Don Q's Northern California, Nevada and Sierra fishing report for July 18-23

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 July 18-24:

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:

No change here as anglers report not only good fishing, but that the fish are in fairly good condition.
The usual worms, Power Bait and small spinners all are effective here.
Good flies include small bead head olive crystal buggers, zug bugs, prince nymphs, olive soft hackle nymphs and just about any fly that has peacock herl in it.  While dry flies are working, nymphs that have peacock herl or olive bodies seem to be fishing the best using short quick strips. For dry flies use stimulators, humpies, elk hair caddis and mosquitoes. 
Best colors appear to be yellow or red.

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 COME TO THE LAKE
It was another great week at the Lake – nice and cool with a few sprinkles. We dodged the lightning heard a bit of thunder here and there – all in all it was a good week – and best of all we got Alpers this past week ranging in size from 3 to 10 pounds.
Fishing slowed a bit this week – fishing the inlets was best using NightCrawlers or Power Bait.
Trolling was also a bit slow (and wouldn’t you know – Rick and I went fishing Thursday – he won 11 to 6 – caught and released), but if you use leadcore at 4-5 colors with flashers and a NightCrawler - this was producing the best.
Drifting with a NightCrawler and a split-shot over the shoreline between the two natural lakes was getting some fish.
Shore fishing with Salmon Eggs, Power Bait or NightCrawlers in the small coves was what was working.
If you’re not sure – come into the building and ask!
DFG stocked the Lake on Friday with another load of Rainbows – thanks!
Yup, we got a load of Alpers on Tuesday and on Wednesday James Greer of Temecula caught a 5-pound beaut of an Alper on a dark red Power Worm at the DingleBerry Inlet.
Then on Thursday, Bishop local, Pat Powell caught a 3-1/4 lb on a Salmon Egg and Charlie & Cameron Marchesano of San Diego teamed up to catch a 4-pound Alper on yellow PowerBait. Great catching guys!
Well this is the 3rd week of working on the bridge. The first week - they had roped off the North Lake Hiker parking area at the North Lake road last week – the second week a storage container and forklift were delivered to the roped off area. Now for the 3rd week – we couldn’t figure out what was done on the bridge last week. We’ll keep you informed of the progress. We have been assured the road will remain open during the season, so do not fret, you will be able to get to the Lake.
KEEPING THIS IN - Guess it’s that time of year to remind you of a few things – when using BUG JUICE – not many of them – think the last cold streak killed most of the big ones and the smaller ones haven’t hatched yet (could be because of the lack of run-off) - or SANITIZER you need to really wash your hands before fishing - then rub some Salmon Egg juice, worm dirt or Anglers Bros Trout attractant (got it in stock at the Lake) to take that smell off.
Remember your polarized dark glasses and sunscreen – we saw a few anglers that looked a bit like cooked lobster last year.
Temperature cooled this week due to the cloud cover we had for a few days – lows in the 70s for highs and in the low 50s for the lows. The weather gurus are talking cooler temps this week.
DON’T FORGET TO PACK A JACKET WHEN YOU COME TO THE LAKE and if there’s a chance of thunderbooms - DON’T FORGET YOUR PONCHOS. You can 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.
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.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parcher’s Resort (760-873-4177) (email to sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
South Lake:
Beautiful weather greeted the summer crowds this week and with another load of Alpers trophy trout stocked on Tuesday, it was a great week out on the lake. DFG dropped a load of fish on Friday morning just in time for the weekend folks so the majority of anglers had great success on the lake.
Big fish of the week was a 4.5 pound Rainbow caught by Matt Ruppell of Bishop on a red/white mini-jig.
Quite a few fish in the 2 to 3.5 pound range were brought in as well.
The inlets near the back of the lake are still holding quite a few fish and the first few boaters out each morning are doing really well within 30 ft of the any of the inlets. The channel to the east of the island has also been a pretty consistent place to catch a limit. Not surprisingly the dam and the rock slide are holding a lot of fish as well - including some bruisers.
The bait n' wait folks are doing well fishing crawlers 5' under or fishing Garlic or Chunky Cheese power bait 3 ft off the bottom. 
The soft plastics bite is still solid with most brightly colored jigs and trout worms accounting for a lot fish including some 'bows to 3lbs.
The South Lake Special was one of the more consistent colors this week along with the pink/blue sparkle and green/yellow/orange combo.
As usual, Thomas Bouyants in Red/Gold was the best for lure tossers.
Folks on the troll did best with Thomas, Tazmanian Devils or hauling flashers with a crawler.
The water level at South Lake came up a couple inches however the launch ramp is still high and dry. A few private boaters are launching right off the rocky shoreline to the left of the official launch ramp. This process can be sketchy but some folks but can be done.
South Fork Bishop Creek:
Lots of chunky rainbows to 13" kept a lot of the stream team happy this week, mostly caught on salmon eggs or crawlers.
Also got a few reports that Panther Martins and Lip Ripperz were working in the slower sections of the creek as well.
Intake II:
Basically a repeat of last week - only a few reports but those reports were all good, especially for bait fishing with Power bait. Nothing of size reported.
North Lake:
Shore anglers experienced fast action on just about anything following the DFG plant this week.
The weekend crowd characterized the bite as "wide open".

