Northern California Fishing Report, Putah Creek
Clayton Ono Reports on 5.8.2024
Putah Creek: Putah is fishing great right now. The fish have fattened back up post spawn, and are in prime fighting shape. The bigger fish will take you for a serious ride, have your drag and knots dialed in.
Flows are absolutely perfect for wading, around the 300cfs range and lower, flows will begin to increase any day as the weather heats up here. Remember to always wade with caution, and check the flows before fishing. The fish are eating size 18-16 PMD nymphs, 20-18 BWO nymphs, 22-18 midges, and the occasional 16-14 caddis. Fish under a strike indicator or euro nymph, whatever you have more confidence in and feel you can make the best drag free presentation with. The drag free presentation is the key to success on Putah. PSA: The ticks are out with a vengeance right now, check your waders when you get to the water after long hikes through brush, it’s pretty easy to flick them off and prevent bringing them home with you.
Now is the time to get some great easy fishing and wading in before the summer heat sets in.
Some of my favorite patterns right now:
#18-16 Juju Baetis
#18-16 Mercer’s Micro Mayfly
#22-18 Zebra Midges & Midge emergers
#16-14 Beadhead Caddis Larva
#18-16 Bird’s Nest
#12 San Juan Worms
Putah Creek: Putah is in full spring fishing mode right now. The fishing has been great! Flows are right under 300cfs and the water clarity is perfect. I predicted we only have a few more weeks of these perfect conditions before the summer flows start to ramp up. PMD’s, BWO’s, caddis and midges are hatching throughout the day. Fishing emerger patterns about 2 1/2 feet to 3 1/2 feet down from your indicator is producing grabs. Some go to flies on Putah right now are Flashback WD40s, Hogan's S&M, Pheasant tails, San Juan worms, Barr emergers, zebra midges, micro mayflies, split cased PMDs, and fox’s caddis pupas.
Leave a comment