Captain Bryce Tedford reports on March 28th, 2025

Spring striper season is heating up! Been seeing great numbers of stripers entering the system & the next few months should be great! Water temperature are climbing up around 60 degrees & should only go higher in the coming weeks. Recently, I have been catching 20-30 fish a trip up to 8lbs with most in the 3-5lb class. As water temperatures increase to 60-65 degrees & water clarity improves Delta stripers will continue to ramp up! Clarity is currently 1-3’ & hopefully improve over the coming weeks.

Steve Adachi rattle Clousers are the way to a stripers mouth, so don’t leave home without them!

April & May are prime striper months & I am excited at the potential of the strong season ahead! My Spring is booked but Fall is always an option as well. Also, for June 15-September 15 I turn my focus to topwater Largemouth & Smallmouth bass trips. These 4-5hr, 1/2 day bass trips are great for getting, newer anglers into fly fishing, or for seasoned veterans to just have fun watching bass blow your fly up! After Summer bass season I finish out the year with Fall striper trips September 15-Christmas.

Looking forward to a great season ahead, hope to see you out there! 

Captain Bryce Tedford

 

Bryce Tedford reports on February 12th, 2025

Been on the Delta breaking in my new engine & dialing in the new boat for 2025!

Fishing has been decent, but it’s still winter fishing on the CA Delta. I have done about 7 days over last few weeks & averaged 5-12 stripers up to 10lbs, over 5 hrs each day. Found all these fish in the shallow water using type 3 & intermediate lines, so that has been fun!

Might be dry docked for a bit with all this rain, but the boat is ready to rock in 2025! Depending on the rains I will be getting out there in Feb./March just looking for that elusive winter grab of a big fish! 

Fishing will improve as we approach the spring spawn in April/May. Water temperatures are currently hovering around 50 degrees, as those temperatures get closer to 55-60 it’s game on! Also, water clarity will be the name of the game over the next few months, too much rain/dirty water could be a challenge, but find some clarity/fish & you are in business. In addition, smolt drops are currently dropping throughout the local rivers, find those drops, a few stripers, a bit of clarity & you will find some amazing fishing.

Other than that, I plan to do a bunch of tying using my Loon Outdoor tying tools to make a bunch of Steve Adachi style Clousers. Definitely a bit of off season time, but will be getting on the water when weather & conditions permit. Prime Spring fishing is just around the corner so get ready!!!

Captain Bryce Tedford Reports on December 14th, 2024

Fall fishing is wrapping up on the California Delta. We had some solid fishing this Fall; it’s fishing of course with some great days, many good days & a few really challenging days. Overall, the Fall was a bit of a grind, but guests with good attitudes made the the grind a season solid. We have been averaging around 10-15 fish a day, with a good number of 3-6lb fish & the chance of 6-20lb+ fish many of the days. All in all, it’s been a good season with great guests, good weather & decent fishing.

Come latter December, I will wrap up my 2024 season, recharge the batteries & my 2025 Spring, Summer & Fall season calendar will be out come Jan! Hoping to close out the 2024 season strong.

My very best to you & yours, Merry Christmas & Happy holidays! Look forward to seeing you for a Delta adventure come 2025.

Cheers! 

Bryce Tedford reports on Nov. 15th, 2024

Fall is finally beginning on the Sacramento & San Joaquin California Delta! It’s been a slow start to the fall as water temperatures have been hovering above 70 degrees. With 100 degree days it was a mix of topwater largemouth & a slow transition to the Striper game.

That said, fall has arrived & the cooler weather will turn my attention towards Stripers in the coming weeks. Fall should be a great time on the Delta with fish moving into the system to heavily forage on baitfish, crawfish, bluegill, pike minnow, baby bass, etc.

We will be using 8-9wt rods, heavy sinking lines, 20-25lb leaders & large Clousers to weed out quality fish. Fall season is a wonderful time on the Delta & should not be missed by the Striper enthusiasts or anyone interested in the adventure of chasing Stripers on the Fly.

Bryce Tedford Guide Service

The Delta's waters have warmed to 70+ degrees and my focus is on summer fishing for Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass. These 1/2 day trips are the game for the remainder of June through early September. For Largemouth, we generally use 7-8wt rods, floating lines & large 2/0-3/0 poppers or Gurglers. For Smallmouth we are using 4-5wt rods, small poppers & jig flies when needed. 

These trips are a great way to get novice anglers into the sport of Fly Fishing or seasoned anglers into the fun of Topwater Bass on the Fly!

Capt. Bryce Tedford Reports on 5.8.2024

Half-day excursions and prime Summer fishing for Largemouth & Smallmouth is just around the corner (June-Sept.). For Largemouth we use 7-8wt rods, floating lines & large poppers or Gurglers. For Smallmouth we use 4-5wt rods, small poppers & jig flies if they don’t eat topwater. These trips are a great way to get new people into the sport or just fun in the sun for seasoned anglers to chase topwater Bass!

