Lake Almanor Fly Fishing Report

Joe Garza reports on September 10th, 2026

The surface bite has been slow all summer due to water temperatures. However, with this onset of cooler weather those water temperatures have dropped. The fish are now starting to get active and look for pond smelt. We have seen pods of trout actively working pods of pond smelt on the surface early in the mornings. Use a dry fly set up early when the trout are looking up at floating pond smelt. Use a 12 foot monofilament leader and a floating pond smelt (#8) stripping erratically. Use a loop knot to your pond smelt this will cause it to act more sporactic as you strip, getting more attention.

Once the sun comes up high on the water, the trout move deeper and start feeding subsurface. Use Balanced Leeches (#10/8) and Chironomids (#12/14) under an indicator later in the morning hours. Intermediate and full sinking (type 3) lines have been productive for brown trout using a sinking pond smelt (#6/8).

Tight Lines,

Joe Garza

J.A.G. Fly Fishing

www.jagflyfishing.com

530-570-0978