Catching fish everywhere Saturday at Pyramid Lake

LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Jan. 11: Stick to the shoreline this week with a bobber and a worm or some Power Bait. The Canyon Dam access area and ramp usually gets plowed first but call the Almanor Ranger District at (530) 258-2141 to confirm that the road to the dam has been cleared.

BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): Be sure to tell your readers that I have California Sno-Park permits. We have bright sunshine today (Monday morning).

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported there is plenty of ice now. The wind was pretty bad on Saturday. Some ice fishermen but not much success.

CROWLEY LAKE AREA, CALIF: Steve Osterman of Performance Anglers of Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-2181:

Hot Creek: Water flow is 9 CFS. Fishing here is a little tougher due to recent winter storms. Access is limited due to snow. Fish small Nymphs like Disco Midges, Brassies and Pheasant Tails. Some larger spawning fish have been showing up in the creek lately.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Jan. 11: Lake opening still awaiting latest results from tests on lake water for detectable levels of any residue from chemical treatment to kill northern pike.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Jan. 11: There were lots of fishermen but not much action for the Steelhead opener on New Year's Day between the Highway 70 and green bicycle bridges on the upper end of the Low Flow Section. Fishing is expected to improve as crowds thin out. Nightcrawlers are the ticket for Steelhead now with all the rain. Fly fishermen were getting a few on egg and fry patterns.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): Quite a few people have come up for ice fishing this past week. Standard baits (nightcrawlers and Power Bait) are working best. The road is clear to the dam but there is still no access to other areas unless you have a snowmobile.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Jan. 11: At least 2 feet of snow down in Chilcoot and plenty more up at the lake. Road to lake only plowed as far as the campground and 4x4 vehicles are advised. Some ice fishing was reported before the last storm, with ice reported 6 inches thick at the dam, but changeable weather can make for dangerous conditions on the ice.

OROVILLE LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Jan. 11: The lake is coming up slowly and Bidwell Canyon launch ramp has been the only ramp open. Slot sized bass were caught prior to the storms by small boaters on plastics. A few decent sized coho salmon from 2 to 3 pounds were taken, mooching anchovy fillets or live shiners under houseboats. A few cohos were also taken trolling under the Bidwell Bridge before last Friday's storm.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF: Steven Osterman:

Upper Owens: Water flow 90 CFS. Fly fishing is a bit more challenging with cold water and air temperatures. Expect to make many drifts for few fish. Work hard and you will be rewarded. Same fly's as Hot Creek. Best fishing during mid day hours. Some larger, spawning fish showing up of late.

Lower Owens: Water flow is currently 93 CFS. Fly fishing is very good. The fish are not too picky about the fly but still demand a good presentation. For Nymphing, try Pheasant Tails, Cased Caddis, green rock worms, WD-40's, Prince Nymphs, Hares Ears, Fox's Caddis Poopa and Brassies. On the surface, try Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams and E/C Caddis.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Valerie and Linda at Crosby's Lodge at (775) 476-0400: The biggest was that fish caught by James Faber, plus we had one 8-pounder, two 7-pounders, one 6-pounder and three 5-pounders checked in here at the lodge. The boaters were catching about 20-30 fish per boat, just about everywhere: Separator, Warrior Point, Spider Point, Windless Bay, the Marina, Popcorn and Hell's Kitchen.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store at (775) 476-0555: Today it is 30 degrees and foggy (Monday morning). Shore fishing has been OK at best. The boaters did very well on Saturday. One boat reported a 9-pound, 12-ounce and a 7-pounder. James Faber of Reno was trolling a Flatfish lure from his aluminum car top boat and he caught a 13-pound, 9-ounce (32 inches) Cutthroat.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Chris and Jeri Grellman of Sparks of Hog Charters (358-5199): We went out Saturday and caught and released about 20 fish. The biggest was 8-pounds. We were trolling 15 feet deep in 20-30 feet of water at Popcorn.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Jim Hartfiel of Just Rite Fishing at Pyramid Lake at (775) 575-7850 (home) or (775) 813-3411 (Cell): We went out Sunday and the fishing was fair. We caught and released 6 fish, with 2 over 24 inches. We trolled north from Popcorn.

RED LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported there is plenty of ice now. The wind was pretty bad on Saturday. Some ice fishermen but not much success.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Jan. 11: The trout are so hungry they are hitting reaction baits for bass. Troll in coves where the wind drives bait and toss Kastmasters or Rapalas that imitate the shad for fish to 3 pounds. It's anglers choice for bass tackle, focus on finding the bait schools and stick with them close to the banks with churned up the water, as the water rises, fish are actively feeding in the runoff areas.

LAKE TAHOE - North Shore: Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters and Tahoe Trophy Trout at South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (530-544-6552): The fishing has been slow to good. The spawning is done and the Mackinaw are scattered. You have to be patient. We have been trolling 60-180 feet deep. We locate the fish on the fish finder and then troll Dodgers and a live minnow in a "Figure Eight" pattern, bouncing the bottom. Also using rainbow-pattern, broken-back lures. I've been fishing at Cal-Nevada Point, Dollar Point and Sugar Pine Point.

LAKE TAHOE - East Shore: Gene St. Denis: I've got one side of the boat ramp plowed, but you will need four-wheel drive to launch a boat. The shore fishermen have been catching planter rainbows, plus a 1-pound brown and a 5-pound Mackinaw. Toplining has been dead to good, depending on the day. I trolled at Zephyr Cove and Logan Shoals, last week, and caught and released an 8-pound Mackinaw and a 5-pound brown, using Rapala lures.

LAKE TAHOE - EAST SHORE: Norm Budden of Carson City got skunked trolling on Monday.

TOPAZ LAKE: Chuck and Linda Fields at the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550): There were a few people out fishing, but not a lot. The snow is melting. You still can not launch from our Marina but the lake is coming up, slow but sure.

WALKER LAKE, NEV: Norm Budden, Jack Cooke, Marty Martinez, Scott Mattheus and Bob McCulloch fished in their chest waders at the south end of the lake last Thursday. They all caught lots of fish, except Martinez who got skunked, again, except for one cast when he caught Budden's fishing line.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF: Steve Osterman:

East Walker River (From Bridgeport Dam to the Nevada Stateline): The West Walker River, from the Bridgeport Dam downstream to the Nevada stateline, is now open, year round, with special restrictions. The water flow is 30 CFS. Fishing is tough as ice is forming in the channel. Prince Nymphs, WD-40's, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Sparkle Caddis Pupa, Stimulators and E/C Caddis.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Dennis Dunn, Jerry, Fred, Ron and Debbie at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: The weather is clear but it is very windy (Tuesday morning). We have had so much bad weather that there have not been very many fishermen. Those who have been out there, have done all right on both perch and rainbows.