Hello Ladies and Gents
Well its been a while since my last report, my sincerest apologies, this was by far the busiest fall I have had since I started guiding in Feb 2009. From mid August to now its been non stop guiding all throughout Nor Cal, and the fishing this fall was the best we have seen in years. What I am hoping is that most of you were able to get out on the water and enjoy the fishing as much as we did. It was one to definitely remember and I really hope to see you on the water next fall, just remember to book well in advance if you are looking to book between August and Nov, this year I had nothing available in Oct starting the beginning of Sept.
As I type the rain is coming down and with that bringing more fish (winter steelhead) into the system. Fishing continues to be fair to good across the North State and with small amounts of rain in the future forecast the winter fishing is going to be pretty darn good.
The Report
Feather
Fishing - Good
Clarity - Low flow 3ft slightly brown High flow 6ft milky clear
Flows- Low flow High flow 1300cfs
As always this river amazes me. Despite the "damn" incident that wiped out 4 runs in the low flow, including some of the best salmon spawning habitat in the entire river, those fish are resilient and have founds ways to do their
thing. The pro to the higher water this year is the amount of fish, steelhead, that have returned and entered the system. While most were fishing and floating the low flow, I decided to venture out and float from Thermalito to Gridley and had some epic days chasing steelhead in the high flow. The egg bite wasnt great this year due to the lack of salmon and that was across all the rivers in Nor Cal but that didnt stop those fish eating all types of bugs including eggs. This fishery continues to pump out some fish and will continue to be fair to good well into spring. Of course with this rain its only going to bring in more fish and that means big winter steelhead on the move. Dont think the Feather stops fishing after the salmon are done spawning, some of the biggest fish are caught between Thanksgiving and Valentines day. I love this time of year as the fish will take all types of flies including swung ones. If you are looking to fish for chrome close to home look no further than the Feather and book now while prime dates remain. If spring is your thing, it is the second busiest time of year for me and I highly recommend booking well in advance for March April May and even June on the Feather.
Nymphs: Princes, beatis, worms, caddis, eggs (dead)
Swinging: anything soft hackle, hobo spey, alevins
Trinity
Fishing - Fair to good
Clarity - Clear
Flows - Lewiston 300, Douglas City 400, Junction City 600, Del Loma 700
The more I guide/fish it, the more I love this place. The environment, nature, the beauty of the river, the sounds, the smells and of course the fish, how can you not love this place. I am currently up here now and the fishing is fair to good, some days good, some days a bit slower, but all in all, its steelhead fishing at its finest. This year I have been doing a lot of hopping around, trying to stay on the fish and away from the marathon boat hatch, and for the most part its been exciting, some days working a bit harder for our fish, other days not so much. I have also
Nymphs: Rubberlegs, copper johns, psycho princes, PTs, eggs, stones
Swinging: hobo speys, Andersons Euphoria, Thalkens Tiny Dancer, Hitzeburgs, Mr Pimps, Bread Crumbs,
American
Fishing - Fair and improving fast
Clarity - Clear
Flows - 2k
Up until a few weeks ago it was all about the traditional feisty half pounders with an occasional adult. But with the recent rains, and lot has changed, we are starting to see those larger winter fish that the American is well known for. While the upper river is closed, that doesnt mean you have to wait till Jan 1st to fish it, there is some sweet water below the power lines, and when you hook something down there, you found out how bad these fish really are. Between the great swing and nymph water around every corner, its hard to say no. Of course with the opener (Jan 1st) just around the corner, you know what that means, everyone up top hammering the top 2 miles of the river. So if you really want to have some fun, fish below Sunrise and be ready. The American will fish fair to good from now till sometimes May depending on flows, fish and river clarity. We have much for fishable water last season as it was 8k and brown, but this season is looking pretty good as of right now. If you want to have the opportunity at a 10-15lb steelhead and dont want to travel far look no further than the American River in the heart of Sacramento from now till late Feb, these winter fish are big and full of fight. I would recommend booking early if you are looking to get out.
