1/10/21
The water level on Almanor has increased by 3/10ths of a foot since last week’s report. We have a 20% chance of showers Tuesday through Tuesday night otherwise our weather is going to provide ideal fishing conditions for the next seven days with lows in the mid-20s and day time highs reaching into the low 50’s. Water clarity is unchanged and surface temps remain around the 40 degree mark.
Fishing pressure remains light with the majority of the fishermen targeting fish from shore. Hamilton Branch and the coves around the dam are seeing the most fishermen with the top choice of bait remains to be power bait and crawlers. Most of the fish caught are of the smaller size with a few mature fish thrown in the mix.
Our roadways are in great shape and the Canyon Dam boat ramp is open and clear. If you are planning on taking advantage of the weather over the next few days, I would recommend you begin trolling right at the Canyon Dam ramp and head down either shore line. I have heard reports of fish caught fast and slow trolling in that area. Crawlers or gulps at one mph just off the bottom in 40’ of water or hardware 15-20’ on the wire both caught fish (red/gold, cop car and wonder bread speedy shiners). Arctic Fox trolling flies trolling at 1.7-2 mph with a wiggle disc in front will also work.
The flies are far more effective when you are working the rod but it’s just tough to do at this time of year. I have a few rods set up for the flies that I always carry on my boat. I set mine up on one of Duncan McIntyre’s 8’ spiral wrapped trolling rods and an ABU 5500 reel. I will spool some braid or 20# mono first, then three to five colors of 15# lead core followed by 90’ of 10# mono, a small P-line swivel, four to five feet 6# leader and your fly of choice. I have found the double uni knot the easiest and most effective knot for attaching lead core to either braid or mono. Just remember to remove the lead from the area that you tie your knot. That exact set up is my preferred set up on Eagle Lake.
Arctic Fox sells a product called top-line that legendary Eagle Lake fisherman Jay Fair perfected; it consists of 100 yards of 20# braid, 100’ of .029” floating line, ½ color 18# lead-core, 20’ of 10# mono and 5’8# mono. No knots to tie just attach to your reel.
If you enjoy winter fishing this week is setting up to be a good one. Come on up and enjoy beautiful Plumas County, Lake Almanor and our spectacular fishery.