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 20, 2018
Report: Fall River continues to fish well with Trico and PMD spinner falls in the morning, and Callibaetis and PMD hatches through mid day. Stay out late for the caddis hatch in the evening. Fish will move to swung and stripped leeches, brown black and olive. This river is amazing, and with no smoke in the air it is a great place to get out and enjoy a day on the water.
Hot Flies:
Hat Creek Report
Updated: September 20, 2018
Report: The Powerhouse 2 riffle is pumping out some good fish in the mornings on Tricos. Further down you will see fish taking the small black caddis a little later in the morning. Small, dark Elk Hair Caddis or a Missing Link in sizes #16 - 18 work well. Small PMDs, Baetis and Callibaetis are coming off throughout the day depending upon the amount of cloud cover. Keep it simple with nymphs, fishing Pheasant Tails, Amberwing Prince, and black Micro Mays. The TB Drowned Trico Spinner is deadly in the mornings.
Hot Flies:
Klamath River Report
Updated: September 20, 2018
Report: Fish are moving through! These early season fish are super grabby, and are a ton of fun to target with a spey rod. With colder water coming down through the system, the fish are continuing to migrate upstream and into the Trinity River. Swinging flies and dead drifting nymphs will both be productive tactics for these fish. Moving into early fall, we are hoping that the steelhead fishing only gets better!
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 20, 2018
Report:
The Delta Fire is nearly fully contained! The amount of smoke varies from day to day, but the past two have been very clear here at the shop by the afternoon. Downstream continues to be your best option to escape the smoke.
Releases from Keswick are 7,250 CFS opening up some good wade access up top. The fishing on the river has been absolutely bonkers!! We continue to see good numbers of BIG fish in the net. The mornings are all about midges, and as the day progresses you will find more baetis and caddis. Good flies to throw are Black Zebras, small Cinnamon Poopahs, Bird's Nests and Black Micro Mays.
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 20, 2018
Report: The McCloud is looking awesome right now! Fishing has been good this season, and fish are being caught on a variety of different patterns, primarily black micro mays, black rubberlegs, and posse buggers. The prime time to get on the McCloud is right around the corner! In late October through November, the famed October Caddis will be hatching, and nothing gets the heart racing more than watching a giant brown trout move through water to eat a big dry fly!
Hot Flies:
Pit River Report
Updated: September 20, 2018
Report:
The Pit is fishing good right now! There have been quite a few bigger fish being caught. The top flies right now are black micro mays, birds nests, black rubberlegs, and tan poopahs. Fishing bigger streamers can be very effective also! In the near future, there will be a large release of water, so make sure you give us a call to check the flows before you plan to head out there! Pit 3 & 5 will not be accessible till about November due to flow changes, but Pit 4 should be alright!
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 20, 2018
Report: Highway 299 is open without restrictions. Some reconstruction remains with localized control.
Lewiston Dam releases remain at 790 CFS and this has cooled the river down and brought a new slug of salmon up. And steelhead! There are good numbers of fish in the system from at least Junction City down through Del Loma. Now would be a good time to swing one up. There is no smoke through the Trinity drainage and most mornings are crystal clear. We are super excited that the steelhead are finally here, but it will only get better as we approach 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
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 20, 2018
Report:
A quick update on this iconic river. The Delta Fire has burned more than 50,000 acres and is nearly completely contained. It has moved away from the highway and river corridor, but the area north of Redding up through Dunsmuir remains very smoky. For now we can't recommend this river. When the fire has been put out, it will be a great place to fish.
Please feel free to give us a call for more updated information about the fire.
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: August 28, 2018
Report: The lake has been fishing good this summer! The Callibaetis are coming off consistently. Also, keep your eyes peeled for damsel flies and dragon flies, for their activity is in 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: August 28, 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: September 15, 2018
Report:
Keswick is fishing well with fish up top in the current taking a variety of nymphs, midges, stoneflies and Baetis patterns. 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 McCumber Report
Updated: August 28, 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: August 28, 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 intermediate or sinking 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: August 28, 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: August 28 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: August 28, 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: September 20, 2018
Report: The lodge is experiencing great weather and only a little smoke. Some days are worse than others, but definitely better than down here in Redding. The fishing has been terrific with the boatman bite going strong on the lower lake. On the stream fish are eating hoppers and leeches. Drift a small Chubby Chernobyl or toss it in under an overhanging branch and it'll get clobbered. Midges and small PT's on the lakes in the morning are working and the evening caddis hatch is all top water action at its finest.
Hot Flies:
Bailey Creek Lodge Report
Updated: August 28, 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: September 20, 2018
Report: Cooler temperatures and dwindling smoke have turned our attention to this wild trout factory. We have confirmed the creek is fishing very well. Dark Lords, Prince Nymphs and Copper Johns are working well, so fish them under your hopper or an indicator on the deeper runs. Swinging and stripping leeches and streamers are also a great bet. With a lot of availability, give us a call if you would like to experience this small slice of nirvana!
Hot Flies:
Bollibokka Report
Updated: August 28, 2018
Report: With the recent fire coming to an end, conditions are looking up! 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: August 28, 2018
Report: With the recent fire coming to an end, conditions are looking up! 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: August 28, 2018
Report: We toured the ranch last week and are happy to report the middle and lower cabins both made it! Unfortunately, the fire came down off of Honeymoon Ridge and made off with the upper cabin. There is extensive fire scarring on the ridges. The creek survived a close one with most of the trees along it remaining intact. The fish are all fine too, so we are counting our blessings. Please bear with us as we continue to assess the status of the ranch.
Hot Flies:
Gold River Report
Updated: August 28, 2018
Report: The fish are in! Pushes of salmon and steelhead are entering the estuary every day on the high tide. Good numbers of half pounders are being caught every day up river on the swing with a few adults thrown in for the mix. A hot bug right now is the Copper Bead Assassin with Brett's Klamath Intruder in Orange a close second. The fish are bright and hot. With the flows from the Trinity cooling the lower river, now is a great time to get on this fabled river.
Hot Flies: #2 Burnt Chicken in Black, Pink or Purple
Hat Creek Ranch Report
Updated: August 28, 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: August 28, 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: August 28, 2018
Report: Battle Creek is in great shape! Fish are being caught on everything, primarily beadhead nymphs and bushy dry flies. 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: August 28, 2018
Report: The bass bite is on! Fish are grabbing small white and red poppers, swimming frogs and big poppers. Clousers & streamers are working well during the day. Now would be a good time to get after the fish if you would like some top water action. The smoke has cleared from the area, and the air temperatures are starting to cool!
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: September 15, 2018
Report: Callibaetis continue to boil off in the late afternoons on the lake. Fish will take emerging nymphs, cripples and dries. Look for them coming off near the weed beds around the lake. Otherwise, beetles in the breezy afternoons and stripped buggers will keep you tight when the fish aren't looking at mayflies. Midges in the morning are a staple here. Come test your wits with these big bows in a great still water venue.
Hot Flies:
Spinner Fall Lodge Report
Updated: August 28, 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: August 28, 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: August 28, 2018
Report: The topwater bite is in full swing, particularly in the mornings 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