Northern California Stream Report
There are several hundred miles of rivers, creeks, lakes and streams within easy striking distance of The Fly Shop® in Redding.
It’s not surprising that quite a bit of water is set aside as fly fishing only, catch-and-release, with special closures and regulations designed to help ensure that the fishing around here will stay good for generations. The Fly Shop staff will custom-tailor the day and guide to your ability and interests, putting you on the best local water.
Trout and steelhead fishing here isn’t a season; it’s a way of life at The Fly Shop®, and we’ve got fine fishing nearly 365 days of the year. Whether it’s a beautiful spring or fall day, blistering hot mid-summer afternoon, or snow-covered winter morning, we’ve got the staff and the guides that can handle it. We’ll also help with flies and equipment, lodging, and transportation if you need it.
Featured Reports
All Regional Reports
Expand All River Reports
Fall River Expand
Fall River Report
Upated: September 7, 2019
Report: Fall River is still fishing well with Baetis and Tricos the main menu fishing dries. Caddis are beginning to wane with the shortening days, but fish will still take swung flies readily. Damsel Nymphs and Leeches are a good item to dead drift or swing. Watch for the fish stacked in underneath and swing your leeches up to them for some good grabs. The latter part of the season can be one of the bests times to fish The Fall!
Hot Flies:
Hat Creek Report
Updated: September 7, 2019
Report: Hat Creek continues to be a solid option. There is a lot of pressure, so keep in mind you may not get to fish your favorite honey hole if you go. The Trico spinner fall is happening in the morning. Look for back eddies and seams where fish are slurping the stew, those fish are on Tricos. Fish are still grabbing Rubberlegs in black and brown, occasionally the larger Chubby Chernobyls in brown will be good too so a dry-dropper rig is just the ticket on the section downstream of the 299 bridge. In the evenings swinging a Bird's Nest or cinnamon Poopah will work wonders, when you see the splashy rises switch over to a Missing Link or Elk Hair Caddis and skitter those in the tailouts, you'll be surprised at the results!
Hot Flies:
Klamath River Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report: Summertime flows up top below Iron Gate are fluctuating between 900 and 975 CFS daily. Not a lot going on up there for now, but the prognosis for great things later is very good! The Trinity pulse flow to support the Hoopa's festival has come and is now headed towards the spit. The mid section below Happy Camp is seeing some half pounders and a few adults. A big push of salmon are heading into the estuary with some adult steelhead mixed among the. It won't be long before we see the main push of fish headed up river. The Klamath this fall should be a 'Don't-Miss' opportunity. Keep your eyes peeled for our reports, we'll be updating this page when it is go time!
Hot Flies:
Eggs:
• Clown Egg
• M.C. Redd Reaper - Champagne
• Micro Spawn - Shrimp Pink or Salmon Egg
• Boles Bazookas
Nymphs:
• Pat's Rubberlegs - #4-8
• 3-D Nymphs - #8-10
• Red Copper Johns - #14-18
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince - #14-18
• Articulated Marabou Leech
Lower Sacramento River Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report:
Big fish are coming to hand up top and the river is fishing great all the way from Redding to Los Molinos! Flows have been decreased to an 8,500 CFS release with 9,000 CFS showing on the Keswick gage. Bird's Nests, cinnamon Poopahs, and Bubbleback Caddis are still good flies to tie on with the Peaches n' Cream another good option. If you are going lower than the I-5 bridge in Anderson a Rubberlegs would be a great fly to have on. Hatchery steelhead are showing up below Battle Creek with the main push coming later this month. With fishing this good, beautiful weather and the limited traffic we are seeing, this would be a great time to get out. We are still looking forward to the Fall Run Kings showing up next month. Who doesn't like the egg bite?
The Fly Shop does not offer a shuttle service. Kim at Sac River Shuttle has resumed service, you can reach her at (530)782-9090
Access To the Lower Sacramento
The Lower Sacramento has many publicly accessible areas with good wading opportunities when the flows are below 7,500 CFS. Stop by the shop and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction.
