Northern Sierra Fishing Report ~ Lake Davis ~ Middle Fork Feather River ~ Truckee River

Jon Baiocchi / Baiocchi’s Troutfitters reports on 4.7.2016

Northern Sierra Fishing Report ~ Lake Davis ~ Middle Fork Feather River ~ Truckee River

Lake Davis

Transition time for myself is under way, the Lower Yuba River is in the rear view mirror, and the Northern Sierra awakens. First stop, Lake Davis. The spawn is on yet many of the east side feeder creeks are drying up. Look for the creeks that are still running, and target the areas around them. Fishing is fair at this time. Smaller chironomids are active, as are Callibaetis mayflies. Water color is off slightly with water temperatures 50 to 55 degrees, bays with dark bottoms have slightly higher water temps and the trout are seeking these areas out. Early season at the lake brings out some amazing water fowl like Loons with their eerie call, and white pelicans strafing the water’s surface with spectacular aerial flight displays. Effective flies for stripping include Wiggle tails in brown, burnt orange, olive, and black, and Woolly Buggers in the same color schemes. For bobicating, try Albino Wino midges, and Pheasant Tail Flashback nymphs. Fish are scattered. It’s early, wait for more hatches to pop for better action. 

Middle Fork Feather River opened on the 2^nd, beautiful views and sunny skies welcomed my guests and I. Water is high, water temps came in at 53 to 55, but the clarity was good. Streamer fishing got the only grabs with black Wooly Buggers, and nymphing was not happening. Warmer water temps will dictate all. Keep an eye on this gem, when conditions are ripe, it’s game one. Tons of Gray Drakes hatching and on the water. These trout do not look up until water temps are at least 58. It was great to see so much water in the river, and free standing water in the Sierra, and Mohawk valleys.  Mosquitos are going to be a problem in this area, as well as the Buffalo bugs (no-see-ums).

The Truckee River is awesome right now, sexy water color, high, but very fishable. My guests and I have been doing pretty good targeting deeper pocket water, and deeper tail outs. Lots of weight is crucial in your presentations. Stick and move, cover water. If you’re hooking fish, stay in the immediate area. Effective flies for us have been worms in flesh and red and small baetis nymphs in olive. All of the fish hooked today were sight fished, look at promising slicks behind boulders, and when the clear window appears look for the dark moving shapes of a trout. The best aspect of today was the weather, so gorgeous. Unsettled weather moves in from Friday through Tuesday with intermittent snow and rain. Prepare and get out there, it’s AG (all good).