Lower Sac & Lake Oroville Fly Fishing Report
Lower Sac Striper Fishing - We have officially entered winter striper season with the time change and the first rains of the year. Usually, this means water temperatures drop to what we consider "winter temps," slowing the fish's metabolism and shortening the feeding windows during the day. With the fish being more lethargic, the number of calories they need to consume changes, meaning they tend to favor larger, more infrequent meals, in our experience.
Winter can be tough for striper fishing on the river and we traditionally say that it can be very good or very tough, with most of that being out of our control—or our anglers' control. That said, you never know unless you go, and some of our biggest fish of the year come during the uncertain winter months.
Lake Oroville Report - Lake Oroville is fishing fair to good as our fall/winter season gets underway. Wakasagi minnows are schooling in the backs of the forks and spotted bass are beginning to congregate around these schools. The key to catching fish this time of year is locating the schools of bait, so electronics are crucial to success. Early mornings have been best on sunny days and as the sun rises, it's important to focus on shaded areas, where fish pull off the bait schools. Float and fly rigs, with the float set at about 10-12 feet, have been most effective and flies like Ragan’s Drop Dead Minnow are getting the job done.
Fishing should continue to improve over the next few months as rain starts moving water through the tributaries and creeks and baitfish move higher in the water column.
Capt. Hogan Brown
Fly Fishing Guide
Co-Founder of the Cal Bass Union
Owner Alluvial Marketing Collective
530-514-2453
****Check out HGB Fly Fishing on Facebook
****Check out hgbflyfishing on twitter
****Check out hgbflyfishing on Instagram
****Check out Cal Bass Union on Instagram
****Check out Cast Hope on Instagram
Leave a comment