Fishing Large Rivers Can be Frustrating
There are many great places you can get in and wade this blue ribbon tail water. Having said that, the absolute best method to fish the Sac is from a drift boat. Aside from being able to access all of the water, you can fish the long runs on a dead, perfect drift which is deadly on these legendary wild rainbows. And who would be a better oarsman than one of our Professional Guides? They know every nook and cranny of the river, what insects are and will be hatching, and the setups and methods that will get you onto the fish of a lifetime.
Recommended Equipment & Setups
Most of our fishing, whether from a drift boat, or wading when the releases are low enough, is done dead drifting nymphs. The Fly Shop's Signature Indicator Rod is nine and a half feet of indicator nymph fishing perfection designed by our professional staff right here on the Lower Sac. Teamed up with a 6 or 7 weight Scientific Anglers Amplitude Anadro Floating Fly Line or a Rio Intouch Xtreme Indicator Fly Line it will put a center pin rig to shame.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• Mercer's Missing Link, #18 Dark
• Mayfly Cripple - Limestone #18
• Norman's Loopwing - BWO
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• CB Birds Nest - #14
• Mercer's Micro May - #14-16 Brown
• Mercer's Poxy Back PMD - #16
• Bubbleback Caddis, - Olive #16
• Pat's Rubber Legs - #4-8
Eggs:
• Micro Spawn - Peachy King, Shrimp Pink
• Boles Bazookas - Shrimp Pink, Peachy King
McCloud River Report
Updated: September 7, 2019
Report: Flows below Lake McCloud are 260 CFS steady which is the norm for the summer and fall. Fishing continues to be solid throughout the system. Midges and smaller mayfly nymph patterns are good choices this time of year. October Caddis larvae are moving around getting ready to pupate, a Posse Bugger on a dead drift in the heads of runs or highsticked through pocket water can work really well. Never pass up the chance to throw on a Rubberlegs, just about any color and size will do as the river is lousy with stone flies. Access to Ash Camp will be a little trickier this season. The road is closed just past the cutoff down to the McCloud Lake Dam road. It is about a 3/4 mile hike down to Ash Camp from there.
Hot Flies:
Pit River Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report:
Pit 3 through 5 continues to be a great option with flows on all right on the money for great fishing. Good offerings continue to be: 1) Rubberlegs 2) Amber Wing Prince 3) Dark Lord. Up above, right below Lake Britton on 3, fish Zebras and small Baetis patterns, look for anything that is hatching and adjust. Caddis are coming off in the evening, so keep some Poopahs handy. High stick those pockets and be careful when you wade!
PG&E will again release 1,200 CFS or more next weekend for the whitewater enthusiasts, September 14th & 15th.
Here are some useful links to monitor the flows:
Pit 3 - Below Pit 3 Dam
Pit 5 - Through Big Bend
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• Stimulator - Orange
• Foam October Caddis
• Potter's October Caddis
• Mercer's Skating October Caddis
• Chernobyl Ant
• Fat Albert
• Adams - #14-18
• Elk Hair Caddis - Tan #12-16
• Mayfly Cripples - #12-16
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Mercer's Tungsten October Pupa
• Morrish October Pupa
• Skip’s TB October Caddis
• Black A.P. - #12
• Dark Lords - #12-16
• Flashback Pheasant Tail - #14-16
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #18
• BH Hellgrammite - #6
• Mercer's Poxyback Dark Stone - #6
• GB Black A.P. - #10-12
• CB Micro Mayflies - #14-18
• Red Copper Johns - #16-18
• Pat's Brown Rubberleg - #6-8
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince - #14-18
• GB Bird's Nest - #10-16
Streamers & Leeches:
• Zack's Swimming Leech - #8
Trinity River Expand
Trinity River Report
Upated: September 12, 2019
Report:
The Trinity has good numbers of fish in from Junction City down past Cedar Flat. These fish are hot and willing to grab a swung fly! Flows are steady at 450 CFS from Lewiston Dam, things are a little bony here and there, so if you are floating keep that in mind. Days are getting noticeably shorter and nights are cooling, so fish will continue to move up from The Klamath into the system throughout the next two months. If you would like to throw that two hander or swing a fly, now through October will be an excellent time to get onto The Trinity!
The Trinity River Restoration Project Program work on the side channel below Evans Bar and above Sky Ranch will continue through September.
