02-24-2005, 04:00 AM
Fishing report for Feb. 23, 2005 [url "mailto:online@rgj.com"][/url]
2/22/2005 10:30 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: Because of the rain showers and warmer afternoons, the ice is unpredictable. Use caution and fish early in the day. Use worms or ice jigs. Snow is melting quickly and roads are a little more accessible with 4-wheel-drive on the east side. There may be some areas with open water. Call for updated information. Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.
LAKE DAVIS: Ice fishing is rated as fair for rainbow trout up to 4 pounds. Ice conditions remain good with reports of ice thickness varying from 12 to 20 inches. The Murphy's from Reno fished the lake on Sunday, landing five fish in the 16-17-inch range. The Ice Fishing Fools of America, 12 members strong, made their 28th annual trip to the lake over the President's Holiday. On Sunday they landed 10 fish weighing from 1.5 to 4.2 pounds. The bait of choice has been chartreuse Powerbait and or a combination of Powerbait and worms. Access remains good on the east side road down to Mallard Cove. Coot Bay has been the popular fishing spot providing easy access and fair fishing results.
Good results have been coming to those who are using their ATVs to venture to the north end of the lake. Go down 4-10 feet for best results.
Dollard’s Sierra Market (530) 832-5251.
Email — [url "mailto:dollards@psln.com"]dollards@psln.com[/url].
Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559
Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
TRUCKEE RIVER: With the recent storms and the snowmelt, the river has come up quite a bit. East of town is very stained and hard to fish now. West of town, the water is still clear, but is rising daily. Heavily weighted nymphs fished under an indicator in deeper pools are the way to go. There have been some Baetis hatching in the afternoons, but the fish are taking the bugs below the surface. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
PYRAMID LAKE: Fly-fishing remains decent. Fish are still being caught all over the lake. Local knowledge is key to catching fish now. Anglers who continually fish at the Nets are not having very much luck, but anglers who know where to find fish this time of year and how to fish for them are doing pretty well. The south and north ends of the lake continue to produce fish. There was a 12-pounder caught at Monument Rock over the weekend by an angler using a 250 grain density compensated shooting head with an olive martini fly. The water temperature is around 42 degrees and the fish are not chasing flies that are moving very fast. Sink your flies to the bottom and strip very slowly. Smaller flies are also working well. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
HINKSON SLOUGH: Has been fishing pretty well since the opener. The warmer weather has sparked a midge hatch. Fish are being caught on zebra midges and Hinkson monster midges fished under an indicator in 4-6-feet of water. Wooly buggers in sizes 8 and 10 fished with an intermediate line are also worth a try.
COOLING PONDS: Also fishing well. There were many bass caught by anglers wading the shoreline last week. Burk’s V worms and Bear Hair streamers seem to be working well.
Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
TOPAZ LAKE: Fishing has been a little slow for shore fishermen. They’re not getting limits, but are averaging about two to three fish per day. Average about 1 1/2 pounds. Best on northeast side. Most are using nightcrawlers or Powerbait. Most boaters getting limits, using nightcrawlers or Needlefish behind a gold flasher. Best on east and north ends. Fish are still in the top 10 feet. It snowed on Monday and Tuesday. Topaz Marina, 266-3550. Topaz Lodge 266-3338.
CAPLES LAKE: Ice fishing has been good here. Many opportunities to catch a big brown or mackinaw. A Rapala balanced jig will work well here. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
PACIFIC OCEAN: The unexpected arrival of giant squid are keeping anglers attention off the coast. Out of Emeryville on Friday the “Superfish” landed 33 squid up to 40 pounds for their 19 anglers aboard. The hooked nearly a hundred to land what they got. The best area was out near or just south of the Farallon Islands. Recommended tackle is at least 40-pound gear and squid jigs.
The 2005 ocean salmon season will open on April 2 and the halibut fishing in San Francisco bay should commence around mid-April.
For information or reservations call (510) 654-6040.
