Sacramento Bee RSS Feed
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2009
- Messages
- 442
- Reaction score
- 1
TOP PICKS
AMADOR LAKE -- Trout remain the top attraction with weekly plants of jumbo Donaldson's trout boosting the catch. Top success has been with anglers in float tubes casting to shore with fly-bubble combos, Kastmasters, Rooster Tails and mini-jigs. Fly casters also score this way. Best bait action goes to those fishing the top 5 feet of water with Power Bait fished under a bobber.
SACRAMENTO RIVER -- The Port of Sacramento was about the only place where striped bass of any size were being caught with some consistency, and that was primarily by trollers using Fish Traps on a spreader with Mann's and Yo-Zuris. Even catfish slowed. A few steelhead were being caught above Butte City on roe. A limited salmon season opens on Nov. 16, and that's drawing most of the attention.
LAKE TAHOE -- Mickey Daniels at Mickey's Big Mack Charters described the fishing as "fantastic" with 17 hook-ups on Sunday. His clients kept 7 or 8 fish, 5 to 7 pounds; he tagged 2 or 3 more macks 2 to 3 pounds, and they lost 6 or 7 more fish. He was back at the dock by 9:30 a.m. Chuck Self at Chuck's Charter Fishing reported that rainbow action is still strong with lots of shallow activity. The water temp hasn't dropped enough for the good brown trout fishing yet.
EAGLE LAKE -- Trolling from a foot below the surface to 6 feet deep in 5 to 10 feet of water with Sep's 2-inch orange grubs brought in limits by the weekend. Work the area inside Pelican Point in Spalding Bay or outside Pelican Point in the northern portion of the south basin and along the Youth Camp shoreline.
NORTH COAST RIVERS
CHETCO RIVER -- The Oregon DFW kept the river closed due to low flows to protect the kings in the lower river. It could open at any time, depending on increased flows and the ability for fish to move upstream and away from historic snagging and "lining" holes, according to WON Field Reporter and Chetco Outdoor Store manager Dave Pitts.
ELK RIVER -- Most of the guides on the Rogue are now fishing Oregon's Elk River for salmon, but the size of the river really limits the number of boats that can fish it. Curtis Palmer, River Secrets Guide Service, said the Elk is where people want to be, as of Sunday, he went up there and said "lots of fish being caught" a friend of his caught a 48 pounder on Saturday. "This is it..." he said, but the water is low.
ROGUE RIVER, Lower -- Dead, dead, dead...and over with for the year, according to Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service.He said they did some test netting and came up with a winter steelhead, but it's really early for those.
ROGUE RIVER, Middle -- The Central Rogue is redhot steelhead fishing right now, "probably the best in years," said guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. The salmon are dark and not being targeted, but everyone fishing for summer steelhead is finding nice adults from 6 to 11 pounds or so.
RUSSIAN RIVER -- There's been reports of a half dozen steelhead caught here so far, but conditions are low and clear, and the season really hasn't started yet. Wait for the next big rain.
SMITH RIVER -- The river opened up, as did the south fork and main, and fresh kings again poured into the river. Anglers did well on chromer Chinooks in the high teens to the mid-20s and even some in the 30- pound range. Target the Cable Hole, Early Hole just below the Brundeen and Peacock. Guide Phil Desautel said he and his two clients hooked 29 salmon and landed 20 just fishing at the Water Tower, and that they saw 50 to 75 fish caught.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen -- Fresh salmon, including some fish weighing in the mid-20-pound class were being caught on roe and a Puff Ball (Kwikfish for the larger fish) all the way up to Johnson's Riffle by the very few anglers still on the water. Steelhead fishing has been good, too, on roe, nightcrawlers, and spinners, as well as flies.
KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam -- Some dark salmon were still around, but fishing for steelhead was a better bet all the way from Orleans to Iron Gate Dam. It's a mix of halfpounders and adults.
TRINITY RIVER, Junction City -- Salmon were essentially non-existent, and almost all anglers have switched to steelhead fishing, which was only fair with the typical catch per boat a couple of fish. Back- trolled small plugs like Wee Warts and Hot Shots, as well as flies like egg patterns and copper Johns fished under indicators were producing most of the fish.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek -- The river is in good shape, even its lower reaches, and steelheading has been good down around Salyer Bridge, especially for fly fishermen. Few salmon were being caught.
MOTHER LODE
CAMANCHE LAKE -- Trout plants and colder temperatures boosted the action with limits now fairly common. The South Shore Trout Pond has been a hot spot for anglers tossing small spinners. Trollers reported many limits from the main lake, with fish to 6 pounds reported. Needlefish and Rapalas worked best. There were some good reports also from stillfishing anglers using nightcrawlers. Success stories also came from both bass and catfish anglers, with topwater working early in the day, and nightcrawlers working later. Catfish to 14 pounds were caught, the top action at the South Shore Pond.
DON PEDRO RESERVOIR -- Still a little slow after last month's heavy pressure on the lake's big holdover fish. The small kings have dissipated a little, and plants by the DFG have boosted the action for shore anglers. Bass fishing remained tough, with the fish suspending, chasing shad, and hard to locate. When the thermocline mixes (turnover), the action should pick up on all species.
LAKE McCLURE -- Improving action on the trout, with a combination of DFG plants and cooling temps perking up the bite. Toplining worked first thing in the morning, then anglers dropped their gear to the 30- 40- foot zone later in the day.
LAKE McSWAIN -- More good trout action for both trollers and shore anglers, reported Marilyn Kern at the Lake McSwain Marina. The bad news is the low lake level that, while not affecting the fishing, is making things a little tougher on launching. Small boats are no trouble, but if the lake drops any lower, anglers with bigger boats may experience trouble launching. The low levels are to allow work on Lake McClure's dam up above.
NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR -- Outdoor writer William Heinselmann fished with Kevin Squire and while the striper fishing has been generally slow, they managed three linesides to 8 pounds and a couple largemouth bass, all hooked on spoons. Black bass fishing has been good with topwater the top bet, Zara Spooks the main strike getter.
NEW MELONES RESERVOIR -- No results on the big Future Pro tournament, but the bass fishing has been tough for quality fish. Trout fishing continued to improve with DFG plants started. Shore anglers will benefit most, but trollers also have been catching holdovers with a couple 3 pounders weighed at Glory Hole Sports. Shad patterned lures worked best for the bigger trout. Top spots were upriver and around the spillway and dam. Still some big catfish coming in, like the 16.5 pounder caught near the Glory Hole Marina on oysters.
