Should be a great May & June at Manzanita Lake

Manzanita Lake - CA (Madera County)


by The Fly Shop
3-9-2012
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Current Lake Conditions:
Spring is practically here, but the snow hasn't left yet. Still early to go fish Manzanita and with wet weather on rotation for next week, all we can say is expect more snow!

Should be a great May and June with good insect hatches! The spring months are the best time to fish on Manzanita. Summer months can be great, but crowded at times with kayaks, paddle boats.

The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
Using a float tube or a pontoon boat, paddle out into the lake and look along the edges for cruising rainbows and browns. RIOs Aqualux Intermediate Sink Tip is a perfect line for retrieving and stripping Pheasant tail nymphs and Callibeeotis. Use a floating line and leader tapered to 6x with a bead head PT with a very, very, very slow retrieve. Fish will find your nymph and take it, but don't set the hook! Just lift and let line out until you can bend the rod without first breaking the fish off.

Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:

• Scum Dun Callibaetis #14
• Quill Body Trico #22
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• D&D Cripple Callibaetis #16
• Carpenter Ant
• Foam Beetle

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• CB Frostbite #18
• Hogan's S&M Olive #16-18
• Zebra Midge Black #18-20
• Mercer's Gidget

Streamers/Leeches:
• Beaded Micro Bugger Black
• Zonkers
• Zack's Zugger Yellow/Brown

Fly Fishing Gear:

Our Recommendations:

• Outcast Fish Cat 9-IR
• S2 Zephyr Landing Net
• C&F S Series Waterproof Fly Box




More Reports


3-9-2012
Current River Conditions: Good fishing still happening. Pro TFS Guide Matt Dover reported in with great fishing a couple days...... Read More

The Fly Shop Reports
for Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Lewiston Lake: Callibaetis hatches are just starting at Lewiston Lake
Iron Canyon Reservoir: March can be one of the best months to fish a fly at Iron Canyon Reservoir