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: July 17, 2018
Report: Fall River is pumping out some big numbers of fish. The mornings are still good for a spinner fall and a later hatch, mainly PMDs and Tricos. The Hex is coming to an end but you can still find a flurry of them around. Swinging leeches and soft hackles will work well in the deeper runs. Keep an eye out after dinner for the caddis hatch.
Hot Flies:
Hat Creek Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: Hat Creek is fishing well with fish feeding mainly on PMDs and Baetis throughout the day. Parachute Adams and Rusty Spinners are both great flies right now. Keep it simple with nymphs, fishing Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, and Micro Mays. The Tricos down in the flats are full swing and tons of fish can be found slurping spent spinners. The Caddis are coming off too, and swinging soft hackles is a great tactic now. With the warmer weather, focus your efforts in the morning and evening hours. Get out and fish!
Hot Flies:
Klamath River Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: We have not heard much from people who have been fishing the Klamath. With all the warm temperatures, it is safe to assume the water will be a little warm. The Klamathon fire in and around the section below Iron Gate Dam is now 100% contained. We will scout it out in September once things have calmed down up there.
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: July 17, 2018
Report:
Releases from Keswick Dam are at 13,000 CFS and steady for now. The river has been giving up some big fish and fishing well from the top down past Anderson. The summer Hydropsyche Caddis hatch continues to intensify with most activity happening right at dark. In addition to the Caddis pupae, the fish are eating midges, and Baetis, PMD and stonefly nymphs. Some swirls are worth investigating and we are seeing some fishing moving into some shallows to chase the food. The best chance to catch fish is when you can get out.
We're looking forward to August 1st when the river above the Highway 44 bridge opens back up. We have seen a lot of Winter Run Chinook spawning compared to the last few seasons, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that this is a good year for them. The numbers of large rainbows up in this area cannot be overstated.
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: July 17, 2018
Report: The River is looking great! The Golden Stones can still be found crawling around, and a Chubby Chernobyl or a Stimulator makes a great dry for your dry-dropper rig. Aquatic worm patterns are working now too. Good flies remain Black and Red X-Mays, and a Swinks BTS Green Drake. Rubberlegs and Zebra Midges are always a good choice. Fish the riffles and deep water with olive sculpins, you never know when a good brown is lurking.
Hot Flies:
Pit River Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report:
The River is looking good! The evening caddis hatch is full force and PMDs and Baetis mayflies are coming off. Look for some good hatches to happen on cloudy days, and focus your fishing around the faster water. Fishing bigger streamers can also be very effective in the faster water.
Be careful out there, however, with the high temperatures this summer, be sure to stay hydrated and cool. Your best chances of success will be early morning and late evening.
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: July 17, 2018
Report:
The Salmon are here and in good numbers! Fish can be caught swinging bright streamers or nypmhing deep pools with bright flies. There are a few steelhead around and you can expect to run into a few half-pounders. We are looking forward to this fall when the summer run begins to show up and we can swing for some steel. Check back in August and we'll give you an update on what we expect to see happening this fall.
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
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: July 17, 2018
Report:
The river looks good, however it is warming, so you will want to go higher up in the system. Castella and above would be good. The Poxyback Golden Stone is a good fly or float a Chubby Chernobyl for some surface action. Darker nymphs such as Eng things, Amberwing Prince Nymphs and Zebra midges are also working well. Focus on the faster, deeper water for the best results!
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: July 17, 2018
Report: The lake looks good! The Callibaetis are coming off consistently. Also, keep your eyes peeled for damsel flies and dragon flies, for their activity should be full swing! Griffith's Gnats, Parachute Adams, Deer Hair Damselfly, or Balance Leeches are good choices. Always have an assortment of Zebra Midges, Woolly Buggers and Pheasant Tails, for they will always get the job done up on Baum.
