Almanor Fishing Association
6/13/20
Another week of unsettled weather with afternoon winds has water temps dropping back into the low 60’s here on Almanor. Water level is unchanged from last week and visibility varies between 12-18 feet.
Trollers continue to target fish in the flats on the north/west section of the lake. Fishing has been good and the fish are in great shape as they continue to feed on insects. Fast, slow or in between are all producing fish. You must adjust methods based upon weather, slow down and increase setbacks when the lake flattens, speed up and troll hardware when winds prevent the slow troll. Arctic Fox flies at 2 mph will also produce fish. We are starting to see more boats on anchor targeting fish with the Almanor cocktail (cricket/meal worm suspended off the bottom).
The bass bite improved over the past week as fishermen target fish in deeper water off docks and rocky points.
The “Hex Hatch” has officially started with large quantities of bugs hatching all along the west shore this past week. Bass, Rainbows, Browns and Salmon are keying in on the larvae and mayfly as they hatch at dusk. If you are a fly fisherman and have never witnessed the Hex Hatch on Almanor it is worth your time just to witness these bugs emerge . Geese, ducks, bats and all varieties of fish & birds gorge on these delicious bugs. The Hex larvae takes 8-10 hours to emerge from the muddy bottom and slowly navigate its way to the surface where it typically hatches at dusk into a beautiful protein filled snack. Slow fish a nymph early in the evening in water to 25 feet deep and have the dry fly ready at dusk to target rising fish. If you see a fish sucking in the mayflies on the surface, anticipate their next move and place your imitation in its path.
Mark at Sierra Fly & Tackle at Hamilton Branch has all the flies, information and equipment you will need. Most fly fishermen are using float tubes, casting a sinking line and slowly back peddling leaving their fly in the targeted zone.
Canyon Dam boat ramp remains the only public boat ramp on Almanor and I still have no official word on when our public campgrounds will open.
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