Evan Praskin Reports On 6.8.20

Schooools out, for, Summa! Well here we are folks, we made it to summer break. Not sure how we got here so fast, but I think we all were ready for some hot and sunny days! The striper action remains great in Monterey Bay along with some really nice sized perch mixing in. Currently the water in Monterey county has been pretty dirty with a red tide. If you're committed, and know where to look, you can find some clean areas or just contribute to cleaning the ocean of weeds and kelp until you get a bite. Watsonville/Santa Cruz water has been very mellow and much cleaner so if you're planning to get out I would head towards the north side for now. 4-6" clousers chart/white green/white blue/white have all caught fish, but with the mellow swell don't be afraid to bust out that intermediate and throw some deceiver style flies or even some topwater!

I will add that just as many bass are coming in on the sand crab patterns, so pull out those trench bombs and swing away! Some bass caught on the double fly setup have chosen the crab over the clouser so don't be afraid to give them some options. The top of the incoming tide or close to it have produced the most fish, but lately we have been catching them on the outgoing as well. Hope everyone is out and safely enjoying the fresh air, we'll see you on the beach!

June 12, , 25, 26, 27, 29
July 1, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31
Aug 5, 22, 

Valley Striper fishing has been getting better every week it seems and as long as the wind is not blowing 20-30mph like it has been a few days last week and this weekend fishing is good. Fish are spread out in all the water sheds and all our rivers offer a HUGE variety of styles of fishing so it is hard to decide where to go and how to fish for them this time of year. We have started to see some larger fish but most fish are still in the 6-15lb range that we are seeing come to the fly but it is only a matter of time before the big ones get shallow and start eating regularly. 

Lower Yuba River Trout Fishing is fair with the summer flow "drop" settling the river at 1300-1400cfs. This is a great flow and keeps the fish happy I think as there is enough deep slots and holes to move in and out of feeding lanes and not get to spooky. I have not been on the river in the last few weeks but June is traditionally a great month for fishing on the Yuba until the scorching heat of July and August show up. 

Valley Reservoir Bass and Carp fishing has been good as bass are well into their post spawn mood and holding in catchable depths with streamers, float n fly, and even some top water fishing has been working. Carp are up in the shallows in a lot of spots on the reservoirs and for the stealthy angler there can be some good shots at fish. 

Jim Stimson Reports on 6.8.20

Tioga Pass will open on Monday but check with the Park Service for details, restrictions, and any possible hoops to jump through. Privately operated campgrounds and RV parks are just now opening. The USFS campgrounds will hopefully be open by the end of the month. Motels and restaurants are still struggling to open. If you plan on coming over anytime soon, be prepared to travel completely self-contained.  And please, when you camp and fish, honor the old adage, “Leave no trace.” Some of the campgrounds may not reopen at all this season because of issues with trash and sewage. It is disheartening to see the amount of trash, toilet paper, and sewage. The fire danger is high already, especially with all of the high winds we have had lately. Please no campfires. Respect the fishery, the nice place you are visiting, and each other. Let’s all pitch in and leave our waters in better shape than you found them. Carry a trash bag and pick up some trash even if it is not yours. Come on over, do some fishing, practice social distancing, and be prepared to wear a mask if you are grocery shopping or visit a retail store. We are sailing on uncharted waters. A little courtesy and patience goes a long ways. We will get thru this pandemic.

Sonora and Monitor Passes are currently open. Tioga Pass will open the 15th. Hang in there! Stay safe and healthy.

Dave Neal Reports On 6.8.20

The time is right, right now… you outta be fishing or planning a fishing trip
in the immediate future!

Everything is firing in Northern California. Flows on all the rivers and smaller
streams are either in or near prime-time range. The weather is classic CA
right now - it has the potential to be warm/hot (wet wade) or it may also
rain (thundershowers). We can experience temps from 95 in the valley to
70’s in the Shasta region or Intermountain region. Be prepared for anything
and adjust your clothing as needed.

I’ve been fishing all over these past two weeks from the Lower Sac to Fall
River to the Pit River and Upper Sac. Variety is the spice, baby.
You might experience the summer pattern developing where best fishing is
early and late in the day. The days are LONG right now with first light
before 6am and dark after 9pm… we cannot expect the fish to chow all day
long and they don’t. Fish when the bugs are active and when the bugs
ain’t… just chill out, read a book, explore or take a nap when the river is
quiet. Evenings are always a good bet and there is no fly better than the dry
fly.

When it comes to fly patterns this time of year stick with the usual
suspects: PMD’s, golden stones, salmonflies, and especially the little yellow
stones which are everywhere, tan caddis and basic midges. Typically, we
will see these hatches begin first during springtime on the Lower Sac and
then work their way upriver into the Upper Sac, McCloud, Pit, etc, as we
move into early summer.

Everyone has their favorite fly patterns but my go-to box right now consists
of: nine different variations of the Pheasant Tail nymph #12-16 from soft
hackle versions to BH and non-BH and flash to no flash, etc. Yvon Chounaird
is right…LOL. You can fish this fly exclusively forever. Other than that it’s
Hogan’s S&M or Lance’s XMay, copper CJ’s, RL in brown, yellow and blk,

Fox’s Poopah!, Bird’s nests, Mercer’s Poxyback PMD… I like all these
patterns in Tungsten bead versions, and some flashy too.
For dry flies it’s a Parachute Adams #12 all day long!! Mercer’s Missing Link
in every color and size, some parachute yellow Sally stones (with the red
butt) and yellow and orange Kauffman’s Stimulator, big foam Salmonfly
patterns just in case and some big drake patterns on the rainy days.
Don’t forget your Dry Shake powder, wading staff, cleats in your boots,
stash away Gore-Tex, water filter, and Buff.

