Shasta Trout

Steelhead Fly Fishing on the Trinity River: Guides Reports

Steelhead Fly Fishing on the Trinity River has been as good as we've seen since the epic 2007 season.  Our great local guides Gabe Duran, Kevin Price, Jim Andras and George Durand are averaging several hook ups a day with some hard work, with 6-8 adult hook ups a day about average, with some double digit days for more experienced anglers. Flows have returned to low and clear which makes the game a bit more technical. The recent rain has helped with the forecast calling for a bit more. Until the water colors a bit, it is key to slow down and be precise.  Afternoons have been best, but morning fish are available, particularly on the warmer days. Stones, Stones and Stones, all sizes and colors with #12 and #14 attractors and mayfly nymphs getting fish as well. Fish are everywhere for now, but move daily, so the whole river is fishing. Most of the fish have been kegged up in deep slow runs.  Making perfect drifts and mends without spooking them is a must. In most seasons the Trinity fishes well into March with the bulk of the wild run just starting to show.  The fall crowds have disappeared we suggest you schedule soon with one of the finest local guides and enjoy the bounty. 

Fly fishing the Upper Sacramento River in Winter, a fishing guide report

One could make a case that winter is the most interesting season to fly fish the Upper Sacramento River.  This season has been especially so.  Flows have been exceptionally low and clear, less than half the norm, much like one might expect at the end of a very dry summer.  The clear cold weather also has offered little in insect activity, the Blue Wing Olives we hope for this time of year have been particularly absent. Catch rates as a result have not been high.  On the other hand this is the time of year when the largest fish of the season find their way into our nets. In any season a wild fish over twenty inches on the Upper Sac is a true prize.  We have some years where from spring through fall we find few if any.  This summer and fall we luckily found some, while in winter they show up with some regularity, so skilled local anglers fishing a few days a week can come to expect a couple each winter.Just yesterday on an afternoon foray, I spotted the largest Rainbow I've seen all year, about two feet long, and as I began to prepare to cast to it, another even larger fish moved alongside.  Often a few casts are all I might get before spooking these wary creatures and luckily I hooked one of them on my first cast.  Unfortunately my excitement couldn't be contained and I broke it off almost immediately.  This happens on occasion, once is always one time too many, so I try to avoid it.  I checked the tippet and the 5X was broken a few inches up from where the size 18 fly was missing, which eased my worry that a faulty knot was the cause.The current storm front that is moving through will hopefully create some bug activity, color up the water and ease the game without unduly disrupting the flows.  I hope so, because these fish could provide some interesting fishing in the coming weeks.

The Klamath River: Shasta Trout Fly Fishing Guide Reports

December 2011Steelhead fly fishing on the Klamath River this month continues to be exceptional with fair weather in Northern California and perfect water conditions.  Fresh fish continue to trickle in sparking the bite, despite the lack of weather.  All of our guests have enjoyed multiple fish days, including several adult fish showing in the net each day.  Fishing pressure has been very light, including many days when we've had the place to ourselves.  While the grab has been best for the typical small adults in the 16-22 inch range,  a few larger fish are most often hooked each day if not always landed.  Trout sized half-pounders continue to provide nearly constant action in between bouts with their larger relatives. While those committed to swinging flies continue to enjoy some success, water temps in the upper 30's and lower 40's means nymphing has out produced swinging by a noticeable margin.  Swinging small leeches and dark classic wets slowly on sinking lines on a warm sunny day can be relaxing and truly enjoyable when the grabs come.  The fish have tended to be podded up, so where we find one, we often find it worthwhile to make another pass. Nymphing anglers are finding fish on most every fly imaginable.  Rubberlegs and eggs continue to produce as well as a host of nymphs including Prince Nymphs, Copper Johns, Birdsnests, Fox Poopahs, Pheasant Tails and Micromays in sizes large to small.  Be sure to fish heavy wire hooks as the occasional brute will often open the bend on trout sized irons. The National Weather Service Forecast is calling for more sunshine with a slight chance of showers and rain next week which hopefully will get even more fish on the grab!  Flows below Irongate Dam dropped from 1280 to 1040 cfs on December 17th, further concentrating the steelies making them easier to target. It is best to be familiar with a drift at these flows as this is about the lowest optimum flow for fishing, but can leave unsuspecting boaters stranded in the shallows or perched on rocks midstream. While mornings and evenings have been cool,  afternoons have been unseasonably warm and comfortable, requiring a second application of sunscreen.  No need to get an early start as the action picks up as the sun hits the water and slows as the sun disappears over the horizon.  Not often that we enjoy sunburns with steelhead this time of year, we recommend you get here now. Drop us a line for the latest conditions or if you are seeking guide service schedule one of our fine local guides who spend more time individually on the Klamath River than our competitor's guides spend collectively.  