Trinity River Flows:
Trinity River Releases from Lewiston
Trinity River Flow at Pigeon Point
Shuttle Services:
• Bill & Caryl Dickens (Gold Coast Shuttle) at 530-623-1905 or through their website at goldcoastshuttles.com
Access To the Trinity River
The Trinity has many publicly accessible areas with good wading opportunities during the steelhead season.
Stop by the shop and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction.
Steelhead Fishing Can be Frustrating
These anadromous rainbow trout are known as the 'Fish of a Thousand Casts.' For good reason! The learning curve can be quite steep learning when and where to go, and what
type of water to target. Our
Professional Guide Staff has decades of experience guiding the Trinity River for steelhead. A day spent with one of our guides will get you up to speed much more quickly.
Recommended Equipment & Setups
Early Summer Run Steelhead on the Trinity River will take swung flies readily. Spey rods are becoming an increasingly popular method to swing flies.
The Fly Shop's Signature Spey Rods
are an economical way to get into a great Spey rig.
Add a
Ross Cimmaron II Fly Reel and a Scandi shooting head, a leader, tippet and fly and you'll be in business.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• Harrop's Last Chance Cripple - #18
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Pat's RubberlegsBrown and Black, #4-8
• Mercer's Poxyback GB Hares Ears - #8-14
• TB Solitude Stone - #8
• Lance's X-May - #16, Brown
• Mercer's Gold Bead Biot Epoxy Golden Stone - #8-10
Eggs:
• Clown Egg - #4-10
• M.C. Redd Reapers
• Micro Spawn Eggs - Pink & Salmon Egg
• Boles Bazookas - #8
Streamers & Leeches:
• Beadhead Crystal Buggers - Any
• CH Kiwi Muddlers
• Freshwater Clouser - Any
Upper Sacramento River Expand
Upper Sacramento River Report
Upated: September 12, 2019
Report:
Good news! The closure area has been moved and the upper river is now open from Pollard Flat to the north. Any time there is any rain in the forecast be extra cautious if you go to stay upstream of the Slate Creek drainage as heavy downpours could cause slides and debris flows.
The river is clear and fishing well throughout the system. Some big fish are showing up in the lower reaches, it's a midge factory during the early mornings, fish those small Zebra Midges and Micro Mays. During the day fish the frothy water in the heads of runs and look for shadows. Tightlining, euronymphing and highsticking can get you onto a lot of fish. Streamers swung through the shallow, fast riffles during the day is still working. Caddis hatches in the evening are getting stronger with every day. Good things on the Upper Sac are happening right now!
Upper Sacramento Flows at Delta
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• D&D Cripple - March Brown
• Low Water Baetis - #18
• Adams - #12-20
• Mercer's Missing Link - Dark #14-16
• Parachute Adams - #14-18
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Mercer's Tungsten October Pupa
• Morrish October Pupa
• Skip's TB October Caddis
• CB Birds Nest - #10-14
• Red Copper John - #16-18
• Zebra Midge - #18-20
• Mercury Black Beauty
• Mercer's Glass Bead Micro May - #22
• Mercer's GB Dark Stone - #8
• Mercer's Dark Stone - #6
• Pat's Rubber Legs - Brown #6-8
• GB Birds Nest - #12-14
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince - #12-18
• Swink's BTS
• Mercer's CB Micro Mayfly - #14-16
Streamers & Leeches:
• Sheila Sculpin
• Woolly Buggers
• Muddler Minnows - #10
Expand All Still Waters Reports
Baum Lake Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report: Fishing is good on Baum Lake with some good Baetis & PMD hatches. Caddis are beginning to become more and more prominent. In the early morning midges are a staple for these fish, so make sure you have a good selection of Zebra Midges or other midge pupa patterns. Swinging a Bird's Nest or Poopah on an intermediate line next to the weed beds will get you hooked up. Watch for those few Callibaetis coming off, the fish will chase down the emergers and duns, a plain old Pheasant Tail and a Parachute Adams will take care of this. Balanced leeches in various colors will work wonders when everything else seems to fail you, fish them on the swing, strip or under an indicator.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
Adams - #18-20, Hackle Winged May - BWO, Harrop's Last Chance - All, Griffith's Gnat, Mercer's Missing Link - #14-18, Light Cahill - #18
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Red Copper John - #18, Ultra Scuds, GB Flashback PT - #14-20, Black A.P. - #14-16, Beaded Zebra Midge - #18-20, Mercer's Gidget, Mercer's CB Micro Mays - Ruby Red #16-18, GB Flashback PT - Olive #18, Beaded Zebra Midge - #16-20, Chromie - #18
Steamers & Leeches:
JGF Translucent Wiggle Tail - #10, Beaded Micro Buggers - #12, Zack's Damseleech - #14
Iron Canyon Reservoir Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report: We have no recent reports from Iron Canyon lately, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be on your radar. The pipe inlet is always good in the summer, access may be an issue with the lake low. This could be a great spot with a kayak or pontoon. These fish eat aquatic worms, so throw on a San Juan Worm under an indicator and have some fun.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
Harrop's Last Chance - Callibaetis
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
San Juan Worm - Fire #8-14, Chromies - #16-18, Beaded Zebra Midge - #16-20, Mercer's CB Micro Mayfly - #14-18, GB Half-Flashback PT - #16-20
Streamers & Leeches:
Beaded Micro Buggers, Freshwater Clouser - Olive/White, Zonkers - #4
Keswick Reservoir Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report:
With higher flows, Keswick is much like a river up top. Find the seams and fish small, dark patterns like Zebra Midges and Dark Lords are the ticket. Water clarity is perfect, not too clear, not too cloudy. Stripping leeches has been a good tactic, olive Wooley Buggers can do the trick. If you are looking for big browns, fish the big stuff deep, Dali Lamas, Sculpzillas and other similar big patterns on full sinking lines are what's required.
Stripping leeches and buggers on a type VII full sink line works great here. Fish going over 20" happen! Releases out of Shasta Dam have been stable. Good place to hire a guide though. Finding these fish requires some special knowledge and a boat.
Indicator suspended Birds Nests, Midges, PT Nymphs should work along the edges of the fast water near the Dam. Suspend your flies about 2-3 feet below the indicator. These fish like to come up to the fly. Fish the shallow edges. Stay low!! You will need a motorized boat to get to where the good fishing exists.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
Mercer's Missing Link #16-18, Adams #14-16, Mercer's Parachute Profile Spinners #16
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Bubbleback Caddis - #14, Mercer's Glo-Bubble Caddis - Tan #14, Chromie - #16-18, Mercer's Gidget, GB San Juan Worm - #12, Mercer's Biot Epoxy Golden Stones - #8-12, Chironomid Bomber - Any color #12, Mercer's CB Micro Mayfly - Brown #16-18, Pats Rubberlegs - Brown #6-8, CB Birds Nest - #10-14
Streamers & Leeches:
Crystal Buggers, Freshwater Clousers - #6, Zonkers - Natural #4, BH Halebopp Leech - Olive/Dark Olive #8
Lake Shasta Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report: Bass and trout are deep right now on Shasta, it would be tough to get down to where they are hanging out with a fly rod. If you would like to go after some bass, we would recommend trying out Luk Lake. Early morning and evening popper sessions there can be exciting!
Hot Flies: Hot Flies Coming Soon!
Lewiston Lake Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report: Lewiston is fishing really well! We are hooking some really nice fish over twenty inches. These fish are game and definitely strong. Good reports of some micro Caddis coming off with some Callibaetis and PMDs happening mid-morning through the afternoon. Look for the roving bands of rainbows to tip you off. Flows through the lake are slow, so find the channel and fish the drop offs. Smaller Baetis and midge patterns fished under an indicator will help you find fish during lulls. Damsel and dragonfly nymphs are working too, so pick your poison. Good fishing can be had right now on Lewiston!
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
Hackle Stackers - BWO #18, Parachute Adams - #14-18, Mayfly Cripples
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Ultra Scuds - #16, Chromies - #18-20, Mercer's CB Micro May - Black #18, Flashback Pheasant Tail - #16-18, Beaded Zebra Midges - #18-20, Mercer's Gidgets
Streamers & Leeches:
JGF Translucent Wiggle Tail, Woolly Bugger - Any, Beadhead Crystal Buggers - #8, Zack's Swimming Leech - #8, Zack's Damseleech - Orange/Olive
Manzanita Lake Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report:
Fish are still on dries at Manzanita Lake. The terrestrial bite is happening with fish taking black beetles and the occasional hopper pattern. Other good patterns are smaller mayfly dries, a Parachute Adams or Missing Link in #18 or #20 can be deadly on this still water. A good, old Pheasant Tail stripped in on an intermediate sinking line will always get a grab on Manzanita. Balanced Damsels are a great pattern in this lake too, fish them on the strip or under an indicator. For the big fish you'll want to go deep with a dark leech, there are some large browns in the depths of Manzanita!