TULLOCH RESERVOIR -- Top bet is trout, with good action on rainbows in the top 10 feet or so for trollers using flasher/'crawler combos, shad and Needlefish. Guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing said he had a tough time trying with shad and flasher/'crawler combos, but when he switched to Vance's Slim Fins and Ex-Cels between 13 and 25 feet on a faster troll, his clients scored fish to 2.5 pounds. Out of eight rainbows boated, five were 2 pounds plus. Bass fishing is slower; two tournaments on Saturday produced one to two fish per angler, although a decent 6 pounder took big fish.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER -- It appears that there are a few more salmon than last year coming up the river so far this, judging by kings being observed banging their heads against the fish screen at Nimbus Hatchery and fish that can be seen preparing to spawn in the shallow riffles at upper Sailor Bar Park. It's still a far cry from the swirling dark red clouds over large swaths of river representing hundreds of spawning salmon concentrated in a small area in years of yore. An occasional steelhead was being hooked on riffles downstream of the closure at Ancil Hoffman Park. However, fishing was slow.
FEATHER RIVER -- Steelhead fishing was poor, and wading challenging during the time when flows were jacked up in the Low Flow Section last week. However, when flows stabilized back at the usual 600 cfs, the bite improved. Glo-Bugs, nightcrawlers and spinners were working for spin fishermen, and nymphs under indicators proved best for fly fishers.. A very few striped bass were being caught at Shanghai Bend on jigs, soft swimbaits, jerkbaits and minnows.
FOLSOM LAKE -- The lake is still dropping slowly, and bass fishing continued to be challenging. Bass have moved off the flats, which are running out of water in many places. Steep rocky shores and channel edges proved the best of a not-so-great lot. Tracking down suspended and at-the-surface bait balls has been less than a sure-fire bass finding method, but worth a shot. Spoon and throw crankbaits when bass are spotted working bait. Drop-shotted and Carolina-rigged plastics have also been working at times. Salmon and trout fishing continued to be slow.
McCLOUD RIVER -- Fishing was fair, and a few larger trout showed at the lower end of the river last week. Remember the river closes to fishing on Nov. 15.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding -- Fishing was up and down, possibly because of the full moon last week. Salmon spawning has tapered off, so small nymphs were getting more grabs than drifted egg patterns. Afternoon to evening fishing proved best.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Upper -- The river dropped and cleared and fishing improved to fair to good from Dunsmuir all the way to the lake. Use larger rubber leg nymphs plus a small dropper nymphs imitating the large October caddis hatch under indicators or high stick in the small pockets.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE -- Shiner anglers are fishing their baits on drop-shot rigs or fly-lining a small circle hook with a light splitshot for weight. Look for this bite to hold up for the next several months. Artificials are also producing with several bass in the 2 1/2- to 4- pound class found on jerkbaits, a Lucky Craft LV 500 lipless crankbait, and the drop-shot. Currently fish are being caught on every technique except topwater. It's a mixed bag, but the plastic worm rigged on a drop-shot rig is still the best bet to catch fish. Channel cats from 7 to 14 pounds have been surprising bass anglers by taking a crankbait, spinnerbait, swimbait or shiner.
LAKE BERRYESSA -- This Saturday Spanish Flat Country Store & Deli will start up their winter monthly trout and salmon derby. Anglers can sign up prior to the event at the store, located on the lake at 4318 Berryessa Knoxville Rd., by calling (707) 966-1600 for more information or by email at either guidesvc@inreach.com or marciaritz@lakeberryessa.net. The Nov. 14 event will be at the Country Store with a 1 p.m. weigh-in deadline. Spoons still dominate here for bass; with a few drop-shot 4-inch Basstrix Flashtrix minnows in the smelt color also getting their attention.
LAKE SONOMA -- A minnow imitation or small Apex produced near limits of steelhead by the dam and down in the Warm Springs area. While still slow, bass were caught on spoons in 40 feet around submerged trees in the north creek arms. Drop 1-inch Hopkins spoons or try off rocky points with jigs by the dam.
UPPER BLUE LAKE -- Recently stocked twice, fishing has been excellent with little angling pressure and limits for trout trollers. Troll in 30 feet with Artic Fox flies in black with green flecks or a flasher/ worm. Kastmasters and Needlefish have not been as productive as fish are still deeper than usual due to warmer waters.
DELTA REGION
SACRAMENTO RIVER side -- Things were slow on this side but Sandy Beach, and the Old Dairy, and the flats above the ferry had trollers using Bombers and Yo-Zuri's with white worm trailers for a few stripers. At the Power Lines anglers were soaking baits for small schoolie-sized stripers, as fish are still very scattered.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side -- Pittsburg, Antioch Bridge, Broad Slough, and Big and Little Cut all had spread out sturgeon as they moved back into the lower system. While there weren't a lot caught, more 55- to 65-inch fish were accounted for. Numbers of the schoolie-sized stripers were taken on shad and mudsuckers or lures in the flats, as these fish were also spread out.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
LAKE ALMANOR - You can start to switch back and forth between lures and vertical jigging or bait fishing as the fish are slowing down with the cooling water, especially in the early mornings. The Rec. 2 area, Almanor West Flats and the jetties were all good areas to target.
BAUM LAKE -- Nightcrawlers and mealworms were good bait choices, while Kastmasters seemed to be the lure of choice. BWO's did well, as did sparse PMD's, midges, and mahogany duns. Olive nymphs were a good bet for nymphs.
FALL RIVER WILD TROUT AREA -- Check the regs! Most streams close Nov. 15 (Sunday) except for those in the "Special Regulations" section of DFG's Regulations. Some will continue to stay open for use with barbless hooks and artificial lures. Trout fishing has been good here using BWO's, PMD's, woolly buggers. Wiggletail zugs have been good for nymph users.
HAT CREEK WILD TROUT AREA -- Check the regs! Most streams close Nov. 15 (Sunday) except for those in the "Special Regulations" section of DFG's Regulations. Some will continue to stay open for use with barbless hooks and artificial lures.
PIT RIVER -- Check the regs! Most streams close Nov. 15 (Sunday) except for those in the "Special Regulations" section of DFG's Regulations. Some will continue to stay open for use with barbless hooks and artificial lures. Water is colored due to heavy runoff from the north but should clear soon if the weather holds. Prior to that, the catching was very good with rubber leg nymphs.
LAKE SHASTA -- Shad hatches are abundant, with boils found from Holiday Harbor to Hertz Bay in the McCloud arm. Find surface activity and you're bound to find trout. Top-line HumDingers, Cripplures, Kastmasters, Needlefish, or Apex's from 10 feet to the surface and switch up your trolling speed. The trout are there!
