Montana Fish Report

The cooling water has slowed down the bug hatches, and that should continue to decline, now that most of the reproduction cycles are done.

The smelt are everywhere around the lake, and they are really getting big, a couple Browns we checked had smelt over 3", but most have been about 2.5"

Fishing pressure, and general afternoon boat traffic have been a bit heavy the past few days, which is expected during the last big summer holiday.

However, after Labor Day weekend, all boat traffic will just gradually begin to decline, starting right now, and the best fishing is just about to start, right now.

The east shore from Lake Cove to the Dorado has been getting some of that fishing pressure, and rightly so.

Lots of action, we saw several of nets going out. Threaded Crawlers rigged from 20, to 30' down and trolled at 1 mph or less has doing well all week.

Also the small red and gold Seps Pro Secret, or the small 1/16 Oz. red and gold Speedy Shiner( RGSS)  have been the best fast action lures. We got 15 Rainbows and Browns yesterday trolling these lures. Downrigged and stacked @ 27ft. and 35ft on both sides of the boat. Trolled at 2.3 mph., and we brush a little Pro-Cure Trophy Trout  scent on them. Most of the fish in this area have been running on the small side, but we have also picked up some real beauties over 3 lbs. and up to 4 lbs.

Big Springs has been good in the early morning, Rainbow Runners and threaded crawlers have been attracting fish to 5 lbs. but most  are smaller, again down rigged from 27 ft. and down. The cove in the back of Big Springs has got rainbows moving in. Bait fishing has been best, Salmon eggs off the bottom, or under a bobber.

This is a shallow area so move in quietly or you could scare them.

Rec. #1, has lots of feeding fish, the problem is there's also huge balls of bait fish that they are chasing all over the place. Silver Prism Needle fish would be a good bet.

Rec.# 2, kicked out a 12.2 lb. Brown last week, off a white Jig. And there's lots of fish rolling every morning just outside the log boom.

Bailey Springs area has been a great spot this season, bobbers and crawlers, inflated crawlers off the bottom,even Salmon eggs have been getting Rainbows all over 2 lbs., and a couple over 4 lb.

Hamilton Branch, this area has the reputation for the best bank fish at Lake Almanor, and Its back on.

Panther Martins, Kastmasters, crawlers under a bobber its all good. Rainbows have finally started to return into the Branch and its looks like they are there to stay.

As I reported in my last report, and if your going to troll.

Biologist have completed a recent water quality survey this past week and found the best oxygen levels to be at 35 ft. which explains why the best bite has been from 25ft. to 35 ft.

Fish are holding at these levels and that's where you should be.

I have been downrigged to the 27ft. level and have lots of bigger fish dashing up out of the thermolcline for solid hits and hook sets.

I expect the thermocline to start rising up the water column as surface temperatures continue to decline.

Generally the fish are still scattered all over the lake and trolling has been the best, with bait fishing taking a back seat, especially in the morning.

Bait fishing has been the most productive in the lake afternoon to dark.

Cricket and Mealworms 4 cranks off the bottom behind Goose Island, Rec.2, The Spar Buoy, and Fox farm, and Rec.1 and 2  just outside the log booms, some of the biggest fish this season have come later in the day rather than early.  Doug Neal (530) 258-6732 http://www.almanorfishingadventures.com