Don Q's fishing report for week of Jan. 2-9

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. This report is for the week of Jan. 2-9:

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

There are some big fish around the spawning areas.
Anglers report suspended roe, salmon eggs, and night crawlers fished close to the bottom as good techniques.
The area near Lake Cove seems to be the best area right now with the clearest water.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road is closed and the lake is completely iced over.
No more reports until late next spring or early next summer depending upon snow load this winter.

BIG SPRINGS RESERVOIR, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the last day in February 2013.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

BLUE LAKES, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
The road is closed.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CARSON RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CARSON RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013, above Hangman's Bridge.

CATNIP RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Cave Lake is ice covered though there is no report on the thickness.
A few anglers have been on the ice and are catching 8 to 10 inch fish using natural baits or Power Bait.
There is a covering of snow on the lake which will slow ice growth down.
Anglers should check the ice thickness before walking onto the ice.
This time of year the ice is generally thicker near the shore, so anglers should stay close to shore.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Good numbers of steelhead are around and finally the river may start dropping into shape where both bank and boat anglers can have a shot.
Boat anglers will want to wait until the river drops to around 4000 CFS before heading out, bank anglers can start hitting the river around 9000 CFS.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK. CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Lake Davis is currently at 75% capacity. Near Fairview ice was forming. Shore fishermen had good catches at Camp 5, Mallard Points and Jenkins. Call ahead, to find out if ice forming is preventing shore fishing.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Some of the best water conditions in the area.
The Low Flow section seems to be the best for steelhead. Steelheads were being caught by fly fishers who were using Red Copper Johns, San Juan worms and egg patterns.
Fishermen using bait were successful with night crawlers and drifting roe. Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Watch out for icy roads, 4-wheel drive is recommended. Near the dam is where shore fishing is the best. Ice has been forming in shallow waters. Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in February 2013.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2013.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is at 4 CFS. Zero insect activity.
Nymph fish with WD-40's, caddis larva and miracle nymphs.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Lake is also ice covered but no report of thickness or of any anglers fishing.

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUYTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This lake is frozen over, but no report on ice thickness. Venture on it only after making sure that the ice is thick enough to support you.
Due to the low water, this small reservoir was not stocked and so trout fishing will probably only be fair.

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

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been great.
Just check the current road conditions as I-5 has closed several times in the last week, between Redding and Yreka due to snow.
Try using egg patterns in shrimp pink, Salmon-Egg, and steelhead orange.
A good fly to have on the Klamath is Pat’s Brown Rubber Leg.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.
Fishing Guides: Marble Mountain Guest Ranch.

KNOTT CREEK RESERVOIR, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been difficult.
Check back next week to see if it has picked up.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2013.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Hinkson Slough – North Pond – West Walker River
Closed until the second Saturday in February 2013.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current flow is 82 CFS.
Section upstream of the Benton Crossing Bridge is open all year.
Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Nymph fishing is the best bet. Try WD-40's, pheasant tails and caddis larva. Fishing is slow with the very cold and wintery conditions.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow down to 100 CFS. Fishing has slowed due to recent snow and below zero temps. Baetis hatch is over and midge patterns are the most effective. Red jujube midge, small Stevie Wonders and WD-40's.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Lake is at 65 percent capacity. Booms were installed to help catch debris and the water is clearing up. Watch out for debris in the main body of the lake; there is still a lot of debris there.
Bass fishing is good.
Try using green pumpkin Senkos rigged on a 6/16-ounce worm head. Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Pit River is not a good option due to snow and wind this week.
Check back next week to see if the weather conditions have changed.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop

RUBY LAKE NWR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The south marsh and a number of ponds are iced over with about two inches of ice. Lots of snow here and Harrison Pass is closed. The collection ditch also has some ice in places, though anglers can find open water.
From now until mid-March fishing is generally just fair for numbers, but good for size as the larger fish come out of the marsh and cruise the ditch and some of the oxbows and ponds for food.
Buggers, dragon and damsel fly nymphs, hare’s ears and small chironomids should all work.
One angler reports several large fish before Christmas including a 10-plus pound brown trout.
The collection ditch is artificial lures only and wading is not allowed.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly Fishing:
As of December 29, 2012, water flow is currently 4,500 CFS.
Fly fishing Sacramento River in Redding, water is clear at the Posse Grounds and catching Rainbows in the Redding area. 
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report is excellent, including several steelhead, fishing is epic! FANTASTIC!
Egg patterns are working best now. Also Pheasant Tail # 14, Gordon Prince nymphs # 16, Cinnamon Pupahs # 14. 
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 fishing
for wild rainbow trout.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SAN JOAQUINN/RED'S MEADOW, CALIF:
Road is now closed for the season.
Reopens by 4th of July weekend usually.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 28, 2012 Shasta Lake guided fishing-
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta. We offer daily guided fishing on 
Lake Shasta. Lake Shasta fishing is fair to good. Some days have been better than others, but still catching Rainbow trout.
We are catching mostly Rainbow Trout on the surface and also about 40 feet deep. The Dry Creek area, using Cripp Lures and Wiggle Hoochies.
Very cold temperatures making fishing tougher.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Anglers report bass and trout where the bait is in the top 20ft.
Due to recent rain there is debris in the lake, so watch out for that.
The lower third arm s from Bridge Bay to the dam seems to be the best fishing right now.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

Fishing Guide: Phil's Propeller.

