Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report
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Fishing Report
California Delta Fly Fishing Report
Mark Pinto Reports on 7.12.20
Top-Water Largemouth time! I never thought I'd utter those words.... When I first started guiding the Delta in 1992, Stripers were all I really targeted, I must admit to saying," Oh, it's just a Largemouth" , how shortsighted I was being in retrospect...About 10 yrs. ago, I really came to love the whole top-water Bass game for many of the same reasons most anglers love dry fly fishing.
For me, casting is fun, especially when having a very specific target, you see the spot, get your fly there and anticipate the take. Actually ,"Blow -Up" is a more appropriate term when describing the Largemouth take, although many of the larger fish take with a fairly subtle swirl or gulp. So often, when we fish, we are nymphing with little or no line on the water, my guiding career was founded on short-line techniques in 1984 and still is used very often on my rivers. Many anglers fish for years without really doing much casting, especially at distance. The Delta Bass are a great way to work on your casting skills, after a day on the water with me, you WILL be a better caster.
A great tune-up or primer for saltwater trips is a day or 2 on the Delta. You will learn casting, both forward and the ever useful backcast as well as line-control, stripping and hook setting skills. Why waste valuable fishing time when travelling to more exotic and expensive destinations to learn basic skills when you can get your game dialed in close to home? This was and still is the main premise for my," Home Waters Guide Service"....
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Northern California Fly Fishing Report
AC Fly Fishing Reports on 7.12.20
Lower Sac -
We're in full summer mode on the big river. Caddis hatches have been the main jam along with a few PMDs still lingering. The best windows out here are early and late. We've had good fishing from Reding down through Cottonwood recently. Don't let the warm temps shy you away.. evenings can produce some awesome fishing during those Caddis hatches. Typically, the warmer the day - the better the bugs come off. Summer can produce some of the most underrated fishing of the year on the Sac. A reminder that the upper portion of the river reopens on August 1.. This can be a very good time to get after some fish that have had a long break from angling pressure.
Fall River -
Has been exceptionally good this summer. Quantity and quality of fish has been as good as we've seen in a long time. The Hex hatch is still rolling in the evenings making for a very fun, short window of dry fly fishing. Expect the fishing here to stay strong through September.
McCloud River -
The McCloud has been a very good walk and wade option as well. The big stoneflies have tapered off and it's more of a Mayfly and Caddis game out there. Again, early and late in the day can produce the best fishing. Expect to have rising fish that last hour or two of light.. Big Brown trout start to make their migration up from Lake Shasta this time of year.. this can be a really fun bonus to plug into one of these brutes.
Upper Sac -
The Upper has been solid this summer as well. Expect smaller fish on average this time of year.. The mornings and evenings are the timeframes to target during these "Dog Days" of summer.. Wet wading here is a very good way to escape the heat..
Pit River -
The trusty Pit has been a great option all summer. No real surprise here.. primarily a nymph game but you can still expect great numbers of opportunities during these hot Summer days. This is a great river to wet wade and cool off this time of year.
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Captain Bryce Tedford Reports on 7.10.2020
This week I turned my focus to Largemouth rather than Smallmouth & was pleasantly surprised! Found some eager Topwater fish & some larger fish on subsurface Streamers as well. Although Largemouth are more challenging than smallmouth they are very rewarding when success is found!
Largemouth 1/2 day trips offer Topwater fishing with heavy rods such as 8 or 9wt. We cast large poppers such as frog patterns to ideal holes in the weeds until a largemouth explodes on the fly! Later in the morning I go to type 3 lines & large Streamers.
Smallmouth 1/2 day trips offer Topwater fishing with light rods such as 4 or 5wts. We cast small poppers towards rock banks & eagerly awaiting Smallmouth. This fishery is a great way to introduce beginners to the sport & fun for seasoned anglers who like Topwater poppers on light rods.
If you are into Largemouth/Smallmouth Topwater or just trying to get someone into Fly Fishing please give me a call for a summer date. Also, if you want to get a jump on a Fall Striper date just let me know as well.
Central Valley Fly Fishing Report
Valley Striper Fishing -
With stable and hot normal summer weather the last two weeks fishing has really hit its stride. Fish are eating and up in the feeding zones most days. We are seeing trophy fish most days but if we get them to eat or a smaller fish beats them to the fly is a crap shoot. Bottom line is they are there and up in the feeding zones. Our shots at the trophy fish only increase as we move forward from here on out. We are catching fish on heavy sink to lighter intermediate lines just depends on the day.