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: July 17, 2018
Report: We have not heard anything as of recent. You can expect a standard summer day! Look for damsel flies and water boatmen, as well as calibaetis and midges. Summer also means terrestrials, so have a good selection of hoppers, ants, and beetles. Also, you can expect to catch fish subsurface on woolly buggers, balance leeches, and nymphs. Get out and explore!
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: July 17, 2018
Report:
We have not heard anything as of recent but it should be fishing good. You can expect a standard summer day! Look for damsel flies and water boatmen, as well as calibaetis and midges. Summer also means terrestrials, so have a good selection of hoppers, ants, and beetles. Also, you can expect to catch fish subsurface on woolly buggers, balance leeches, and nymphs.
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 McCumber Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report:
From recent reports, it sounds like the lake is a little tough to fish right now. The aquatic vegetation has grown thick, and fish are harder to get to. If you do head up, make sure you find more open water, and stick to the basic patterns; woolly buggers, balance leeches, and pheasant tails.
The fish are not really big. Comprised of planted rainbows, some brown trout.
Lake McCumber is surrounded with tall conifers, enveloped in clean crisp air and watched over by soaring eagles with sharp talons. A medium sized impoundment, the lake is considered "just right" for tubers, prams and Goldilocks.
Access To Lake McCumber
This lake is just east of Shingletown north of Highway 44. Take Ritts Mill Rd and follow the signs to the public access. This little reservoir is best fished using a float tube or small pram. If you'd like the details, please stop by the shop on your way up and we can help with directions.
Fishing Still Waters Can be Intimidating
At first. Knowing where and when to go as well as what setups and presentations will work at any new location can be difficult to figure out. For many, this is part of what makes fishing new locations a lot of fun. For those who would like to get ahead of the learning curve, we have a professional guide staff that excels on still waters and push you over the hump.
Recommended Equipment & Setups
Getting around on a lake or small pond in one of the Outcast Fish Cat 4-LCS really puts you in touch with the environment and is small enough that you can put one in the trunk of a small vehicle so you'll never have an excuse for not going. For the Cadillac experience and a craft nimble and large enough for small rivers, the Outcast Fish Cat 9-IR pontoon will get you just about anywhere you would ever want to go in style.
Of course, you won't be out on the lake just for a thigh or upper back workout. To begin with, The Fly Shop's Signature H2O Fly Rod/Reel/Line Outfit is one of the best deals on the west coast. The 6 wt. with a weight forward, floating line will tackle most situations you will encounter on the still waters up here in and around Redding whether you are throwing dries to rising fish, suspending midges or a Balanced Leech under an indicator or stripping a Damsel Leech. An additional
Fly Shop L2A Reel with an Intermediate Sinking fly line will have you covered when you want to fish deeper on those blue bird days.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
Parachute Adams - #16-18, Galloup's Cripple Callibaetis, Quigley's Cripple - Callibaetis
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
Hula Damsel - #16, Zack Attack Damsel, Skip Nymph, Mercer's Midgeling - #18, Burk's Sierra Damsel, Zack's Zallibaetis, Hogan's S&M - Brown #16-18, GB Half-Flashback PT - #16-20
Streamers & Leeches:
Freshwater Clouser - Olive/White #6, Zonkers - #4, Beadhead Mini Leech - Any, Beaded Micro Buggers - Any
Lewiston Lake Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: We have not heard much from Lewiston, however it remains a good option right now. Callibaetis, PMDs, and midges can be expected, as well as damsel flies. Find the edges of the old river channel and fish that drop off. Try stripping a Brown or Olive Woolley Bugger on an I-Line. Better yet, tie on a Balanced Leech and fish it under an indicator. Brown is a good color on this little reservoir.
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: July 17, 2018
Report:
We haven't fished it or heard any reports yet. When we do, we'll let you know what's going on. This lake can fish pretty well this time of year. Throw some midge patterns or a Balance Leech under an indicator and you should do just fine.
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: July 17, 2018
Report: We haven't heard any recent reports from McCloud Lake, but we will get up there and fish it soon. The log piles near the dam are a great place to look for cruising ‘bows, throw streamers to get them chasing from underneath. Fish San Juan worms near the river inlet, this system is lousy with aquatic worms.