NORTH SALTWATER
BENICIA -- Lots of striped bass in the area, willing to eat bullheads and live anchovies, if you can get them. Benicia Bait had plenty until about 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The shore anglers are going through the bullheads because the crabs are still hanging around. That will be the case until some big freshwater comes down the system and pushes them back out. One angler scored a big striper weighing 40 pounds, plus a 58-inch sturgeon on the weekend while soaking eel at the Mothball Fleet.
BERKELEY -- Crabbing was likely out of the question on the weekend, so that could explain why the landing didn't submit a report.
BODEGA BAY -- Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler cancelled his squid trips that he had scheduled for the weekend due to the big swell, but he's got more trips scheduled for the coming weeks. Sport crabbing on the private fleet out of Bodega Harbor reported good numbers of Dungeness. "Everyone I talked to, no matter where they had their pots, reported limits of crabs," said Powers. "They weren't necessarily big, but there were plenty."
CROCKETT -- Captain Mike Shimel ran the first trips on board the Morning Star out of this port, and found good action on Saturday, and slower action on Sunday. Captain Gordon Hough relayed the reports for both days, noting that Saturday's group of seven anglers caught near limits of 13 striped bass and six leopard sharks on a combination of bullheads and mudsuckers. Sunday's group of 16 anglers had half limits of bass and three sharks. Most of the action came from off the Mare Island Rockwall.
EMERYVILLE -- The weather nulled the opening weekend crab combos, but a couple of the boats got out on bay trips. The Captain Hook did well on striped bass with a couple halibut to boot from main bay and North Bay, while the Wet Spot scored a pair of halibut and a big leopard shark from South Bay.
EUREKA -- With the beach surf topping 30 feet on Friday, there was very little crabbing. Some tried the mouth of the Eel at Crab Park with very little success. "About the only thing we had going on was beach erosion," said Ben Williams at the Pro Sport Center.
FORT BRAGG -- Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar reported another banner squid effort with a light load of dedicated locals on Tuesday really slamming them. Just four anglers whacked around 900 pounds of squid, a total of 34 jumbos in the 30 to 40-pound class. The Telstar crew is figuring out how to best find, hook and draw up the big Humboldts, then how best to prepare them for the table. Crab combos were cancelled for the weekend, but will start on Wednesday.
HALF MOON BAY -- The crab opener met with huge swells and while Captain Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat reported an effort to check pots on Saturday, he said the results were definitely weather affected. After trying for rockfish below Pigeon Point and finding an extremely tough bite, his group of 20 pulled the outside string for 83 crabs, then turned to the inside string to finish with limits.
MARTINEZ -- Captain Jeremy Kangas on Stickem reported good action on shaker bass and sturgeon, with a nice 20-pound linesides caught on a bullhead near the Mothball Fleet. At Martinez Bait and Tackle, Nicole Zachary reported good action on both sturgeon and striped bass over the weekend, the big fish caught a 27-pound striped bass weighed for the month-long Police Derby that finished Friday. Bullheads have been best for catching the stripers, although Captain Jim Smith on the Happy Hooker still has anchovies and they are working even better.
SAN PABLO BAY -- Still some good striped bass fishing for anglers using live bait, or for those fishing on the anchor with bullheads. The best action seems to be along the south shoreline up into Suisun Bay.
SHELTER COVE -- Crab season opened, but there was no launching on the beach at Shelter Cove due to the big swell. The ocean is supposed to lay down by Tuesday, so crab reports should start rolling in about mid-week. Everything else is pretty much closed here except abalone diving.
SUISUN BAY -- Good action on stripers throughout the system, but particularly around Benicia, Crockett and Rodeo. The Mothball Fleet produced a 40-pound striped bass, and some good sturgeon, but the biggest sturgeon came from off the PG&E station, where a 300 pounder was rumored released.
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
AMERICAN RIVER -- The Middle Fork below the Ellicott Bridge has been good for browns and rainbows in the deeper pools. The Middle Fork below French Meadows dam is still productive for rainbows if you put forth the effort to hike down to the deeper pools.
BULLARDS BAR -- Lake is at 60-percent capacity. Only a few fishermen on the lake according to the Emerald Cove Marina store and none are reporting any success. There are a lot of spotted bass here and fishing should be good for experienced anglers using worms, jigs and reaction baits.
CAMP FAR WEST - This lake is down to 5-percent capacity. There have been very few reports coming in according to the North Shore Resort. Bass fishing has been good at the dam. Watch out for navigational hazards, especially along the shore.
COLLINS LAKE -- This lake is holding at 45 feet down from full. Threadfin shad hatches have fish feeding heavily near the surface. Fishing pressure has been light but shore anglers and trollers are catching a mixed bag of species including trout, catfish, bass and redear sunfish. Trevor Azadian and grandfather, Mica Fish, caught a 5-pound rainbow, 9-pound and 7-pound 10-ounce catfish and several big readears. Bass are hitting crawdads on rocky banks and at the rock pile on the island up to 5-pounds 2-ounces.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 92-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching a few 9- to 10-inch rainbows on flasher/worm combos in the Skippers Cove Marina. The Army Corps is still doing some work on the launch ramps but the ramps are now open.
FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 55-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching rainbows on flasher/worm or spoons in the lower section of the lake in front of the ramp. Browns are staging at the inlet for the spawn and are hitting flasher combos and Rapalas.
FULLER LAKE -- DFG is done planting here for the season but there should still be some holdover fish available for shore anglers and trollers.
HELL HOLE RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 57-percent capacity. Browns are still hitting for trollers at the inlet. Macks are hitting for experienced trollers at the dam using Kastmasters at 60 feet.
LAKE OROVILLE - Lake is at 36-percent capacity. The launch ramp at Lime Saddle is now closed and the ramp at the Spillway will most likely close soon leaving only the new extended ramp at Bidwell. Bass fishing has been good for anglers throwing worms and jigs on the rocky points down to 35 feet. Some catfish are still hitting anchovies and mackerel at Dark Canyon and anywhere water is running into the lake. Newly planted coho should be allowed to grow up.
ROLLINS LAKE -- Lake is at 89-percent capacity. None of the resorts at the lake are answering calls with all of them on winter hours of operation. The boat ramps and campgrounds are open and fishermen are waiting for DFG to resume trout plants.
SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE -- Lake is at 66-percent capacity. One troller reported hooking a big brown trout up in the Deer Creek arm but lost it near the boat. Fishing pressure has been light and anglers are waiting for DFG to resume trout plants.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR -- Anglers are just waiting for the DFG to start planting here again now that the reservoir has been put back on the stocking list. Fishing has been very slow with few anglers coming here.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 70-percent capacity. No reports were available from the Georgetown Ranger Station; anglers are waiting for the DFG to start trout plants again.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY -- Bass fishing has been pretty good along the tules, either along the shore when the water is up or off-shore clumps when the water level is down. Watermelon Senkos have been the lure of choice. A few steelhead are showing up on inflated nightcrawlers or minnows at Wilbur Rd.
SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS
BOCA LAKE - Lake is down to 21-percent capacity. Water level is too low for trailer boat launching, cartoppers have the advantage. Fishing has been great up at the inlet for mostly rainbows and some browns, 16 to 24 inches. Successful anglers are using nightcrawlers, Power Bait and white lures. Outside the inlet area, juvenile mackinaws are hitting Krocadile and Kastmaster spoons in firetiger.
CAPLES LAKE -- The Resort is closed until just before Christmas and the will be open for winter lodging until mid April to take advantage of the nearby Kirkwood Ski Area and ice fishing. Fishing reports are hard to come by even for Woodfords Station. The lake should be producing for shore anglers and cartop boaters.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)--Alpine County planted both the West and East Carson this past week. With flows better in the East Fork, fishing has been excellent and big limits are coming in. Limits of fish averaging 3 pounds have been weighed in at the Carson River Resort according to owner, Todd Sodaro. With flows in the West Fork back to seasonal lows, fishing has been pretty good as there are plenty of fish. Dave Kirby reported a local boy catching a 3 1/2-pound rainbow.
DAVIS LAKE -- Lake is down to 49-percent capacity. Fishing is still good for trollers using copper/red Dick Nites and dark colored wooly buggers at 6 to 12 feet. Shore fishing is getting better with the die-back of the bottom weed growth at Fairview and Mallard Cove on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Fly fishing has been good on nymphs under an indicator on the northern end of the lake.
DONNER LAKE -- Lake is at 36-percent capacity. Fishing has been good off the public piers for rainbows and smaller mackinaws on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. The macks seem to be hitting more often when the rig is being reeled in for another cast. Try silver or gold Krocodile or Kastmaster spoons. Boaters can launch at their own risk due to the low water levels.
FEATHER RIVER CANYON -- Butt Valley Reservoir is at 80-percent capacity. Butt Valley has been producing good catches of quality rainbows to 5 1/2 pounds trolling Excel spoons on 3 colors of leadcore at the north end of the lake along the buoy line. The North Feather has been kicking out limits of rainbows to 18 inches on Panther Martins. The Caribou Powerhouse produced fish to 3 pounds this past week. Both the Feather River and the Caribou Powerhouse close on November 15.
FRENCHMAN LAKE -- Lake is at 37-percent capacity. Fishing for shore anglers and trollers has been excellent all week. Brian Weber of Fremont caught a limit of 18- to 20-inch rainbows near the dam from shore with marshmallow/salmon egg combos and orange Power Bait. The areas around the boat docks seem to be providing excellent results.
GOLD LAKES BASIN -- Fishing pressure has been light but those coming up are finding pretty good action on all the lakes using worms from shore.
ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 66-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching 30 to 50 planter rainbows a day toplining flashers, Needlefish, and grubs.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR -- An Alpine County is scheduled for the near future. Fishing has been good for shore anglers using Power Bait, nightcrawlers or a 1/4-ounce silver Kastmaster spoon. Fly fishermen working the channel from the ramp to the dam with olive and black wooly buggers are doing very well.
JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 51-percent capacity. Trollers going up into the Middle Yuba arm or along the dam are finding some good rainbow action. No word on any big browns though the spawn seems to be over and the fish are moving back into the lake.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park) -- Lake is at 73-percent capacity. Locals are catching smallmouth up to 2 pounds up in the Narrows on worms and jigs. Trollers are still picking up some smaller mackinaw along the east side of the lake near the second dam at 30 to 50 feet.
LOON LAKE -- Lake is at 63-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching 30 to 50 fish a day toplining just about anything you want to try. The fish are running 10 to 12 inches.
PROSSER LAKE -- Lake is at 33-percent capacity. The water is too low for boat launching unless you have a cartopper. The Prosser Creek inlet area has been the best spot for shore anglers working the points with nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Panther Martins, Rooster Tails, or a 1/8-ounce Kastmaster. The average fish are 10 to 14 inches with some measuring up to 16 inches. Smallmouth bass are still hitting at the dam on crawdad and minnow imitations.
PYRAMID LAKE -- George Molino at Cutthroat Charters reported that fishing was good for smaller fish, 17 to 24 inches, on Apex lures trolled at 20 to 30 feet. Red frog, watermelon and firetiger are good colors to try. Molino said the secret lately has been to cover a lot of water. The biggest fish weighed in this past week at the Pyramid Lake Store was an 8 1/4 pounder caught by a fly fishermen.
RED LAKE -- Reports were hard to come by for Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station. He said that fishing was pretty good for rainbows and brookies on worms.
SILVER LAKE -- Fishing reports are hard to come by but there were a lot of fish planted here last season and there should be productive toplining with flashers trailing worms or a Needlefish. Shore angling should be good with Power Bait, bobber/worm combos and spinners or heavy spoons.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 49-percent capacity. Boats can still launch here and boaters are running up to the Little Truckee inlet area and trolling with a Rapala for nice rainbows and browns. Smallmouth bass are active from Davies Creek to the dam and hitting brown jigs and small crawdad Rapalas. Mackinaw, 2 to 4 pounds, are hitting trolled or jigged spoons at 20 to 40 feet at the dam.
TRUCKEE RIVER -- The upper reaches of the river in the General Section are extremely low, 11 cfs. The fish are all concentrated in the deep pools. The General Section closes to fishing on November 15 as do all tributaries to the Truckee. The Special Section has been fishing well early and late when the sun is off the water. Streamers have been productive. If you can find active fish, try a size 18 to 20 BWO. Small nymphs have been working, too, like a silver copper john or PT. The Little Truckee between Boca and Stampede and the main Truckee from Trout Creek to Stateline are open all winter to barbless artificial, catch-and-release fishing.
UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 56-percent capacity. For the time being it appears that the gate to the Sunset ramp has been reopened, but this is not the normal practice. Trout action is good near Sunset toplining worms, spoons and grubs.
WEST WALKER RIVER -- The river closes for the season on November 15. Fishing for the few anglers visiting the area has been good with salmon eggs and worms for fish up to 2 pounds.
