04-03-2005, 02:10 PM
Fishing report for March 30, 2005 [url "mailto:online@rgj.com"][/url]
3/29/2005 11:17 pm
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to rapidly changing weather conditions in the Sierra and Northern Nevada, anglers are urged to call ahead to the sources listed at the end of each area description for reports on the latest road and water conditions.
FRENCHMAN LAKE: The ice is gone. Fish with nightcrawlers and Powerbait. All access points are available. The road around the lake is open, but use caution. Streams open April 30. There’s a lot of snow, but gates to campgrounds usually open by May 1. Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.
DAVIS LAKE: Ice out is beginning with approximately 10 percent of the lake surface open and fishable from shore. Complete ice out is a day-to-day proposition. If the wind continues to blow, as it was Tuesday, it could be a matter of two to three days. Access is limited to foot traffic only from the east side road to lake side. Snow depth averages 12-18 inches. Dollard’s Sierra Market (530) 832-5251. [url "http://www.dollardsmarket.com/"]www.dollardsmarket.com[/url]. Email — dollards@psln.com.
TRUCKEE RIVER: The flows on the river have been going up and down a lot lately. As the weather fluctuates so does the flow. When it rises it pulls dirt off the bank and it can muddy up for a couple of days. This pattern can continue for next month or so as the snow melts. Be careful wading right now as it is hard to see the rocks in the water. Nymphing with Stoneflies and Baetis nymphs have been best. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. [url "http://www.renoflyshop.com/"]www.renoflyshop.com[/url]. The Gilly, 358-6113.
PYRAMID LAKE: The fly-fishing is starting to really get good. Reports of 20 fish days are common for the Pyramid locals. The water temps are still 48 to 50 degrees, which is a little cold for this time of year. The fishing should only get better over the next month as water temperatures rise. The olive Martini has been really good as well as the Northern lights tadpole. Nymphing is starting to get good also. The snow cone midge and chartreuse copper John’s in size 12 have been effective. Fish are still spread out all over the lake. Popcorn was red hot last weekend. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. [url "http://www.renoflyshop.com/"]www.renoflyshop.com[/url].
WILDHORSE: A few people are still ice fishing down near the dam. There is a lot of open water for bank fishing. Nightcrawlers and fluorescent marshmallows are working well. Also fluorescent red spinners and spoons. There was a heavy, wet snow last week, which should bring the lake level up. Wildhorse Resort, 758-6471 or email: dunns@direcway.com.
MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
HINKSON SLOUGH: Reports are very good. A lot of smaller fish being caught on zebra midges mid-morning. The bigger fish are being caught on woollies and leeches fished with an intermediate line. A float tube or pontoon boat is a big asset because of the tulles.
COOLING PONDS: The bass fishing has been great. Wading the shoreline and casting to cruising fish on breezy mornings has been terrific. Bear Hair streamers and Burk’s aggravator in black have been working well. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
SMITH CREEK RANCH: The fish are really active right now and have not seen a fly for five months. This would be a great time to fish at Smith Creek Ranch. Chartreuse woolly’s and brown leeches are working well. Afternoons have been best. There are some big fish being caught right now up to 24 inches. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
SPARKS MARINA: Has been fishing well, depending on the day. Anglers catching fish off the pier and around the boat ramp. Worms and Powerbait. The Gilly, 358-6113.
SACRAMENTO RIVER: Flows at 3,700 c.f.s. Redding to Anderson, Calif. Fly-fishing for rainbow trout is excellent, averaging 15-25 fish a day, nice rainbows in the 2-5-pound range. Pheasant tails Nos.14 -16 (olive and brown), caddis patterns and Micro Mayfly Nymphs working well. Fishing will keep improving as spring approaches and bug hatches increase.
Opening day of salmon fishing on the Sacramento River is July 16.
Guide services and information: Hank Mautz Professional Guide Service, (800) 355-3113. Web site: [url "http://www.hankmautzfishing.com/"]www.hankmautzfishing.com[/url].
Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"]www.sacriverguide.com[/url].
LAKE SHASTA: Picking up some nice rainbows, 1-3 pounds average. Fishing is fair, starting to see a few salmon, 60-80-feet deep, trolling using shad pattern lures. As the month progresses, there will be more action and larger fish. Spring and summer months are prime time for fishing this lake. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"]www.sacriverguide.com[/url].
WALKER LAKE: Fishing is terrific. Boaters reporting 20-30 fish per day. Trolling Tor-P-Dos, Flatfish and Apex in shallow water, 10-30-feet deep. Shore fishing is also good using Powerbait and casting Tor-P-Dos. Shore fishermen reporting 10-20 fish per day in the 2-4-pound range. Ed Jones, Bait and Tackle Shop, 945-2525.
EAST WALKER: The flows are up to 53 c.f.s. If they remain at that level the fishing should get good over the next couple of months. The flows just went up so wait a couple of days to see if they stay above 50 c.f.s. Indicator nymphing or using a big dry stone fly with a dropper should be good. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. [url "http://www.renoflyshop.com/"]www.renoflyshop.com[/url].