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: July 17, 2018
Report: The lake is getting too warm to fish right now. This lake is dynamite early in the season, so make sure your getting your plans squared away for next spring!
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: July 17, 2018
Report: The property is fishing great! We are seeing the water boatman happening on the lower lake, a little early this year, but it has been warm. Callibaetis and midges are the main event on the upper lake with fish taking stripped Woolley Buggers as well. The real deal are the Golden Stones coming off on the creek, drift a Golden Chubby Chernobyl down to the holding water and you'll get the fish to take it up top. Otherwise, high stick the plunge pools with a Rubberlegs and a Pheasant Tail to get tight to these strong bows.
Hot Flies:
Bailey Creek Lodge Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: Summer is in the air and Bailey Creek is looking great! The lakes have a daily callibaetis hatch keeping fish looking up through most of the day. A #14 Parachute Adams will get you hooked up most of the time. For a little more finesse, tie on a #14-16 Poxyback Callibatis or Zack's Zallibaetis and slow strip it in. Crystal Buggers in Olive and Black Crystal Buggers are working well. Balanced Leeches fished under an indicator will get you through the slow times. Also, start looking for damselfly activity to increase. Come prepared with an assortment of damselfly imitations; our favorites being the Hula Damsel and Zack's Zack Attack!
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: July 17, 2018
Report: Battle Creek is a little too warm right now to fish. However, if you were wanting to get out for an early morning session, make sure you have a selection of beadhead nymphs and grasshopper patterns! The creek should be back in great shape this fall.
Hot Flies:
Bollibokka Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: The McCloud River in the lower stretches is looking great! It is in prime shape for targeting these famed rainbows. We are seeing some good hatches in the evenings with fish rising in the flats along the Clubhouse stretch. PMDs, Baetis, and caddis are hatching throughout the club grounds and in the upper stretches. Fish a dry-dropper setup in the pockets and along the glassy, shallow areas near shore. Rubberlegs, TB Solitude Stones, Black and Brown Micro Mays, X-Mays and Sweet Peas should all be good choices to drop off of that Chubby Chernobyl. For the large fish hunkering down in the deep pools, strip a leech or sculpin pattern on a sink tip for solid grabs. In the evenings, varying sized of Missing Links, Parachute Adams and PMD Challenged should keep you in the game when fish are picking off insects from the surface.
Hot Flies:
Circle Seven Guest Ranch Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: The McCloud River in the lower stretches is looking great! It is in prime shape for targeting these famed rainbows. We are seeing some good hatches in the evenings with fish rising in the flats along the Clubhouse stretch. PMDs, Baetis, and caddis are hatching throughout the club grounds and in the upper stretches. Fish a dry-dropper setup in the pockets and along the glassy, shallow areas near shore. Rubberlegs, TB Solitude Stones, Black and Brown Micro Mays, X-Mays and Sweet Peas should all be good choices to drop off of that Chubby Chernobyl. For the large fish hunkering down in the deep pools, strip a leech or sculpin pattern on a sink tip for solid grabs. In the evenings, varying sized of Missing Links, Parachute Adams and PMD Challenged should keep you in the game when fish are picking off insects from the surface.
Hot Flies:
Clear Creek Ranch Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: The creek is getting a little too warm to fish right now. However, in the early mornings, you can expect to have success fishing your simple patterns such as a parachute adams, copper johns, and terrestrial patterns. The creek should be fishing great again come this fall!
Hot Flies:
Gold River Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: The lower Klamath is shaping up for a good season this year. We saw good amounts of Spring Run Chinook come through in the past few weeks before the flows were dropped on the Trinity. There are still fish cruising the estuary waiting to head up the river with some steelhead mixed in. These fish will be around for a while. With the weather warming and the flows dropping, there will be a hiatus before more fish head up to the Trinity. August is typically when things really get going, and with the numbers of Spring Kings up in the Trinity matching the biologists predictions of a good run, this one is shaping up to be a good one!
