Reno fishing report 7/17/09

[T_boy]

FRENCHMAN LAKE: Overall, the fly-fishing has been good. Most fish are 4-12 feet down, so fishing a sinking line is a must. For best results, have an intermediate and a type II or III line with you. Sheep creek specials, damsel nymphs, dragon fly nymphs, woolybuggers and leeches are all working. Mornings and evenings are best. Reno Fly Shop, 775-825-3474. www.renoflyshop.com.

LAKE DAVIS: The size and quality of the fish being landed has increased. With water temperatures at 68-70 degrees, the quantity of fish landed has slowed. Trolling and fly-fishing has continued to produce fish for experienced anglers. Best area to troll has been the channel from Honker Cove boat ramp to the big island. Twelve feet has been the best depth. Fly-fishing is a mixed bag as some are fishing intermediate to type III sinking lines while others are casting to fish in shallow water and using floating lines and damsel patterns. Shore fishing is slow with the best results coming early and late in deeper water at Fairview.

On Thursday, Jim Lamb reported good fly-fishing results. He landed nine fish on July 16, 13 on July 15 and and 15 on July 14. He fished deep with sinking lines and sheep creek specials and a blouser. For info call 530-832-5251. E-mail -- dollards@psln.com.

TRUCKEE RIVER: The river continues to produce fish from the town of Truckee down through Reno. Water is being released out of Lake Tahoe and the flows in the upper river are up. The fishing from Truckee to the state line has remained fairly consistent. In the mornings, nymphing with golden stone nymphs or crayfish patterns with a smaller dropper like a size 16 caddis or little yellow stone has been effective. Fish the seams near faster, deeper water and pocket water. In the evenings, caddis and little yellow stones have been hatching about the last hour before dark. Elk hair caddis and Burk's little yellow stones are the way to go.

In Nevada the flows are perfect. The air temps are starting to get hot in the middle of the day, so fishing first thing in the morning up to about 11 a.m., and then again an hour before dark is the way to go. The patterns are similar to the California side of the Truckee. The evening hatch is more compressed and later due to warm temperatures. Jake Manoukian of the Reno Fly Shop caught and released a 29-inch brown trout last week on a size 18 micro mayfly. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. www.renoflyshop.com.

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: Flows are at 66 c.f.s. PMDs and some green drakes have been hatching mid to late morning over the past week or so. Fish are being caught both on the surface and subsurface on PMD patterns and on dry green drake flies. The river is very busy with anglers so look for parking areas with the least amount of cars. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. www.renoflyshop.com.

EAST WALKER RIVER: The water flow is 165 c.f.s. The most important thing now is to be there when the flows remain the same for a couple of days. Check the flows before you go. Air temps around Bridgeport are getting warm, so the key is to fish early and quit when the water temperatures get in the high 60-degree range, usually around lunch time. Dry stone fly patterns fished in shallow water, seams and tail outs, either with or without a dropper is the way to go. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474.

EAST CARSON RIVER: Flows are dropping fast and are down to 166 c.f.s. and dropping daily. The East Carson is the closest thing in the area to a freestone river and the snowpack is all but gone. The river is in great shape and the fishing has been pretty good. Nymphing with small golden stone nymphs and a smaller dropper such as a micro mayfly, hbi's or caddis under an indicator is a good way to start. A stealthy approach is a must with the low, clear water. Look for flows to keep dropping over the next month or so. Fish early in the mornings and in the late evenings. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. www.renoflyshop.com.

EAGLE LAKE: Fishing has been good for most anglers. The fish are starting to move to deeper water, 20-35 feet. Limits were caught bobbering in 16-feet of water and 8-feet down. Trolling has also caught limits, but it was an early bite, 5-6 a.m. The fish will continue to move into the summer holes, 40-50 feet. Fish size continues to be in the 2-3-pound range. Trolling flies, Needlefish and worms have all been good. Eagle Lake Charters 530-260-3474.

LAHONTAN/RYE PATCH: Fishing has been really good at both places. Bait fishermen are using crank baits and stick baits, trolling and casting for walleye and wipers. Try Rapalas, Husky Jerks or lead head jigs. Anglers locating fish on the end of the points and casting out or trolling to them. Some walleye have been taken in the 8-9-pound range and wipers are in the high teens in weight. Best area at Lahontan ha sbeen around the dam. Same baits as Rye Patch. Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.

STAMPEDE AND PROSSER RESERVOIRS: The trout fishing has been slow, but the bass fishing has been excellent. The bass are stacked up around the dams and are very willing. Bigger bead head nymphs fished under an indicator or slow stripping aggravators is catching a bunch of fish. Mornings and evenings have been the best time to go. Reno Fly Shop, 825-3474. www.renoflyshop.com.

CROWLEY LAKE: Fishing on the lake is still slow and the algae is thickening. Try Stevie's Wonder gray/black or olive/gold about a foot off the bottom in 7-10-feet of water. Performance Guide Service 760 934-6101. www.performanceguideservice.com.

HOT CREEK: Water flow is 29 c.f.s. Fly-fishing here is good. The water flow has lowered some. Small nymphs like pheasant tails, hares ears and Birds nests. Some surface action with BWOs, trico's and yellow sallies during the day and caddis in the evenings. Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101.

UPPER OWENS RIVER: Water flow 58 c.f.s. The lower water flow has made for somewhat tougher fishing conditions. Hares ears, WD-40s, prince nymphs and birds nests. Dry fly fishing is still good in the afternoons with caddis patterns and may fly emergers when the wind isnt blowing . Don't forget your mosquito repellant. Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101.

LOWER OWENS RIVER: Water flow is 150 c.f.s. Fishing is good. Try zebra midges, cased caddis and small pheasant tails under the surface. Dry fly-fishing is fair with some little yellow stone flys begining to show up. Good numbers of caddis in the afternoon. Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101. www.performanceguideservice.com.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN: Best fly-fishing is at Twin Lakes with olive woolly buggers with a Prince nymph trailer. Some decent action at Mary with olive matukas. Lake Mamie is also fun with dry flies in the evenings. Try para adams, coachmen and midge adults. Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101. www.performanceguideservice.com

JUNE LOOP: Gull Lake and Silver Lake the best chance for fly fisher's with dark woolly buggers, zonkers and black matukas. Also try a Stevie's Wonder black/silver under an indicator. Performance Guide Service (760) 934-1957 or (760) 924-2181.

SAN JOAQUIN\RED'S MEADOWS: The river has slowed some and fishing is picking up. Most attractor type flys are working well now. Yellow or red humpies, madam x's, Sierra brite dot's and stimulators. Some good reports from Sotcher Lake.Try black muddler minnows and zonkers. Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101.

LAKE SABRINA: (Bishop, Calif.). Fishing the DingleBerry, George and Little George Inlets with nightcrawlers, Powerbait, Powerworms or flies was bringing home the fish. Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, (760) 873-7425.