Reno fishing report 5/15/09

[T_boy]

FRENCHMAN LAKE: Fishing was good last week. Trollers did well using spinners and Dick Nites and many limits were taken. Shore fishing has been good in some areas north of the dam. Anglers are using nightcrawlers and floating them off the bottom, also rainbow Powerbait. Best times for fishing have been early morning and early evening. All campgrounds are open. Conditions can change quickly so call ahead. Wiggin's Trading Post, 530-993-4683.

LAKE DAVIS: Fishing has been good with trolling, the best way to put the most fish in your live well. Water temps are up to about 52 degrees. While trolling remains good, the presentation needed to catch fish has changed. The best trolling depth is 6-12 feet (one to two colors of lead core). The top four lures are Fire Tiger and Red Dot Frog Needlefish, sizes one and two. Cinnamon wooly buggers and Wee Dick Nites. An experienced Lake Davis angler fished the lake for 2½ days last week, catching and carefully releasing 102 fish from 7-21 inches. Twenty three of the fish ranged from 16-21 inches. Shore fishermen are having mixed success at Eagle Point on the west shore and Fairview at the northeast end of the lake. The baits of choice are inflated nightcrawlers, Powerbait and pink gulp, presented on a sliding sinker rig. The warming water trend has resulted in a midge and Callibaetis hatch which is improving fly-fishing. A seasoned angler reported catching and releasing 21 fish on May 2 while fly-fishing the west shore. The Damsel hatch historically begins by the end of May. dollardsmarket.com. E-mail -- dollards@psln.com.

PYRAMID LAKE: Fishing is as good as it has been all year. Pelican Point has been a good location. Spin anglers are using lead head maribou jigs in white, black or chartreuse. Fly guys are doing well with wooly buggers, black, white or olive, and fishing with floating lines and dodgers. Best areas have been Pelican and south of the South Nets. Trollers are doing well in 20-25 feet of water using Lyman lures and Flatfish. Also, vertical jigging with crippled herring jigs, silver, blue or purple. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.

TRUCKEE RIVER: Fishing well although the flows are up. Drifting nightcrawlers is a good method, using a 3/8-ounce weight. The downtown Reno corridor area has been good. Caddis are starting to come on, and Midges are always present so make sure you have all these patterns covered. Streamer fishing, as tedious as it is, has produced some very nice fish and with water levels up, it helps you get to those bigger trout that will be quick to grab a big meal. Flows: Town of Truckee 420 c.f.s., Hirschdale 860 c.f.s., Farad 1120 c.f.s. Mountain Hardware, Truckee (530) 587-4844.

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: The flows have been pretty consistent, but the fishing has been tough. Take a bunch of Midges, a few Baetis, some Caddis, PMDs, San Juans and Glo Bugs with you because you're going to need them. If the weather warms up the way they say it should, PMDs and Caddis should start to pop with more frequency. There's a strong baetis hatch on cloudy days, and don't forget you'll also see some sporadic March Brown hatches and a consistent hatch of Calibaetis at the inlet. Don't wade through spawning beds. If you're not sure, don't wade. Mountain Hardware, Truckee 530-587-4844.

EAGLE LAKE: Fishing season opens on May 23. The fish spawning was very good and water levels are OK. The boat ramp at Spaulding will be dredged in early June, which will insure safe launching for the season. Eaglelakefishing.net. 530-260-3474.

LAHONTAN/RYE PATCH: Fishing for walleye and wipers is good. Lead head jigs with white rubber tail. Also, Rapalas and Rebels. Try fishing where the ditch dumps into the lake. Water level is pretty low still. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.

LAKE SABRINA: (Bishop, Calif.). The fishing was great last week. It seemed the fish wanted to take what ever wasput in the water. Still no lunkers, but the anglers were just as happy with all the action. Many fishermen with full limits. Just a refresher -- five fish per day, 10 in possession.

The DingleBerry Inlet and Little George Inlet were two of the destinations for boats and some hardy hikers. Department of Fish and Game stocked last week and will continue to stock the lakes and surrounding creeks with pan-size fish every week for the season.

All the lakes on the Sabrina side are open, except North Lake and that road hasn't been graded yet. Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, 760-873-7425.