Pay attention to the special regulations here, especially where you can and can't fish. Barbless hooks, artificial lures, catch and release. Make sure you inquire at the park entrance.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
Harrop's Last Chance - #16-20, Adams - #14-18, Mayfly Cripple - #18, Last Chance Cripple - Callibaetis or Baetis, Mercer's Missing Link - #14-16, Mercer's Parachute Profile Spinner
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Zack's Attack Damsel, Burk's Sierra Damsel, Black A.P. - #14-16, Hogan's S&M - Olive #16-18, Beaded Zebra Midge - Black #18-20, Mercer's Gidgets
Streamers & Leeches:
Beaded Micro Bugger - Black, Zonkers - #4, Beaded Micro Buggers - Any
McCloud Reservoir Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report: We haven't heard of any recent reports on the lake, but the reservoir should be fishing. With a 950 CFS inflow you should definitely head up towards the inlet. The rainbows will congregate where the river enters the reservoir in good numbers. Fishing Balanced Leeches works here. Targeting the wood rafts with streamers or Buggers is a time tested tactic on this lake. You never know when that monster brown will crush it.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
Harrop's Last Chance - #16-20, Adams - #14-18, Mayfly Cripple - #18, Last Chance Cripple - Callibaetis or Baetis, Mercer's Missing Link - #14-16, Mercer's Parachute Profile Dun Spinner
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Zack's Attack Damsel, Burk's Sierra Damsel, Black A.P. - #14-16, Hogan's S&M - Olive #16-18, Beaded Zebra Midge - Black #18-20, Mercer's Gidgets
Steamers & Leeches:
Beaded Micro Bugger - Black, Zonkers - #4, Beaded Micro Buggers - Any
Pyramid Lake Report
Updated: June 24, 2019
Report: Pyramid Lake will be opening up on October 1st. It is a little early to go, but if you do you'll want to go deep. Fish will be cruising looking for Tui Chubs, so rig up your personal watercraft, a sink tip and tie on one of Zack's Pyramid Minnow.
Hot Flies: Pyramid Beach Leech - #8, Zack's Cut Bait Midge, Rich's Moo-Midge - #8, Mahalo Nymphs, Popcorn Beetle, Midnight Cowboy, Zack's Pyramid Minnow
Expand All Private Waters Reports
Antelope Creek Lodge Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report: Now is the time to get up to Antelope Creek Ranch for some fantastic fishing! Mornings on the lakes will have fish chasing down Crystal Buggers, move around and show them your fly. If things seem a bit slow, throw on your favorite midge and fish it under an indicator or tight line it in the inlets or outlets. Fish will key on beetles and boatmen during the day. If fish are rising near a shrub, don't pass up that easy opportunity for a ferocious strike up top! Fish on the creek are religious about keeping the stream clear of invading hoppers. Doubly your chances for success by dropping a Flashback PT or Amberwing Prince. They can't stand Dark Lords either. Swinging leech patterns or Crystal Buggers is a sound technique as well. The most spectacular strikes will come at dusk with big, dark flies on the lakes. We have openings, give us a call!
Hot Flies:
Bailey Creek Lodge Report
Updated: September 12, 2019
Report: Fall is a great season to fish Bailey Creek Lodge. The fish are putting on the feed bag and with dwindling insect hatches, they have to hunt down their meals. There are still some hoppers and beetles around and the afternoon breezes will get fish keying on anything dropping into the water from nearby trees and bushes. Jump on that opportunity and slap down a Hi Viz Beetle or Dave's Foam Ant. Always bring some Crystal Buggers in Olive and Black to strip. Balanced Leeches fished under an indicator will get you through the slow times.