SACRAMENTO RIVER: Flows at 3,700 c.f.s. Redding to Anderson, Calif. As weather allows, fly-fishing for rainbows is producing some nice trout in the Redding to Anderson area. Using Pheasant Tail, sizes 14-16 in olives and brown. Egg pattern and Micro May Fly nymphs working well. Fishing will improve as spring approaches and the bug hatch increases.
Opening day of salmon fishing on the Sacramento River is July 16
Guide services and information: Hank Mautz Professional Guide Service, (800) 355-3113.
Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151.
SMITH RIVER: Fishing for Steelhead. Water is low and clear. Averaging two to five fish, 8-12 pounds. Some days better than others. Using Sparrnone and steelhead eggs early in the morning. Using pink Thunderballs. Also, bouncing roe. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151.
WALKER LAKE: Fishing is good. 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 10-15 fish per day in the 2-4-pound range. Ed Jones, Bait and Tackle Shop, (w) 945-2525.
WILDHORSE: More than 200 people showed up for the trout derby over the weekend. Jim Rice from Meriden, Idaho, brought in three trout weighing a total of 11.8 pounds on Sunday. He had Sunday’s longest fish at 20 7/8 inches. Ron Wilcox was second with a 20-inch fish and Clyde Phillips caught a 19 3/4 inch trout. On Saturday, Starr Harmon had the longest trout with a 21-incher. Juan Vera was next with a 20 1/2 -inch fish and Linda Schmidt was third with a 20 3/8-inch fish.
On Tuesday, Sam Seals from Winnemucca caught a 22-inch 4 3/4 pound cutbow.
No-limit perch derby is March 12-13. Wildhorse Resort, 758-6471 or email: [url "mailto:dunns@direcway.com"]dunns@direcway.com[/url].
EAST WALKER: Flows are 21 c.f.s. This is as low as it has been all winter. Wait a couple weeks until irrigation starts and they raise the flows. The best time to fish the East Walker is when the flows are between 50 and 200 c.f.s. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
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2/22/2005 10:30 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: Because of the rain showers and warmer afternoons, the ice is unpredictable. Use caution and fish early in the day. Use worms or ice jigs. Snow is melting quickly and roads are a little more accessible with 4-wheel-drive on the east side. There may be some areas with open water. Call for updated information. Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.
LAKE DAVIS: Ice fishing is rated as fair for rainbow trout up to 4 pounds. Ice conditions remain good with reports of ice thickness varying from 12 to 20 inches. The Murphy's from Reno fished the lake on Sunday, landing five fish in the 16-17-inch range. The Ice Fishing Fools of America, 12 members strong, made their 28th annual trip to the lake over the President's Holiday. On Sunday they landed 10 fish weighing from 1.5 to 4.2 pounds. The bait of choice has been chartreuse Powerbait and or a combination of Powerbait and worms. Access remains good on the east side road down to Mallard Cove. Coot Bay has been the popular fishing spot providing easy access and fair fishing results.
Good results have been coming to those who are using their ATVs to venture to the north end of the lake. Go down 4-10 feet for best results.
Dollard’s Sierra Market (530) 832-5251.
Email — [url "mailto:dollards@psln.com"]dollards@psln.com[/url].
Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559
Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
TRUCKEE RIVER: With the recent storms and the snowmelt, the river has come up quite a bit. East of town is very stained and hard to fish now. West of town, the water is still clear, but is rising daily. Heavily weighted nymphs fished under an indicator in deeper pools are the way to go. There have been some Baetis hatching in the afternoons, but the fish are taking the bugs below the surface. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
PYRAMID LAKE: Fly-fishing remains decent. Fish are still being caught all over the lake. Local knowledge is key to catching fish now. Anglers who continually fish at the Nets are not having very much luck, but anglers who know where to find fish this time of year and how to fish for them are doing pretty well. The south and north ends of the lake continue to produce fish. There was a 12-pounder caught at Monument Rock over the weekend by an angler using a 250 grain density compensated shooting head with an olive martini fly. The water temperature is around 42 degrees and the fish are not chasing flies that are moving very fast. Sink your flies to the bottom and strip very slowly. Smaller flies are also working well. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
HINKSON SLOUGH: Has been fishing pretty well since the opener. The warmer weather has sparked a midge hatch. Fish are being caught on zebra midges and Hinkson monster midges fished under an indicator in 4-6-feet of water. Wooly buggers in sizes 8 and 10 fished with an intermediate line are also worth a try.
