FISHING REPORT

Trinity Lake is 87 feet below the overf low and 52.3 percent of capacit y. Trinity River at Lewiston is 600 cfs, water temp is 52; Limekiln Gulch is 5 feet at 598 cfs; Douglas City is 2.6
feet at 639 cfs, water temp is 55.6; Helena/ North Fork is 9.9 feet and 755 cfs, water temp 61.9; Cedar Flat is 3.9 feet at 916 cfs; Willow Creek is estimated at 1,116 cfs, water temp 65; Hoopa is 12.7 feet at 1,530 cfs, water temp 70.5. Mouth of the Trinity at Klamath is 4,390 cfs, water 70.5 degrees. The spring flows are 600 cfs and going down to 450 cfs by July 5. The new 2009 DFG supplements are posted on the DFG Web site at nrm.dfg.ca.gov/documents/. They should be at your local tackle shop soon.

To the best of my knowledge, the fishing regulations are: The Lower Trinity from the confluence of the Klamath up to the mouth of South Fork of the Trinity you may NOT KEEP ANY Chinook salmon from Jan. 1 until Aug. 31. The Upper Trinity you may keep two Chinook per day, two in possession until Aug. 31. The fall Chinook regulations start Sept. 1.

I am sorry that I didn’t get out a fishing report last week, but Willow Creek had its Wild West
Chili Cook-off and my wife had a chili entered so I was obligated to attend. I just wish the spring fishing was as hot as some of the chilies.

The river is coming into great shape for fishing with the upper section still slow for spring Chinook, but one of the guides who works the upper river said that he was really having good luck on hooking German brown trout from Poker Bar down to Indian Creek. He wouldn’t say what flies or spinners he was using, so I guess I can’t help you on that part.

Burnt Ranch and Grays Falls have been slow for spring Chinook as the anglers I have talked to are only coming out with an average of one salmon per two anglers. Not what I would call great fishing. Most of the fish were nice and silver and weighing about 7 to 12 pounds. Willow Creek and Hoopa you are not allowed to keep any Chinook salmon until Sept. 1, but fishing for trout is not bad.

One can fish early mornings with flies and light leaders, about 4-pound test, and do quite well. I would recommend No. 10 or 12 size flies like Brindle Bugs, Copper Johns or even a caddis, but once the sun hits the water you are going to have to look for shady canyons or call it quits for the day.