Malisa Harlow of Dayton won $1,000 at Davis Lake

LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): The Hex hatch should start any time now and continue into July. Until then, put in your time over a deep hole and wait it out with Anchovy tails or small chunks of it on a No. 10 hook with Krill, Herring or Kokanee Feast.

BISHOP, CALIF. AREA:

Sabrina Lake: Rick and Patti Apted of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425): Spring has returned and along with the warmer temps, the bite is back. Doug from Benton was heard to exclaim, "You could throw anything at them and they'd go for it!" Even some of the big Alpers got into the buffet. Jason Speed of Agoura landed a 4.5 pound Alpers on Orange Power Bait while Lee Bell of Bishop caught a nice 3.75 pounder on Rainbow Gulp. Then we heard Doran Follis of Santa Ana brought in a beauty of a 3.75 Alpers. Father and son team, Brad and Max Garrett along with fishin' buddy Darren Colton earned a place on the "Board of BIG Fish" harnessing a 5-pound lunker on Power Bait. Brad being the catcher, Max and Darren whoopin' and a hollerin' for support! Husband and wife team Tim and Lori Carnahan of Sky Valley had a very productive weekend. Tim catching the first yellow tagged fish out of Lake Sabrina, a nice 3 pound Alpers on a Gold Kastmaster, while Lori fought hard for her 3.25 pound hook-jaw brown, using a Rapala.

BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): Another campground has opened at Lower Blue. Upper Blue still has some ice on it and its campgrounds are still closed. Lower Blue was pretty good for hold-over rainbows on worms.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:

East Carson River:

Todd Sodaro and Chad Machado of the Carson River Resort (877-694-2229): The water came up about 8 inches but did not murk up. The people are catching fish as the state planted last week. Heidi Tyra of Auburn caught a 4-pound, 1-ounce rainbow on red Salmon eggs and her sister, Matty, caught a 3-pound, 6-ounce rainbow, also on Salmon eggs. They planted 300 cutthroat in Red Lake and 300 cutthroat in Indian Creek Reservoir, so we are starting to see some of them coming in.

West Carson River: Dave Kirby reported fishing was pretty good with a number of limits of pan-sized rainbows. Mostly on red Salmon eggs. Some on small Kastmaster lures. Nothing big, the largest was a 1.5 pound rainbow.

CROWLEY LAKE AREA, CALIF: Steve Osterman of Performance Anglers of Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-2181:

Crowley Lake: Thing's are picking up on the lake as the weather improves. Stevie's Wonder in gray/black and black/silver both working well. Fish in about 13 feet of water and about a foot off the bottom. If your streamer fishing, try the new Arctic Fox streamers available at The Troutfitter.

Hot Creek: Water flow is currently 50 CFS. Increased water flow has moved the fish around. On the surface, yellow Stimulators, BWO sparkle Duns and Schroder Caddis. Sub surface, try WD-40's, micro May Flies and Caddis Pupa.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): After taking a hit from cold wind and rain earlier, conditions improved by the weekend and the rainbow bite got back on track. A DFG fishing survey showed 40 percent of 50 boat anglers checked had landed at least some fish. Two or three of those boats had limits. Fish size ranged from 12 to 18 inches and the biggest was 21 inches.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Sarah Bensinger of the Grizzly Store (530-832-0270) reported that Davis Lake Fishing Derby on Free Fishing Day was a huge success. She estimated that there were more than 600 fishermen on that day.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Bengie Gentry of the Portola Rotary Club (530-832-1852) reported 673 fishermen were entered in the fishing derby. The first place fish was caught by Eddie Hubic. It was worth $1,000 and his rainbow weighed 6.09 pounds (23.5 inches. The second place fish was caught by Mike Rigsby. It was worth $800 and his rainbow weighed 5.75 pounds (23.25 inches). Malisa Harlow of Dayton, Nev. caught one of the $1,000 tagged fish. The $20,000 fish was not caught.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Fishing for spring run king salmon improved a bit last week, and although still all not that great, it provided one of the very few opportunities to keep a salmon in California, an opportunity which will end on July 1. Fish are bigger than normal, one can be kept and are taking big spinners in the Outlet and in the Low Flow Section.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): Fishing this week has been good for some and challenging for others. Most of the action seems to be at the north end of the lake. Bank fishing has been good at Turkey Point and Crystal Point. Float nightcrawlers or try rainbow glitter Power Bait. Red/orange Roostertail lures have been working too. Catfish are plentiful at Snallygaster. Trollers: Troll slow, 2-3 colors out with nightcrawlers and flashers.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Fishing here took a solid hit from colder, unsettled weather conditions, but as warmer temperatures moved in, the bite was back on pretty quickly. Good bank action reported by fishermen using silver Kastmasters. Wind at times may be a factor to deal with.

HINKSON SLOUGH, NEV: Elmer Bull: The bass fishing has been fairly good. Three fishermen on Saturday caught about a dozen bass, using rubber worms.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): Fishing has been only fair. The Kids' Fishing Derby on Saturday was very successful (we ran out of hot dogs). One little girl caught 4 rainbows, the biggest was a 3-pounder.

Summit Lake (above Indian Creek Reservoir): A fly fisherman did well on Saturday and Sunday, mostly on Nymphs. It is starting to get some algae.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Flow in Rush Creek is down to 72 CFS. In the creek, try Stone Fly Nymphs, Flashback Hare's Ears, olive Caddis Larva and sparkle Caddis Pupa. Fly rodders at Silver Lake are doing well with black or olive Matukas on full sink lines. Also try a Zug Bug or Prince Nymph dropper about 18" behind your streamer.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Mammoth Lakes Basin: Fishing is good in all the lakes right now. Try the inlet at Lake Mamie with purple or black Mohair Leeches or Doc's Twin Lakes Special in black. Some large Alpers trout have been stocked recently.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF: Steven Osterman:

Upper Owens: Water flow 75 CFS. Fly fishing is fair above the Benton Crossing Bridge. The cold weather has slowed down the caddis hatch and feeding activity. Try Nymph fishing with Z wing Caddis, bird's nests and olive Caddis Larva. There are no closed sections on the river now, other than the private ranch areas.