Hot Flies: #2 Burnt Chicken in Black, Pink or Purple
Hat Creek Ranch Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: The season for Hat Creek Ranch has been bonkers! The creek is in great shape, but the high temperatures make it a challenge to fish. You can find Tricos, PMDs, and Caddis throughout the day. With two great places to choose from to stay on the ranch and right in the heart of some of the best public waters in the north state, this is a great location base your California fishing expedition!
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: July 17, 2018
Report: The top water bass bite is on at Luk! All of the fish are off their spawning beds and out looking to grub! Poppers fished slowly are working well, Whitlock's Swimming Frog is a great pattern too. Fish everything, the fish are spread out and stalking their prey wherever they can find it. Streamers in orange and olive will work too. Trout are beginning to find the cooler parts of the lake, fish the deep areas by the island and dam with midges to find them.
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: July 17, 2018
Report: Battle Creek is in great shape but the water temps may be getting a little too warm. Your best bet would be to fish the faster water with beadhead nymphs or big terrestrial patterns! These wild rainbows will crush a small Golden Chubby Chernobyl or just about any hopper pattern. Fish an Eng Thing or Amber Prince underneath, or a Bead head Pheasant Tail and you're set. In the evenings, look for rising fish in the shadows and throw a Dark Missing Link, #14 - 16.
Hot Flies:
Pedrotti Ponds Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: The fish are all done spawning and taking poppers and frogs up top! A great setup in the deeper spots near cover is a Pumpkin Float 'N Fly fished under an indicator. If there isn't any chop, short, sharp strips will get all the attention you will need to hook up. The big girls are on the prowl, so don't be surprised if you stick a giant!
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: July 17, 2018
Report: Rock Creek Lake is fishing well! The clarity is improving and Callibaetis are really taking off. Parachute Adams are working well, try a Poxyback Callibaetis or Zack's Zallibaetis on an I-Line stripped in slowly. Red midges, Zebras or Jumper Cables are a good bet fished at medium depths early in the morning. Balanced Leeches in Olive and Olive and Brown are a dead ringer for the dragon fly nymphs. The damsel fly nymphs are thick too, so bring some of those along. Small Bark Beetles are on the menu for the trout cruising the north and east shores. It's no wonder these fish are strong and fat with so much on the menu at Rock Creek!
Hot Flies:
Spinner Fall Lodge Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: Good hatches and rising fish tell the story of The Fall this season, and so far the fishing has been spectacular on California's largest Spring Creek. The PMD's are coming off strong, so look for the spinner fall in the morning followed by sporadic hatches through noon. Spent wing patterns will work during the spinner fall, throw a cripple pattern for the fish rising to the emerging mayflies. The hex is coming to an end, but there are still a few around. Swinging and stripping leeches will work at all times. Come fish this iconic spring creek during the best part of the season!
Hot Flies:
Sugar Creek Ranch Report
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: The ranch has really come alive this summer! We are seeing increasing numbers of mayflies coming off, Callibaetis and some PMD's. The fish are cruising the weed beds looking for damsel nymphs and midges and emerging nymphs. Good flies are #14-16 Red Zebra Midges and Olive & Brown Balanced Leeches. Stripping a Zack Attack Damsel with an I-Line will work well too. As early as it is, black beetle patterns are a go-to pattern especially in the afternoon hours when the breeze picks up. Also, look for fish chasing water boatman! Come explore this great little gem!
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
Wilk's Pond
Updated: July 17, 2018
Report: The topwater bite is full swing! The spawn has finally come to an end, and the majority of the bass are off their beds and on the prowl. Bring out your box of poppers and hang on tight! You can expect the topwater action to peak in the morning and evenings. Mid day, go sub-surface with Crystal Buggers and Balance Leeches. The bigger fish are going to be targeting the bluegill, so have a few bluegill-like baitfish patterns on hand as well. A great pattern is Low Fat Minnow in Bluegill color!
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