Nymphs: Princes, caddis, mays, copper johns, eggs, pts, worms
Swinging: hobo speys, Andersons Euphoria, Thalkens Tiny Dancer
Yuba
Fishing - Fair to good
Clarity - Clear
Flows - 1050cfs
Well I would love to say that it was a stellar fall season on the Yuba, but it wasnt. The fishing was fair, some days good, but the lack of salmon was a real shocker, it seems as though the numbers get less and less every year. There was a small egg bite but nothing to write home about. Currently the fishing is ok, again nothing great, but you can definitely get out and stick some fishing. Most fish are 8-12", but we have seen a few fish in the 14-16" range as well. Its going to be interesting to see what happens to the Yuba over the next few months and even years. Nymphing has been the main producer of fish, however we have been getting a good number of fish swinging as well as throwing dries. Hopefully we start seeing some good numbers of salmon returning, those Yuba trout definitely need those eggs to fatten up for the winter season. As January comes upon us, the skwala stones will start coming out and you know those trouts go nuts for stonefly butts, thats dry fly time. After that you have the March browns followed up by the April caddis. The Yuba can have some epic dry fly fishing from Jan to April, and we are definitely looking forward to that.
Nymphs: Rubberlegs, caddis, mays, beatis, small copper johns, worms, eggs
Swinging: olive woolly buggers, tan soft hackles, alevins
Lower Sac
Fishing - Fair to good
Clarity - Steelhead green
Flows - 5k
The lack of salmon definitely hurt the fishing, and being that the flows were at 8k well into Nov, fishing it was a bit more difficult that usual. Finding to feisty Lower Sac bows was a bit frustrating at times, but once you found them and figured out what they wanted the fishing was pretty darn good. Now that the flows are finally back down to normal fall flows the fishing has really heated up. The fishing will continue well into winter and early spring. Definitely a fishery we are happy to have back to normal.
Nymphs: Rubberlegs, caddis, mays, typicaly Lower Sac bugs
There you have it folks, as you know the rain makes the fish get grabby, if you are looking to get out now is the time. I hope you enjoy the report, and look forward to seeing you on the water soon.
My Local Availability:
Nov 26, 28, 29
Dec 1,3,9,10,12,26,27,28,29
Jan 7,8,9,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,
Please contact me for available dates after January. Also other dates available upon request
My Trinity Availability:
Nov 16
Dec 14,15,16,17,18,22
Jan 14,15,16,17,18,19
Please contact me for available dates after January, Also other dates available upon request
Special Treat
As you all may know, I like to give back to all my clients that continue to book trips and support Nor Cal Fly Guides. Without you I would not be able to enjoy the job that I have, which is guiding each and every one of you on some of the finest rivers and streams in Northern California. So with the high interested in the past years for gift certificates as Christmas presents, I would like to offer a gift to all my clients/their families for supporting NCFG though the years for Christmas. Forward this email over to your loved ones and let them know that you would like to take advantage of this awesome gift. Have them email or call me, and Ill make sure to take care of them, so they can take care of you. After all is said and done, hopefully you get a full day guided trip for Christmas in your stocking. Either way, whether you buy one for yourself or they buy one for you, this is me saying thank you for always showing me the support over the years.
The Details:
Full Day Trips only
$50 discount on gift certificates only
Normally $450, $400 for gift certificates for a limited time
Limited to one gift certificate per angler
Available for purchase from Nov 22nd to Dec 22nd
This is good on all rivers Nor Cal Fly Guides guide
Price does not include 3rd party shuttle or gratuity
If you have any questions please feel free to ask
The bit more info:
Starting Jan 2018, my rates for the Lower Sac and Trinity Rivers will increase from $450 to $500 per day per boat. However, this price increase will include a third party shuttle, which means no longer having to run our own, putting the boat on the water and go. If needed we can place the clients vehicle mid drift, if we come across fish and dont want to float all the way down to the original take out location. All in all, this will make floating/fishing the Lower Sac and Trinity a much easier process on you as well as myself. I can pick you up at your hotel, meet at a general location, meet at the take out location or anything along those lines. Again just a smoother process for everyone. This rate increase still includes lunch, drinks, snacks, rods, reels, lines and all other equipment needed for the days trip. It does not include waders, boots, jacket or licenses.
If you are looking to book the Trinity in 2018 and want to take advantage of the $450 rate, please book between now and Jan 1st. The $450 rate does not include the 3rd party shuttle.
Once again I hope you enjoyed the fishing report. I look forward to seeing you on the water soon.
Thank you again for supporting Nor Cal Fly Guides as your local fly fishing guide service, and making it a huge success.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER
KEEP THOSE LINES TIGHT
KEEP THOSE LINES TIGHT
Brian Clemens
NOR CAL FLY GUIDES
530-354-3740
WWW.NORCALFLYGUIDES.COM
Check us out on Facebook
530-354-3740
WWW.NORCALFLYGUIDES.COM
Check us out on Facebook
*Due to the high volume of bookings, Nor Cal Fly Guides is unable to hold a date(s) for more than 24hrs unless a specific agreement is made. All bookings are done on a first come first serve basis.*