Lake level continues to rise (slowly) and currently sits at 4481.9, twelve feet from full and the lowest level at this time of year in the past ten years. Warmer weather is raising water temps into the low fifties. Visibility is between 8-12 feet. Snow is all but gone at lake level; we are expecting another beautiful week of spring-like conditions here on Almanor with overnight lows dipping into the high 20s.
Canyon Dam remains the only public boat ramp and parking (especially on weekends) has been a mess. There was a thirty boat bass tournament yesterday and there are tournaments scheduled for at least the next two weekends. I have heard mixed reports of when the USFS ramp at Prattville will open, I will post the opening date as soon as it becomes available, in the meantime be prepared for long lines at Canyon Dam.
The bass are moving up into the shallows and the bite has improved. Trout trollers continue to catch quality fish and we are starting to see more rainbows and salmon in the mix. Huge insect hatches are going off and fish are enjoying the dietary change. The fish are in great shape and hard fighting. As the fish migrate to the northwest portion of the lake in search of insects the fast action should continue to improve, flies, hardware, crawlers and gulps will all catch fish. Arctic Fox trolling flies in hot orange and white trolled at 1.7 mph with or without a wiggle disc, speedy shiners at 2.5-3 (red/gold, red dot frog, and wonder bread), and of course crawlers and gulps at 1 mph are top choices.
Bank fishermen continue to catch fish at Hamilton Branch, we are still 6-8 weeks away from the Hex Hatch.
Most businesses are open and/or will open in the next few weeks, campgrounds remain closed and there are no major road construction projects currently underway on 32, 70/89 or highway 36.
