Reno Nevada fishing report 11/14/08

[T_boy]

FRENCHMAN LAKE: Fishing has been a little spotty over the last week. Some fishermen reported good luck at the ramp at Frenchman campground and landing. Others had luck at Turkey Point and at Lunker's Point. Float nightcrawlers off the bottom for best results. Rainbow Powerbait seems to be a favorite of some fishermen. Streams in the area close Saturday. The weather has been unpredictable, so you might want to call ahead for the latest info. Wiggin's Trading Post, (530) 993-4683.

TRUCKEE RIVER: The fly-fishing on the Truckee has been sensational. There have been some really big brown trout caught. Steve Privette, one of Reno Fly Shop's guides, caught and released two Browns biger than 22 inches in the same hole last week. On the California side, the best fishing is downstream of Boca Bridge. The water is really low upstream of that. The flows are perfect from the bridge down. Nymphing and streamer fishing has been the way to go. October Caddis nymphs fished with a size 16 to 18 bead head Guides Choice Hare's Ear for nymphing and Mudler and Sculpin patterns for streamers fished with a floating line and a Rio sinking leader.

On the Nevada side the entire river is in great shape. Use the same techniques as in California. The best time to fish is from about 9 a.m. until about 3 p.m.

Flows: Town of Truckee, 42 c.f.s, Boca Bridge 385 c.g.s., Farad 371 c.f.s, Reno 337 c.f.s. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.

LAKE DAVIS: Despite the unsettled weather pattern, fishing remains good for most fishermen. The water temperature has been averaging 48 degrees. The most action has been seen trolling fire tiger needle fish, red copper johns and cinnamon-colored trolling flies at a depth of 6 feet. Areas north of Honker Cove boat ramp still are holding fish. Fly-fisherman also are landing fish in the traditional spots north of Jenkins. Patterns and methods are changing faster than the weather, so throw everything you've got at them. The Honker Cove boat ramp was pulled out on Wednesday, so four-wheel-drive is recommended if trying to launch a boat. This may be the last nice weekend for fishing the lake. dollardsmarket.com.

PYRAMID LAKE: Typical fall fishing at the lake. One to two fish an hour is a good day. For anglers who move around and find fish, there have been reports of 10 to 20 fish days. The anglers that just fish around the Nets area are not doing that well. The south end of the lake has had the best reports with beaches such as Wino, Popcorn and Lone Tree all fishing pretty well. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: Flows are 108 c.f.s. This is the best fall flows in years. The kokanee are running and not too far behind are the big brown trout. There is still Baetis hatch on cloudy days and fish can be caught on the surface when they are hatching. Nymphing with Baetis nymphs in size 18 and 20 is working well. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.

EAST WALKER RIVER: Flows are 36 c.f.s. The ranchers have finally stopped calling for water. These flows are normal for this time of year and expect them to stay this way until spring. Fishing is still excellent. Nymphing with small nymphs, size 16 to 20 has been working. Soon, the overnight air temps will cause the river to freeze up some and the fishing will come to a screeching halt until it warms up again in spring. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.

EAST CARSON RIVER: Flows are 87 c.f.s. This is up some due to recent rains. It should fluctuate up and down over the next few weeks due to air temps and precipitation. The fishing has been decent. Nymphing with Baetis and any small nymph under an indicator has been effective. Approach holes and runs carefully to not spook fish in shallow water. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.

SACRAMENTO RIVER: Flows are 6,500 c.f.s. The king salmon season is limited to the area from the Red Bluff diverson dam downriver to Knights Landing. Back-bouncing sardine-wrapped Kwikfish and Flatfish lures produced most salmon, as reported by Sacramento River guides.

Trout fishing was god with a few steelhead mixed in. Trout averaging 1-3 pounds with a few 4-pounders. Bestbet is side-drifitng small glo-bugs in various egg color combinations with a Quickie puffball. Also good back-trolling small Hit Shots 50s or small K-4/K-5 Kwikfish in various color combos.

King salmon fishing on the Sac River is open through Dec. 31. Anglers can keep one king salmon per person.

EAGLE LAKE: Fishing has been very good, both for numbers and for nice-sized fish. Best on the north side by Spalding. Try nightcrawlers under a slip bobber from shore. Trollers doing well with frog-color Flatfish and rainbow runners in red. Also good are rainbow-colored No. 2 Flatfish and trolling nightcrawlers behind a wiggle fin. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.