LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): The bite softened and the catch numbers went down, but it is only the calm before the storm. Sunny days have warmed the surface temperature to 67 degrees and the fish will begin keying on ascending Nymphs as they merger from the muddy bottom areas of the lake.
BISHOP, CALIF. AREA:
Sabrina Lake: Rick and Patti Apted of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425): Fishing this week was a bit different: Lots of limits for some and not a fish for others. C. J. Snow of Rancho Santa Margarita landed the biggest fish of the week a 6 1/2 pound Alpers on Pink Gulp. Two YELLOW TAGGED Alpers were caught during the week: The first by Kevin Allard of Moreno Valley nabbing a 4 pounder on a nightcrawler while Kate Baribeault of Long Beach tagged a 3 pounder also on a nightcrawler. Two firsts this week, Ryan Fisher (9 years old) of Lakewood coaxed in his first fish on a plastic worm which turned out to be a whopper: Tipping the scales at 4 pounds and Sophia Torres of Temecula caught her first two fish on Power Bait. Good job, Kids! So what was working for those in the know? The Dingleberry Inlet produced quite a number of limits for those using nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The trollers were using flashers (such as Dave Davis) and a nightcrawler or Thomas Buoyants. Drifting was pretty slow for the week. Those on shore were getting fish using a bubble and a Woolly Bugger.
BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): Both Upper and Lower Blue have been kind of slow this week.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: Randy Picton (760-932-7001) (www.bridgeportreservoir.com): Contrary to popular belief, the full moon has had no effect on the fishing here. A hot bed of 4-5 pounders and everything in between this last week. Many limits of 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 pound pink meat fighters are coming in daily. Rainbows mixed with Browns up to 5 pounds plus. The hot ticket is nightcrawlers and floating bait between Rainbow Point and Rocky Point, and just off of the marina (as the fish move in). Trolling remains very good to excellant very early and very late in the day with Rapalas, Bouyants and spoons in the deeper waters towards the dam. The water levals have remained consistant over the last two weeks. Buckeye Bay is accessible and gaining every day. Launching is NOT a problem at the marina. Fly folks reporting some real fun with Damsel Nymphs (huge hatches) Midges and San Juans as the yearly hatch is happening right off of the marina.
BURNSIDE LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that fly fishing was OK for catch and release rainbow trout, up to 1.5-2 pounds.
CAPLES LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby said he had a couple of good reports from fishermen using nightcrawlers at the dam. One fisherman limited out on Saturday.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
East Carson River:
Todd Sodaro and Chad Machado of the Carson River Resort (877-694-2229): The water looks sweet and it is still up. Plenty of fish and plenty of fishermen. Fishing has been good for those folks who fish along the edges on both sides of the river. There was a 3-pound, 10-ounce rainbow on pink Power Bait.
West Carson River: Dave Kirby reported the water is low but fairly clear and fishable. Mostly Salmon eggs in the deeper holes.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Ed Dillard (Dillard Guided Fishing) (530-832-6394): Same report as last week: I am catching 10-25 fish a trip. Fishing almost every day. Dick Nite copper redhead, down 11 feet. The water is 63. The fish are 14-20 inches.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Lots of fish and lots of happy fishermen. One of the strongest Caddis hatches in years has fly fishermen ecstatic with the action, some catching and releasing from 25 to 76 fish over fishing periods from two to four days. It's hard to see the action getting any better than it is right now, but it's a safe bet that it will.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Flows perked up to 3,000 CFS, and a new batch of salmon moved upstream into the Outlet where anglers experienced their best fishing so far. Because flows were somewhat murky, spinners in brass, copper, and red produced better than the usual silver/blue. Anglers have only to the end of June to keep a salmon. New regulations prohibiting the take of salmon in Central Valley steams go into effect July 1.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): There has been lots of activity this week with many folks out enjoying the warm weather. Limits of 15-17 inch rainbows are being caught on the west side where Frenchman Creek comes in. Catfish are plentiful at Lunker Point and Crystal Point. Nightcrawlers, rainbow glitter Power Bait and a variety of lures have been working well. Fishing has been best in the early morning or evening.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): No report.
Summit Lake (above Indian Creek Reservoir): Will be planted this week with 500 pounds of rainbows.
