Hogan Brown Reports on 10.2.2019

Fall Striper fishing is in full swing. Fall is the best time of year to target trophy river stripers but it can also be hard to hit it just right as they are not eating every day and consistent weather is key. Weather and just plain luck play a huge part in making it all happen...but when it does it is special. Most fish are coming shallow water and while there are some true trophies getting hooked there are also a fair number of schoolie size fish in the mix. As fall turns to winter the river will fish as long as it stays in shape. Meaning rain and storms don't blow out the river. Clarity is not so much and issue but flows and debris in the river are.

Fall Spotted bass fishing is kicking into gear and should continue to improve over the next month. Many of our valley and foothill reservoirs are some of the most consistent fisheries over the winter as they fish best during the fall/winter/early spring and rarely blow out or muddy up with weather. Many fly anglers fail to utilize these fisheries but in the bass world they are truly world class as the world record spotted bass comes from Northern California and every winter it seems that the record gets broken or rumors of record breaking spotted bass creep through the fishing world.

Matt "Gilligan" Koles reports 9.29.19

Crazy September weather.

Had one of those, didn’t think I could make it to the take out days this weekend because of the heat days. Waking up today with a few inches of snow this morning in the Hirsch. Crazy September weather.

Mainly, I’ve been floating down on the Nevada side. Not too good streamer fishing with the heat. Good nymphing though. Mainly tight line nymphing, And yes, we do it from the boat. Wrecked ‘em on Friday, did good on Saturday. Big fish, all rainbows. Mainly all on crayfish. Water temps were in the low-60’s. Meaning trouts are not in the slow water. They are in the faster water. A thermometer is a valuable tool for the fly angler.

So nymphing is good. Streamer fishing not so much yet. That will change with some cooler weather if it continues to stay cool. Who knows.

For now, think crayfish. Baby crayfish are out in abundance. Also, think smaller baetis patterns. Put movement on your crays if you ain’t getting them. We’ve been drilled over and over about getting a dead drift. Guess what, nymphs move, especially crayfish. Sometimes you should just throw everything out the window you’ve heard from the so called experts and do your own thing.

Trout

Trout fishing on the Lower Deschutes still remains good. With the overcast days we’ve been having, there have been some good BWO hatches showing up in the heat of the day. Make sure you have some Parachutes Adams in size 16’s for that mid-day hatch. For nymphs, Pheasant Tails are a good fly anytime there are Mayflies around and Stonefly nymphs are always a good bet on the Deschutes.

Steelhead

More and more steelhead are showing up above Maupin, but it seems like a good chunk of the fish are still down river. With the day and night temps way below average, things are freezing in the mountains which is helping clear the White River. Even though the air temps have been below average, the Deschutes water temps are about as ideal as we could ask for right now. For anyone who enjoys swinging flies for steelhead, you can’t ask for better conditions than we are having right now. Tight Lines

Jon Baiocchi Reports on 9.30.2019

Lower Yuba River Report

It’s been since the first week of February since I’ve guided/fished on the Lower Yuba River. Remember how it started pouring rain back then and never let up until late May. There were some pretty big flows during that deluge as well, enough to move around the cobblestones and gravel, and once again change the runs and riffles ever so slightly. That’s the Yuba River, always changing. The flows are bouncing around between 1,165 and 1,130 cubes which are very good for both walk and wade anglers, and drifters. Fishing pressure overall is light between the Highway 20 bridge and Sycamore Ranch. Remember the water upstream of the bridge is closed until December 1^st to protect spawning salmon and give them a “no pressure” environment. Speaking of the salmon, I saw very few redds, and the ones I did see had no occupants around. I’ve seen this before where salmon begin to build a redd only to abandon it and keep moving upstream to construct another. We’ll see new redds on daily basis, but I think we will see a major drop in salmon returns this year, and the next upcoming four years. Why? First off, we’ll see low returns from the effects of the drought and the low flows out of Englebright dam during that time. Secondly, the high water of 2017 occurred during a time when there were still eggs in the gravel that had not hatched yet. With large amounts of the bottom substrate moving downstream you can bet those eggs were lost. You can say the same thing to a lesser extent for 2019. We shall see in the years to come what transpires, and I’m no fisheries biologist with a truck full of data, but common sense tells me there will be an impact to an already sad “State of the Salmon”.