COOLING PONDS: Also fishing well. There were many bass caught by anglers wading the shoreline last week. Burk’s V worms and Bear Hair streamers seem to be working well.
Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
TOPAZ LAKE: Fishing has been a little slow for shore fishermen. They’re not getting limits, but are averaging about two to three fish per day. Average about 1 1/2 pounds. Best on northeast side. Most are using nightcrawlers or Powerbait. Most boaters getting limits, using nightcrawlers or Needlefish behind a gold flasher. Best on east and north ends. Fish are still in the top 10 feet. It snowed on Monday and Tuesday. Topaz Marina, 266-3550. Topaz Lodge 266-3338.
CAPLES LAKE: Ice fishing has been good here. Many opportunities to catch a big brown or mackinaw. A Rapala balanced jig will work well here. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
PACIFIC OCEAN: The unexpected arrival of giant squid are keeping anglers attention off the coast. Out of Emeryville on Friday the “Superfish” landed 33 squid up to 40 pounds for their 19 anglers aboard. The hooked nearly a hundred to land what they got. The best area was out near or just south of the Farallon Islands. Recommended tackle is at least 40-pound gear and squid jigs.
The 2005 ocean salmon season will open on April 2 and the halibut fishing in San Francisco bay should commence around mid-April.
For information or reservations call (510) 654-6040.
SACRAMENTO RIVER: Flows at 3,700 c.f.s. Redding to Anderson, Calif. As weather allows, fly-fishing for rainbows is producing some nice trout in the Redding to Anderson area. Using Pheasant Tail, sizes 14-16 in olives and brown. Egg pattern and Micro May Fly nymphs working well. Fishing will improve as spring approaches and the bug hatch increases.
Opening day of salmon fishing on the Sacramento River is July 16
Guide services and information: Hank Mautz Professional Guide Service, (800) 355-3113.
Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151.
SMITH RIVER: Fishing for Steelhead. Water is low and clear. Averaging two to five fish, 8-12 pounds. Some days better than others. Using Sparrnone and steelhead eggs early in the morning. Using pink Thunderballs. Also, bouncing roe. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Kirk Portocarrero, (800) 670-4448 or (530) 221-6151.
WALKER LAKE: Fishing is good. 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 10-15 fish per day in the 2-4-pound range. Ed Jones, Bait and Tackle Shop, (w) 945-2525.
WILDHORSE: More than 200 people showed up for the trout derby over the weekend. Jim Rice from Meriden, Idaho, brought in three trout weighing a total of 11.8 pounds on Sunday. He had Sunday’s longest fish at 20 7/8 inches. Ron Wilcox was second with a 20-inch fish and Clyde Phillips caught a 19 3/4 inch trout. On Saturday, Starr Harmon had the longest trout with a 21-incher. Juan Vera was next with a 20 1/2 -inch fish and Linda Schmidt was third with a 20 3/8-inch fish.
On Tuesday, Sam Seals from Winnemucca caught a 22-inch 4 3/4 pound cutbow.
No-limit perch derby is March 12-13. Wildhorse Resort, 758-6471 or email: [url "mailto:dunns@direcway.com"]dunns@direcway.com[/url].
EAST WALKER: Flows are 21 c.f.s. This is as low as it has been all winter. Wait a couple weeks until irrigation starts and they raise the flows. The best time to fish the East Walker is when the flows are between 50 and 200 c.f.s. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.
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