BISHOP CREEK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
Bridgeport is still producing lots of nice fish in the 1 to 3 pound range, the shore fishing is tough but the boat anglers are doing well. 
Bait anglers are using inflated crawlers, gulp clusters, fire bait, power bait and power eggs.
Fly anglers are using damsel patterns and midges like zebra midges, pt's and callibaetis nymphs.
There's still a few folks trolling, seems the best bets for that would be Thomas Bouyants, dodgers and crawlers and small Rapalas. 
There's also been a fair number of nice perch showing up for the bait and trolling folks, most are running in the 2 pound range. 


CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort.com) reports:
Friday the 13th was anything but unlucky for Matt Nolan of Pleasanton, Calif. 
Matt rented a kayak from us this evening and went over to Emigrant Bay. He was using a “jig” in 4 foot of water when he hooked this 18 inch, 2.5 pound Rainbow trout.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing continues to be fair to good here for 7 to 10 inch fish using small spinners, natural baits, Power Bait or small wooly buggers. 
In mid morning and early evening small dries such as Griffith’s gnats, small elk hair caddis, PMD’s and red quills may be effective if there is a hatch going on.  Also, small emerger patterns can also be deadly this time of year. And of course small wooly buggers, crystal buggers and Cave Lake specials seem to work here anytime.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Cutthroat trout fishing can be good this time of year, both in the estuary or up river. 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:
Albert Vasquez from Los Angeles caught a 2 pound, 3-ounce Rainbow with Eggs on the South Shore! We also had Steve Legere who caught a 1 pound 15 ounce with Salmon Eggs at the Inlet. Kathy Prouse from Simi Valley caught a stringer of fish with worms and Yellow Power Bait at the Jetty. Alexis Valentine from Cypress caught a stringer of fish with a Rooster Tail at the Creek!
Best Location to Fish:
The best locations to fish right now are the South Shore, Inlet, Beach Area, Jetty, Lake, North Shore and Convict Creek.
This past week Anglers have had most success with: 
Nightcrawlers, 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: 57 Degrees. 
Weather:  Slight cooler weather conditions are expected this next week.
Expect temperatures to be in the upper 70's over the weekend then slightly cooler temperatures are expected for the later part of next week with highs in the mid to low 70's and lows in the high 40's. Here is a local site that is usually quite accurate www.mammothweather.com. 
Tactics/Bait: 
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, Night Crawlers and Power Worms
(Information provided by the Convict Lake Staff, Kittredge Sports, and Rick's Sporting Goods)  
Stocking: DFG stocked this week.  
Fishing Map: The brochure will be available in the General Store in the next few weeks.
Sunrise - Sunset: Sunrise this week 5:53 am - 5:56 am and Sunset 8:12 pm - 8:08 pm.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
The green goo is at it's thickest but the winds move it around and clear water can be found. Red brassies and Stevie's M-80 in 13-15 feet of water.


EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Trout action has slowed, but anglers are still catching rainbows and tiger trout. Many of the fish are in the 14- to 15-inch range.
There has been little bass fishing activity recently.
Trout in this reservoir generally bite well on flies, small spinners or lures, red worms and Power Bait.
When seasonal weed growth becomes an issue anglers do well with a mini marshmallow-red worm combination.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The crappie bite has shut down, but largemouth bass are providing good action for anglers throwing spinner baits in bright colors: greens, yellows and reds. The fish aren’t record breakers but they are fish.
Trout action has slowed, anglers are catching a few fish in the 12-inch class.
Seasonal weed growth is becoming an issue.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Heenan Lake is closed.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is down a bit to 10 CFS. Trico's in the am. Caddis hatch is strong from around noon on. CDC caddis or e/c caddis on the surface. Good PMD hatch and little yellow stones begining to show. Nymph fishing remains the most productive. WD-40's,flashback pheasant tails, hares ears and scuds

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is fair here due to the heat but in the early morning, anglers are having some success. Anglers are catching 10 to 14 inch fish, with an occasional 16 to 18 inch trout thrown in for good measure.
The water level is dropping but still in fairly good shape. 
The usual natural baits, Power Bait, spinners and natural colored nymphs should all work. Hare’s ears, PT’s, damsel fly  nymphs and prince nymphs are good choices for this lake.

JAKE'S / BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUYTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This water is very weedy and anglers with float tubes or small boats have a definite advantage.  Fishing from shore is difficult due to the weeds.  Anglers should try spinners, the usual natural baits, Power Baits and streamers. For fly rodders, hare’s ears, damsel fly nymphs, zug bugs, sheep creek specials and olive wooly buggers are all worth a try.
Bass fishing has been fair to good, but again, anglers from float tubes have the advantage.

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.  Rush Creek is steady at 9 CFS and fishing is good.
Try a Royal Wullf, Royal Coachman or a stimulator. Nymph fish with P.T.'s, San Juan worms and olive hares ears.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
It seems that Kirman has been a little tough lately, probably due to the warmer weather. The anglers we've talked to this week had a little success on leech patterns and some midges but the reports we've been getting are that they're only getting into 2 or 3 fish a day. 


LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River: Anglers continue to catch rainbow trout while fishing night crawlers in the big bend area. Striped bass also are making their presence known with anglers finding success from Davis Camp south past Rotary Park on the Arizona side. The fish are hitting cut anchovies fished on the bottom and lures such as the Rat’l Trap.

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:
Twin Lakes has been the best bet 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.
Very crowded.

MAMMOTH CREEK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

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

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Sporadic striper boils are taking place during the early morning hours, but the fish seek deeper water as the daytime temperature heats up.
Anglers are catching striped bass and catfish from Vegas Wash to Boxcar Cove and along the beaches north of the Hemenway launch ramp.
In the Overton Arm, fishing has been good for largemouth and smallmouth bass, and small striped bass. 
The water level has dropped to 1,115 feet, a loss of nearly 20 feet since February. Boaters should use caution and watch for submerged rocks and other changes in underwater structure.

MILL CREEK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Windy conditions and warm temperatures have limited angling pressure out of Cottonwood Cove, but action for striped bass is beginning to pick up.
Anglers have found success for both striped bass and catfish while fishing in coves with cut anchovies. One lucky angler reeled in a pair of stripers that weighed in at 6.4 and 5.2 pounds.
Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass action is fair.
Fishing is very slow at Willow Beach where daytime temperatures have reached 120 degrees.

