Jim Krajewski

jkrajewski@rgj.com

FRENCHMAN LAKE: Free of ice and the snow is melting quickly. The roads around the lake are still not accessible, but getting to the dam and across, roads are clear. On March 29, a local fisherman caught three rainbows by the dam. Each averaged 16-18 inches. He was floating a worm off bottom with a No. 8 hook. Call for current lake conditions and updates on the fishing. Wiggins Trading Post 530-993-4683.

TRUCKEE RIVER: The river is high. It does not look like the flows are going to come down anytime soon. The conditions are going to change a lot over the next couple of months with warmer and colder weather and storms. It might be a while before we see some fishable conditions. Reno Fly Fishing Outfitters, 775-742-1754.

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: At 160 CFS, fishing the edges is important, and the seams and slower water. Look for active fish in the larger runs. There is a project in place this summer to raise the level of the dam at Stampede Reservoir by 11 inches. The issue here short term is there is going to be a lot of the water released for the work. This means the Little Truckee could be flowing hard for quite some time. They are not going allow the lake to fill up. Keep an eye on the flows before you go this season. Renoflyfishingoutfitters.com 775-742-1754.

PYRAMID LAKE: Tamarack Beach heading south to Popcorn is open to fishing. There are still three areas closed. Everything to the north of Shot Dog beach, including Warrior Point and Monument as well as the South Nets heading south to Washout beach are still closed. Also, Dago and Howards beaches remain closed. There are some gouges in the roads and beaches in those areas due to flooding and they may not open this spring.

The fishing has slowed since the re-opener. The lake has risen since the beginning of winter and it has made it impossible to wade out to the normal spots near the shelves on almost all of the shallow beaches. This spring is going to be different than most when we do not have this huge influx of water in February and March. There are two possible scenarios that can change the situation on the shallow beaches. Either we can have a big wind event out of the east or north and the shelves could get re-set, or we will have to wait until the lake comes up another foot or two with more run-off to bring the fish into the more shallow water.

The beaches with a steeper drop off on the south end are more fishable and the drop-offs are easier to get to. Stormy days are going to be important to good fishing this spring, as well as low light situations in the early mornings and evenings. Check your depth on your indicator rigs at any of the beaches because they have all changed. Float Tubing and Pontoon Boats are going to play a key role this year, especially as the water warms up in April. Renoflyfishingoutfitters.com 775-742-1754.

EAST WALKER RIVER: Flowing at 327 CFS. That is pretty high for the river, but fishable. You have to fish the edges and it is going to be hard to get around and impossible to cross the river. These flows are more regulated by the dam on Bridgeport Reservoir, but as the reservoir fills, the flows are going to go up. This is going to be a year where the East Walker probably flows very high through the summer. Renoflyfishingoutfitters.com 775-742-1754.

LAKE ALMANOR: The lake is full. Surface temps have been up and down, but generally about 45.5 degrees. Clarity is still poor, maybe 3 feet, less in some areas. Fish are scattered in search of smelt or any insect event that may go off early. The bite seems to have picked up. Several boats reported limits just prior to the last round of squalls.

Almanor West to Airport flats, Dorado, Prattville and Rec. 1 to the A-Frame, all reporting action. Sizes have been all over the range from 14-inch Rainbows to 3.8-pounders. White trolling flies, with or without wiggle fin action disks, 1/6 ounce Speedy Shiners in Fire Tiger, white, chartreuse, are reporting fish.

Clarity is compromised somewhat from run off, also a slower speed is recommended. Muddy inflows from the Hamilton Branch still the main problem in the west basin. The Almanor Fishing Association winter crews released approx. 25,000 7.5-inch Rainbows last week in the west basin.

All roads up are good. There’s still a lot of wind possible. Canyon Dam is the only public ramp open with dock. Rec. 1 & 2 with docks. USFS ramp, still closed. Doug Neal, Almanor Fishing Adventures, 530-258-6732.

LAKE TAHOE: Lake Tahoe is near full for the first time in a decade. Anglers have been reporting good success catching Mackinaw in the 3-5-pound range from boats concentrating in the 100-300 feet depths with white dodgers and minnows. Early morning have also been productive in the 10-20-foot range for both rainbow and brown trout. Shore anglers have reported catching rainbow trout using spinners. Cave Rock and Sand Harbor boat ramps will be open in 2017. Stocking of rainbow trout will occur throughout the summer months. NDOW