Reno fishing report 12/17/09

[T_boy]

FRENCHMAN LAKE: Fishing here has been good. Weather is going to be an issue over the next few weeks. Look for ice to start forming and shut down the fishing. Details: Wiggin's Trading Post at 530-993-4683.

LAKE DAVIS: Fishing has been good for those fisher people who are willing to brave the elements. Fish up to 21 inches are being landed, and limits are the rule. Winter weather conditions will determine how long the bite stays hot. The 3- to 6-inch blanket of snow that surrounds the lake can make fishing and access difficult. The boat dock at Honker Cove is still in, however the ramp has snow and requires 4-wheel-drive and possibly chains, depending on the day. Ice has begun to form in the shallow coves at the northeast end of the lake. Shore fishing with bait and lures has been good at Fairview, Long Point, Mallard Cove and the west point at the dam. Two boats reported good trolling success this week with one landing 16 fish and the other 25. The fly fishing report is that the fish are still out there and they are still grabbing. Details: 530-832-5251 or dollards@psln.com.

PYRAMID LAKE: One of the best fall seasons at Pyramid Lake in recent memory. Fish in the 10- to 15-pound class have been a common sighting for those putting in their time. The fish seem to be hanging in a little deeper water, but at some point during the day a school of big fish will show themselves for a couple of passes in the shallows. Reports have been ranging from one or two fish to 15 or 20 fish a day. Beaches with access to deeper water have been the best places to try. North Nets, Wino, Sand hole, Monument and Howard's have all been worth fishing as of late. Most anglers are catching the bigger fish on big, dark colored wooly buggers like the Midnight Cowboy or the Bloody Mary in size 2 or 4. Useful droppers include pink and white beetles, chartreuse tadpoles and smaller white wooly buggers. Details: The Reno Fly Shop at 775-825-3474 or www.renoflyshop.com.

TRUCKEE RIVER: Winter flows are here. Fish are holding up in deeper pools, as most of the runs do not have much water in them. The big fish are there, but a stealthy approach is a must. Most anglers fish the lower river this time of year due to weather and flows. In California, this is the section below where the Little Truckee flows in down to the state line. In Nevada, this basically means just about anywhere. There have been some really big brown trout and rainbows caught over the past couple of weeks, especially in Nevada. Be sure to check temperatures and ice conditions before going. Try nymphs under an indicator on a floating line such as Mercers Poxy Back Biot Stone, Tungsten 20 Inchers, Stealth Pheasant Tails, Mighty-Mite Baetis, and Ju-Ju Baetis. Details: The Reno Fly Shop at 775-825-3474 or www.renoflyshop.com.

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: The L.T. is flowing at 61 c.f.s. The brown trout seem to be working their way back to Boca after a busy fall. The kokanee salmon are all but gone. The rainbows have their turf back and are chowing down on baetis mid day, both on the surface and below. Try Burks Silhouette Dun and Drymerger B.W.O.s. Small nymphs under an indicator have also been producing some very nice fish. Try San Juan Worms, Mighty-Mite Baetis, Ju-Ju Baetis and Zebra Midges. Details: The Reno Fly Shop at 775-825-3474 or www.renoflyshop.com.

COLLINS LAKE: The lake has turned and the fish are gorging on Shad. It makes it a little difficult to catch them, however, since they already have plentiful food. Rickey Paez from the Yuba City Bass Busters Club still landed a 7-pound, 5-ounce Spotted Bass last month. Catfish are easy to catch, they bite anything -- the stinkier the better. There has been an increase in the hunting around Collins Lake this year. The Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area and Donovan Hill, are within walking distance. Daugherty Hill produced some good opportunities this year. Collins Lake is located between Marysville and Grass Valley off of Highway 20. Details: 800-286-0576.

EAST WALKER RIVER: Water flow 54 c.f.s. The water flow is up some, but the extremely cold temps have the fish in a very sluggish mode.

SACRAMENTO RIVER: The striped bass fishing in the Sacramento Delta is fair as the water temperatures have dropped below 50 degrees and are hovering at 44. Trips last weekend produced fish up to 20 pounds and were caught trolling Rebel lures and bait fishing fresh shad. Richard Martinez Jr. of Carson City caught and released the 20-pound striped bass to be caught by another lucky angler. Sturgeon fishing in the Pittsburg area is producing a lot of keeper-sized fish on ghost shrimp. Details: 866-751-1331 or Salmonstriperfishing.com.

HOT CREEK: Water flow is 7 c.f.s. Fishing has slowed some with the recent snow and cold weather. Midge patterns like WD-40s are the most productive patterns now. Details: Performance Guide Service at 760-934-6101 or www.performanceguideservice.com.

UPPER OWENS RIVER: Water flow 95 c.f.s. Fishing here is slow and fish are hard to come by. Nymph-fishing is the way to go. Caddis larva, midge pupa and small hares ears. Sub zero temps and snow haven't helped. Details: Performance Guide Service at 760-934-6101 or www.performanceguideservice.com.

LOWER OWENS RIVER: Water flow is 89 c.f.s. The flow has continued to fluctuate, but the fish are still active. Although there has been a decent may fly hatch in the middle of the day, the fish have not responded to dry flys. Nymphing has been very good with flash back pheasant tails, blood midges, hares ears and bird's nests. Best results from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: Performance Guide Service at 760-934-6101 or www.performanceguideservice.com.

CROWLEY LAKE, MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN AND JUNE LOOP : Closed. Open April 24. Details: Performance Guide Service at 760-934-6101 or www.performanceguideservice.com.