Water surface temperature is 43.5 degrees and water clarity in the west Basin 7.5 feet and 4.5 feet in the East Basin. The Public ramps at Canyon Dam and the USFS ramps on the west shore are open. Roads are bone dry and the snow is melting away. Lake levels are rising so watch for floating hazards.

Surface temperatures are on the rise, bug hatches are starting, clarity improving. All these little changes have been filling the bottom line nicely. The bite has spiked, It was like someone just walked into the room and hit the switch. Rainbows have taken the lead, providing most of the hits, with a few browns in the mix as well.

We have been trolling the Lake Cove area along the east shore where the clarity has is improved to almost 5 feet and the fish are seeing presentations a little better. We got 13 yesterday, releasing eight and keeping five for the smoker.

For you guys that read my report regularly know that we mention Speedy Shiners often, and they are always a good lure to use up here. Last week we changed up to a little tear drop trout spoons called the Rainbow Runner, in fluorescent orange. The fish were all over this thing!  Three times we were just letting out line and it got hit..at one point  we got three fish in 15 minutes. All of the rainbows were 1.5 to 2.4 pounds. They looked good, clean, bright and full of fight. The browns are more silver than brown these days, but looked real good, already fat and still looking to feed.

I treated the Rainbow Runners with Pro-Cure Carp Spit, and my own Pheromone rub.

One thing about the Rainbow Runner, the hook is junk,  and should be changed. A bigger fish, 5 lbs. or more, could actually bend the hook straight, not good.  So we switched them out to a  #6 Gamakatsu Siwash, open eye, a perfect match.

Another lure that has the same action is the Sep’s Pro Secret, you don't have to change the hook, and it’s cheaper. Ayoob’s Hardware in Chester has them.  Carp Spit too.  

Browns and rainbows are close to the surface, we never rigged anything deeper than 8 feet.

Smelt  begin their spawn activity when temperatures push 42 to 44 degrees, and should be moving out of these deep holes closer to the shoreline and structure. When these baitfish move out the salmon bite will begin, but not yet, perhaps this morning. You never know, that's why I am headed over there this morning.. wish me luck.

No, I have not been over to Big Springs lately. There are clarity issues, the Hamilton Branch is still running brown, So the north end of the East basin is a no go.

Bailey Springs, Almanor West, Plumas Pines, generally the entire west side is looking good. Midge hatches and leeches will be ramping up. Trolling black Grubs or anything that looks like a leech is advised. These leeches are no longer than three inches even a small night crawler could look good if properly threaded.

Doug Neal (530) 258-6732 http://www.almanorfishingadventures.com