Lower Yuba River Trout Fishing -
I got a few days on the Yuba the last month and fishing has been decent. Flows came up July 1 to between 1800-1600cfs depending on the day. My clients have had the most luck throwing nymphs under an indicator but we have gotten a few fish each day to come up to a caddis, golden stone dry, or hopper pattern. With the good flows hopper fishing should be good this summer assuming last weeks heat did not bake them on the rocks. The bottom line is that as long as the water stays up summer fishing should be good on the Lower Yuba...if they cut the flows it can get tough.
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Lower American River Fly Fishing Report
Garrett Smith Reports on 7.10.2020
Striped bass have made their way up the American River and fishing is getting better each week. We are starting to see good numbers on both half day and full day floats, and it will only get better from here!
We are in the beginning of the best fishing of the summer. There are lots of schools of stripers up and and down the river at the moment, and they have shifted in to their summer holding and feeding patterns, mostly hunting down squawfish, crayfish and bluegill. We cover a lot of water on these floats and you can expect to see very consistent action throughout the day.
The American is only an hour and a half from the Bay Area, making it a great option for a single day trip from the bay.
Flows are up to 4,000 cfs on the American which is a prime summer level. I expect fishing to stay solid until Mid September this season with these flows.
Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report
Jim Stimson Reports On 7.10.2020
One of the most important tools in your summer fly fishing arsenal should be a thermometer. In these hot days of summer, I LOVE putting on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and heading outside. However, trout don’t feel the same…. they thrive in cold conditions. When the river starts feeling tepid, take the time to use your thermometer and get some readings throughout the course of a day. You might be surprised. It is amazing how much the temperature can fluctuate in just a few hours. If your morning reading is in the mid-60’s, raise a yellow flag because by afternoon there is a good chance that the temps may climb close to 70º, which is not good for the trout or the fishery. Trout love water that is in the 50’s. Once you climb into the upper 60’s and beyond, the fish get lethargic, they don’t feed as much, and their mortality rate goes up if they get hooked. If you must fish, tie on heavier tippet material so you can land the trout quickly. Because of the reduced dissolved levels of oxygen in warm water, trout can get stressed and die — basically by suffocation. This is only a recommendation, let your conscious be your guide. I tend to pull the plug once my thermometer reaches 68º. I will give the river a break and seek out the high country or water that is cooler.
All of the mountain passes are open including Tioga Pass but check with the Park Service for details and restrictions. These are tenuous times with the pandemic. Enjoy the Eastern Sierra but please respect the fisheries and each other. Be prepared to wear a mask if you are grocery shopping or visit a retail store. And finally, please refrain from open campfires if you are camping outside of a developed campground. Fire season is already here. Thank you.
East Walker
The East Walker in particular is vulnerable to warm water conditions. I am giving the river a break until the summer cools down……If you fish up there, again, watch the river temps. Fish in the morning with heavier tippet so you can land fish quickly, then once it gets too warm, reel in, hop in your car, and head around the Sweetwater Range to try the West Walker. The flows on the East Walker have dropped to 82 cfs..
West Walker
The flows are over 98 cfs with the spring runoff as a heat wave settles in over the Sierra. These flows are perfect. The West Walker has gin clear water so use some stealth while approaching the water and fishing.
San Joaquin
The road to the Postpile and the San Joaquin River are open. Because of the pandemic, the shuttle busses will not operate this season. There will be some kind of quota system for driving your own vehicle down into the canyon. Stay tuned! The flows are at 64 cfs
Hot Creek
The creek is flowing through the canyon at roughly 43 cfs. Target your casts to the feeding lanes between the weeds and rocks, plus the overhanging grasses along the margins. You may not see fish, but they are there. Try a dry-dropper setup with a caddis above and a midge or small mayfly below. Hot Creek is always a fun place to fish. The canyon is home to not only some nice trout, but deer, osprey, and the occasional bald eagle. Enjoy!
Upper Owens River
The flows sit at about 65 cfs high in the river system. Once Hot Creek dumps into the mid-section the flows are closer to 110 cfs. Most of the trophy trout have moved back into Crowley Lake but there are still some stragglers hanging around; nice cutthroats and rainbows. In addition to sunscreen, throw some bug spray into your fishing vest. The mosquitos are loving life now. Hoppers are still “money."