I have a few days open to book during end of June and early July. In the
sage advice of the late, Bill Lowe… “Stop messin’ get a lesson” If you want
get a tune-up and a clinic on effective techniques and strategies in order to
confidently hook trout in our Nor Cal waters and beyond.
View my availability calendar online at
www.ReelAdventuresGuideService.com

Matt Gilligan Koles Reports on 6.8.20

Crazy weather.

80 the other day, snowing yesterday. Been a weird spring weather wise. We haven’t really seen the heat yet, and looking to stay somewhat mild to the end of the month. Good fishing weather.

The Truckee River is just starting to fire off. I’ve had back to back to back, solid days. Lots of grabs with the tight line nymph rigs. Pretty much anywhere you go up and down the river it’s good. She’s still big, lots of water coming down the pipe. Probably mellow out in a few more weeks. It’s always really good these first few weeks of June before the heat of summer. Then you gotta get out in the mornings and ditch the afternoons.

On the CA side of things…I’ve seen a few drakes, so one of these evenings this week, it will go nutso. Caddis should make a showing this week if it gets warm. So the dry fly fishing in the evening will be good.

Of course, nymphing with the said patterns will produce. Pretty much anything will all work right now, if its the right size and has a bead on it.

Jim Stimson Reports on 6.3.2020

The fishing season has officially opened in both Mono and Inyo Counties after the State mandated delay from the threat of COVID-19. Privately operated campgrounds and RV parks are just now opening. The USFS campgrounds will hopefully be open by the end of the month. Motels and restaurants are still struggling to open. If you plan on coming over anytime soon, be prepared to travel completely self-contained.  And please, when you camp and fish, honor the old adage, “Leave no trace.” Some of the campgrounds may not reopen at all because of issues with trash and sewage. It is disheartening to see the amount of trash, toilet paper, sewage, illegal open and often unattended campfires. Respect the fishery, the nice place you are visiting, and each other. Let’s all pitch in and leave our waters in better shape than you found them. Carry a trash bag and pick up some trash even if it is not yours. Come on over, do some fishing, practice social distancing, and be prepared to wear a mask if you are grocery shopping or visit a retail store. We are sailing on uncharted waters. A little courtesy and patience goes a long ways. We will get thru this pandemic.

Sonora and Monitor Passes are currently open. Tioga Pass may open mid-month? Hang in there! Stay safe and healthy.

East Walker

The flows on the East Walker are at 160 cfs. Keep your eye on the USGS website as I would expect the irrigation district to start releasing more water as the snow from the high country starts making its way to the valley below. The river at this level is perfect. The trout love the extra cold water and are free to move throughout the river system. These flows are easy for wading as well. The fish have moved for the most part out of the deeper, still buckets and into the moving water. This is a combo of several factors; oxygen needs and the food source. Caddis and stonefly nymphs are tumbling out of the riffles into the run outs below, especially in the afternoons. That said, black zebra midges and WD-40’s work well in the morning but as the day heats up, watch for BWO’s, stoneflies, and caddis. I generally use a stonefly nymph as an attractor with a beatis dropper. The combo has been money. 

West Walker

The flows are over 750 cfs with the spring runoff as a heat wave settles in over the Sierra. if you insist on fishing here, tighten your waist belt, use a staff, and keep your wading conservative. Try using big, flashy, and bright attractor patterns in this fast, off-color water.

San Joaquin

The road to the Postpile and the San Joaquin River is currently closed.

Hot Creek

The creek is flowing through the canyon at roughly 62 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 68 cfs high in the river system. Once Hot Creek dumps into the mid-section the flows are closer to 140 cfs. The river is very clear so fish with some stealth. There are still some massive sized cutthroats spread throughout the caldera. Please avoid the temptation to cast onto the spawning fish. Choose where you wade carefully as you do not want to destroy their redds. These fish are the future, let us be respectful to the fishery. Thanks. In addition to sunscreen, throw some bug spray into your fishing vest. The mosquitos are loving life now. As for bugs, just a plain ‘ole pheasant tail works wonders.

Lower Owens River

The river is cruising steady at roughly 205 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.

Conditions will only get better with the incoming hot weather as the water temps will increase. Better get it now, once the water really heats up in the upper river, those trout will move downstream to find a more suitable habitat to summer over in. As we go into June and the latter half, be sure to carry a thermometer to check water temps and quit fishing when it gets to be 67 degrees and above. Brown trout do much better with warmer water temps than rainbows. If you will be visiting Plumas County and fishing the MFFR, here are some guidelines from the Plumas County Public Health Agency: “Wherever you are, it is important to use good personal protective measures. Avoid recreating in groups. Maintain social distancing of 6 feet at all times. Avoid crowded areas like trail heads and parking lots. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer often. In short, enjoy the outdoors but do it in a safe, isolated, and individual manner. In regards to boating and fishing, follow all state regulations for safe and legal activities. Avoid crowded boat ramps or fishing areas. Find another place to recreate if you don’t have several yards between you and your neighbor”. Busy is the word with me and all at once. In the last 3 weeks I’ve never been so consumed with trip inquiries than my previous 24 years of guiding and booking trips. Being a totally independent guide is challenging, but I truly do love my work and sharing all things fly fishing. June is booked up, with 4 days open in July. 15 days available right now in August. I’ll be back up to the Northern Sierra in a few days and finally getting on Lake Davis, reports to follow. See you on the water where the wild things are…