Lake Berryessa & Putah Creek Fly Fishing Report

Johnny Feaster reports on May 26th, 2026

 

Putah Creek & Lake Berryessa Fishing Report

By Local Guide Johnny Feaster

Lake Berryessa

Water Temps: 72-78°F (surface)

Depth: Fish holding around 9-15 feet

Leader Length: 6–9 ft leaders have been most effective

Primary Method: Top Water - Streamer - Float N Fly

Topwater and streamer season is officially here, and this can be one of the most rewarding times of year for targeting quality largemouth bass.

Key Areas
● Shallow flats
● Rocky banks
● Protected coves
● Weed edges
● Shaded structure during warmer parts of the day

What’s Working
● Early mornings and evenings have been best for topwater action
● Streamers continue producing aggressive follows and eats throughout the day
● Float-n-fly techniques are still fishing very well for suspended fish

Productive Flies

Streamers
● White/Grey Streamers
● Steve Adachi Surf Brown

Float N Fly
● North Valley’s Float N Fly patterns
● Balanced Leeches #12 (all colors)

Topwater
● Delta Bass Bugs
● EWG Poppers
● Sliders in Grey/White

Carp Fishing
● Carp activity is increasing with the warmer water temperatures
● More fish are beginning to push shallow onto warming flats
● Great opportunities for visual “carp grabs” are starting to open up

Gear Notes
● The Rio Outbound Short sinking line has been excellent for streamer fishing and covering water effectively

Strategy 
If the action slows down, don’t spend too much time on one bank. The bass are starting to push up and get on their beds, but not all of them are locked in yet. Stay mobile, move point to point, and keep covering water until you find those fish that are committed and actively setting up.

♻️Conservation Issues: Golden Mussel Awareness Continues! Golden Mussels have started showing up in California reservoirs, and local water agencies are taking action. A quarantine has been put in place to try and slow their spread, with decontamination stations set up at Steel Park and Markley Cove. Please remember to clean your boat thoroughly, especially if you're moving between different bodies of water, like from the Delta to any freshwater lake. It’s crucial to help prevent the spread of these invasive species.

 

Putah Creek

Target Species: Rainbow Trout

Fishing Method: Nymphs with indicator

Leader Length: 6 to 8 feet

CFS: 500+

Fishing Overview:
Summer conditions have officially arrived on Putah Creek with flows pushing 500+ CFS. These heavier releases change the entire dynamic of the fishery and getting down to the bottom is now critical for consistent success. Fish are holding deeper in the water column and taking advantage of the increased current breaks and structure throughout the creek. With the influx of water, trout are becoming more spread out and harder to locate as they now have significantly more holding water available. Anglers should take a stealthy approach when entering runs and pools, as fish will often push tight against the banks and shallow edges before being spooked. Don’t overlook the inside seams, softer water near shore, and shallow shelves — many fish are holding surprisingly close to the bank during these higher summer flows.

Primary Method
● Nymphing with a 10’ 4-weight and a Rio Gold line.
● This time of year allows anglers to confidently throw larger fly patterns. Don’t hesitate to experiment with bigger flies and more aggressive presentations as fish become increasingly opportunistic during summer flows.

What’s Working: Flies
● Yellow Sally #16, WD-40 #20, Mercer Micro Mayfly #18, Black, Red, and Green Midges #20

Strategy 
Before stepping directly into the creek, take time to thoroughly work the water close to shore. Many fish are pushing tight against the banks and can easily be startled or spooked by careless wading.