Northern Sierra Fly Fishing

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Another Lake Davis Report

Fished with John Z this week and we found a number of willing fish.Largest was a nice 17" fish.Most fish are in the 14-16" range, but they are HOT HOT HOT! saw a few damsels this week so I am encouraged that we may have a decent hatch this year. Most days we are seeing good blood midge hatches as well as callibaetis with some micro caddis mixed in.There are good concentrations of fish in Freeman and also in the Camp 5 area.Look for working birds and you will find bugs and fish.Water temps are coming up quickly right now so get out and fish!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Lake Davis Report 6-5-11

With a bit warmer weather(it is still raining) and somewhat less wind I've been able to get out on Davis and have been pleasantly surprised. Fishing is actally pretty good with midging being on the verge of outstanding. Blood midges are hatching consistently providing for dry fly opportunities with fish eating both emergers/cripples and adults. For more consistent action a size 10 blood midge and a size 12 rootbeer under a bobber have been the way to go.

While the fish have been mostly smallish in the 14-16" range, a few larger fish are being hooked and the best news is these fish are clean! It seems the copopods from the past few years are gone and the only evidence of there presence are a few scars on some of the fish.

No sign of damsel's yet and with water temps in the low 50's it may be a while before they start their migration.If they don't show up, do not despair as midging will consistently catch fish.

I scouted the North Yuba last week and while I saw no fish and had no success it was still a great day.The river is high but clarity is good and there were a few golden stones flying around as well as some caddis.Another week or two and this awesome freestone river should start going off!

Get out and fish!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Another lovely spring

More snow and rain fell this week here in the Northern Sierra's prolonging an already cool, wet,and windy spring. I got out a few days ago on a quick scouting mission of a few local favorite spots. First stop was Nelson Creek near Quincy. This small creek is raging and because one needs to be in the stream corridor to fish it , Nelson is on the wait a week or two and check back mode. The water clarity was good, but the flows are just too high and fast to be fished safely in my opinion.

Next stop on my exploration was the Middle Feather near Two Rivers Resort. This is my favorite run in this reach and while the flows were high it looked very fishy. Alas, I had no grabs but was happy with the promise that this high water year holds. I only saw a few midges and one creamy mayfly and no rising fish, but that should change with the river levels dropping and temps increasing.

We should start to see golden stoneflies, little yellow sallies, grey drakes, and a plethora of caddis flies hatching in the coming weeks.

With the another semester at FRC wrapping up I have been very busy writing papers and studying for finals. Taking a short break from a creative writing project, I was able to wet a line on Smithneck Creek near my house where I was able to catch a couple of little browns high sticking a prince nymph. This little creek is out of its banks in most places in the canyon but fish can be found in the slack water and pools in the meadows.

Back to the studies!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Lake Davis Report

I finally took the boat out on Davis for a shakedown cruise and was absolutely amazed by the amount of water in the lake. of the snow is gone from the lake but the westside still looks snowed in and impassable. I only fished for a few hours before the wind forced me off the lake. It was nice launching from the Lightning Tree boat ramp for the first time in YEARS, but the dock has not been installed yet so retrieving in the wind was a pain in the ass. All four launch ramps are usable this year!

On a down note, only one Forest Service campground is open this year,Lightning Tree. Grizzly and Grasshopper are closed for improvements and there is very limited dispersed camping on the west side of the lake. J&J's Grizzly Store has 34 camping sites available for tents and RV's and is less expensive than the Forest Service campgrounds.Check them out!

The water clarity in the north end of the lake is pretty poor at this time with a foot or two of visibility and a color that ranged from chocolate milk to pea soup. There is a lot of water to explore this year and finding fish should be a fun and challenging experience.There were a few blood midges around but not much else at this time. The damsels should start showing up anytime but with the full lake may have a long migration this year. I am hoping for a good hatch but expect it to be about the same as last year...spotty. If they don't show in great numbers don't be too bummed because midging will be outstanding as usual! Blood midge pupa's and Sano's rootbeer midge will catch plenty of fish!

Next up...Frenchman's.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

General Trout Season Opener

With a banner snow year that has morphed into a cold, wet and windy spring the rivers and lakes of the Northern sierra's are looking very promising for the 2011 fishing season. The MF Feather is very high but has good color in the Beckworth to Graeagle reach. Streamer fishing is the name of the game right now. Fish em' on a heavy sink tip and swing through likely looking water. Remember, fish tend to hang close to the banks in the soft edges during high water. Bunny leeches in black and purple will work in low light conditions and on cloudy days. Try bright pinks and oranges if the flows color up.

Lake Davis is ice free with access on the east side all the way to Lightning Tree. The west side is still snow covered and will be a while before it is open to vehicular traffic. The boat launch at Honker has been plowed but the ramp has not been installed yet.Smaller boats are advised at this time as there is minimal turn around room. Flies that are producing right now include sheeps creeks, wiggle tails and buggers in black, cinnamon, and olive stripped on an intermediate line or a floater with a long leader.Midges and pheasant tails under a bobber are producing as well.

The Truckee is high but the color has been good and fish are being caught on a variety of flies from nymphs to streamers. Air temps are expected to rise next week so the river will most likely blow out. The Little Truckee has been fishing well lately but is already seeing a lot of angler traffic. Please stay off the redds of spawning fish and DO NOT fish to actively spawning fish!

Get out and make your own fishing report!