MCGEE CREEK, CALIF:
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.
Fishing for bottom fish is now closed outside of 30 fathoms.
The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish, of which no more than 1 may be a cabezon from April 1 through Sept. 30. There are separate daily limits for lingcod (two) and flatfish other than Pacific halibut (25).
The near shore halibut season is still open from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain.  The All-depth halibut season is closed until Aug. 3 and 4.   
Recreational chinook salmon and fin-clipped coho seasons are open in the ocean from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain.
Fishing for chinook and fin clipped coho salmon has been slow.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: Current water flow is 64 CFS. Water temp up to 67. The river is still cloudy  but fishing is good. Lot's of caddis and PMD's. Fox's Caddis Poopah, Brooks Hot Creek caddis San Juan worms and egg patterns.
Recent stockings have improved the fishing here.
Lower Owens River:
Current flow is 402 CFS. Try the Upper Owens.


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.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed to Lahontan Cutthroat Trout fishing until Oct. 1.

ROBINSON CREEK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

RUBY LAKE NWR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The wind is causing havoc with anglers, but on days when the wind subsides anglers are starting to see the bass bite pick up as the water temps climb.
Anglers report an average of 10 to 12 fish per keeper.
Dark colored soft baits seem to be the best bet.
Fishing for trout is slow, but anglers should fish the deeper ponds like the Ski Pond as the trout  hold on the cooler springheads with the warmer water temperatures.  The collection ditch is also a good place to fish for trout as the feeder springs provide cool water and flows that bring food to the fish.
Damsel and dragon fly hatches are going on and both nymph and adult presentations should be effective.
The collection ditch is artificial lures only and wading is not allowed.
Boats with electric motors only are now allowed on the marsh. Launching from the Narciss boat ramp is difficult due to the weedy conditions.   

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916-388-1956) reports:
SALMON OPENER GOOD FOR SOME, SLOW FOR OTHERS
The salmon opener was about typical for most openers…some good fishing here and there and mostly tough action. The best report I heard was from Vance Staplin, who had early and easy limits for 4 anglers out of Woodson Bridge on the Sac. He fished K16 plugs but admitted that he fared better than most by finding a good pocket of fish. Most boats had scores of 0-3. Staplin said his fish were all chrome dandies, the smallest of which was 14 pounds and the rest were 18 pound cookie cutters.
Down around the mouth of the American, there were a half dozen kings caught by the trollers working outside of the anchored boats.
Plugs and spinners accounted for a handful of kings here and there all up and down the river from Rio Vista to Colusa.
The action will get much better in a couple weeks!

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Monday, JULY 16th to December 16 , 2012 will be the season for King salmon this year, 2012.
Opening day of salmon was a success, seeing limits of salmon by 9 am. Produced amazing King Salmon for opening day, salmon up to 25 pounds. Using Flat fish lures. 
We used  Flat lures in the morning and bounced roe through out the day. Most of the fish were between 15 and 25 pounds.
The Davis' family of San Jose had limits by 7 am.
There are lots of fish in the system.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, LOWER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at email outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Lower Sacramento River fishing report, in Redding, Calif., is as follows; 
As of  July 17, 2012, water flow is currently 14,500 CFS. 
Fly fishing Sacramento River in Redding to Anderson is excellent.
Fantastic fly fishing now. Catching wild rainbows Redding to Anderson. 20 to 30 fish days now. Fishing has been very productive, yesterday late day into evening was fantastic.
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, Black 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 fishing for wild rainbow trout. Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AND OCEAN, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916-388-1956) reports:
SALMON WIDE OPEN!
The salmon bite out at N Buoy has been red hot lately and the Golden Gate fleet has been tied up to the docks early with limits, limits, limits of kings! The fish are from the surface down to 20 feet or so.
If you are the first boat on a spot, try trolling up high and then drop down if necessary. Watermelon Apexes, orange Krocodiles, Purple Haze Hootchies and straight chovies.
The kings were all running big but there’s been an infusion of smaller fish lately as well — keepers, but more like 6-8 pounds instead of 16-20 pounds.
There is a ton of krill out there and whales everywhere too.
Up north at Bodega, the action off Salmon Creek and Carmet has been insane with limits pretty much all around.
Inside San Francisco Bay, the halibut fishing has been pretty tough but boats are getting a few fish. Lately, a few have been showing up however off the bar, so it may improve.