The fishing for resident wild rainbows has been pretty good though, better than expected to be honest. The two rigs that worked best was a dry/dropper set up with a large yellow or orange Stimulator with a small flashy mayfly dropper about 24” below. My guests and I were surprised to see the Stimi get some attention with explosive top water eats, the trout most likely were taking it for a grasshopper. Your standard Valley River indo rig was really the best way to go, larger bug on top, with a smaller fly as a dropper. Adjusting the depth of the indicator and adding or subtracting weight will allow you to fine tune a run or riffle and be more successful. Effective flies were Red Copper Johns, Hogan’s S&M and Military May (dark colors), eggs, and legs (rubber legged stones). Hatches? I saw very few adult aquatics out, maybe a random caddis, or a BWO flying by – That’s it. Risers? A few “One and I’m done” here and there, nothing to make one fully commit to a dry fly rig while casting to targets (wishing for that though). Sine samples revealed lots of immature mayfly nymphs, midge larva, some Stub Wing stonefly nymphs, and the most prolific bug (as always) the free living caddis (Rhyacophila). I also saw quite a few fresh shucks of the Stub Wings on shoreline cobbles downstream of major riffles.

Now is the time I will be guiding on the Lower Yuba River, the stillwaters of Eastern Plumas County, and a the Truckee area – Yeah, I’m all over the place, but in a few months will be on the Yuba full time. There will be lots of Tours and Workshops scheduled for 2020 with fly clubs, Lost Coast Outfitters, and Baiocchi’s Troutfitters so keep an eye on my Blog, or my News page on the website for upcoming dates and rates. My trips are all about education, sharing the knowledge, and teaching my guests the skills to be successful on their own. All incoming inquiries for drift trips will be referred to my buddy and fellow guide Brian Clemens. Brian is a really good dude to spend the day with and fishy as all get out. I hire him for my yearly Trinity River trip and he never disappoints. Which reminds me, only about a month before I’m floating with him – Can’t wait!

There you have it, a real time and honest on the water report with firsthand information. Conditions will improve on a weekly basis once the river has more salmon in the system, and as we get deeper into the fall season. Don’t forget about Yuba Fest 2019 October 12th, an event that revolves around conservation, education, and an appreciation for the Lower Yuba River. See you on the water among the cobblestones…

Jim Stimson reports on 9.26.2019
Enjoy these last days of summer for the weather is about to take a turn, at least temporarily. Expect some precipitation, wind, and temperatures dipping into the teens this weekend. Make sure you bring extra clothing, a Jet Boil to make some hot beverages, or a bottle of Schnapps. 

East Walker 

The East Walker is cruising along at 224 cfs and the water temps are dropping with the frigid nights. Game on! There are a potpourri of bugs cruising around but they seem to prefer small mayflies. The river fishes really well at these current flows.

West Walker

The river has dropped considerably thru the canyon and is at 74 cfs. Try patterns like San Juans or Prince Nymphs, big attractors, and fish the margins. Dry droppers work really well at these flows.

San Joaquin River

Hot Creek

The creek is flowing through the canyon at 54 cfs. Target your casts to the feeding lanes between the weeds and rocks, plus the overhanging grasses along the margins. There are some nice fish lying in ambush for hoppers falling into the creek. You may not see fish, but they are there. Try a dry-dropper setup with a hopper above and midges or caddis below.

Upper Owens River

Lower Owens River

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is doing a flushing / scouring purge of the Gorge and the lower river, mandated by Fish and Wildlife. The Lower Owens flows have been bumped up to almost 700 cfs. I would avoid these sections of the river until normal flows are reestablished. These high flows will be good for the health of the river down the line as it cleans out years of sediment and debris.

Jon Baiocchi Reports on 9.25.2019

It seems the fishing at Lake Davis is getting back to near what it once was in the past. It’s been at least 5 years or more since fly anglers have had catch rates this good. It all comes down to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife planting more fish of catchable size. There were 3 plants of trout in late May and June including Eagle Lake Rainbows, and Brown trout, both sterile and fertile. Last Monday another plant of 4,000 trout, one pound per fish, Louisiana strain rainbows entered the lake. More fish in the lake makes a big difference not just for the fishing, but for the local economy and businesses that rely on such. Current water temperatures are at 58 degrees and holding, we will see another good drop on the thermometer as a cold snap will take hold over the weekend with a chance for snow. Fishing pressure is extremely light and Lake Davis is pretty much a ghost town. 10 years ago, the Honker Cove boat ramp parking lot would be full, this past week there were only 2 to 6 vehicles with trailers parked there. The willows, cottonwoods, and aspens are showing signs of fall colors to come, look for the peak about the 3^rd week of October. It’s so gorgeous at the lake when the autumn glow is going off!