- Western Outdoor News
www.wonews.com
More...
AMADOR LAKE -- Trout remain the top attraction with weekly plants of jumbo Donaldson's trout boosting the catch. Top success has been with anglers in float tubes casting to shore with fly-bubble combos, Kastmasters, Rooster Tails and mini-jigs. Fly casters also score this way. Best bait action goes to those fishing the top 5 feet of water with Power Bait fished under a bobber.
SACRAMENTO RIVER -- The Port of Sacramento was about the only place where striped bass of any size were being caught with some consistency, and that was primarily by trollers using Fish Traps on a spreader with Mann's and Yo-Zuris. Even catfish slowed. A few steelhead were being caught above Butte City on roe. A limited salmon season opens on Nov. 16, and that's drawing most of the attention.
LAKE TAHOE -- Mickey Daniels at Mickey's Big Mack Charters described the fishing as "fantastic" with 17 hook-ups on Sunday. His clients kept 7 or 8 fish, 5 to 7 pounds; he tagged 2 or 3 more macks 2 to 3 pounds, and they lost 6 or 7 more fish. He was back at the dock by 9:30 a.m. Chuck Self at Chuck's Charter Fishing reported that rainbow action is still strong with lots of shallow activity. The water temp hasn't dropped enough for the good brown trout fishing yet.
EAGLE LAKE -- Trolling from a foot below the surface to 6 feet deep in 5 to 10 feet of water with Sep's 2-inch orange grubs brought in limits by the weekend. Work the area inside Pelican Point in Spalding Bay or outside Pelican Point in the northern portion of the south basin and along the Youth Camp shoreline.
NORTH COAST RIVERS
CHETCO RIVER -- The Oregon DFW kept the river closed due to low flows to protect the kings in the lower river. It could open at any time, depending on increased flows and the ability for fish to move upstream and away from historic snagging and "lining" holes, according to WON Field Reporter and Chetco Outdoor Store manager Dave Pitts.
ELK RIVER -- Most of the guides on the Rogue are now fishing Oregon's Elk River for salmon, but the size of the river really limits the number of boats that can fish it. Curtis Palmer, River Secrets Guide Service, said the Elk is where people want to be, as of Sunday, he went up there and said "lots of fish being caught" a friend of his caught a 48 pounder on Saturday. "This is it..." he said, but the water is low.
ROGUE RIVER, Lower -- Dead, dead, dead...and over with for the year, according to Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service.He said they did some test netting and came up with a winter steelhead, but it's really early for those.
ROGUE RIVER, Middle -- The Central Rogue is redhot steelhead fishing right now, "probably the best in years," said guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. The salmon are dark and not being targeted, but everyone fishing for summer steelhead is finding nice adults from 6 to 11 pounds or so.
RUSSIAN RIVER -- There's been reports of a half dozen steelhead caught here so far, but conditions are low and clear, and the season really hasn't started yet. Wait for the next big rain.
SMITH RIVER -- The river opened up, as did the south fork and main, and fresh kings again poured into the river. Anglers did well on chromer Chinooks in the high teens to the mid-20s and even some in the 30- pound range. Target the Cable Hole, Early Hole just below the Brundeen and Peacock. Guide Phil Desautel said he and his two clients hooked 29 salmon and landed 20 just fishing at the Water Tower, and that they saw 50 to 75 fish caught.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen -- Fresh salmon, including some fish weighing in the mid-20-pound class were being caught on roe and a Puff Ball (Kwikfish for the larger fish) all the way up to Johnson's Riffle by the very few anglers still on the water. Steelhead fishing has been good, too, on roe, nightcrawlers, and spinners, as well as flies.
KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam -- Some dark salmon were still around, but fishing for steelhead was a better bet all the way from Orleans to Iron Gate Dam. It's a mix of halfpounders and adults.
TRINITY RIVER, Junction City -- Salmon were essentially non-existent, and almost all anglers have switched to steelhead fishing, which was only fair with the typical catch per boat a couple of fish. Back- trolled small plugs like Wee Warts and Hot Shots, as well as flies like egg patterns and copper Johns fished under indicators were producing most of the fish.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek -- The river is in good shape, even its lower reaches, and steelheading has been good down around Salyer Bridge, especially for fly fishermen. Few salmon were being caught.
MOTHER LODE
CAMANCHE LAKE -- Trout plants and colder temperatures boosted the action with limits now fairly common. The South Shore Trout Pond has been a hot spot for anglers tossing small spinners. Trollers reported many limits from the main lake, with fish to 6 pounds reported. Needlefish and Rapalas worked best. There were some good reports also from stillfishing anglers using nightcrawlers. Success stories also came from both bass and catfish anglers, with topwater working early in the day, and nightcrawlers working later. Catfish to 14 pounds were caught, the top action at the South Shore Pond.
DON PEDRO RESERVOIR -- Still a little slow after last month's heavy pressure on the lake's big holdover fish. The small kings have dissipated a little, and plants by the DFG have boosted the action for shore anglers. Bass fishing remained tough, with the fish suspending, chasing shad, and hard to locate. When the thermocline mixes (turnover), the action should pick up on all species.
LAKE McCLURE -- Improving action on the trout, with a combination of DFG plants and cooling temps perking up the bite. Toplining worked first thing in the morning, then anglers dropped their gear to the 30- 40- foot zone later in the day.
LAKE McSWAIN -- More good trout action for both trollers and shore anglers, reported Marilyn Kern at the Lake McSwain Marina. The bad news is the low lake level that, while not affecting the fishing, is making things a little tougher on launching. Small boats are no trouble, but if the lake drops any lower, anglers with bigger boats may experience trouble launching. The low levels are to allow work on Lake McClure's dam up above.
NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR -- Outdoor writer William Heinselmann fished with Kevin Squire and while the striper fishing has been generally slow, they managed three linesides to 8 pounds and a couple largemouth bass, all hooked on spoons. Black bass fishing has been good with topwater the top bet, Zara Spooks the main strike getter.
NEW MELONES RESERVOIR -- No results on the big Future Pro tournament, but the bass fishing has been tough for quality fish. Trout fishing continued to improve with DFG plants started. Shore anglers will benefit most, but trollers also have been catching holdovers with a couple 3 pounders weighed at Glory Hole Sports. Shad patterned lures worked best for the bigger trout. Top spots were upriver and around the spillway and dam. Still some big catfish coming in, like the 16.5 pounder caught near the Glory Hole Marina on oysters.