SAN JOAQUIN/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Road is now open and flow in the river is great however most campgrounds are  closed due to massive blowdown of trees. Stimulators,coachmen,elk hair caddis and flying ants. Sotcher and Starkweather Lakes also fishing well.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
With surface water temperatures at or above 70 degrees in the late afternoons trout are heading to deeper, cooler water during the day making fishing difficult for shore anglers.
The warmer temps and lower water conditions are also producing massive amounts of weeds and algae and the water is very stained.
Trout fishing is slow to fair and bass fishing is fair to good.  
Fishing shallow (four to ten feet) for trout is effective only at dawn. Using a fish finder or a thermometer, anglers should look for thermoclines, those abrupt changes in water temperature for fish. Often trout will hold in the cooler water just below the warmer water looking for aquatic insects. 
For trout, fly rodders should fish chironomids or nymphs sizes #12 to 18 in ten to fourteen feet of water with the fly at or near the bottom.  Use a slip strike indicator, so that when you catch a fish, it will slide down the leader. 
The weed mats found at the south end of the lake are providing cover for trout and bass and fishing above or along the edges of these has been effective for trout in the early morning hours and effective for bass during the day. 
Damsels are out in force and both the nymph and adult patterns are working for fly rodders, though the nymph stage is definitely producing more fish.
The cove at the main boat ramp is fair for trout and bass. 
Jet Ski Beach has seen a few fish caught, using Power Bait or worms but mostly during the early morning hours. 
Fishing below the dam is slowing down as water flows diminish and the weed growth increases. With the low flows, fish are stacked in the outlet side below the dam.  
For trout below the dam use hare’s ears from 12 to 16 and then anything green, especially nymphs with peacock herl. 
For dries, red seems to be the color as trout have been taken on both royal coachman and red humpies. 
Pools in the river further downstream are also providing good fishing. 
Anglers may now keep one black bass 15-inches or longer. 
For wipers, brightly colored streamers, spoons and crankbaits in chartreuse, orange, and black/white/silver combinations can all be effective. However, they have been difficult to find on South Fork lately.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) (www.blueribbonfishing.com) reports:
Fishing has been great.
The Macks are running about 2-8 pounds with an occasional one in the double digit weight size.
I’ve been trolling 150-240 feet deep with Dodgers and minnows at the Tahoe City Shelf on the west side of the lake.
On July 12, I had Rob Boehmer, Thomas Strong and Don Quilici, all of Carson City, fishing with me. They were limited out by late morning.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Water is dropping. Currently, Water is at 1,000 CFS slowly dropping to 450 CFS by July 26, 2012 
We are fishing  the Trinity River for Chinook King Salmon. There are salmon in. Salmon fishing is good ! 
Yesterday, Pro Guide Kirk Portocarrero and clients had 3 King salmon hooked and 1 landed by 9 am this morning on the Trinity River. As the day has progressed, with at least 7 hook ups, the fishing was heating up, clients landing 2 more salmon, in the 12 pound range. 
Schools of salmon have been seen below Willow Creek and Burnt Ranch

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
The Twins are fishing great these days. Shore fishing has been good with power bait, crawlers and casting lures like thomas bouyants and kastmasters. Fly fishing has been good with mini leeches, matukas, soft hackles, ap emergers and wooly buggers. Trolling has been good with dodgers and crawlers, needlefish and small Rapalas. 


TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
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.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
The Virginias are still kicking out some great fish!
In fact we had a 9 lb 5oz Rainbow brought in today from Little V that was caught on a crawler!
Lots of other nice fish are being caught from the shore or tubes and boats.
Crawlers, power bait, eggs and power eggs have all been good.
Lure anglers are using Jakes, Thomas Bouyants and Kastmasters.
Fly anglers are using matukas, mini leeches, buggers, soft hackles, beetles, mosquitoes and sierra brite dots.


