Putah Creek Fly Fishing Report

Richard Loft reports on 3.11.17

Hey everyone its really good to be back on the water again and now the flows are at a level I can wade at last! The flows were at about (751cfs) today so overall a great day to be on the water. I had 2 clients for almost 8 hours so I was excited to have these guys for a full day as that it gives me an opportunity to help them work on their casting accuracy and drifting the fly right in that slot where I suspect a fish might be holding. We started at the bridge just working on casting and not casting in the overhanging trees. The water is still very high at 751cfs and that puts most of us on the edges i.e.-under a tree, so it takes a few to get your groove on and not in a bush every cast. We stayed for an hour and moved down a few spots, and started getting a few grabs here and there- some grabs bigger than others. 

I want to talk about leaders and really paying attention to leader length. I want to emphasize this: too short and not long enough to drag bottom, you’re going to drift right over the heads fish you for sure don’t want to miss. We ended up fishing some newer spots and fished water I normally would have walked past, and my client had a 15" fish on for a few seconds, but it got away as well. That’s how it goes some days, hookin’ em, but no big fish to net. The good news is, there are nice size fish in the system and they are hungry, but you need to find a place that’s not too deep to wade or too deep to nymph.

1. In my opinion correct leader length is vital. Too short and your fly goes right over the fish’s feeding zone, too long you might not see a take because your too long!

      2. Keep a good selection of weights, as you fish more you will see how important this is.

      3. Keep a good selection of flies. There’s nothing worse than not having a fly you find out the fish are hitting on.  <*)()()><

      4. Check the flows every time you hit the creek. Over time it will help you understand Putah Creeks ebb and flows.