The Truckee River is starting to get too warm and low for good fishing, but there are some pockets holding fish.
The higher alpine lakes and streams are good choice for fishing now. And the various urban ponds have been receiving fish stockings this spring and summer.
The Sacramento River opens for salmon season on July 16.
The Fishing Report for July 1, as compiled from various sources:
LAKE DAVIS: Water level is at about 40 percent capacity. Bank fishing at Mallard Cove and Fairview Point, averaging 1-2 fish per rod. Fire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are only allowed in developed campsites. You may still use your propane stove or lantern with a valid campfire permit. J & J’s Grizzly Store and Camping Resort, 530-832-0270.
FRENCHMAN LAKE: Water level is low. No docks are in water. Bank fishing at Turkey Point and Lunker Cove doing the best. Mountain Hardware, Truckee 530-587-4844.
TRUCKEE RIVER: Fishing will be best in the mornings as water temps are hiting 65 degrees. Seeing a good variety of bugs on the Truckee and anglers have quite a few options when it comes to fly selection. Last week was good for green drakes, and what these bugs lack in volume they make up for in size. It only takes a few of them hatching off to interest the fish, so have a few adult and emerger/cripple patterns ready in case they decide to make an appearance, or try using nymphs throughout the day. Seeing a consistent hatch of PMDs in the mornings providing a decent dry-fly bite for those looking to fish on top. The other bugs of interest have been caddis, golden stoneflies, yellow sallies, crayfish, and your typical Truckee River go-to’s such as midges, baetis and worms.
Fish will be sitting mostly in the fast water, especially the larger fish, as they will bully the smaller fish for the prime locations. Try Euro-nymphing or indicator fishing the fast water found at the tops of pools, in pocket water, riffles or seams off of boulders. Look for fast, oxygenated water that is at least 2 feet deep, where a cushion of soft water is found towards the bottom so that they can still sit in it without working too hard, but where there is plenty of oxygen and food drifting by. The fish going for dries are usually found just back from the fast stuff off of seams, foam lines or in medium-fast riffles. From Miles and crew at Trout Creek Outfitters in Truckee, (530) 563-5119.
LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: Flows are 75 CFS and the fishing remains good, but with a lack of other cold water options this river continues to see a good amount of angling pressure. Spread out when fishing here and don’t crowd out other anglers. It is common to find fish in a lot of different water types and fishing all of the in-between water can be a great way to find the less suspecting fish. Try walking the river and covering a lot of water instead of holding down one run for a few hours, this will up everyone’s odds as you can put your flies in front of a greater number of fish and they will see different presentations over the course of the day.
The water temps on the Little Truckee remain in the low 50s coming out of the dam, which has been keeping both the fish and the bugs active. Because of this, we have been seeing good dry fly fishing throughout the day, but still the best times of day to fish on top would be the mornings and evenings, while switching over to nymphs mid-day or when hatches aren’t present. This river is a great place to carry two rods to make switching your presentation fast when hatches occur. Low light hours will still provide the best fishing here as fish will not be able to spot you as easily and they will be a little less on-edge, so while you are still able to fish mid-day, for your best odds try to fish when the sun is low and there are shadows on the water to break up your profile. From Miles and crew at Trout Creek Outfitters in Truckee.
TOPAZ LAKE: Topaz has been fishing well, shore anglers with Powerbait and boaters trolling flash rigs are doing the best. Crawlers off the bottom have also been productive early and late in the day. Finding the deeper water has been key. Fishing for trout should remain good and productive through fall. Provided by NDOW
EAST WALKER RIVER: Extremely low flows for this time of year and will not be increasing. The hot weather will raise water temperatures to lethal levels for the fish, so we are advising anglers to refrain from fishing here this summer. Sierra Drifters, 760- 935-4250 or email sierradriftersgs@gmail.com.
SACRAMENTO RIVER: Will open to a full salmon season starting July 16, anglers will get a daily limit of two king salmon with a four king salmon possession limit per person. The salmon season on the Sacramento River will remain open through Dec. 31.
On the Feather river, it will open on July 16, and will have a full salmon season through Oct. 31. Dave Jacobs Professional Guide Service, 530- 646-9110 or visit sacramentofishing.com.
SPARKS MARINA: The urban ponds have received at least two to three rounds of trout this spring and early summer. The Sparks Marina will offer the best chance to catch an array of species while waters like Virginia Lake and Paradise Park Ponds may still hold a number of channel catfish and some carryover rainbow trout. The urban ponds will again receive trout plantings into summer and fall when temperatures allow. Marilyn’s Pond and the Sparks Marina will likely fish best through early fall in the higher temperatures. As access and options lesson with the summer heat, be patient with everyone out fishing right now. It’s also a good idea to have a safe backup location just in case your preferred urban fishery is busy. Provided by NDOW
CROWLEY LAKE: Fishing well. Good quality browns, rainbows and cutthroat trout are doing their usual thing and filling up on midges and damselflies. Fishing deep now, but the fish will begin to move into shallower water as more damselfly nymphs start to get active.
Midges have been the best flies so far, with assassins and damselfly imitations a close second. A good sonar unit will assist in locating the best concentrations of fish to keep you on the bite combined with the right flies. Sierra Drifters, 760- 935-4250 or email sierradriftersgs@gmail.com.
LAKE SABRINA: (Bishop, Calif.): Free fishing day is Saturday (July 3). Kris Orosco landed a 4 1/2-pound rainbow last week using a nightcrawler. With the DFW stocking, fishing picked up with nightcrawlers and PowerBait doing the best. Mice Tail, Mini-Jigs and red and gold Thomas Buoyants are also working.
All the campgrounds in Bishop Creek Canyon are open. Bishop Park and The Forks are reservation-only through www.recreation.gov. Four Jeffery also has reservable campsites and first-come first-serve spots. First-come first-serve campgrounds are: BitterBrush, Big Trees, Willow and Sabrina Camp. North Lake is a dry camp with no potable water and is first-come first-serve. Private boats can launch from dirt. Bishop’s July 4th fireworks show will be at the Bishop City Park. Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, 760-873-7425.
Jim Krajewski covers high school and youth sports for the Reno Gazette Journal. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com.
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