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:
East Walker River:
The flows are sitting at 90 CFS today on the river, they've been bumping up and down a bit this week but it hasn't hurt the fishing at all. Water temps are still in the mid to upper 60's and the fish are still feeling good. 
There's still been some good dry fly action though the nymphing has been 
gaining ground. For dries go with E/C caddis, PMD's, outrigger caddis, parachute adams, elk hair caddis, trico, chubby chernobyls and beetles. For nymphs try fox's poopah, buckskin caddis, 3-wire caddis, rainbow warrior, silver streak, zebra midge, wd-40, blood midge and flashback emerger.
The Rosachi has also been doing well with these same flies as well as some dead drift crayfish and some hopper patterns. 
West Walker River: The West has been great still as well, good spinner fishing, bait fishing and fly fishing. Panther Martins and Rooster Tails have been good, salmon eggs and crawlers for bait. Good fly patterns include hoppers, beetles, ants, humpy's, stimulators, princes and soft hackles. 
Sceirine Ranch:
The Ranch has been fishing well this week too, lots of nice fish being caught on dry/dropper rigs as well as nymphs.
You can go with chubby chernobyls and madam-x's on top and for nymphs and droppers go with blood midges, copper johns, princes, pheasant tails and birds nests. 
Hunewill Pond: We had a couple good reports from the pond this week, the water is getting warmer and the weeds are growing up a bit though. There are still a couple areas of the pond where the weeds aren't as bad so you need to focus on those areas with your damsel and leech patterns. 

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River: Flow has been up and down and is currently 90 CFS. 
Huge am trico hatch and caddis in the evening Nymphing is good with WD-40's, zebra midges, baetis emergers and buckskin nymphs.
If the "miracle mile" is packed as it has been fishing is good down river.

WASHOE LAKE, WAHOE COUNTY, NEV: The Nevada Department of Wildlife ( HYPERLINK "http://www.ndow.org" 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:
Trout fishing is slow to fair for 12 to 15-inch fish, with a few pushing 20 inches trolling at the mouth of canyon, though the closer to the dam you get, the slower the fishing. 
Most trollers are having their best luck using downriggers to get the presentation down around 15 to 20 feet using cowbells.
For trout, dark panther martins with gold spoons are also working. 
Wipers are still being caught at the south end of the lake using minnow imitations, such as crankbaits or rapalas. Light colors or perch imitators seem to be the best. The mouths of Hendricks and Penrod arms are also producing a few wipers.
The island at the state park boat ramp is still covered by two feet of water as is prop rock, which puts both in range of boats, so please be careful. Both of these hazards will star to break the surface in the next couple of weeks.  Surface water temperatures are around 70 degrees, so early morning for trout.  Fishing is fair to good for bass, and fair for catfish. 
Fly rodders should be using mayfly imitators, damsel fly nymphs, leech patterns and chironomids first thing in the morning. Otherwise fly fishing is difficult because it is hard to get your presentation down to where the fish are during the day. 
The rock face south of the state park boat ramp and the beach just north of the boat ramp are producing a few trout and an occasional wiper for anglers.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is fair for catfish here and biologists are asking anglers to continue to release any bass or crappie they may catch. 
Surface water temperatures are rising quickly and the water is becoming turbid. Expect the lake to get very low this summer due to irrigation needs downstream. If water conditions don’t get too bad this summer, next summer should start to produce keeper sized bass and crappie for anglers.
Most of the catfish appear to be taken between dusk and dawn using nightcrawlers, shrimp or stinkbaits.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing has been fair for 13 to 16 inch trout from float tubes and boats. 
The bass bite is on and anglers are reporting good luck using soft baits.
Both the weeds and algae are growing and the water clarity is dropping, which gives cover to the fish. 
Like the other Elko Co. reservoirs, damsels are everywhere, so fly rodders should start with those. 
Larger presentations have been working so try natural baits (worms/Power Bait), spinners and large natural colored flies like wooly buggers, damsel fly nymphs and leech patterns.  The usual assortment of smaller nymph patterns, like those recommended for South Fork, should be tried if the larger flies aren’t working.
With the dry summer, expect the downstream users to take more water from Wilson and the lake level may drop significantly this summer.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK:
Saddlebag Lake: It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Saddlebag Creek: It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

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