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, NEV: Missy Swain and Shirley at Burke's Market at Silver Springs (775-577-2750): Fishermen are doing pretty good both from shore and boats. The water is getting lower. Be careful, but the fishing is good.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF: Dave Jacobs (Professional Guide Service) (800-355-3113):
Rainbow Trout: Fishing for wild rainbow trout from Redding downstream below Anderson has been great with multiple hook-ups for trout guides both on conventional spin and fly gear. River releases from Keswick dam near Redding have risen to 13,000 CFS. Trout guides are reporting great fishing for wild rainbow trout 1-3 pounds with the occasional big trout of 4 plus pounds from Redding downstream near Red Bluff. Many rainbow trout have been over 16 inches with some in the twenty plus inch class. 20 plus rainbow trout hook-ups a day a real possibility this time of year. Boats cannot pass the Cypress bridge construction in Redding from 7,000 CFS and up. Side drifting small Glo Bugs in various egg color combos and/or live cricket or nightcrawlers with a Quickie Puffball have worked well. Back trolling small Hot Shot Hot 50's or small K-4/K-5 Kwikfish in various color combos can also be very effective.
Shad: American shad are starting to show in the upper reaches of the Sacramento river below Red Bluff, with best fishing from Red Bluff downstream below Chico. Higher river flows have moved some of the lower river schools of shad upstream. Shad fishing has been great for anglers who find and follow the schools of shad with multiple hook-up common while shad fishing. River guides have reported side drifting small jigs to be best technique on conventional gear. 1/32, 1/16 and 1/8 ounce weighted jigs with a one or two inch curly tailed grub have been top producers. Shad fishing will continue through June.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Action for trout and king salmon was good in Water's Gulch and the area from Packers Bay to the bridge for fish to 4 pounds. Trolling from 36 to 75 feet down found the best bite on a UV Sling Blade in blue or glow patterns with a blue/silver Hum Dinger or a nickel blue Cripplure, although any blue combination of any set-ups work well this time of year. Grubs in salt/pepper color found bass during the day, but there was still a good topwater bite early and late in the day on main body points for bass averaging 1-2 pounds with the odd fish going up to 4 pounds.
LAKE TAHOE - North Shore: Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters at South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (530-544-6552): Same as last week: Fishing has been slow to good for Mackinaw. We have been trolling 100-300 feet deep, going deeper later in the day. We locate the fish on the fish finder and then troll Dodgers and a live minnow in a "Figure Eight" pattern, bouncing the bottom. I've been trolling at Cal/Neva Point and at Dollar Point. We are averaging 2-6 fish per trip.
LAKE TAHOE - South Shore: Gene St. Denis: Same as last week: Fishing at the Ski Run Mound, 80-220 feet deep, for Macks with Dodgers and minnows. We are averaging 2-8 fish per trip. The Macks are running 2-5 pounds.
LAKE TAHOE - East Shore: Gene St. Denis: Same as last week: Toplining 20-40 feet deep, using Trophy Sticks and A/C plugs for nice Macks and browns off Deadman's Point, Cave Rock and Logan Shoals, 2-5 trout per trip. Shore fishing is slow.
UPPER TWIN LAKE, CALIF: Annett's Mono Village (760-932-7071): A 5.75 pound rainbow on a green Woolly Bugger fly. A nightcrawler dropped by Jack LaTranga of Minden for his 3.25 pound rainbow. Same thing for a 3.75 pound rainbow for Barbara Peterson of San Diego. Mosquitoes, gnats and flies working when cast into the shadows.
VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF: Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort: The week ended with a wonderful downpour by mother nature showing us once again who is in control. The fish didn't mind, as they thought food was dropping from heaven. Fish and Game brought in a nice supply of rainbows for the bait dunkers, fly anglers and lure tossers. Trout thought it was all too funny watching the sticks on land throwing various objects into the water and on occasion looking up to see what was causing all the ruckus. Some trout tempted disaster by tasting each morsel offered and ending up on the "hot" skillet. Orange power worms, nightcrawlers, and Salmon eggs were tops. Bouyants (red/gold, chartreuse/spots), Kastmasters, and fire striped hot shots gave a good showing but the red throated Matuka took the blue ribbon. Backcountry trout have been hitting small Midges, and lures, but the gnats and skeeters drove them down country again. Parking is tight, so get here for the early bite and enjoy a nice leisurely afternoon soaking in the scenery.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Dennis Dunn at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: Another 1,000 Wipers hauled all the way from Colorado were stocked last week. Perch fishing is almost nonexistent. Trout fishing is good when the barometer is steady. The weather is nice and the mountain flowers are beautiful.