VOL . 43 • ISS . 3

March 8 , 2024

15

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 14

PYRAMID LAKE

when learning where the fish will be in any given lake . We hope this helps you become a more successful angler out here . As always if you have any questions , please give us a call , or stop in the shop and we are happy to help !

- Miles Zimmerman , Trout Creek Outfitters

Trollers are finding hit and miss action at Pyramid these days . According to Cory Kellar of Hendricks Outdoors , some days many fish are caught , and other days are really slow . He said a friend had several fish on the other day , lost a few , and landed beautiful 8 and 5 pound lahontans , plus lost a big one they didn ’ t ever see . On Cory ’ s latest trip , the best bite was in the afternoon after 3:30 , which was on the full moon day . Best lures have been watermelon Silver Horde Kingfisher spoons , as well as Lyman plugs in red dot frog . They also lost a big trout 20 feet behind the boat , probably about 13-15 pounds , on a black glitter with red striped Yakima Bait Flatfish .

RIO VISTA / WEST DELTA

Sturgeon Offer Top Fishing on Delta

RIO VISTA-- White sturgeon are providing the top fishing in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta as another storm was forecasted to hit California . “ Today ’ s outing was something crazy ,” reported Steve Mitchell of Hook ’ d Up Sportfishing after his most recent trip on February 23 . “ It started off really slow fighting against Mother Nature and all her wind . We moved from spot to spot trying to make it happen and nothing seemed to pan out for us .” “ So we waited and hung out a little

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while longer after hours for the tide and elements to be in our favor , and BAM ! We brought 6 fish to the boat in a matter of an hour or so . All of the fish were oversized and shorts . There was nothing in the slot today … That ’ s sturgeon fishing for you .” The sturgeon are hitting best on lamprey eel , salmon roe , grass shrimp and ghost shrimp in the Pittsburg Area at different depths . “ It ’ s truly a unique experience to catch a white sturgeon in the flats ,” reported Zack Medinas of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures . “ In this location we fought a best in 6 of water .” “ When you are this shallow , the fish can ’ t dive into the depths . The current is moderate at best so you are fighting ALL fish ! Fish can either come out of the water or go away . This makes for good surface jumps and drag burning runs ,” stated Medinas . Medinas noted that the best sturgeon fishing is right around the corner . “ With all this rain , it ’ s going to be epic ,” said Medinas .

“ I fished the north delta today as water conditions were not bad ,” reported Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors on a recent trip . “ The fishing wasn ’ t red hot , but we managed some stripers to 19.80 # and some nice black bass .”

- Dan Bacher

SHASTA LAKE

Trollers Are Landing Big Healthy Rainbows

- Robert Hower , Avid Angler

TRUCKEE / LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVERS

Wild Rainbows Start to Show Spawning Colors

TRUCKEE - The rainbows in the Truckee have begun to show their spawning colors this week , taking on deep , vibrant hues of pink , olive , purple and red . They are working hard at putting on weight in anticipation of the next few months , and the catch rate of large ‘ bows has been great recently . We ’ ve been having great luck along most stretches of the river from Glenshire Drive , all the way down to the lower river , and everywhere in between . The bug selection remains much the same along the entire river . Worms , midges and baetis are great options along the entire system . We would add an additional emphasis on skwala stoneflies in the canyon section of the Truckee where bigger pools and a rocky substrate are present . The fish are sitting in slow deep runs along the entire system . Being able to read the water and identify the deepest runs in your section of river will ensure that you are putting your flies in front of the fish . Fishing these runs very thoroughly will improve your chances of success . Remember that the large fish are always going to hold down the prime lies . So , look for deep runs that are around walking speed and focus on the side-water , just outside of the main seam . The fishiest sidewater will have a small secondary seam present for the fish to sit in without working too hard . Even better would be a large rock or shelf for the fish to sit up against to conceal themselves from predators and add another cushion of soft water . This extra cushion against the current will allow fish to expend less energy , while still getting the benefits of the buggy conveyor belt effect from the seam . Streamer fishing will also be a good bet coming into these prespawn months ; especially as we see continued overcast days through the week . For the presentation needed to target these fish in the deep slow water using a streamer , we recommend a sink tip line in a type 6 with a moderately weighted streamer . Don ’ t be afraid to go large and flashy . Fishing this way is done to initiate an aggressive predatory strike just as much as it is done to imitate a food source . A long mono leader on a floating line with a heavy jigged streamer can also be a very effective way to fish these deep runs , but this will often require you to tie your own streamer to ensure enough weight is used , and the cast can be a bit tough for the average fly caster . The result of casting a heavy fly on a long leader is a clunky , chuckn-duck style cast to get into the zone . But , the feel and jig style presentation is certainly effective when fish are in slow water and somewhat close to the bank . The midge and baetis hatches have become increasingly present along most of the river , with especially strong hatches of midges along Glenshire and some explosive hatches of baetis along the lower river , anywhere from the Reno area all the way through USA Parkway . Both bugs come off strongest around midday , when no wind is present , and the sun is shining .

- Miles Zimmerman , Trout Creek

Outfitters

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