SMITH RIVER AND CHETCO RIVER:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Catch big steelhead on the Smith River and Chetco River.
We are fishing for steelhead now. January, February, & March are the 
prime months to catch monster Steelhead on the Smith River.
The catch has been good averaging 2 to 4 fish per day, depending on level of experience of angler. Our steelhead guides are working hard and catching some nice bright steelies. 
Book today by calling or email.
For accommodations for lodging we suggest staying in Smith River, California or Brookings, Oregon when steelhead fishing the Smith River or Steelhead fishing the Chetco River.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
As of Thursday, South Fork was approximately 90 percent ice covered with unsafe ice and about six inches of snow.
The good news is that we have some very cold weather coming which should help the ice thickness.
The bad news is the snow cover on the ice acting as insulation slowing down the freezing process.
This lake is notorious for ice that is six inches thick in one area and only a couple of inches a few feet away due to currents and springs, so anglers should take special care to determine thickness before venturing upon the ice. Give it a couple of weeks to really freeze before trying to ice fish here.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) (www.blueribbonfishing.com) reports:
Don, I hooked into a truly monster German Brown Trout, weighing in at 15 pounds and 33 inches long.
My son Eric netted the magnificent Tahoe Brown with one big swipe of the fishing net.
We were trolling at 3 MPH in 15 feet of water with a 5.5-inch Trophy Stick lure in Tui Chub color, covered in Pro-Cure Trophy Trout Gel.
The big brown had inhaled the lure, its stomach contents were full of Myisis Shrimp and baby Crawdads.
This happened Saturday, December 29 at 1:30 p.m. at Elk Point just south of Zephyr Cove on the Nevada side.
Eric and I are still jazzed to say the least!
The current Lake Tahoe record Brown Trout is 15-pounds, 14-ounces, we just missed it.
Awesome day's fishing the Lake of the Sky.
My personal best Tahoe Brown ever!

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been great!
Come prepared with snow chains and check Highway 299 road conditions beforehand. Highway 299 is snowy and icy so be careful, and check road conditions before heading out.
Some boat ramps are buried in snow, and are possible to launch from as long as you have snow tires and 4 wheel drive.
Suspending Nymphs under an indicator, stripping buggers and leeches, swinging muddlers or PT nymphs will get hook ups.
As of 12/16: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive. Courtesy of the Fly Shop (www.theflyshop.com).

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 29, 2012 Fishing report
Currently, Water is at 300 CFS.
RED HOT STEELHEAD FISHING ON THE TRINITY RIVER! 
Picking up nice Steelhead. Steelhead Fishing is fantastic! 
Red hot, Excellent fishing for Steelhead on the Trinity River from Lewiston to Pigeon Point is fishing very well.
With 10 to 15 hook ups a day now, for the seasoned fly fisherman. 
Flies working best are Stone flies, Copper John's, and Egg patterns.
Egg patterns working better in the morning hours, then turning to flies later in the day. Steelhead in early morning in shallow riffles and the later in the afternoon, steelhead are moving into the deep holes. 
Bait fisherman using lures and producing nice Steelhead, as well.
We are fishing for steelhead on the Trinity River from now through the month of March.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

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 RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow has been up and down and is now 33 CFS. Fishing is tough. WD-40's, buckskin nymphs, copper John's and Prince Nymphs.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

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.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wild Horse is now completely ice covered with approximately four inches of ice according to State Park Ranger Andrew Bass. This is bare minimum for safely walking on, and with varying ice thicknesses, anglers need to be extremely careful.
Bass, also reports the ice is a little thicker just off of the State Park boat ramp and that a few anglers have had good luck fishing for trout in this area.
He also has the ice skating rink up and families should bring their skates. The usual worms and Power Baits should work for trout as well as jigging.
Since perch are found in deeper water and the deeper water has thinner ice, anglers should give it a week or so before venturing out to deeper water.
Snow on the shorelines for sledding and snowmobiling.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is poor for the warm water species here, and with few trout in this lake, there will be no new reports on this water until spring.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No recent report and with the snowy weather, expect bad roads that are 4WD only. There should be ice forming at Wilson, but as this lake often parallels South Fork for both ice formation and fishing conditions, expect it to be unsafe at this time.

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