worth the wait in front of the dam but did produce some salmon at 85’. Setup Wiggle Hoochies or small black or white Apex between 65-110’ to cover large spread. Reports fall within body of the lake at about 70 feet deep. 

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Flows are up to 900 CFS from the normal 450 CFS to produce cooler water to the survival of the Salmon. King salmon fishing has been great.
Steelhead fishing will start to improve in the coming weeks. Water flows should be low enough to get to the Steelhead with a fly rod.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at email outdooradventures@sacriver.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
September 22, 2012 — 
Currently, Water is at 450 CFS. 
Salmon fishing is fair due to water level changing. Due to water flows, up and down flows, we are moving to Sacramento River for salmon fishing. Please call ahead.  
For Steelhead fishing, we are focusing on October, water flows should be lower and great time to start getting into steelhead with the fly rod. 
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, Calif., fishing from the town of Weaverville, Calif.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
The Twins are hanging in there also, lots of nice pan-sized fish from boats and shore up there. We haven't heard of too many big fish lately but the 
weather is cooling and typically as it gets cooler the big fish start to make a 
showing. Crawlers and power bait for the bait anglers, trollers have been doing well with blades and crawlers, needlefish and thomas bouyants. 


VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) ( email: vir@qnet.com) report:
Another great week with warm weather and clear as far as you could see. 
Alpers hit the lakes Monday with the supplemental plant by the County and Fishing was game ON. 
Prediction is supposed to bring some moisture by this evening, but only clouds hit the sky Saturday and moved into Nevada with rain and rainbows, but nothing here yet. 

Bait for the week:
Inflated nightcrawlers, mouse tails, power worms, Gulp pinch worms, power bait (garlic yellow, salmon peach and chartreuse glitter), salmon eggs, chunky cheese, and live crickets or hoppers.
Lures for the week: 
Perch Kastmaster, Small gold Kastmasters, and also mini jigs.

Flies for the week:  Hornberg’s, Black Woolly Buggers, Olive/black Buggers, fur body ants, blue damsels, and hoppers (small with rubber legs). 
Dries working were small para Adams, BH soft hackle yellow, olive elk hair caddis, and Tubers are mostly using marabou olive and black buggers deep and dark even that sweet purple haze and use them with a small caddis emerger (Zug Bug, PT nymph Prince or the such. 

Backcountry Fishing: 

Blue Lake has been doing well on black fur body ants and Griffith’s Gnat, Tentwing caddis on the east end of the lake and along the north shore as it tapers toward the east, also small Kastmasters. 
Of course the old style Super Duper Gold with red head always works well as does the small Red Devil on the south side casting over the shelf.
 Cooney Lake picked up the last few days using small spinners, small dry flies (Mosquitoes, black elk hair caddis, black ants sizes 16-18, Adams parachute size 16 and #18.  
Frog’s are at a stand still due to the heavy trail traffic and should probably hit it early am or very late evening.

Summit Lake has seen a lot of action and is slowing to a crawl, so try inflated crawlers, small dries if the air temp is warm; if cooler, then use lures (gold Kastmasters, Colorado spinners).
Big fish for the week: 
John Gray of Huntington Beach, 2 lb 6 oz Alper on Power Worm drop shot 9.16, Lower Virginia (LV)
Dave Poor of Riverside, 3 lb 7 oz Alper on a nightcrawler, 9.17, LV
John Pellrin of Barstow, 3 lb 7 oz Alper on a Power Worm, 9.17, LV
John Wymore of Escondido, 3 lb 8 oz Alper on mysterious bait, 9.19, LV 
Blanca Diel of San Jose, 3 lb 4 oz Alper on gold Kastmaster, 9.19, Big Virginia (BV)
Mike Thomas of Hawthorne NV, 3lb6oz Alper on Yellow Power Bait, 9.19, Big Virginia
Bill Kemp of Santa Clarita, 3 lb 3 oz Alper on Salmon Peach Power Bait, 9.20, LV
Franz Huber of  Idlewild, 2 lb 9 oz Alper 9.20, LV
Keith Wilson of Mt. View, 2 lb 6 oz Alper on Power Bait, 9.20, LV
Kurt Mortensen of Boulder Creek, 3 lb 6 oz Alper on salmon peach Power Bait, 9.20.12
Joseph Mejica of Yucaipa, 2 lb 9 oz on a mini-jig, 9.22, LV

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
The Virginias are fishing excellent still both from shore and tubes.
Bait anglers are using Fire Bait, Power Bait, mice tails and crawlers. Lure anglers are having success with Thomas Bouyants, Kastmasters and Roostertails. Fly anglers are using soft hackles, seal buggers, matukas, AP emergers, stillwater nymphs and zug bugs.


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:
September 23, 2012
East Walker River: The river is running at 123 today and still fishing pretty well.
The crowds have thinned by quite a bit so most days there's not too much 
traffic on the water.
Like last week the best fishing has been mainly nymphing with small caddis nymphs and midges.
We have had a couple decent streamer reports early in the morning and a few decent dry reports late in the evening. 
Patterns to fish include rainbow warriors, WD-40's, San Juan worm, flashback emerger, zebra midge, copper john, buckskin caddis, LaFontaines sparkle pupa, Fox's poopah and z-wing caddis.
West Walker River: The West is also fishing well, the water is low and clear so you really need to be sneaky on those fish so as not to spook them.
Small spinners, crawlers and eggs have all been doing well.
Fly anglers are still using some hoppers and attractor dries like stimulators and royal wulff, as well as prince nymphs, pheasant tails and copper johns.
Sceirine Ranch: The ranch has also been fishing very well, most anglers reporting 15 to 25 fish per day. Lots of nice fish going over 20 inches.
Pretty much the same patterns as on the California side have been working, also they've been doing pretty well with some dry/dropper rigs as well.
Hunewill Pond: The pond also fished well this week, small streamers, soft hackles and ap emergers still seem to be the trick.
Floating lines to keep out of the weeds and heavier leaders  and tippets to handle those fish if they dive into the weeds. Great fun!

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River: Current water flow is 123 CFS. Fishing is good. WD-40's, buckskin nymphs, copper John's and Prince Nymphs. 


WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
East Walker River Water Conditions:   Fair to Good. Flows variable on a daily basis – 103 CFS as of 9/19.
Water temps coming down now with temps in the 20s and 30s at night.
Fishing Conditions: Good. Nymphing small mayfly patterns until about noon.
Try some terrestrials from mid-day until the evening when there are some sporadic Caddis hatching

WASHOE LAKE, WAHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Washoe Lake dried up in 2004 and, although it is presently full and has been restocked, the fish population, consisting mostly of channel catfish and white bass, is small. Fishing is expected to be poor.

WILLOW BEACH, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are finding good action for large stripers. The fish are biting A.C. Plugs and other trout-imitating swimbaits. Three fish weighing in at 16.16 pounds, 17 pounds and 27.76 pounds came in during the past week.  Rainbow trout continue to hit small spinners and other traditional trout baits following the weekly plants on Fridays.

WHISKEYTOWN LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Kokanee Bite is pretty good with limits around 40-60 feet down, on either side of Hwy 299. Look for steady day using Apexs in UV pink and watermelon on behind Sling Blade in 30-45 feet. Best bite once the sun goes down and the bugs come out. 

PHOTO: A 31-pound King Salmon caught on September 20 while fishing the Sacramento River. Photo courtesy of Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero of Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing at Redding, Calif.

— Writer Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for South Tahoe Now and www.CarsonNow.org. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com