The water is cool enough for fish to remain scattered around both basins. Clarity is about 16 feet. Surface temps at 68 degrees. While abundant smelt populations are mostly found in the east basin from Canyon Dam, to Hamilton Branch, aquatic insect hatches are prevalent everywhere.

Nightcrawlers have been getting the big fish. Threaded naked or behind attractors like  Flashers or Strike Master dodgers have been nailing the big fish all week. The bite has been starting early, I have been fishing by 5:15 a.m. every day, and a few nice Rainbows find there way into the box before the sun clears. Browns to 5 pounds and rainbows running up to four pounds are being caught every day. There are lots of king salmon too, running from 15 to 19 inches, and growing fast. Expect this Hex Hatch to peak, and be in decline by mid July. Fish are rising to mayflies late afternoon until last light.

Mooching crickets or mealworms from 6 feet off the bottom always catches a few fish that go well over 10 pounds every year during the hatch. Late afternoons, when the hex larva move up from the bottom is when the real bite begins. Doug Neal (530) 258-6732 http://www.almanorfishingadventures.com