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3/29/2005 11:17 pm
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to rapidly changing weather conditions in the Sierra and Northern Nevada, anglers are urged to call ahead to the sources listed at the end of each area description for reports on the latest road and water conditions.
FRENCHMAN LAKE: The ice is gone. Fish with nightcrawlers and Powerbait. All access points are available. The road around the lake is open, but use caution. Streams open April 30. There’s a lot of snow, but gates to campgrounds usually open by May 1. Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.
DAVIS LAKE: Ice out is beginning with approximately 10 percent of the lake surface open and fishable from shore. Complete ice out is a day-to-day proposition. If the wind continues to blow, as it was Tuesday, it could be a matter of two to three days. Access is limited to foot traffic only from the east side road to lake side. Snow depth averages 12-18 inches. Dollard’s Sierra Market (530) 832-5251. [url "http://www.dollardsmarket.com/"]www.dollardsmarket.com[/url]. Email — dollards@psln.com.
TRUCKEE RIVER: The flows on the river have been going up and down a lot lately. As the weather fluctuates so does the flow. When it rises it pulls dirt off the bank and it can muddy up for a couple of days. This pattern can continue for next month or so as the snow melts. Be careful wading right now as it is hard to see the rocks in the water. Nymphing with Stoneflies and Baetis nymphs have been best. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. [url "http://www.renoflyshop.com/"]www.renoflyshop.com[/url]. The Gilly, 358-6113.
PYRAMID LAKE: The fly-fishing is starting to really get good. Reports of 20 fish days are common for the Pyramid locals. The water temps are still 48 to 50 degrees, which is a little cold for this time of year. The fishing should only get better over the next month as water temperatures rise. The olive Martini has been really good as well as the Northern lights tadpole. Nymphing is starting to get good also. The snow cone midge and chartreuse copper John’s in size 12 have been effective. Fish are still spread out all over the lake. Popcorn was red hot last weekend. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. [url "http://www.renoflyshop.com/"]www.renoflyshop.com[/url].
WILDHORSE: A few people are still ice fishing down near the dam. There is a lot of open water for bank fishing. Nightcrawlers and fluorescent marshmallows are working well. Also fluorescent red spinners and spoons. There was a heavy, wet snow last week, which should bring the lake level up. Wildhorse Resort, 758-6471 or email: dunns@direcway.com.
MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
HINKSON SLOUGH: Reports are very good. A lot of smaller fish being caught on zebra midges mid-morning. The bigger fish are being caught on woollies and leeches fished with an intermediate line. A float tube or pontoon boat is a big asset because of the tulles.
COOLING PONDS: The bass fishing has been great. Wading the shoreline and casting to cruising fish on breezy mornings has been terrific. Bear Hair streamers and Burk’s aggravator in black have been working well. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
SMITH CREEK RANCH: The fish are really active right now and have not seen a fly for five months. This would be a great time to fish at Smith Creek Ranch. Chartreuse woolly’s and brown leeches are working well. Afternoons have been best. There are some big fish being caught right now up to 24 inches. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
SPARKS MARINA: Has been fishing well, depending on the day. Anglers catching fish off the pier and around the boat ramp. Worms and Powerbait. The Gilly, 358-6113.
SACRAMENTO RIVER: Flows at 3,700 c.f.s. Redding to Anderson, Calif. Fly-fishing for rainbow trout is excellent, averaging 15-25 fish a day, nice rainbows in the 2-5-pound range. Pheasant tails Nos.14 -16 (olive and brown), caddis patterns and Micro Mayfly Nymphs working well. Fishing will keep improving as spring approaches and bug hatches increase.
Opening day of salmon fishing on the Sacramento River is July 16.
Guide services and information: Hank Mautz Professional Guide Service, (800) 355-3113. Web site: [url "http://www.hankmautzfishing.com/"]www.hankmautzfishing.com[/url].
Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"]www.sacriverguide.com[/url].
LAKE SHASTA: Picking up some nice rainbows, 1-3 pounds average. Fishing is fair, starting to see a few salmon, 60-80-feet deep, trolling using shad pattern lures. As the month progresses, there will be more action and larger fish. Spring and summer months are prime time for fishing this lake. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151. Web site: [url "http://www.sacriverguide.com/"]www.sacriverguide.com[/url].
WALKER LAKE: Fishing is terrific. Boaters reporting 20-30 fish per day. Trolling Tor-P-Dos, Flatfish and Apex in shallow water, 10-30-feet deep. Shore fishing is also good using Powerbait and casting Tor-P-Dos. Shore fishermen reporting 10-20 fish per day in the 2-4-pound range. Ed Jones, Bait and Tackle Shop, 945-2525.
EAST WALKER: The flows are up to 53 c.f.s. If they remain at that level the fishing should get good over the next couple of months. The flows just went up so wait a couple of days to see if they stay above 50 c.f.s. Indicator nymphing or using a big dry stone fly with a dropper should be good. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. [url "http://www.renoflyshop.com/"]www.renoflyshop.com[/url].
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