Lower Owens River
The river is cruising steady at roughly 250 cfs and is fishing well with all of the traditional patterns; PT’s, Hare’s Ears, midges, Frenchies…. If you enjoy hucking dry flies, this is the place. Around lunchtime, watch for BWO’s to start coming off the water. Be ready. The first thing you will notice is the bird activity along the river. You will see swallows, fly catchers, and sparrows flitting around the surrounding brush and diving at the river surface. Look for rises along the foam lines as fish snouts start poking up through the surface film. This BWO carnage only lasts about an hour. If you get finicky trout snubbing your dry flies, change your bug. Usually a sized 16-18 adams will get grabs, but often the trout are looking for a mayfly that is sitting lower in the surface film. An adams rides high so try a comparadun or a hackle stacker, they sit more within the film. Sometimes that is all you need to get back into the game.
Get out there! You cannot catch fish if your line isn’t in the water. Stay safe out there and have a great 4th of July weekend.
Northern California Fly Fishing Report
Wild Waters Fly Fishing Reports on 7.1.20
McCloud River
The McCloud River is still fishing great. The Golden Stones are around along with their little cousins the Mayflies and Caddis. The weather just passed through a very hot patch and is now very temperate and mild. Wet wading has been the method of choice with nymphing both with the bobbercator and without most productive. Come late afternoon when the shadows creep in as the sun dips behind the canyon ridges you will see fish rising, not necessarily everywhere but if you put in the work you will find the spots. The river is in perfect shape and beckons you. Give us a shout for one of our excellent McCloud River guides.
Upper Sacramento River
The Upper Sacramento is in its summer time mode and fishing very good. This river offers many options on where to fish in its 35 miles off access. The golden stones are still around from Dunsmuir up to New Springs if you are inclined to chase them. From Dunsmuir down river you can find top action in the last hour of the day with PMD and caddis flies. Nymphing is the best method though, think as your weapons of choice LBS from New down to Sims, and from Sims down think caddis imitations like the Fox Puppa and birds nest. We've had excellent results in the pocket water and faster more oxygenated current so put on your spurs and get out into that nasty stuff, you'll be surprised. We have some excellent Upper Sac guides available if you are looking for a fun day on this beautiful freestone river.
Northern California Fly Fishing Report
AC Fly Fishing Reports on 7.1.20
We are smack dab in the middle of a great Summer of fly fishing here in Northern California. Conditions on all of our favorite rivers are as good as they get and fishing has been good to great for our guests. Our main Summer haunts include the Lower Sac, Fall River, Pit River, McCloud River and Upper Sac. From the smaller streams to the bigger rivers there are some excellent opportunities to get out this Summer. Continue reading below for a more in depth report and forecast on these rivers.
The Lower Sac - Those of you who have experienced it know just how awesome an evening spent on the Lower Sac can be. July and August can offer some phenomenal trout fishing on the big tailwater. The warmer the day, the stronger the Caddis hatches can be.. a strong hatch of Caddis can equate to a very aggressive trout bite. Checkout the short video above and get psyched for some Summer fishing!
The Pit River - This is our favorite time of year to fish the Pit. July and August can be AWESOME and can offer a great cool down from the Valley heat. Wet wading here in the summer is a nice reprieve from the heat while staying busy with those scrappy Pit River trout. For those who want to test their wading skills and get into a mess of healthy, wild rainbows - this might be a venue you'll want to explore with us.
The McCloud River - One of our favorite walk and wade streams in the area.. by mid-summer we can start to see pushes of migratory Brown trout move up the river from Lake Shasta. It's not a guarantee you'll run into them every day, but when you do - it can be quite rewarding. The McCloud will remain a great walk and wade option from now through October. There are very few rivers in the country that provide the beauty that the McCloud does.
The Fall River - The largest Spring creek in the country has been fishing EXCELLENT since the trout opener back in April and is showing no signs of slowing down. The evening Hex hatch is starting and adding another very cool element to the fishing here. If you have any desire to checkout Fall River - this is the year you want to jump on it. We are always thrilled to get good feedback from our guests. Below is kudos to Jay and testament to how good the Fall River has been this year. Put it on your list!!
The Upper Sac - We had a great Spring on the Upper Sac. Flows are excellent right now on the Upper and wade fishing has been good. During these hot summer days, our best fishing usually happens early and late in the day. The evenings usually give up some pretty good dry fly opportunities as well..
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