22 June 7 , 2024

VOL . 43 • ISS . 7

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 21

SHASTA LAKE

continue to rise and the fish will go deeper to find cooler water . Jeff Goodwin Guide Service has been targeting king salmon and he has found them down around 110 ’ deep . He has been catching several in the 3 pound range but he has also landed some pretty big ones in the 5-6lb range . The bite has been happening early and by mid-morning the bite shuts down . The rainbow and brown trout bite is starting to get better . The bite is pretty good right now and we are consistently catching fish in the mornings . We have been fishing the main body of the lake and haven ’ t had to look elsewhere . Most of the fish we are catching are in the 30 ’ - 40 ’ depth range . The best colors have been silver backed spoons with white fronts on shad pattern lures . As summer approaches , we expect green colored lures to be the color of choice . Depending on what lure you are using you should be trolling around 2.3 to 2.4 mph for the best results . We expect the bite to continue to get better and by summer the bite should be fantastic . Some of the fish we are catching have some sores ( copepods ) on them and although it doesn ’ t look good , they don ’ t affect the meat and are only on the skin . The meat is also starting to get more red and the fish are very tasty . Be aware there ’ s still some bigger logs and branches floating around .

- Robert Hower , Avid Angler

LAKE TAHOE

Mackinaw Are On The Chew

Lake Tahoe – The Lake Tahoe bite has been strong catching mackinaw 2-6lbs trolling or vertical jigging . Some mornings it takes the fish a little time to wake up before they start biting . I ’ ve been mainly trolling so I can find as many active biters as I can . Brads Kokanne Cut Plugs filled with tuna and a dodger has been working extremely well . I run the cut plug about 12-18 ” behind the dodger . I also put pro-cure krill on my tuna to spice things up a little bit . The mysis shrimp returned last year when the lake turned over and the mackinaw love mysis shrimp . The water is warming up fast . It went from 48 degrees to 56 degrees in a matter of a few weeks . I ’ ve

Steven Lawrence was using a Speedy Shiner while fishing on Lake Amador when he caught this beautiful Gold .

Photo Courtesy of Lake Amador Resort

found that some areas have shut down midmorning because of this . When the water is 48 degrees , Mackinaw bite all day long and you don ’ t have to move from one area to another .

– Chris Ditter , Sierra Fin Addicts

TRUCKEE / LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVERS

Expect Dry Fly Action to Pick Up

TRUCKEE - The Truckee River saw a significant drop in flows along the entire river system this week . Looking at the various gauging stations in the local creeks , it appears most of the drop in flows come from the smaller seasonal creeks as opposed to whatever is controlled by dams . This drop from 1,200 CFS to 750 CFS around Glenshire in under a week is a good indicator that the runoff period on the Truckee River will soon be behind us . Just around the corner , you ’ ll find us wet wading , tossing dry flies at dusk and we can ’ t wait . Overall , the last few weeks on the Truckee have been a bit tough , some days can be great , others can result in just a fish or two . For those that fish this river often , we come to expect those tough days here and there . In truth , those tough days seem to make the good ones just that much better . Regardless , if the day isn ’ t producing great numbers , there is always a shot at a big fish or two . When the water is high like right now , it will make for an exciting fight when you run into a bruiser . So , always be ready ! In recent days , there ’ s been a greater mixture of bugs around due to rising water temperatures and longer days . We ’ ve seen baetis really start to fizzle out and bugs like PMD ’ s , caddis , yellow sallies , green drakes , and golden stones start to show up more and more when flipping rocks . With the flows dropping and a greater abundance of summer bugs showing , start mixing up your fly selection and steer away from the typical runoff bugs we have been recommending over the last few weeks . You may even be able to see a few fish rising this week . Dries and dry droppers will be good options in the months to come . Think PMD ’ s throughout the day , carpenter ants mid-day , and caddis in the evenings . As grasshoppers and golden stones begin to show , throwing small rubber leg stimulators can also elicit a few strikes here and there . Unlike the main river , flows on the Little Truckee came up again this week , currently sitting at +/ - 560 CFS . These flows are tough to fish , it really limits the good holding water and can even make nymphing a bit difficult . If fishing out here right now , use heavy jigged flies with a tight line set up . Be more selective than normal when choosing a run to fish . Look for any slow water available and fish it thoroughly . If you ’ re not having any luck then swap out bugs , wait a few minutes and try again . Any water that looks suitable to hold a trout probably will . But these fish are notoriously picky and even at these flows . So , a good presentation with accurate bug selection will still be necessary . The main bugs out here will be worms , eggs , PMD ’ s , caddis , baetis and midges . With the bump in the flows , worms and eggs will likely be your best bet as the naturals get flushed down the system . 4x tippet would be ideal right now when nymph fishing . Streamer fishing may also provide a good shot at fish this week . Especially when fishing in the mornings or evenings , as the sun is off the water .

- Miles Zimmerman , Trout Creek Outfitters .

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