TULLOCH RESERVOIR -- Top bet is trout, with good action on rainbows in the top 10 feet or so for trollers using flasher/'crawler combos, shad and Needlefish. Guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing said he had a tough time trying with shad and flasher/'crawler combos, but when he switched to Vance's Slim Fins and Ex-Cels between 13 and 25 feet on a faster troll, his clients scored fish to 2.5 pounds. Out of eight rainbows boated, five were 2 pounds plus. Bass fishing is slower; two tournaments on Saturday produced one to two fish per angler, although a decent 6 pounder took big fish.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER -- It appears that there are a few more salmon than last year coming up the river so far this, judging by kings being observed banging their heads against the fish screen at Nimbus Hatchery and fish that can be seen preparing to spawn in the shallow riffles at upper Sailor Bar Park. It's still a far cry from the swirling dark red clouds over large swaths of river representing hundreds of spawning salmon concentrated in a small area in years of yore. An occasional steelhead was being hooked on riffles downstream of the closure at Ancil Hoffman Park. However, fishing was slow.
FEATHER RIVER -- Steelhead fishing was poor, and wading challenging during the time when flows were jacked up in the Low Flow Section last week. However, when flows stabilized back at the usual 600 cfs, the bite improved. Glo-Bugs, nightcrawlers and spinners were working for spin fishermen, and nymphs under indicators proved best for fly fishers.. A very few striped bass were being caught at Shanghai Bend on jigs, soft swimbaits, jerkbaits and minnows.
FOLSOM LAKE -- The lake is still dropping slowly, and bass fishing continued to be challenging. Bass have moved off the flats, which are running out of water in many places. Steep rocky shores and channel edges proved the best of a not-so-great lot. Tracking down suspended and at-the-surface bait balls has been less than a sure-fire bass finding method, but worth a shot. Spoon and throw crankbaits when bass are spotted working bait. Drop-shotted and Carolina-rigged plastics have also been working at times. Salmon and trout fishing continued to be slow.
McCLOUD RIVER -- Fishing was fair, and a few larger trout showed at the lower end of the river last week. Remember the river closes to fishing on Nov. 15.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding -- Fishing was up and down, possibly because of the full moon last week. Salmon spawning has tapered off, so small nymphs were getting more grabs than drifted egg patterns. Afternoon to evening fishing proved best.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Upper -- The river dropped and cleared and fishing improved to fair to good from Dunsmuir all the way to the lake. Use larger rubber leg nymphs plus a small dropper nymphs imitating the large October caddis hatch under indicators or high stick in the small pockets.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE -- Shiner anglers are fishing their baits on drop-shot rigs or fly-lining a small circle hook with a light splitshot for weight. Look for this bite to hold up for the next several months. Artificials are also producing with several bass in the 2 1/2- to 4- pound class found on jerkbaits, a Lucky Craft LV 500 lipless crankbait, and the drop-shot. Currently fish are being caught on every technique except topwater. It's a mixed bag, but the plastic worm rigged on a drop-shot rig is still the best bet to catch fish. Channel cats from 7 to 14 pounds have been surprising bass anglers by taking a crankbait, spinnerbait, swimbait or shiner.
LAKE BERRYESSA -- This Saturday Spanish Flat Country Store & Deli will start up their winter monthly trout and salmon derby. Anglers can sign up prior to the event at the store, located on the lake at 4318 Berryessa Knoxville Rd., by calling (707) 966-1600 for more information or by email at either guidesvc@inreach.com or marciaritz@lakeberryessa.net. The Nov. 14 event will be at the Country Store with a 1 p.m. weigh-in deadline. Spoons still dominate here for bass; with a few drop-shot 4-inch Basstrix Flashtrix minnows in the smelt color also getting their attention.
LAKE SONOMA -- A minnow imitation or small Apex produced near limits of steelhead by the dam and down in the Warm Springs area. While still slow, bass were caught on spoons in 40 feet around submerged trees in the north creek arms. Drop 1-inch Hopkins spoons or try off rocky points with jigs by the dam.
UPPER BLUE LAKE -- Recently stocked twice, fishing has been excellent with little angling pressure and limits for trout trollers. Troll in 30 feet with Artic Fox flies in black with green flecks or a flasher/ worm. Kastmasters and Needlefish have not been as productive as fish are still deeper than usual due to warmer waters.
DELTA REGION
SACRAMENTO RIVER side -- Things were slow on this side but Sandy Beach, and the Old Dairy, and the flats above the ferry had trollers using Bombers and Yo-Zuri's with white worm trailers for a few stripers. At the Power Lines anglers were soaking baits for small schoolie-sized stripers, as fish are still very scattered.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side -- Pittsburg, Antioch Bridge, Broad Slough, and Big and Little Cut all had spread out sturgeon as they moved back into the lower system. While there weren't a lot caught, more 55- to 65-inch fish were accounted for. Numbers of the schoolie-sized stripers were taken on shad and mudsuckers or lures in the flats, as these fish were also spread out.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
LAKE ALMANOR - You can start to switch back and forth between lures and vertical jigging or bait fishing as the fish are slowing down with the cooling water, especially in the early mornings. The Rec. 2 area, Almanor West Flats and the jetties were all good areas to target.
BAUM LAKE -- Nightcrawlers and mealworms were good bait choices, while Kastmasters seemed to be the lure of choice. BWO's did well, as did sparse PMD's, midges, and mahogany duns. Olive nymphs were a good bet for nymphs.
FALL RIVER WILD TROUT AREA -- Check the regs! Most streams close Nov. 15 (Sunday) except for those in the "Special Regulations" section of DFG's Regulations. Some will continue to stay open for use with barbless hooks and artificial lures. Trout fishing has been good here using BWO's, PMD's, woolly buggers. Wiggletail zugs have been good for nymph users.
HAT CREEK WILD TROUT AREA -- Check the regs! Most streams close Nov. 15 (Sunday) except for those in the "Special Regulations" section of DFG's Regulations. Some will continue to stay open for use with barbless hooks and artificial lures.
PIT RIVER -- Check the regs! Most streams close Nov. 15 (Sunday) except for those in the "Special Regulations" section of DFG's Regulations. Some will continue to stay open for use with barbless hooks and artificial lures. Water is colored due to heavy runoff from the north but should clear soon if the weather holds. Prior to that, the catching was very good with rubber leg nymphs.
LAKE SHASTA -- Shad hatches are abundant, with boils found from Holiday Harbor to Hertz Bay in the McCloud arm. Find surface activity and you're bound to find trout. Top-line HumDingers, Cripplures, Kastmasters, Needlefish, or Apex's from 10 feet to the surface and switch up your trolling speed. The trout are there!
