Captain Bryce Tedford Repost on July  22nd, 2025

Summer fishing has been going strong! From June 15-September 15, I turn my focus to topwater largemouth & smallmouth bass excursions. These 5hr, 1/2 day bass trips are a great way to get newer anglers into the sport as well as a blast for seasoned veterans who just want to have fun watching largemouth & smallmouth explode on a fly! 

Smallmouth fishing has been a bit slow this year so I have been primarily focused on largemouth the past few weeks. My guess is cooler summer temperatures have kept the water temperature down & the smallmouth are staying deeper, but that’s just a guess. That said, I have two options during the summer: Option 1 (smallmouth focus): There is one section/launch of the Delta that has a bunch of smallmouth with a small side of largemouth, but it is primarily smaller fish, lighter rods, smaller flies & easy/fun fishing. Also, well protected from the wind & we start a bit later on this trip (7-7:30am). Option 2 (largemouth focus): The other section/launch is just to target largemouth, primarily larger fish, heavy rods, big flies & more challenging fishing overall. This area is open to the wind so that can be an added challenge. Generally start earlier on this trip (6am-7am). 

Still have some remaining dates in early September if anyone wants to jump on one of these Summer trips! 

Captain Ben Thompson Reports on June 27th, 2025

 

Johnny Feaster Reports on June 27th, 2025

Lake Berryessa and Putah creek Fishing Report - June 2025

By Local Guide Johnny Feaster

Lake Berryessa:

Water Temperature: 73-78
Target Species: Bass
Fishing Method: Float and Fly/Top water/Streamers
Leader Length: 6 to 9 feet

Fishing Overview: with the summer heat starting, the early morning top water action has been really good with some big fish being caught. Switching fly size can get the bigger aggressive fish to eat, so don’t be afraid to go big! After the early morning, switching to Float-n-Fly or streamers has proved to be more productive as the day goes on!

Techniques & Gear:
● The Float and Fly method is my preferred technique on the lake, with summer water temps rising Top water and streamers have been hooking some nice fish!
● For fly selection, the Black Leech and Williams Wagasaki from North Valley Fly Fishing have been producing excellent results, you can buy these flies at flyfishcnv.com.
● A 3 or 5 foot leader is working best to keep your presentation in the strike zone at the proper depth.

Fishing Patterns & Tips:
● The early morning top water has been very productive. Look for trees.
● The second drop-off around 8 to 15 feet is a prime spot for streamers. Look for the flats that drop off when getting into the late morning /afternoon.

Conservation Issues:
Golden mussel awareness continues! Golden mussels have started showing up in California's 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.

Hot Tip:
● If you find any land bridges make sure to throw some top water around the ledges!

Putah Creek
Target Species: Rainbow Trout
Fishing Method: Nymphs with Indicator
Leader Length: 5 to 9 feet
CFS: 600+

Fishing Overview: Summer flows are here! Fish are still there, but sometimes can be tricky to find in bigger flows! This is the time of year you can get away with some bigger flies!

Techniques & Gear:
● With the bigger flows, using longer leaders with more weight to help you get down to present these fish will immensely help your opportunity of finding the fish
● For fly selection a Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, and midges of all colors. 

Fishing Patterns & Tips:
● Dead drift catches fish, presentation is key.
● Make sure to show some stealth when approaching the runs the fish will be holding more shallow then you may think.
● Don’t be afraid to throw some bigger flies to help present to the fish hanging at the bottom.

Riley Renick Reports on June 26th, 2025

McCloud River

The McCloud picked up a bit of color during a mid-June heat wave, but it wasn’t enough to slow down the fishing — and the water cleared quickly afterward.

Turbidity has been fluctuating frequently, but it hasn’t dipped into unfishable territory. Visibility has remained good enough to keep fish looking up and eating actively.

Dry fly action has been noticeably better over the past few weeks. Don’t hesitate to fish a dry even when you don’t see risers — trout are willing. Word has gotten out that fishing’s been good, so expect some company on weekends. Still, if you’re willing to hike, solitude is easy to find. Some bigger fish have been kicking around, and we are on track to have another great summer and fall – much like last year.

Temperatures are climbing back into the 90s, and the reservoir is dropping — so keep an eye on how that may affect conditions in the coming weeks. And watch your step: rattlesnakes are out in force this year.

