According to McLeod, all three lakes are chock full of holdover rainbows and browns and the months of April and May are prime time for catching big numbers of quality trout. If you're looking for quality, McLeod said numerous fish topping the 20 inch mark have been taken out of Stampede and Boca during the past two weeks. If numbers is what you're looking for, Prosser is tough to beat.

"I've been fly fishing Prosser in the afternoon after work and the bite has been red hot at the dam and the Prosser Creek inlet," said McLeod. "I was out there with a buddy just a couple days ago and we lost count after catching and releasing over 30 fish. Most were in the 12 to 14 inch class with a few larger fish to 16 inches."

While the fishing has been productive throughout the entire day, early season action is usually at its best during the heat of the day from about 2:00 to 6:00 pm. "I've been using a variety of flies including olive wooly buggers, chironomid pupaes and Stanley Streamers fished on an intermediate sink tip line," said McLeod. "The bait guys are also doing very well with the usual Power bait and crawlers fished off the bottom. There's quite a few nice stringers coming out most afternoons."

If you're looking for a shot at quality fish, Stampede Reservoir is the place to be. Stampede is currently kicking out a nice mix of approximately 75 percent rainbows and 25 browns. The best bank access is near the dam, but those with a 4WD vehicle should be able to make it into the Davies Creek, Sage Hen or the Little Truckee arms.

"There's still a few inches of snow on the ground, but it's melting as we speak," said McLeod. "Of course once the snow melts, then you have to deal with the mud. If you can make it back into the creek arms, you've got a good shot at catching a big brown or rainbow. Just in the last two weeks, we've had reports of browns up to 11 pounds and a lot of rainbows in the 16 to 22 inch class."

For spin fishermen, McLeod suggested anglers fish Power Bait or crawlers suspended off the bottom. A variety of spoons, spinners and Rapala type lures are especially productive for quality fish. "Fly fishermen are going to need at least an intermediate sink tip and preferably a full sink tip," he added. "Wooly buggers and most of the popular streamer patterns work well at Stampede."

Finally, Boca Reservoir can be equally productive as the first two lakes, but is often overlooked by anglers heading up to Stampede. "Once again, the dam and the inlets are the place to be," said McLeod. "The inlet of the Little Truckee is where most of the big fish are caught, but you had better make sure you're fishing in the lake and not the stream. This area is heavily patrolled and the streams are still closed."

Boca also has a mix of rainbows and browns with rainbows making up 75 to 80 percent of the catch. "Boca is also capable of producing really big fish in the 5 to 10 pound class," said McLeod. "Fly fishermen do well with small midge, stonefly and streamer patterns. For the bait guys, it's Power Bait, eggs or crawlers."