Lower Sacramento River: Shasta Trout fly fishing guide’s reports

Great local guides,  Gabe Duran, George Durand, Kevin Price and Anthony Carruesco, featured by Shasta Trout, have hosted a number of guests recently on the Lower Sacramento River.Guides report that the Lower Sac is fishing well, depending on where you are. Most guides have been targeting the lower floats from Anderson to Jelly's Ferry recently  and the bite down there has been consistently good from early morning until late afternoon. The grab has been turning off later in the afternoon and evening.  Multiple hookups on these lower drifts  have been common as of late. The trout down there are a generally smaller (10"-16") on average than up river but we usually find a few trophy Rainbows over 18", along with an occasional steelhead or two. Rubberlegs and various mayflies have been the featured items on the menu while a few fish are still coming on eggs. When the wind has laid down in the afternoon, and particularly when there has been some cloud cover, we have enjoyed some action on the flats with fish up top eating Blue Wing Olive dries.  Several guests have experienced outstanding fishing and though this can be a rewarding experience, it sometimes can be technical and challenging.The upper floats from Redding to Anderson have been slower,  particularly in the morning.  We've found a  few on Rubberlegs and eggs until the afternoon when the hatches get going and the fishing has been picking up.  Most fish have come on smaller nymphs including Birdsnets and Fox Poopahs along with small and tiny mayfly patterns.  Flows out of Keswick have dropped to 5,000 cfs which concentrates the holding water.  This is the place and time of year when a trophy can find it's way into your net.This is also one of the warmest winter venues in the Northstate and the weather forecast is calling for more fair weather with a small squall and a chance of showers midweek.  The forecast is also calling for calm to light winds.  We hope you enjoy Anthony's pictures from some of his recent trips contained in this report.  More trip pics can be found on the Shasta Trout Flickr site by simply clicking here or on any picture in this post. We recommend you take a break from your holiday shopping and treat yourself to an enjoyable day drifting the Lower Sac with one of our fantastic local guides.  Drop us a line to schedule a relaxing adventure.

Lower Sacramento River: Fly Fishing Guides Reports

The weather on the Lower Sacramento River has been spectacular, sunny and warm with the fall colors peaking.  While fishing remains superb, the catching continues to be fair to good.  Our guests have enjoyed numerous hook ups each day and some of the best dry fly fishing of the season.  The weather forecast is calling for more of the same so we recommend you take a break from your holiday shopping and get here now!While the epic egg bite never materialized this year, and the salmon are mostly done with their annual migration, we have enjoyed some prolific hatches including some of the largest Blue Wing Olive hatches ever.  Most mornings start a bit slow, we typically spend this prehatch  period nymphing looking for some caddis to pop as the day warms and waiting for the BWO's to get started midday.  The nymphing can be a bit technical with strike recognition and quick, solid hook sets being key.  It can be a challenge to hook and land the trophy trout the Lower Sac is famed for with these tiny flies.  As a result, experienced anglers are enjoying more success than those new to the technique.For those in the know the dry fly fishing on select flats has been exceptional.  You have to look carefully for pods of working fish as their riseforms can often be quite subtle.  These fish are usually spooky so long leaders and accurate casts and presentations are required.  Unfortunately for those of us with aging eyes, emergers and nymphs drifted in the film along with low floating dries seem to outperform the easier to see high floating flies.  For those up to the challenge, a few of these hot big 'bows can make your day.Flows have been steady at 7,000 cfs and were dropped today to 6,000.  Which makes even more of the river accessible to wading though angling from a boat has been considerably more productive.  There are currently no other scheduled releases.  For the latest conditions or to schedule a great local guide, just drop us a line.