Burney Area Fly Fishing Report
The first week of September is finally upon us. We will soon turn the slow corner into
fall season!
I’ve spent most of my guide days this past week fishing out of Clearwater Lodge on
nearby waters of the Fall River Valley, Hat Creek and the Pit River along with a couple
days floating the Lower Sac in Redding. We had a wonderful time at the Lodge with Chef
Noelle outdoing herself each night cooking up some incredible meals. If you have never
visited this part of California, it’s worth a trip right now.
We had solid fishing each morning with slower periods in the afternoon. When sun
dropped low in the sky and the shadows grew taller, the good fishing returned with a bit
of dry fly fishing on the days we committed to it.
Typical of late summer, bug hatches are not particularly intense this time of year
(compared to the spring and early summer) however; careful observation will expose
opportunity during a spinnerfall event or egg-laying caddis migration.
Fishing midges and terrestrial patterns will also get attention from trout. I don’t know
what I would do without my collection of midges in every size, shape, and shade of
black. When the fish don’t seem interested in anything… a size #20 black zebra midge
usually changes their mind. Other files I would have in my box consist of: Fox’s Poopah
#12-18 brown, Gordon’s Prince #14-16, H’s S&M #16 olive, brown, Mercer’s GB Micro
Mayfly #18 black, olive, Bird’s Nest natural #14-16. For dry flies the usual suspects like
Cutter’s EC Caddis, Mercer’s Missing Link, para Adams, along with variety of small (#18-
22) mayfly patterns and some terrestrial patterns.
Now that the kids are back in school, various hunting seasons have begun, and salmon
season (and steelhead) is in underway… the trout streams are probably the least
crowded places right now. September is a great month to get out and go fishing with
your buddies or your family. Explore some new water and get after it!!
I still have a few days open this month… September 9,10, 21, 22, 23 - while my October & November are completely booked-up – steelhead are coming!
Leave a comment