Hot Flies:
Upper Lake (Bass):
Whitlock's Swimming Frog, Beaded Micro Buggers #12, Wiggle Minnow, Mini Popper - Any #12, Crystal Buggers - Any #4
Lower Lake (Trout):
Dry Flies:
Fat Albert - #14, Ant Misbehavin', Norman's Loopwing - Callibaetis, CDC Dun - Callibaetis & BWO, Midge Hanger
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Rainy's Water Boatman, Crystal Buggers - Any, BH Halebopp Leech - #8, Freshwater Clousers, GB Flashback PT - #16-20, Mercer's CB Micro May - #16-18, Chromie - #16-18, Beaded Zebra Midge, BK Lazer Midge - #16-18, Mercer's Gidget
Battle Creek Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report: Battle Creek has finally dropped in and is fishing well. The flows are ~320 CFS with some runoff fluctuations daily. Fish are still eating Rubberlegs. Favorite nymph patterns on this creek are Amber Wing Princes Dark Lords and Red Copper Johns. There are some hoppers on the rancch, so Dry Dropper with a hopper pattern like a Dave's Foam Hopper will pick up a lot of fish in the shallower runs, high stick the pocket water and deeper stuff. These fish will take swung flies too, particularly dark olive or black sculpin patterns. If you can withstand the heat, Battle Creek is always a good option!
Hot Flies:
Bollibokka Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report: Some good fishing right now can be had on Bollibokka! Good fish are coming to Balanced Leeches and streamers lower on the property. With flows at 400 CFS you can access a lot of river with great pocket water up top. Caddis are coming off in the evenings so Bird's Nests and Poopahs are good patterns during the day with Missing Links towards dark bringing fish to the net. There are a lot of October Caddis larvae moving around so throw Posse Buggers and other flies like the cream Mop Fly. Through the lower reaches you can get some great action with the spotted bass coming up out of the lake. For the trout, it's all about the Rubberlegs for now. Black & brown, small and large, they are all good. Aquatic worms in cream and red, and Zebra Midges will work as well.
Hot Flies:
Circle Seven Guest Ranch Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report: Some good fishing right now can be had on Bollibokka! Good fish are coming to Balanced Leeches and streamers lower on the property. With flows at 400 CFS you can access a lot of river with great pocket water up top. Caddis are coming off in the evenings so Bird's Nests and Poopahs are good patterns during the day with Missing Links towards dark bringing fish to the net. There are a lot of October Caddis larvae moving around so throw Posse Buggers and other flies like the cream Mop Fly. Through the lower reaches you can get some great action with the spotted bass coming up out of the lake. For the trout, it's all about the Rubberlegs for now. Black & brown, small and large, they are all good. Aquatic worms in cream and red, and Zebra Midges will work as well.
Hot Flies:
Clear Creek Ranch Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report: The creek has cleared and is fishing well. Fish are taking Woolley Buggers, black and olive being the favorite color. There are hoppers around so a dry dropper presentations with Prince Nymphs are a great way to get the fussy fish.
Hot Flies:
Gold River Report
Updated: September 7, 2019
Report: A steady push of salmon are entering the estuary with each high tide, and along with them, a slug of half pounder and a few adult steelhead. The slug of Trinity water hit the lower river on Tuesday, so this is helping bring fish in. This month the days will continue to shorten and as the weather cools, watch for the numbers of returning fish to build. Late this month will see some good action. We have some openings, give us a call!