Lower Owens: Water flow is currently 399 CFS. Try the Upper Owens!

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store at (775) 476-0555: Boats are catching fish, up to 20 or more. The fish are scattered all over the lake. The shore fishermen are catching fish at the deeper drop-offs, mostly in the mornings or evenings.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Jim Hartfiel of Just Rite Fishing at Pyramid Lake at (775) 575-7850 (home) or (775) 813-3411 (Cell): We went out Saturday and the fishing was slow. At this time of the year, it is going to get even slower.

RED LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported fishing was good with worms for a mix of cutthroat and brookies. On Friday, one angler caught and released about 15 trout.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Trout fishing continued to be very good, and anglers either worked the short stretch from Posse Grounds to the Cypress Street Bridge or drifted below it to Balls Ferry. They were being caught on Glo-Bugs, Prince Nymphs, Poopahs, and Rubberlegs.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF: Dave Jacobs (Professional Guide Service) (800-355-3113):

Rainbow Trout: Fishing for wild rainbow trout on the lower Sacramento or Sac River from Redding downstream below Anderson has been great with multiple hook-ups for river guides both on conventional spin and fly gear. River releases from Keswick dam near Redding have remained unchanged at 10,000 CFS. 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. 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 Shots 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. 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. Multiple hook ups are possible for anglers who locate good schools of shad. Shad fishing will continue through June.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Nothing real big, came out trout-wise. It was only a fair bite but Bridge Bay and Waters Gulch saw a few limits of trout to 17 inches from the surface to 50 feet with blue/silver Cripplures, Hum Dingers behind Sling Blades and Matrix blue Paddle Tails. A few brass red one also worked in the more shallow waters. Robo Worms in dark colors and chartreuse spinnerbaits found plenty of bass in 12 feet for post spawners. Let it sit, as the bite is still soft. The north bank in Little Squaw Creek and other cuts, coves, points and rocks also found fish. Try tubes, dart-heads, and topwater early and late.

LAKE TAHOE - North Shore: Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters at South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (530-544-6552): 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. Our biggest last week was 10 pounds.

LAKE TAHOE - South Shore: Gene St. Denis: 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: 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.

TOPAZ LAKE: Chuck and Linda Fields at the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550): There was a 4-pounder caught over the weekend. We've got quite a few fishermen this morning (Monday). There are eight boats, all stillfishing on the north end. The weather has been nice but not many fishermen. Mostly jet skiers and water skiers.

UPPER TWIN LAKE, CALIF: Annett's Mono Village (760-932-7071): Art Campbell from Riverside dropped salmon peach Power Bait for a nice 4.5 pound rainbow. Nightcrawlers continue to bring in stringers of pan-sized rainbows.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF: Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort: The ice is off most waters except for Moat and Red Lakes, but the fishing has been huge on Little Virginia for the past 2 weeks. After a 7 day blast of wintery weather dropping almost 40 inches of snow (melted daily) with temperatures conducive to the Musk Ox, summer seems to have arrived in the Sierra. The trail to the upper lakes has a lot of snow and snow bridges so extreme caution should be used when you seen tunnels under the snow. Stay off unless you want a ride in a helicopter.

The lures of the past week have been Buoyants, yellow/black, red/gold and watermelon, 1/4 oz.

Power Bait and worms are tied for second, and black/olive Woolly Buggers, black Leech patterns with burgundy flash, and the "killer" fly has been the olive flash-a-bugger, size 10.

Gerald Lewis of Tracy caught a nice 2-pound, 8 ounce out of Trumbull on worms, and Deacon Jay Zebco of San Diego took a beauty of 2-pounds, 3-ounces. Bob McAdam of Acton landed a nice 2-pound rainbow on Power Bait, Steve Barry of Rosamond also ripped a 2-pound, 11-ounce hawg on a silver prism Kastmaster. Joshua Makell of Agoura pulled out a 3-pound, 4-ounce on his secret lure, and the beat goes on.

Alpers stocked last week, and Little Virginia got an extra load of fish from Fish and Game due to the ice not totally broken up on Big Virginia. Runoff is in full swing and the creeks are high and a bit off color, but it doesn't seem to hurt the fishing much. Just have to use more sneakiness than usual and hide behind trees and bushes and slip those salmon eggs into the water right at their nose, and hold on.

A lot of browns have come out this past week from about 10 inches up to 2 lbs. It's unusual for this many to see daylight, but I guess their numbers are on the rise, and it's about time.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF: Steve Osterman:

East Walker River (From Bridgeport Dam to the Nevada Stateline): The water flow is now up to 175 CFS. The constant up and down water flow has created very erratic fishing conditions as the fish can't seem to get settled. Red Serendipitys, flashy Prince Nymphs, Z-Wing Caddis and Brassies.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Dennis Dunn at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: The fishing is good when the barometer is either way high or way low. Our weather has been mostly bad and we have not had very many shore or boat fishermen. We finally saw the sun this morning (Monday). The trout they are catching look like "footballs." The trout are being caught on anything that is yellow, gold or Chartreuse. Our fuel prices here at the Resort are $4.99 a gallon for gasoline and $5.99 a gallon for diesel.