NORTH SALTWATER
BENICIA -- Lots of striped bass in the area, willing to eat bullheads and live anchovies, if you can get them. Benicia Bait had plenty until about 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The shore anglers are going through the bullheads because the crabs are still hanging around. That will be the case until some big freshwater comes down the system and pushes them back out. One angler scored a big striper weighing 40 pounds, plus a 58-inch sturgeon on the weekend while soaking eel at the Mothball Fleet.
BERKELEY -- Crabbing was likely out of the question on the weekend, so that could explain why the landing didn't submit a report.
BODEGA BAY -- Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler cancelled his squid trips that he had scheduled for the weekend due to the big swell, but he's got more trips scheduled for the coming weeks. Sport crabbing on the private fleet out of Bodega Harbor reported good numbers of Dungeness. "Everyone I talked to, no matter where they had their pots, reported limits of crabs," said Powers. "They weren't necessarily big, but there were plenty."
CROCKETT -- Captain Mike Shimel ran the first trips on board the Morning Star out of this port, and found good action on Saturday, and slower action on Sunday. Captain Gordon Hough relayed the reports for both days, noting that Saturday's group of seven anglers caught near limits of 13 striped bass and six leopard sharks on a combination of bullheads and mudsuckers. Sunday's group of 16 anglers had half limits of bass and three sharks. Most of the action came from off the Mare Island Rockwall.
EMERYVILLE -- The weather nulled the opening weekend crab combos, but a couple of the boats got out on bay trips. The Captain Hook did well on striped bass with a couple halibut to boot from main bay and North Bay, while the Wet Spot scored a pair of halibut and a big leopard shark from South Bay.
EUREKA -- With the beach surf topping 30 feet on Friday, there was very little crabbing. Some tried the mouth of the Eel at Crab Park with very little success. "About the only thing we had going on was beach erosion," said Ben Williams at the Pro Sport Center.
FORT BRAGG -- Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar reported another banner squid effort with a light load of dedicated locals on Tuesday really slamming them. Just four anglers whacked around 900 pounds of squid, a total of 34 jumbos in the 30 to 40-pound class. The Telstar crew is figuring out how to best find, hook and draw up the big Humboldts, then how best to prepare them for the table. Crab combos were cancelled for the weekend, but will start on Wednesday.
HALF MOON BAY -- The crab opener met with huge swells and while Captain Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat reported an effort to check pots on Saturday, he said the results were definitely weather affected. After trying for rockfish below Pigeon Point and finding an extremely tough bite, his group of 20 pulled the outside string for 83 crabs, then turned to the inside string to finish with limits.
MARTINEZ -- Captain Jeremy Kangas on Stickem reported good action on shaker bass and sturgeon, with a nice 20-pound linesides caught on a bullhead near the Mothball Fleet. At Martinez Bait and Tackle, Nicole Zachary reported good action on both sturgeon and striped bass over the weekend, the big fish caught a 27-pound striped bass weighed for the month-long Police Derby that finished Friday. Bullheads have been best for catching the stripers, although Captain Jim Smith on the Happy Hooker still has anchovies and they are working even better.
SAN PABLO BAY -- Still some good striped bass fishing for anglers using live bait, or for those fishing on the anchor with bullheads. The best action seems to be along the south shoreline up into Suisun Bay.
SHELTER COVE -- Crab season opened, but there was no launching on the beach at Shelter Cove due to the big swell. The ocean is supposed to lay down by Tuesday, so crab reports should start rolling in about mid-week. Everything else is pretty much closed here except abalone diving.
SUISUN BAY -- Good action on stripers throughout the system, but particularly around Benicia, Crockett and Rodeo. The Mothball Fleet produced a 40-pound striped bass, and some good sturgeon, but the biggest sturgeon came from off the PG&E station, where a 300 pounder was rumored released.
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
AMERICAN RIVER -- The Middle Fork below the Ellicott Bridge has been good for browns and rainbows in the deeper pools. The Middle Fork below French Meadows dam is still productive for rainbows if you put forth the effort to hike down to the deeper pools.
BULLARDS BAR -- Lake is at 60-percent capacity. Only a few fishermen on the lake according to the Emerald Cove Marina store and none are reporting any success. There are a lot of spotted bass here and fishing should be good for experienced anglers using worms, jigs and reaction baits.
CAMP FAR WEST - This lake is down to 5-percent capacity. There have been very few reports coming in according to the North Shore Resort. Bass fishing has been good at the dam. Watch out for navigational hazards, especially along the shore.
COLLINS LAKE -- This lake is holding at 45 feet down from full. Threadfin shad hatches have fish feeding heavily near the surface. Fishing pressure has been light but shore anglers and trollers are catching a mixed bag of species including trout, catfish, bass and redear sunfish. Trevor Azadian and grandfather, Mica Fish, caught a 5-pound rainbow, 9-pound and 7-pound 10-ounce catfish and several big readears. Bass are hitting crawdads on rocky banks and at the rock pile on the island up to 5-pounds 2-ounces.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 92-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching a few 9- to 10-inch rainbows on flasher/worm combos in the Skippers Cove Marina. The Army Corps is still doing some work on the launch ramps but the ramps are now open.
FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 55-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching rainbows on flasher/worm or spoons in the lower section of the lake in front of the ramp. Browns are staging at the inlet for the spawn and are hitting flasher combos and Rapalas.
FULLER LAKE -- DFG is done planting here for the season but there should still be some holdover fish available for shore anglers and trollers.
HELL HOLE RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 57-percent capacity. Browns are still hitting for trollers at the inlet. Macks are hitting for experienced trollers at the dam using Kastmasters at 60 feet.
LAKE OROVILLE - Lake is at 36-percent capacity. The launch ramp at Lime Saddle is now closed and the ramp at the Spillway will most likely close soon leaving only the new extended ramp at Bidwell. Bass fishing has been good for anglers throwing worms and jigs on the rocky points down to 35 feet. Some catfish are still hitting anchovies and mackerel at Dark Canyon and anywhere water is running into the lake. Newly planted coho should be allowed to grow up.
ROLLINS LAKE -- Lake is at 89-percent capacity. None of the resorts at the lake are answering calls with all of them on winter hours of operation. The boat ramps and campgrounds are open and fishermen are waiting for DFG to resume trout plants.
SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE -- Lake is at 66-percent capacity. One troller reported hooking a big brown trout up in the Deer Creek arm but lost it near the boat. Fishing pressure has been light and anglers are waiting for DFG to resume trout plants.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR -- Anglers are just waiting for the DFG to start planting here again now that the reservoir has been put back on the stocking list. Fishing has been very slow with few anglers coming here.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 70-percent capacity. No reports were available from the Georgetown Ranger Station; anglers are waiting for the DFG to start trout plants again.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY -- Bass fishing has been pretty good along the tules, either along the shore when the water is up or off-shore clumps when the water level is down. Watermelon Senkos have been the lure of choice. A few steelhead are showing up on inflated nightcrawlers or minnows at Wilbur Rd.
SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS
BOCA LAKE - Lake is down to 21-percent capacity. Water level is too low for trailer boat launching, cartoppers have the advantage. Fishing has been great up at the inlet for mostly rainbows and some browns, 16 to 24 inches. Successful anglers are using nightcrawlers, Power Bait and white lures. Outside the inlet area, juvenile mackinaws are hitting Krocadile and Kastmaster spoons in firetiger.
CAPLES LAKE -- The Resort is closed until just before Christmas and the will be open for winter lodging until mid April to take advantage of the nearby Kirkwood Ski Area and ice fishing. Fishing reports are hard to come by even for Woodfords Station. The lake should be producing for shore anglers and cartop boaters.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)--Alpine County planted both the West and East Carson this past week. With flows better in the East Fork, fishing has been excellent and big limits are coming in. Limits of fish averaging 3 pounds have been weighed in at the Carson River Resort according to owner, Todd Sodaro. With flows in the West Fork back to seasonal lows, fishing has been pretty good as there are plenty of fish. Dave Kirby reported a local boy catching a 3 1/2-pound rainbow.
DAVIS LAKE -- Lake is down to 49-percent capacity. Fishing is still good for trollers using copper/red Dick Nites and dark colored wooly buggers at 6 to 12 feet. Shore fishing is getting better with the die-back of the bottom weed growth at Fairview and Mallard Cove on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Fly fishing has been good on nymphs under an indicator on the northern end of the lake.
DONNER LAKE -- Lake is at 36-percent capacity. Fishing has been good off the public piers for rainbows and smaller mackinaws on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. The macks seem to be hitting more often when the rig is being reeled in for another cast. Try silver or gold Krocodile or Kastmaster spoons. Boaters can launch at their own risk due to the low water levels.
FEATHER RIVER CANYON -- Butt Valley Reservoir is at 80-percent capacity. Butt Valley has been producing good catches of quality rainbows to 5 1/2 pounds trolling Excel spoons on 3 colors of leadcore at the north end of the lake along the buoy line. The North Feather has been kicking out limits of rainbows to 18 inches on Panther Martins. The Caribou Powerhouse produced fish to 3 pounds this past week. Both the Feather River and the Caribou Powerhouse close on November 15.
FRENCHMAN LAKE -- Lake is at 37-percent capacity. Fishing for shore anglers and trollers has been excellent all week. Brian Weber of Fremont caught a limit of 18- to 20-inch rainbows near the dam from shore with marshmallow/salmon egg combos and orange Power Bait. The areas around the boat docks seem to be providing excellent results.
GOLD LAKES BASIN -- Fishing pressure has been light but those coming up are finding pretty good action on all the lakes using worms from shore.
ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 66-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching 30 to 50 planter rainbows a day toplining flashers, Needlefish, and grubs.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR -- An Alpine County is scheduled for the near future. Fishing has been good for shore anglers using Power Bait, nightcrawlers or a 1/4-ounce silver Kastmaster spoon. Fly fishermen working the channel from the ramp to the dam with olive and black wooly buggers are doing very well.
JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 51-percent capacity. Trollers going up into the Middle Yuba arm or along the dam are finding some good rainbow action. No word on any big browns though the spawn seems to be over and the fish are moving back into the lake.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park) -- Lake is at 73-percent capacity. Locals are catching smallmouth up to 2 pounds up in the Narrows on worms and jigs. Trollers are still picking up some smaller mackinaw along the east side of the lake near the second dam at 30 to 50 feet.
LOON LAKE -- Lake is at 63-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching 30 to 50 fish a day toplining just about anything you want to try. The fish are running 10 to 12 inches.
PROSSER LAKE -- Lake is at 33-percent capacity. The water is too low for boat launching unless you have a cartopper. The Prosser Creek inlet area has been the best spot for shore anglers working the points with nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Panther Martins, Rooster Tails, or a 1/8-ounce Kastmaster. The average fish are 10 to 14 inches with some measuring up to 16 inches. Smallmouth bass are still hitting at the dam on crawdad and minnow imitations.
PYRAMID LAKE -- George Molino at Cutthroat Charters reported that fishing was good for smaller fish, 17 to 24 inches, on Apex lures trolled at 20 to 30 feet. Red frog, watermelon and firetiger are good colors to try. Molino said the secret lately has been to cover a lot of water. The biggest fish weighed in this past week at the Pyramid Lake Store was an 8 1/4 pounder caught by a fly fishermen.
RED LAKE -- Reports were hard to come by for Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station. He said that fishing was pretty good for rainbows and brookies on worms.
SILVER LAKE -- Fishing reports are hard to come by but there were a lot of fish planted here last season and there should be productive toplining with flashers trailing worms or a Needlefish. Shore angling should be good with Power Bait, bobber/worm combos and spinners or heavy spoons.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 49-percent capacity. Boats can still launch here and boaters are running up to the Little Truckee inlet area and trolling with a Rapala for nice rainbows and browns. Smallmouth bass are active from Davies Creek to the dam and hitting brown jigs and small crawdad Rapalas. Mackinaw, 2 to 4 pounds, are hitting trolled or jigged spoons at 20 to 40 feet at the dam.
TRUCKEE RIVER -- The upper reaches of the river in the General Section are extremely low, 11 cfs. The fish are all concentrated in the deep pools. The General Section closes to fishing on November 15 as do all tributaries to the Truckee. The Special Section has been fishing well early and late when the sun is off the water. Streamers have been productive. If you can find active fish, try a size 18 to 20 BWO. Small nymphs have been working, too, like a silver copper john or PT. The Little Truckee between Boca and Stampede and the main Truckee from Trout Creek to Stateline are open all winter to barbless artificial, catch-and-release fishing.
UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR -- Lake is at 56-percent capacity. For the time being it appears that the gate to the Sunset ramp has been reopened, but this is not the normal practice. Trout action is good near Sunset toplining worms, spoons and grubs.
WEST WALKER RIVER -- The river closes for the season on November 15. Fishing for the few anglers visiting the area has been good with salmon eggs and worms for fish up to 2 pounds.
- Western Outdoor News
www.wonews.com
More...
