Northern California Fly Fishing Report Jan 28, 2012

Feather River
Table Mountain Bridge to High Flow
Current Fishing - Fair to good
Flows - Low clear 50’s f (600 cfs)
Prognosis – Good

The Feather is wrapping up the best year of Steelhead fishing in recent memory. Our guides have had multiple Steelhead days of 5 to 7 fish going as big as 10 lbs this winter!

Since the opening on January 1st fishing has been slow to good. The recent rain has brought flows up slightly and the best fishing has been at first light. There are a number of fish starting to get on redds. Please leave the fish on redds alone! Instead focus on fishing the deeper slots with bead head mayfly nymphs or Caddis Pupae. There have been some reports of success by anglers swinging Alevin on sink tip lines. This year’s excellent Winter run should be wrapping up in the next few weeks, however keep this river in mind this Spring however for the Spring run! The last few years have provided some pretty hot Spring Steelhead action. We are happy to arrange a guided drift for you however this river allows for good opportunities for walk and wade anglers as well.

Klamath River
Current Fishing - Good to great
Flows - Coming into great shape 45’s F(1,100 cfs)
Prognosis – Good

The recent rains spiked flows to 1,500 cfs and muddied things up a bit. On the good side it brought a fresh bunch of Chrome bright fish in the 8+ lb range. There are reports of some good fish caught near at Iron Gate.

Fish everything from Mayflies and Caddis to egg patters like Micro Spawn and Glo-bugs.

This should be a good time to get out and swing flies as well! There is construction North of Redding on I-5 and expect cold winter temperatures with slightly warmer temps during the day.

Lower Sacramento River
Current Fishing - Fair to good
Flows - Low clear 50’s f (4,000 cfs)
Prognosis – Good

The lower Sac has been fishing fairly steady with 20 fish days not uncommon. Late February through May can be some phenomenal fishing on this fantastic fishery. Spring caddis hatches begin in February and coupled with Blue Wing Olive hatches make for some great spring fishing. With the flows being at 4,000 right now the river is very approachable as a walk and wade fishery.
Fish Caddis pupae, Baetis nymphs, and midges dead drifted under an indicator. Focus on shallower water and near riffles. Also watch for slashing and rising fish in the back eddies and flats. There can be some pretty good dry fly action coming up soon through May on both Baetis, BWO and Caddis adults.

Trinity River
Lewiston to Canyon
Current Fishing – Very good
Flows – Slight color (300 cfs) 40’s f
Prognosis – Good right now to slowing

The Trinity is fishing really well right now but won’t last long. The big crowds are thinning and the recent rains have brought the last of the fish up out of Junction City. We like fishing the Trinity with a little color in it as it allows for a less stealthy approach and heavier leader.(1x to 2 x). To escape overly murky water try fishing above Rush Creek which traditionally puts more color in the river than most of the other tributaries.

Nymphing under an indicator with black, brown, and golden stone patterns has been very successful the last few days. Anglers swinging traditional steelhead flies have also had success once the sun gets on the water.

This is our last shot at Trinity Steelhead for the Season. The Coastal rivers are coming into shape after this last rain and fishing is going to be good this next week or so on several rivers including the South Fork of the Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole, Madd, Smith etc. Surprisingly even the Russian has been fishing well! We have had good reports at Dry Creek with multiple hookups per angler. Now is the time to hit it while it’s good! This next two to three weeks may be it for Steelheading this year depending on rain. We have a few key dates still available so give us a call to get in on it!

Yuba River
Highway 20 Bridge to Marysville
Current Fishing - Good
Flows – Clearing (1,100 cfs)
Prognosis - Good

The Yuba River is fixing to get hot right now and already most of our boats are landing 5 to 10 fish per rod depending on the ability of the angler to make those drag free drifts with dries. Yuba Rainbows are challenging and notoriously hard fighting, yet a welcome reward for Winter and Spring dry fly fishers. We have been fishing BWO’s predominantly however we have landed a number of fish on Skwala Stonefly dries recently and things should be all systems go by next week. Good fishing with Skwalas should continue through to March when the March Browns begin to come off in earnest. In April it will be time to switch to PMD’s and then on to hopper season.

Try fishing a two dry fly set up with a BWO emerger behind a Skwala dry. If nymphing is you game dead drifting Skwala, BWO, and midges will produce.

There is good walk and wade opportunities for do it your-self fly fishing this time of year. Additionally we have private drift boat access below De Guerra Dam for those wanting increase their odds learn the river better and enjoy a bit of solitude.

The Yuba is a remarkable and challenging fishery and now is a good time to have her in your sites!

Putah Creek
Lake Beryessa dam to Lake Solano
Current Fishing - Fair
Flows - Low clear 50’s f (120 cfs)
Prognosis – fair to improving

Putah Creek Rainbows are wrapping up the spawn. If you chose to fish it please leave the redds and actively spawning fish alone! If you do fish it take along some dries. No your eyes are not deceiving you. There has been some sporadic dry fly action with Blue Wing Olive Emergers and dries catching a few fish. Also try fishing the deeper runs away from the reds with BWO nymps and small midges on 5 and 6x tippet. A stealthy approach is key as is keeping a low profile.

Putah Creek is our home water here at Off the Hook. We care deeply about it’s future. Our guides have decided to not guide the creek right now until March 1. We would rather get hit in the pocket book and give this creek a chance to come back. Recently great strides have been made towards resurrecting this fantastic local fishery. Come March 1 it will be game on! We have come to really love fishing the creek in the Spring. Fish are off the spawn and aggressive and hungry and flows tend to be just about perfect. People are snapping up our Spring dates so give us a call.

On February 11 we are hosting a free joint event on Putah Creek at Canyon Creek Resort. Off the Hook guides and staff will be giving a clinic on how to catch more fish on the Creek starting at 12:30 sharp in the Family lodge. An RSVP is required to participate so click on this link for information and to register. You won’t want to miss out on this fun event!

• Casting instruction
• Fly rod demos from Sage, Scott, Temple Fork etc.
• Free gear give away including rods, reels, wine, restaurant and camping certificates
• Opportunities to learn about conservation and become active in restoration efforts on the Creek
• Wine tasting and hors d' oeuvres
• Information about new camping at Canyon Creek Resort on Putah Creek

We hope to see you all there. Now go fish!