Fishing Report Late Spring 2024

I would like to welcome all the new subscribers and say thank you to everyone who has subscribed to our monthly newsletter/fishing report. Springtime finally showed up in a big way! We have had some epic hatches here in the North State. However, with spring comes snow melt. Last week the flows on every tailwater here in Northern California jumped quite a bit. The Lower Yuba River, The Lower Feather River, The Lower Sacramento River, and Trinity River all had a significant amount of water being released due to "Pulse" Flows. Pulse flows are used to mimic normal springtime runoff from snow melt. The pulse flows also help juvenile Salmon and Steelhead make their way downstream towards the ocean. The flows on the Lower Feather River and the Lower Sacramento River have come back down and fishing there has been great. Flows on the Lower Yuba River remain high, so be careful walking and wading if you head there. We currently have lots of fishing options on the table. Please take a look and reach out if anything interests you.

Lake Almanor / Eagle Lake:

Eagle Lake: Opens May 25th

Lake Almanor:
Rating: ON FIRE
Level: 4490 ft.
Water Temps: 53° F
Water Clarity: 6ft. - 8ft.

Fishing Report: The Chironomid hatch has been Amazing this year. Lots of eager rainbows and browns feeding heavily on midge right now! This is one you do not want to miss. Most of our action has been under the indicator. However, we have managed some smallies and browns on intermediate lines. This last cold snap slowed the fish down a little, but there are still some cooperative fish to be had. Now is the time to come up and fish. Make sure you layer up warm in the morning and scale down for a warmer afternoon. Also, the Hex Hatch is a little over a month away. We are expecting a good hatch this year. Do not wait to book your Hex trip, spots are filling quickly, and you might miss out if you delay.

Nymphs: Midge patterns, Balanced Leech
Streamers: Hex nymphs, pond smelt, Balanced leeches
Dries: Spotlight Caddis emerger

Guide Tip: Check the weather before you head up, the cold snaps will slow the bite a little bit.

Open Dates: Booking Chironomid hatch in May and the Hex Hatch in June. I have a handful of Hex Hatch dates left. Call or email for availability

Feather River:

Rating: Red Hot
Flows: Low-flow 695 cfs High-Flow 3,344 cfs Total = 4,039 cfs
Water Temps: 58° F
Water Clarity: 6ft

Fishing Report: Steelhead fishing on the Feather River remains HOT!!!! Lots of big fish have been tangled with in the last two weeks. We have seen good caddis hatches and there are a lot of steelhead fry in the system. Indicator, Tight line, and swinging have all produced quality fish. As juvenile fish moved downstream, with the pulse flows in the high flow, more adult fish moved upstream. We have a lot of fresh fish in the system in both the High and the Low flow sections. Even at 7,000 CFS in the high flow, we still caught a lot of fresh springers from the boat. The low flow is fishing great and has remained consistent at 690 CFS.

Nymphs: Caddis, Yellow Sallys, Micro spawn, San Juan worms
Streamers: Alvin, Olive leech
Dries: Caddis, PMD

Guide Tip: Double check for pulse flows, before you head up. You do not want to get caught in an unexpected rise on the river.

Open Dates: I still have a few Tailwater dates available before I completely transition to Almanor. Call or email for availability.

Lower Sacramento River:

Rating: Good in between pulses
Flows: 6,630 cfs
Water Temps: 58° F
Water Clarity: 6 - 8 ft.

Fishing Report: Flows have been up and down the past week. When the flows jump up it takes the fish a few days to settle and relocate to more desirable water. Despite the pulse flows, the Lower Sacramento River remains a consistent fishery. Keep in mind when the flows bump up, it knocks a lot of bugs off rocks into the system. Think mostly indicator tactics with big stoneflies. As the flows drop look for the trout to resume their normal holding and feeding patterns. Also, aside from Lake Almanor, the Lower Sacramento River remains the most consistent fishery throughout the summer months.

Nymphs: Micro spawn, Stones, PMD, Caddis, Midge
Streamers: Leech, Wiggle tails
Dries: Caddis, PMD

Guide Tip: Posse grounds to HWY 44 is closed until August 1st.

Open Dates: Hand full of dates available - call or email.