 

 

Finally, come Fall (Sept-Dec), I turn my attention back to Stripers to finish the year. I still have plenty of openings in the Summer for 1/2 day Bass trips as well as Full day trips in the Fall for Stripers! 

 

 Nor Cal Trout Fishing - July 2023

Truckee River:

The Truckee has been fishing consistently throughout the summer! Both water color and temperature have been stellar. Flows were a little high earlier in the month due to run-off from the big winter snowpack, but now the river is in perfect shape for a trip!

Classic summer dry-fly opportunities can be had, however the Truckee fishes best with a variety of nymphs. Fish are also gorging themselves on crayfish this time of year, so streamer fishing can be a blast! It's pretty hot up there, so don't work too hard and beat the heat while wet-wading! Come through the shop to get those indicator or Euro nymphing rigs dialed in!

Flies: Golden Stones/Sallies- sz 10/16,  Caddis Larvae/Pupa (green/tan)- sz 16/18, Baetis- sz 18/20, PMDs- sz 16, March Browns- sz 14. Plenty of fish can also be had on a variety of streamers, as well as crawfish, worm, and egg patterns! It’s be a shame to skip out on the Truckee this summer, watch those flow gauges and get out there!

Matt Heron

Matt Koles

Yuba River:

In the last few weeks flows have dropped significantly to around 3,300 cfs meaning the Yuba is running cold and clean at a very fishable level!

The Rundown: Summer Hopper fishing is upon us! Dry droppers with big bugs and simple Grasshopper rigs should work great up through August. Fish are consistently holding tight to the bank, be observant and fish smart, risers are around! Drive up for some epic morning and evening fishing and try to beat the heat!

Tons of very healthy rainbows are feeding all throughout the system. There remains a potential to run into a Spring-run steelhead! A few fish from the spring have remained in the river due to the staunch excess of cold water! Try your luck at running into some valley chrome!

Flies: Chubby Chernobyl (yellow, tan, purple)- sz 8,10,12; Morris’s Hopper-sz 8,10,12,14, Plenty of other Hopper patters will also do the trick, Caddis are also hatching, try some Elk Hair Caddis or Mercer’s Missing Link-sz 14-18; Nymphs for dry dropper rigs: Caddis Pupa, PMDs-sz 14-18; Golden Stones 8-16, Duracell-sz 14-20

Captain Ben Thompson

Website: https://www.benthompsonoutdoors.com/

Phone: (916) 743-8290

Email: bthompson30@gmail.com

Feather River:

Summer isn’t necessarily prime time for the Feather, however, with the state having such a huge water year, things are a little funky! A number of Adult Spring-Run Steelhead remain present throughout the system, this winter’s surplus has provided comfortable holding water for these fish. Go try to test your luck! These fish are probably in a mostly trout-like state of mind after remaining in the river for so long, you can’t catch them from the couch, go see what the river has to offer!

Captain Ben Thompson

Website: https://www.benthompsonoutdoors.com/

Phone: (916) 743-8290

Email: bthompson30@gmail.com

Lower Sacramento:

The Lower Sacramento is sticking to its long-held reputation of an extremely consistent fishery all year round! Even with almost unbearably scorching temperatures throughout the Central Valley and North State, the Lower Sac is flowing cold and strong! It’s a perfect time to ditch the waders and cool off for the day!

All tributaries to the Lower Sac are pumping out cold, clean water, allowing 100% of the trout water in the main river to clean itself up! Great fishing can be had from Redding in-town all the way down to Red Bluff, get out there!

Currently the fish are shifting toward an almost completely Caddis-centered diet. Hydropsyche Caddis in all stages and sizes are showing up everywhere, and the fish are eager to take them. PMD and Stoneflies have also been productive. Like always, nymphing is going to be the most consistent method for picking up fish, but plenty of dry-fly opportunities can be had in riffles and tail outs during caddis hatches!

The Lower River is fishing exceptionally well for Striped Bass. Throw around a big Adachi Clouser and turn a hungry Striper, you’ll be into backing in a flash! Some very large fish have been caught down low this summer.

Fishing on the Lower Sacramento can definitely be done through the DIY Walk-and-Wade method, but for the full experience we highly recommend booking a guided trip through Capt. Ben Thompson or our friends at AC Fly Fishing!

Flies:

Nymphs: Caddis Larvae/Pupa (tan)- sz 12-16; Peaches ‘n Cream/TNT PMD- sz 14/16; Sweet Pea/Hogan’s S&M 14-18

Dries: EC Caddis, Mercer’s Missing Link, Elk Hair Caddis, PMDs- sz.12-16

Captain Ben Thompson

Website: https://www.benthompsonoutdoors.com/

Phone: (916) 743-8290

Email: bthompson30@gmail.com

AC Fly Fishing-

Website:https://acflyfishing.com/ 

Phone: (800) 201-5047 or

Email: info@acflyfishing.com

Upper Sacramento:

The Upper Sacramento is fishing great right now. While daytime temperatures are consistently exceeding 90 degrees, getting down to the canyon bottom with wet-wading equipment can be a perfect way to beat the heat!

