Fishing report for the week of July 31 Lake Davis

Fishing is rated as fair and improved. There are good reports from fishermen. The water surface temperature is averaging 70 degrees. Fish size is ranging from 10 to 20 inches.

Algae particles that were creating poor visibility are decreasing. The damsel hatch is all but over, which is bad news for fly fishermen, but good news for the other types of fishing, as the fish will no longer be keying on the damsel nymph.

Shore: Rated fair. One to two fish per rod has been the norm. There has been a decent evening bite coming from Eagle Point. Bill Adams and family caught 10 and eight fish on two different outings this past week. The bait of choice has been rainbow PowerBait fished on a sliding sinker rig.

Boats: Trolling has improved for experienced fishermen. There are good reports from those trolling. Fred Power, of Mohawk, and guest landed two limits on Monday, July 16. Fred was trolling with 2-1/2 colors of lead core line and needlefish lures. I've had three other boats of experienced anglers report good success by trolling cinnamon and olive woolly buggers 120 feet behind the boat, 3-5 feet under the surface in water that has a depth of 15 feet or less. Their success ranged from catching five, six, 15 and 21 fish.

The best areas are the north end of the lake or the deep channels at the southern end. Joe Dunsby and son reported landing nine rainbows to three pounds, this last weekend. They anchored their boat in the north end of the lake and fished PowerBait.

Fly Fishing: Rated fair. The damsel hatch is basically over, which closes the chapter for this year; however, the fish will now increase their menu which will open the bite to woolly buggers, etc. Four novice fly casters landed six fish, and lost four others in the weeds on Saturday, July 21. They were fishing in Freeman Creek, using Jay Fair wiggly buggers, size 10 in cinnamon.



Eagle Lake

Fishing at Eagle Lake appeared to pick up Saturday and Sunday with more people reporting success. Trout weighing in the 3-4 pound bracket were definitely more common over the weekend.

Still fishing using night crawlers continues to be the top producer. Eagles Nest is mentioned most by anglers as the best location on the lake. Other locations worth trying include Wildcat Point, Pelican Point, the Circus Grounds and Shrimp Island. Trollers have also been most successful using worms.

Needlefish and rapalas have been marginally productive. Depths for fishing seem to be best at 20-30 feet. Surface sightings continue to be reported as well.

Eagle Lake continues to maintain excellent water levels. Boating access is excellent. Conditions for water recreation are tremendous. The lake offers a good balance between water sports and fishing since the majority of anglers fish in early morning or late evenings.



Lake Almanor

With the cooler summer weather, Almanor is still producing lots of fish. The hex hatch is slowing but is still going on at night. Salmon are being caught again using anchovies at the dam area and east side of the lake.

Bass have been very plentiful with some nice size using crickets and the jigs. Most anyof the rocky areas have been good for bass.

Browns and rainbows are hitting crickets and worms. Bait fishing is better than trolling now, but dodgers are still working for those trolling.



Frenchman Lake

Warming water has slowed up the fishing somewhat at Frenchmans Lake, but if you are persistent and fish early, you should do fine.

Trollers are going as much as 8-9 colors out using night crawlers and flashers or lead core line with woolly worms in black or rust colors.

Little Last Chance Creek is doing well from the dam down to the Chilcoot Campground. Try garden worms or salmon eggs.

Many people have inquired about the boat ramps at Frenchmans. Both boat launches, the old boat ramp on the east side and Lunker Point are usable, but with so many boaters on the lake, fishing is hampered somewhat.



Little Grass Valley Reservoir

The reservoir was stocked with 12-14 inch rainbows, so shore fishing is fantastic around the boat dock at Little Beaver Campground.

Use worms or PowerBait from boats. Still fishing with a treble hook is still fair to good.

Trolling with spinners, silver flashers and wedding rings at 20-35 feet is excellent for rainbows and Kokanee.

The browns are on the bottom, spawning deep. Lures are working great near the feeder stream trenches.



Bucks Lake

A 19-pound Mackinaw was caught July 14 by trolling frog-colored flat fish. A couple of nice browns have been caught with rapallas.

Most people are catching fish. There is success bait fishing with PowerBait and worms.