Upper Sacramento River

The Upper Sac is back down to about base flows, which opens up the entire river to fishing. Now’s the time to explore all of it — it won’t be long before rising water temps begin to limit the lower half. As the air temp begins to rise, keep an eye on water temperatures.

Stoneflies are still around, and afternoons into evenings have been the most productive windows. Fish are spreading out, and the river is in great shape for covering water and putting together a solid day.

If you have any questions or would like to book a day, reach out to info@wildwatersflyfishing.com or get more info at www.wildwatersflyfishing.com

Cheers,

Riley Renick

Wild Waters Fly Fishing

Captain Bryce Tedford Reports on June 25th, 2025

Summer fishing is off to a solid start! From June 15-September 15, I turn my focus to topwater largemouth & smallmouth bass. These 5hr long 1/2 days are a great way to get newer anglers into the sport, as well as a blast for seasoned veterans. This is a great for guests who just want to have fun watching largemouth & smallmouth blow up a fly!

Option 1--smallmouth focus: There is one section/launch on the Delta that has a bunch of smallmouth with a small side of largemouth, but it is primarily smaller fish, lighter 4-5wt rods, smaller sz6 flies & easy/fun fishing. Also, this section is well protected from the wind & we start a bit later on this trip (7-7:30am).

Option 2--largemouth focus: The other section/launch is just to target largemouth, primarily larger fish, heavy rods, big flies & more challenging fishing overall. This area is open to the wind so that can be an added challenge. Generally start earlier on this trip (6am). Still have some remaining dates in August if anyone wants to jump on one of these summer trips! 

Captain Bryce Tedford

Captain Hogan Brown Reports on June25th, 2025

Capt. Hogan Brown 

Fly Fishing Guide

Co-Founder of the Cal Bass Union

Owner Alluvial Marketing Collective

530-514-2453

www.hgbflyfishing.com

www.calbassunion.com

****Check out HGB Fly Fishing on Facebook

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Jarret Coons of Sierra Mountain Trout Guide Service Reports on June 25th, 2025

Eastern Sierra Backcountry

Summer is here and that means backcountry fly fishing!! Many places are ice free and
accessible, such as Mosquito Flats and the Little Lakes Valley. The Cottonwood road is
open to Horseshoe Meadows. There is still a lot of snow out there, major drifts still cover
the trail in many places where the sun doesn’t reach. Take extreme care as it is easy to
lose the trail and take a nasty fall down an icy slope.

The fishing has been pretty good, considering how low water temps are. Cool temps
hung on into late spring this year, we have just seen the summer heat arrive. Some
lakes still seem cold, dormant and asleep and others are getting active. We’re seeing
fish near shore taking dries on the flats and off the ledges. Rainbows are still spawning
and are concentrated in the inlet and outlet streams. Take care not to wade through their
redds!

The Eastern Sierra Backcountry is an incredible place with a lifetime of fishing, just
make sure to be smart, be safe and pack it out!!

Flies- Missing Link Caddis #16-18, E/C Caddis #16-18, Adams #14-18, Sierra Bright
Dot #16-18, Royal Wulff #12-16.

CDC Flashback P.T. #16-18, Midge Larva #16-22, egg patterns, Micro May #16-18,
Scuds #14-18, Telico Nymphs #12-18.

Rob George of The Bend Company Reports on May 29th, 2025

WATCH OUT FOR RATTLESNAKES 

Evan Praskin Reports on May 31st, 2025

Warm warming warmer! Howdy fellow line side chasers. Here is your local Monterey/Southern country fish report. 

The bass are in the surf, but you will need to cover some water to find them. What are your best chances of hooking up? Getting boots on the ground and going fishing. Zero percent of fish are caught if you don’t go, so get out there and give yourself the most opportunity for success. The best and most successful beach fisherman are the ones who put in the time on the sand. Remember to cover some water, fish the changing tide and/or low light conditions, and keep casting.

Perch are still in the mix too so don’t forget to finish your retrieve all the way in. 3-5” Clousers in chartreuse over white and the Praskin Trench Bomb are great producers this time of year. Monterey side is producing a bit better than Santa Cruz, but just remember to wade with caution as the sand is looser and the beach is steeper. Look for the holes and deep troughs, fish them hard then move on to the next one until you intersect the fish. Last week I took a break from the surf and hit the inner lakes looking for salt free stripers on Stokeventures new boat. The fish were plentiful so stay tuned for more guiding opportunities coming up! Be safe, spread good vibes, and we will see you on the beach!