This fishing report is a bit overdue, however this was my busiest fall to date, with only 6 days off between Sept 20th and Nov 20th. So I didnt have much time to get a report out to you all, and Im not a big fan of rushing my reports either . So my apologies for not getting one out sooner, but better late than never.
Besides being the busiest fall to date, it was one of the better fishing seasons in the past few years as well, I hope you all were able to get out and enjoy the great fishing conditions. The water was higher than normal, colder than normal and the fish down right loved it. If you missed out this year with booking your trip with me, I highly recommend booking your fall trip now, dates are already filling up.
Now that we are finally getting some well needed rain, the fishing is really starting to heat up and our winter season is just starting. If you are looking to chase some big winter chrome now's the time to either get on the water and hammerdown or booking your trip while some prime dates remain.
TRINITY
The Trinity for quite some time was the place to be, up until early Nov, then we started seeing extremely cold temps, and with already low and clear water conditions and no rain, those water temps dropped to a bone chilling 38 degs, OUCH. But those willing to put in the time were rewarded on several trips, and as I always say "be the report dont believe the report." Now that we have rain, its brought new life to the Trinity and it is the HOT SPOT right now and if you want big winter chrome this will be the place to be for the next few months. Of course nymphing will get you on the numbers that most are looking for, however, swinging will produce some great fish this time of year and give you a new experience and view to steelhead fishing. If you want to try something new, give swinging a try. Dont forget about Feb and March when we are targeting these steelfaces with dry flies, swinging and nymphing too. Its Prime Time right now, dont miss out, prime dates are still available in Dec, Jan, Feb and March.
Nymphs: Stone, psycho princes, copper johns, worms, eggs, pts
Swinging: Hobo Speys, Andersons Euphoria, Bread Crust, Pimps, Rocks
As always this river never disappoints with quality and quantity. We had an epic early spawn season boosting some big numbers of fish, hooking 20-30 in a day. Current river conditions are good, 1800cfs, slight green hue to it, and there are some fresh winter fish in the system. We are still seeing some salmon spawning, but mostly in the Low Flow, were as the high flow is all about done. Fish are spread throughout, there are a few fish still eating eggs, but they are starting to go back to the usual Feather River flies. Swinging has been producing well lately and will continue as fresh winter fish show their faces. Those salmon eggs are about to pop, and swinging alevins is one I highly recommend. Jan and Feb are great for this tactic, and a great time to get into swinging. This will be one of my go to rivers for the next few months, but it doesnt stop there, with spring just around the corner it wont slow down. Lets try something new and swing up some chrome this year. As always if you are looking to book during the busy season Spring and Fall, I highly recommend booking well in advance.
FEATHER
As always this river never disappoints with quality and quantity. We had an epic early spawn season boosting some big numbers of fish, hooking 20-30 in a day. Current river conditions are good, 1800cfs, slight green hue to it, and there are some fresh winter fish in the system. We are still seeing some salmon spawning, but mostly in the Low Flow, were as the high flow is all about done. Fish are spread throughout, there are a few fish still eating eggs, but they are starting to go back to the usual Feather River flies. Swinging has been producing well lately and will continue as fresh winter fish show their faces. Those salmon eggs are about to pop, and swinging alevins is one I highly recommend. Jan and Feb are great for this tactic, and a great time to get into swinging. This will be one of my go to rivers for the next few months, but it doesnt stop there, with spring just around the corner it wont slow down. Lets try something new and swing up some chrome this year. As always if you are looking to book during the busy season Spring and Fall, I highly recommend booking well in advance.
Nymphs: eggs, caddis, copper johns, pts, princes, worms
Swinging: hobo speys, Andersons Euphoria, worms, sculpins, alevins
LOWER SAC
From what I have seen and heard, since I havent needed to fish it at all this fall, it has been fishing extremely well with plenty of big fish to go around. With flows at 4k, its fishing just like the Lower Sac is known for and will continue to be good for the next few months. Currently booking Spring trips as I type with several dates on the books already. Looking to fish on one of the best trout fisheries on the West Coast, look no further than the Lower Sac, especially in the Spring.
Nymphs: Stones, mays, caddis, dark lords
AMERICAN
AMERICAN
This river has been quite a little jem this year with plenty of days yielding good to great numbers of steelhead on the swing. The fishing on the AR from Late August to Late October was something to remember as it hasnt been that good in several years. Recent rains have brought in big fresh winter fish and we are hooking them, landing them has been a bit more difficult. This time of year with weather and river conditions you can do better covering more water and swinging vs nymphing. These fish are on the move and are very eager to take a swung fly, so why not give them what they want. The conditions on the AR are ideal right now, get out and get some. Booking steelhead trips on the Ar for Jan Feb and March.
Nymphs: eggs, caddis, worms, pysco princes, trinity stones, copper johns
Swinging: hobo speys, pick-yr-pockets, Andersons Euphoria
YUBA
Despite the high water last year and this year, the Newba has fared very well, and has been pumping some good
numbers of fish. With a decent salmon spawn this year, the egg bite was pretty good, definitely one that you could write home about. Now that the spawn is over, the trout are now back into their normal feeding habits and eating the usual bugs. Dont forget Dec 1st is the opener above the bridge, and those looking for an adventure, hike up a few miles and hammerdown. The winter months on the Yuba can be Epic, and with the skwala hatch just around the corner I hope you are all ready for some Yuba bows on dries. Swinging can also produce a good number of fish this time of year, its not a numbers game, but bring you fav trout spey and swing away, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Nymphs: Stones (skwalas soon), caddis, Mays
Swinging: Olive woolybuggers, Alevins, sculpins, stones
PUTAH
UNSPOKEN CLOSURE
Spawn is in full swing, please stay off the creek and fish other waters. Plenty of other waters to fish.
One more thing to add folks, the salmon are mostly done spawning, but that doesnt mean you can wade where ever you want. It takes 51 days for those eggs to hatch, and if you are out there wade fishing and walking all over the redds, you are crushing naturally spawned eggs. So please wade wisely and carefully. A few more fish are not worth crushing hundreds of salmon eggs. Dont be that angler
My Available Local Water Dates
Jan 15,16,17,18,19,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31
Feb 1-11,13,27,28
Please contact me for more available dates after Feb
My Available Trinity and Lower Sac Dates
Dec 16,21,30,31
Jan 1,2,3,4,6,7
Feb 18,19,20,21,24,25
March 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13
More dates available upon request
If you missed out on booking a trip with me this fall, please book with me ASAP for fall 2019, same goes for spring 2019. We are also starting to book dates for Shad on the Yuba starting May 1st, with my jet boat, all walk and wade fishing with single or 2 handed rods and swinging. A bonus that time of year is the striper fishing which can be really good. As always booking your trips well in advance with Nor Cal Fly Guides is highly recommended.
I hope to see you on the river soon,
Until then Happy Holidays
and
Solid Grabs
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