Hot Flies: #2 Burnt Chicken in Black, Pink or Purple
Hat Creek Ranch Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report: Hat Creek Ranch is in fine shape and looking really fishy! As elsewhere, the water is a little high and will take some creative wading to fish everything in the creek. With just a touch of color, the water looks great. You can expect PMDs, little black Caddis and just about every stonefly known to Northern California to be coming off through mid July . Stripping Buggers when it's high can be one of the most effective methods in early season. This is a great little place right in the center of some of the best fishing up here.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies (Lake):
Bionic Ant, Carl's Foam Ant, Barr's Dropper Hopper, Dave's Foam Hopper, Adult October Caddis - #8, Foam October Caddis - #8, Potter's October Caddis - #8, CDC Dun - #20 BWO, Mercer's Parachute Profile Spinner - BWO, Mercer's Missing Links - #16-18, Tilt Wing Dun - PMD, Yellow Stimulators - #8-16
Nymphs/Wet Flies & Streamers (Lake):
GB Flashback PT - Olive #14-18, Mercer's CB Micro May - Black #14-18, Beaded Zebra Midges - Black #18, Burk's Crystal HBI, Mercer's Glass Bead Micro Mayflies - Any, Chromie - #18, Mercury Black Beauty - #20
Luk Lake Report
Updated: September 13, 2019
Report: Luk is fishing well for bass with fish coming to top water presentations in the mornings and evenings. Fish Swimming Frogs and Poppers. Let it sit before you move it after the cast, many of these fish will clobber it after it has been sitting for a while. This lake is loaded with damsels and dragons, so Woolley Buggers and Balanced Leeches work great either stripped or under an indicator. Bring different colors, some days olive is the ticket, others black or orange work. Another fly you might try would be a Float 'n Fly in Bluegill.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
CDC Duns - BWO, Adams - #12-20, Humpy - Yellow, Purple Para Wulff
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Chan's Chironomid Bombers - #12, Mercer's CB Micro May - #14-18, Black A.P. - #14-16
Streamers & Leeches:
Zack's Zallibaetis - #14-16, Zack's Swimming Leech - #8, Beadhead Crystal Buggers - Any
Bass Flies:
Mini Poppers - #12, Beadhead Crystal Buggers - Any
Oasis Springs Report
Updated: June 29, 2019
Report: The South Fork of Battle Creek is looking really good right now. Hoppers! Grasshoppers! You have to throw big flies, does this disappoint anyone? Not us! Caddis are also coming off, so a dry/dropper setup with a Chubby Chernobyl or your favorite hopper with a Poopah, Silvey's or Bubbleback is what you should take on your hike up the canyon. Streamers are also very effective. These fish are not large, but they are strong and the occasional 18" fish will take your flies and won't look back. This is a great venue for those who want the best of both worlds, wild fish and comfort.
Hot Flies:
Pedrotti Ponds Report
Updated: May 21, 2019
Report: Closed until further notice.
Hot Flies:
Poppers & Topwater Flies:
Mini Popper - Any, Mr. Hankey - #4-6, Silver Shiner Popper - #6
Streamers & Leeches:
Meat Whistle - Black or White, Crystal Bugger - Black #4, Mercer's Poxyback Crayfish - Any, Beaded Micro Buggers - #12, Foam Tail Werm - #2/0, Mercer's Poxyegg Leech - #4, Egg Sucking Bunny Leech - Black #2, Freshwater Clousers - Black & Chartreuse #6
Rock Creek Lake Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report: Rock Creek Lake is fishing great! The mornings are dominated with the midge hatch, Zebra Midges in #16 work great under an indicator or on an I-Line rig. Later, some Callibaetis will oviposit, throw a spinner pattern to the fish gulping those. Later, fish near the inlet with a San Juan Worm and your arm will tire netting fish. When the wind picks up Beetles and other terrestrial patterns can be dynamite on the lee side of the lake edges. And there are browns, some large, that will chase down streamers, so bring something that looks like a small rainbow trout, your efforts could be rewarded mightily!
Hot Flies:
Sugar Creek Ranch Report
Updated: August 29, 2019
Report: The ponds on Sugar Creek Ranch are producing some great fishing days right now. Midges in the morning followed by beetles in the afternoon are standard fare for these fat, strong 'bows. Sight fishing to cruising fish never gets old and this is the place and time to do it. These fish will chase down stripped Crystal Buggers, olive and black are the best colors. Bring Parachute Adams and beetle patterns for the top water offerings in the afternoons and evenings. There aren't many hoppers as of now, but that can change.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
Parachute Adams - #14-16, Cathy's Super Beetle, Norman's Loopwing - BWO, Tilt Wing Dun - BWO, Mercer's Missing Link - #14-18
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Black A.P. - #14-16, Mercer's Glass Bead Micro May - #22, Zack's Zallibaetis - #14-16, Mercer's CB Micro May - Black #14-18, Chromie - #16-18
Streamers & Leeches:
JGF Translucent Wiggle Tail, Zack Attack Damsels - #14, Burk's Sierra Damsel - Olive #12