George Revel reports on 9.12.19

Local fishing has been awesome. Fish are moving around quite a bit and we have been seeing a lot of bait around.  The LCO crew has been out fishing and we have been finding good numbers of fish morning and evening. We have of course had the usual skunk days that come with chasing fish in the suds. These upcoming warm days usually mean the wind will be down making attacking the surf with a fly rod a hella of a lot easier. The full moon will provide some bigger tides and great night time fishing opportunities. The World Series bite will be here and gone before you know it. So get ready, get your lines dialed, flies in order, and most importantly make some room in your calendar. We have surf guides and Capt's ready to get you out on the water. 

Your tides for the weekend:

Dave Neal Reports on 9.12.19

The mornings in Northern California are feeling more crisp and the days are getting noticeably shorter ... I’m certain that we still have a few hot summer days ahead, but fall season is beginning to creep in with each passing week. It's been a busy couple of weeks and I have been all over the place fishing the Upper Sac, Lower Sac, Fall River, Pit River, Hat Creek and even a little time on the Trinity. There is so much to choose from right now it makes the daily decision that much more difficult. Everything is fishing well.

I’ll focus a report on the Lower Sac- It’s fishing good, but not great or easy by any means. Bottom line is this – if you spend a lot of time on it and know the river you will hook some fish. The local guides that have their finger on the pulse by spending a few days a week on this river are getting a few nice fish consistently, maybe not in the numbers that we see during prime-time periods. Some days are more difficult and then one day everything lines up and it is pretty damn good… it’s fishing!

September is always one of those tweener times. The caddis hatches may not be as thick as they were in July/August … and the egg drop in October is still a few weeks away. The river has been pretty quiet and un-crowded so that is always a bonus! Flows are slightly lower around 9k (was 10-11K all summer) and I’m noticing a lot more moss on the flies if you’re dragging bottom.

Timing is important. Some sections seem to fishing better early in the day while the upper river is usually better late morning/afternoon and then again in the evening time. The lower river (I live in Redding, so the Lower River is below Anderson, lol) seems to be best in the early morning through about 2pm, then again later when the sun gets lower.

Bugs to have in your box… caddis! The usually suspects: tan or brown Bird’s Nest, Gordon Prince, Cinnamon Fox Poopah, tan Silvey’s caddis Bubbleback & LaFontaine style Lower Sac caddis. Sized to match the bugs you see which are all sizes right now #16 - #12. There can also be some prolific bwo’sh mayflies coming off in the evening time and then a spinnerfall of these bugs in the early A.M. The fish are chowing on both of these events, sparse brown and rusty mayfly patterns… Hogan’s S&M and Lance’s X-May.

If you are still reading this then I have your attention… there may be some cool stuff shaping up at mid to end of the September. We are seeing decent fall run salmon showing up and the boys in the Barge Hole and downriver are getting them. Some of these fish are big and bright, including one 32lbr. We should see more steelhead showing up along with more salmon. There are other local rivers with steelhead arriving, too. I have few open due to cancellations this month… September 18, 23, 24, 25 give a shout.

Matt "Gilligan" Koles Reports on 11.12.19

Less like summer and more like fall.

Much cooler the last few days. High’s in the 60’s, colder overnight. Not too hot in Reno either. Reno hit 100 degrees for 4 minutes this summer. They had 20 days over 100 the summer before. That all means we can look forward to some good fall fishing from here on out on the Truckee River.

Flows have been bumped down a bit. 500 here in the Hirsch, perfect through Mogul, good out East through the Nature Conservancy.

Just started dropping the boat in out East. Not great yet, but close. This cooler weather will get the water temps down and trouts active. We do a lot of streamer fishing down there. Be prepared to get your ass kicked, either by not getting any grabs, or getting ripped on a fish of a lifetime. Just the way streamer fishing is. This year if you complain that the steamer fishing is slow, I’m cutting off your rig and throwing the bobber on and sending you to the lower Sac. Kidding.

A note on fishing licenses: In California you have to have a printed copy of your license. Not in your phone. Sorry, that’s the rules.

In Nevada you can have a copy of your license saved in your phone. It’s sometimes hard getting a license online in Nevada. Call the number and have someone help you if you have problems. When you show up to the boat ramp at 7 in the morning there’s nothing I can do.

Looks like the clinics on the 5th and 6th of October will be a, tight line clinic, and a steamer clinic/combined.  $300, 9-3:00. There will be 4 people max. We’ll have lunch and beers. This will be on the CA side of the river. I will write something up this week. $50 bucks more than the normal clinics, but with all the knowledge combined, and the less people, well worth it, ha ha.