February 3, 2010 – 1:58 am
Guided Fly Fishing Trips on Northern California Rivers
January 27th-31st
It was great to return to Fly Fishing on the Klamath River and Upper Sac after last week’s epic storms and trip cancellations. Flows steadied and water clarity improved, water temps came up a couple degrees and conditions could not be too much better. We were hoping for the epic kind of days that we enjoy when conditions like this come together but this was not the week to be. Everyone had multiple fish days, even those dedicated to the swing and while we found some great fish the epic days are still hopefully just around the corner.
Ed, Dave, Mike and Steve enjoyed a day on the Upper Sac finding a few hot rainbows and then headed to the Klamath River to enjoy a day with Craig and Jim Andras before putting on a great show Friday night at The Stage Door in Mount Shasta. Mike and Steve are members of the Irish band Culann’s Hounds and they played to a full and lively house after a full day on the river chasing and catching Steelhead on the Klamath.
Our good friends Jason and Tim who fished with us this summer returned for a little winter action after digging out Jason’s home which was without power for a couple weeks. Jason being the perfect host let Tim catch his first, second, third, fourth and fifth Steelhead ever on a fly before finding a couple beauties himself.
Andrew, William and Steve joined us to complete a great weekend as we searched portions of the river they had not seen with walk and wade opportunities on the Klamath. We had a short day with limited success but fished some good water well knowing that finding fish might be a challenge. We enjoyed it thoroughly and hope to get out again in the next few weeks looking to have one of those magical days that are sure to come.
January 19, 2010 – 12:50 am
Guided Fly Fishing Trips on Northern California Rivers
January 11-17th
Fly Fishing for Steelhead on the Klamath and the Trophy Trout fishing on the Lower Sacramento continued this week with fine weather, some outstanding anglers and a few exceptional fish.
We started the week with a couple new friends from Oregon. John and Ron are seasoned steelheaders who are members of the Rogue FlyFishers and they traveled over the border to try their luck on the Klamath. We enjoyed calm overcast weather in the morning and the fishing and catching was quite good. The afternoon brought some strong winds and the fishing got tough. These good sports weathered it all in good spirits and we managed a few more fish despite the challenges.
In the middle of the week we headed to the warmth of the Lower Sac to search for a little dry fly action. We joined our good friend Ross from the Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers and located some risers on a very technical flat. Earlier in the week some BWO’s were rising and the fish were on them. Despite some perfect drizzle we saw more tan summer caddis on the water than BWO’s and only a few fish poked their noses up? We managed a few drifts but not takers on this day. Fellow guide, Rick Cox did find some trophy rainbows nymphing but Ross and Craig decided instead to flex a spey rod in preparation for a trip to the Oregon Coast.
We concluded the week with a group of good friends who Steelhead on the Klamath with us each season. This year they enjoyed a marvelous stay at the new Klamathon Lodge that sits right on the river. These guys enjoy themselves and each other wherever and whenever they get together and this weekend was no exception. The bite was slow but they made the most of their opportunities and everyone landed a few nice Steelhead everyday. Knowing that big storms were in the forecast but were late arriving only heightened their appreciation of the good fishing and great times.
January 18, 2010 – 11:05 pm
Shasta Trout will be exhibiting at the 2010 ISE in Sacramento. Craig will also be giving switch rod casting demos, and fly tying demos.
If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello!
For more info, check out the event website for the 2010 International Sportsmen’s Expo.
Sacramento, CA January 21 -24, 2010 (Thurs – Sun)
Cal Expo, State Fairgrounds
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
January 10, 2010 – 10:49 pm
Winter Steelhead Trips
Jan 2-9
We started out the brand new year with some great groups Steelhead fishing on the Klamath River. We were looking forward to the week as all of them are seasoned anglers and the river remains in superb condition. Donna and Anne, who were first up, are members of the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club and they enjoyed some fair weather and a few fine fish. We were hoping to do some swinging but unfortunately Craig lost his anchor and we were unable to post up to swing the best spots. He had a back up anchor, but this was it as he managed to loose his primary anchor just a few days prior. The chance of losing two was quite slim as the last time he lost an anchor was in 2002! The ladies are good sticks as well as good sports and made the best of their day landing some very nice fish. We are hoping to join them at the Speyorama they host at their beautiful club in April. Next up was a two day trip with three pairs of fathers and sons. These guys are incredibly good humored and fun, able to laugh at themselves and poke fun at each others’ fortunes whether good or bad. It turned out to be fortunate as the bite on the Klamath slowed and these stellar sticks had to work for a few good Steelhead each. The last two days of the week, some good friends of Cal Trout, Darrell and Alan, joined us for two days of nymphing and a little swinging with switch rods. While the fishing was superb the catching was tough. We found two big hot winter run fish the first morning which boded well. We then proceeded to fish hard for two days for some half pounders but only one additional adult. These guys fish often enough to know that steelheading is not always about the catching but I can’t recall the Klamath ever being quite this cruel. For more pics of the action this week, just click on any of the photos above.
