Hello Everyone
Finally the weather is looking up after the crazy Miracle March we experienced, but now with this steady weather we are having the fishing has really picked up for the better. Rivers are clearing up, fish are showing up and there have been many bent rods in the air to boot. Now's the time to get out and enjoy the fishing in Nor Cal.
Before I get to the report, there are a few new additions to the Nor Cal Fly Guides services that I will be providing this year and years to come. Some of you know some of you don't, so here we go. Starting July 15th I will be offering Salmon trips on the Feather for catch and keep, it wont be your normal charter trip that you see out there, still the same trips as I am doing now, but on these trips you will be able to keep the fish. Starting this Shad season I will be targeting them on different rivers, not just the American. The will include the well known Yuba River, Feather River and Lower Sac. Shad season is just around the corner, so book those trips ASAP. Lastly I will be adding/covering several new bodies of water this year which will include and not limited to, the Sac below Red Bluff, all of the American, Yuba and Feather Rivers as well as Local Lakes and a few other unnamed fisheries. You may be thinking how will I go about doing this, well it has finally happened after many years of talking about it, a new boat. On Jan 31st 2018 I purchased 18'x54" Power Drifter from Chandler Custom Fab called the Super Drifter with a 90/60 Evinrude Etec Jet. Still some things to add to it, but it is one sweet ride. With plenty or room to spare, it will fit spey rods with ease and multiple anglers for group trips. This will be my go to boat for Striper, Shad, Swing and Lake trips, trips where rowing wont be the main way of travel. As far as the bodies of water More info coming soon.
Here is your Spring Fishing Report with a bit more info about the above mentioned
Feather:
Low Flow 800cfs
High Flow 3000cfs
Clarity Low Flow 4-5ft milky green
High Flow Steelhead Green PERFECT
Fishing Good to Great
As always I have been spending a good amount of time on the Feather and for good reason, SPRING RUN STEELHEAD. The fishing on the Feather was a bit slow the start of the season but with the last huge rain fall in March, and now the higher releases in the high flow, those steelhead are in and on the grab. We are seeing good numbers of fish from 16-20" with multiple fish a day that are 20"+. While nymphing is always the better producer of numbers, dont think swinging wont get you into fish. Its the complete opposite, swinging has been producing quite well. With great steady weather to come this will be my go to river for the next few months, pretty much well into Salmon season starting July 15th.
Dates in April are very limited May and June are a bit more open.
Nymphs Princes, Caddis, Worms, Sucker Spawns, Mays, CJs, PTS
Swinging Andersons Euphoria, Thalkins Tiny Dancer, Hobo Speys, Princes
Guides Tip Place to be right now for your steelhead fix
SALMON ON THE FEATHER
Starting this year I will start guiding the Feather River for salmon trips that are for catch and keep. We will be using conventional tackle to hook into these bruisers which on average weight 10-25lbs, with many fish over 25lbs. These trips will be the same as I do now, no charters with 6-10 anglers, the normal 2 anglers and myself, however a 3rd angler can be added as well with an additiional charge. Not something I normally do, but there will be plenty of room for 3 anglers on the new boat. The Salmon season starts July 15th and ends Oct 15th, personally July to the end of Sept are the best months to get these fish for eating. If you are interested book you Salmon Trip now while dates are still open.
Lower Sac
Flows 3000cfs, super low, but extremely fishable
Clarity Typically Lower Sac Green Ideal
Fishing ON FIRE
ON FIRE, need I say more. The Lower Sac is firing on all cylinders and if you are not up there fishing you are truly missing out. Fish of 16-20" is the norm and is pretty much an all day thing, and some bruisers are always cruising and could be the next drift. Bring you A game and a strong hook set and be ready for a day of a lifetime. The river above 299 is now closed so please be aware, but don't fear, still plenty of fish from the bridge down to go around. NOW'S THE TIME
Nymphs Sucker Spawns, Rubberlegs, Mays, Caddis, Red headed Step Childs
Guides tip Dont miss out on the great fishing while the temps are perfect.