Golden Stones have come and gone but there should be steady PMD and Caddis hatches in the evenings. Nymphing should be productive all day long, while fishing dries early and late in the day for eager risers can be a blast.

All the water from Simms campground and up has been excellent!

Flies:

Nymphs: Pats Rubberlegs/Poxyback Stones- sz 8-18; Peaches ‘n Cream/TNT PMD- sz 14/16; Sweet Pea/ Hogan’s S&M/Micro May- sz 14-18

Dries: Parachute Adams/Purple Haze- sz 14-18; EC Caddis, Mercer’s Missing Link, Elk Hair Caddis- sz.12-16

Chuck Volkhausen

Phone: (530) 859-3474

John Rickard

Phone: (877) 934-7466

McCloud River:

The McCloud has been somewhat unpredictable this season; dense snowpack from this year’s winter has brought about sporadic run-off events which have pushed sediment and large volumes of water into the lower river. These conditions can remain for a week or two before things start to clear up which makes pulling the trigger on a trip difficult. The road into Ah-Di-Nah Campground and the Nature Conservancy had a blowout earlier in the summer but has since been repaired and deemed safe to travel.

While the conditions haven’t been consistently optimal, the fish haven’t left the river! Fishing remains on the scale of Fair-Great depending on the day and water clarity! When the water has some decent color, the fish move into the shallower areas (riffles, shallow tailouts) to feed! Dry fly fishing can be a blast when fish are shallow!

Another underlying plus of the McCloud’s unpredictability this season has been a lacking of the usual summer crowds. With people wondering about a possibly washed-out road and high/dirty river, many folks have decided to stay away from the McCloud. This has allowed for a practically wide-open river to anyone who chooses to go! Walk-in tags at the Nature Conservancy should be easier to get than in past years, but you never know! If you want to get in there, it’s better to be early!

The Upper McCloud (above McCloud Reservoir) has also been fishing very well! The McCloud’s own species, the Native Redband trout, are found thriving in plentiful numbers in this isolated section of the upper watershed. The upper river is a spectacular place to bring the family for a summer camping trip and take a little adventure for some really cool fish!

Flies:

Nymphs: Pats Rubberlegs (Black/Brown)- sz 8-12; Poxyback Stone- sz 12; Sweet Pea, Hogan’s S&M, Micro May, Copper John, sz 14-16; Prince Nymph, Gordon’s Prince, sz 14-16

Dries: Parachute Adams/Purple Haze- sz 12-18; Mercer’s Missing Link, EC Caddis, PMDs-sz 14-18; Potentially Salmonfly/Golden Stone action- sz 10-14

Streamers: Dolly Lamma 06-02, Sculpin Patterns

Chuck Volkhausen

Phone: (530) 859-3474

John Rickard

Phone: (877) 934-7466

Pit River:

Good-Great

The Pit (Pit 3&4) has been fishing very consistently this season. As many know, a trip to the Pit is not for the faint of heart. Wading among the slick boulders and swift current that the Pit possesses can be difficult and, in some cases, outright dangerous. So, make sure your boots are in tip-top shape (both rubber condition and cleat installation), bring along a wading staff for some extra stability in the water, and most importantly, know your body’s limits.

Down to the nitty gritty- the Pit has had a good year. You can expect productive days using mostly nymphing techniques. Per usual, pocket water fishing is everywhere on the Pit, sift through a section with a Euro, Indicator, or Dry-Dropper Rig and see what you pick up!

Flies: Small Stoneflies- sz 12-16; Mayfly patterns (Sweet Pea, S&M, Perdigon)- sz 16-20; Caddis Pupa/Larvae sz 14-18

Chuck Volkhausen

Phone: (530) 859-3474

John Rickard

Phone: (877) 934-7466

Putah Creek

Our local creek is fishing well given the high flows. Flows have been bouncing between 500 and 600 cfs the last few weeks. As a reminder, Putah is used as an irrigational canal used to feed water down into the farmland near Winters, Davis Woodland. 

The standard flies are doing the trick. Flies such as S&M Nymphs, Caddis Poopah and Zebra Midges are doing well! If you'd like to spice things up try tossing Rainbow Warriors, Two Bit Hookers, and Jujubees!

The challenge with these high flows has been keeping the grass and weeds off the hooks, consider bringing the Euro rod out to maintain a much tighter connection and drifting the bugs below the grasses!

Great opportunity to toss Streamers as well. Sculpzillas, Small Peanut Envys and sparsely tied leaches are crushing at the moment! Fish these flies on an  intermediate line swung. Or on a fast sink line above the buckets and pools on the creek.

Reach out to Robert George 707-812-4671 or Clayton Ono 707-365-9012 for trips and availability.