December 31, 2009 – 3:50 pm
Anglers enjoy Guided FlyFishing for Trophy Rainbows on the Lower Sac & views of bald eagles and a bobcat.
December 29th
Jim and Glen escaped the Bay Area for an epic day of guided fly fishing for trophy rainbows on the Lower Sacramento River. Though they are seasoned anglers this was their first experience on the Lower Sac. Fellow local guide Jim Andras of Andras Outfitting arranged for Craig to treat these newbies to a driftboat trip and they were pleasantly surprised. We found lots of fat hot trophy bows and several big ones as well, though the two largest ones Glen and Jim noted that it was their best day fishing ever! Our day was capped off when we spotted bald eagles overhead along with a bobcat strolling down the bank.
December 31, 2009 – 2:50 pm
Swinging for Steelhead with a Switchrod on the Klamath River is Fun & Productive
December 27th
Will and Keith from the Ashland Flyshop joined Craig for a busman’s holiday on a little known piece of the Klamath. Will and Craig fished switch rods with Craig dedicated to swing while Will opted to both nymph and swing, Keith stuck to nymphing. We all found fish despite water temps in the low forties, though most were half pounders. Craig did hook a larger fish but it ended in a long distance release. Good company, pleasant weather, great scenery and Steelhead willing to eat flies, what an magical way to spend your day off!
December 30, 2009 – 10:28 pm
Tracy Fly Fishing Club Members Treated to Two Days Of Guided Steelhead Fishing on the Klamath River
December 18 & 19th
Local fly fishing guide Craig Nielsen presented a switch rod casting demonstration for the Tracy Fly Fisher’s Club at their meeting in July. Craig Gittings, an officer of the club, organized a group trip for friends and fellow club members Frank, Dean and August to enjoy some Steelhead fishing on the Klamath River with Craig and fellow local Klamath River guide Jim Andras. These good guys are experienced trout anglers and the Klamath provided an ideal introduction to fly fishing for Steelhead. While the bite was a bit soft everyone found fish while Frank provided a two day highlight reel on how to hook and land these illusive chrome creatures! They were warned beforehand that fly fishing for Steelhead can become addictive. We can’t wait for them to return ;>)
December 30, 2009 – 9:51 pm
Rogue Fly Fisher Club Members Enjoy Memorable Steelhead Fishing on the Klamath River
December 16th
A group of fly fishers from the Rogue Fly Fishers Club in Medford crossed the border for a memorable day of Steelhead Fishing with local Klamath River guides, Craig and John. Craig did a presentation on the Klamath River for the club at their August meeting and Jerry Haynes an officer in the club organized the group trip. William, Harry and John joined us for a memorable day which included John’s very first Steelhead on a fly! Click on the picture of John’s first Steelhead for more pics of this great group in action!
December 30, 2009 – 9:34 pm
Fly Fishing Guide Wayne Eng Lands a Lunker!
December 17th
Local Fly Fishing Guide Wayne Eng lives on the banks of the Sacramento River and knows nearly every nook and cranny on the river so you can imagine his surprise when he landed an enormous Brown Trout not far from his doorsteps. Tom Chandler, author of the blog the “Trout Underground” broke the story where we recommend you go for the juicy details!
December 30, 2009 – 9:19 pm
Yuba River Anglers Enjoy Banner Days Steelheading the Klamath River
December 14 & 15th
Craig had the pleasure of fly fishing for Steelhead on the Klamath for two days with the author of the new blog “Fly Fishing Traditions”. Clay Hash fishes with ShastaTrout a few times each season, heading north from his home water on the Yuba to enjoy the bounty on the Klamath, Lower Sacramento or Trinity Rivers. On this occassion he brought his good fishing buddy Blake. Both of these guys are the real deal and we enjoyed a couple spectacular days of Steelhead fishing on the Upper Klamath. Clay’s blog focuses on sharing what he has learned over several years of fly fishing the northstate providing a great resource for anglers looking for helpful tips.