Yuba
Flows 4700cfs
Clarity Milky Green
Fishing Fair to good
The Yuba was PRIME TIME up until the river blew out. Right now Englebright is still cresting and will continue to for a while, with that flows are at 4700 and slowly dropping. At these flows, wading is not recommended, but if you are careful it can be done, PLEASE Wade Carefully. Personally at these flows its all about a boat to float. Despite the flows, fishing under an indicator will get you into a good number of fish. Stick to the edges and hold on. As these flows come down the fishing will only get better, the caddis should be popping of any day now and if the fish attack the caddis like they did the skwalas its going to be some epic dry fly fishing.
Nymphs Sucker Spawns, Rubberlegs, Caddis, Worms
Guides Tip give it another week or two for the flows to come down and give it a shot
SHAD ON THE YUBA
Ill be guiding for shad on the Yuba this year, and with the water we are having right now, its going to be another epic year on the Yuba. Swinging up 30-60 fish in a trip is not uncommon and the cool part is if you get tired of the shad you have stripers and trout to hunt down as well. We will start targeting the Shad the minute they come in to the last second that they leave, and this typically starts in early May, May 20th seems to be the start of the Shad season. If you are interested in getting out and swinging for the "Poor Mans Tarpon", give me a call, shoot me an email and book your trip. Again this will be your typically trip up to two anglers, however a third angler can be added at an addinonal charge. These trips will also take place in the new boat. There is no boat access to the Yuba River to fish for these shad unless you have a drift boat, join me on a fun boat ride and hook a ton of fish while doing it.
American
Flow 8000cfs
Clarity Milky Green
Fishing Fair
Well if you fished at all this year on the American besides the opener then you know it was a pretty crappy season. Between the lack of fish and the Sea Lions, it was just a tough year for the fish. However, I will say we are seeing a few bluebacks in the river, but with 8kcfs coming down, they are very very tough to fine, better to fish the feather for steelhead right now, no crowds on the American though, hahaha. The good news is Stripers, we are only a week or 2 away from being able to get on the water and target them. With these flows it will bring them in quick and thick and Im really looking forward to stripers on the American this year. Look for end of April to mid June to be prime time. Book your striper trip now while dates remain and before the shad show up.
Putah Creek
Flow 200cfs
Clarity Putah Creek
Fishing Good to Great
Another fishery that is fishing extremely well, but you have to have your A game to get these fish into the net. On average we are seeing 5-8 fish to the net with a few fish hooked in the upper teens and lower 20s on each trip. Getting those bruisers to the net however is a whole other story, with small flies and light tippet it isnt easy, but patience does pay off. If you want to learn how to fish one of the most technical fisheries in California, then come join me on Putah Creek and see what its all about. Want to become a better angler, Putah will put your current skills to the test and will only make you better after every visit.
Nymphs Midges, Caddis, Mays, Birdsnest, PTs
Guides tip fish flies from sz18 to 24s
My Available Dates
April 5,8,9,10,11,13,14,15,23,29
May 1,2,6,8,10,11,12,13,14,18-31
Please contact me for available dates after May
Trinity Dates
We are already booking Trinity dates for the Fall season. If you are interested in booking dates, Id highly recommend booking well in advance
August 31
Sept 1,4,5
Oct 7-14
Nov 4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14
Dec 15-22
More dates available upon request and availability
There you have it folks, your Spring Fishing Report from Nor Cal Fly Guides. The fishing right now is the best we have seen it almost all year and its only going to get better. I will be adding more waters to fish this year as well as species. If you are looking for something new, I will have a few tricks up my sleeve. Im definitely looking forward to taking you fishing for Salmon on the Feather, Shad on the Yuba and Stripers throughout Nor Cal. Some see whats new with NCFG and lets get bent.
Thank you all for reading the report
And look forward to seeing you soon