2024/2025 Winter Report and Preview

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. It has been a busy and productive Fall Season. The Atmospheric River, plus the bomb cyclone, brought some much-needed rain and snow to the Northstate and water levels rose significantly. Lake Oroville rose 18 ft. in 72 hours. Most Valley rivers have low visibility right now but look for that to change towards the end of this week. With the amount of rain we received, we should see a fresh push of steelhead, in all our valley tailwaters. If you venture into the mountains for some Stillwater action, watch for snow and ice (especially on the boat ramps). Christmas is right around the corner; I will have gift certificates available to help with those holiday gift ideas.

LOWER YUBA RIVER:

Rating: Hwy 20 to Daguerre Dam - Great   Daguerre Dam to Marysville - no report
Flows:   850 CFS
Water Temps:  53°F
Water Clarity: 4 - 5 ft

Fishing Report:

Hwy 20 bridge to Daguerre Dam Point: This section of the river continues to fish great. Salmon were late to spawn this year, so the egg drop was delayed. Fish are currently seeking eggs, Baetis, and Caddis. I love this river because even in the late Fall and winter months fish are still eager to eat dries. Dry fly activity has been most productive towards the afternoon, with caddis and Baetis being the most productive. Swinging has also been a good producer for larger fish. On December 1st above Highway 20 bridge opened up. With the late salmon spawn, I am anticipating the Alvin bite to be later in the new year (end of January into February). I'm also optimistic for a good Skwala hatch with clearer waters this year!

Daguerre Dam Point to Marysville: I have not ventured below Daguerre for quite some time. The upper section has been producing exceptionally well. It is the golden rule - Don't leave fish to find fish!

Nymphs: #14 Caddis, #18 Baetis, #6/8 Stone, 8mm Eggs
Streamers: #10 Hale Bopp, #8 Egg Sucking Leech
Dries: #16 BWO, #14 Caddis, #16 PMD

Guide Tip: Take caution while wading. There are a lot of salmon redds around. I have seen many anglers standing on redds in recent days.

Clinics: I am currently working on a Skwala Clinic in Jan/Feb, and an Early Spring Clinic. Also, I will be doing a Trout Spey Clinic with Brian Clemens on March 23, 2025.

Open Dates: Booking through March. Call or Email for availability.

LAKE ALMANOR / EAGLE LAKE:

LAKE ALMANOR:

Rating: Fair
Lake Level: 4484 ft
Water Temps: 44°F
Water Clarity: 6 - 8 ft

Fishing Report: Fishing around the lake has been hit and miss. Big Springs and the Branch have been the most consistent producing areas. Balanced leeches and intermediate tactics have been working best. As the water cools the fish get lethargic and do not chase as much, so super slow retrieves on the intermediate set up. This is the time of year I start heading over to Eagle Lake.

Nymphs: #12 Midges
Streamers: #6/8 Balanced Leech - Daphnia
Dries: N/A

Guide Tip: Canyon dam is the only public launch with a dock still in the water. Be careful this time of year, as launches get icy.

Clinics: I am planning one, two day clinic for Lake Almanor this year

Open Dates: Now Booking for Spring and Summer. Call or Email for availability.

EAGLE LAKE:

Rating: Fair
Lake Level: 5087ft
Water Temps: 40°F
Water Clarity: 4 - 6ft

Fishing Report: Eagle Lake was fishing fair prior to the storms. With the series of storms that came through, I don't see much of an improvement for a few weeks. Balanced leeches in my favorite color (orange) were the top producers, with an occasional blood midge eat here and there. Wiggle tails and scuds, with an intermediate line slow stripped also produced a few fish. Double check your road conditions before heading up. With snow and ice on the roads and ramps, getting down the back side of the mountain, on Eagle Lake rd. (A1), can be a dicey affair especially if hauling a boat.

Nymphs: #10 wiggle tails, #12/14 Scud, #10 Blood midge
Streamers: #8 trolling fly, #10 wiggle tail, #8/10 Balanced leech
Dries: #10 Floating Leech

Guide Tip: With the onset of snow and colder temperatures, be careful on the boat ramps. The ramp is steep and ices over quickly in the wintertime.

Open Dates: Now Booking through January. Call or Email for availability.

FEATHER RIVER:

Rating: Fair - Good
Flows: Low-flow 795 cfs High-Flow 953 cfs Total = 1,748 cfs
Water Temps: 52°F
Water Clarity: 4 - 5 FT

Fishing Report: Eggs, Baetis, and caddis remain the flies of choice, even though fishing has been all over the board on the Feather. Some days it has been lights out, other days we have been working hard to get fish to the net. The rain from the past several storms will definitely bring fresh steelhead into the system. So, look for the fishing to progressively get better as the water clears. Just like the Yuba the Salmon were a late spawn here as well. The Alvin bite will be a little later than usual, I am estimating the end of January, it will be in "full swing".

Nymphs: #14 Caddis, #16/18 Baetis, #16 PMD, 8mm Eggs
Streamers: #6 sculpin, #10 Hale Bopp, #8 egg sucking leech
Dries: #12 Caddis, #14 PMD, #18 BWO

Guide Tip: The Feather is one of the few rivers that had salmon show up to spawn. Please do not trample the redds, we need these fish for the system to thrive.

Clinics: Dates are T.B.D. one will be in January, and one will be in March/April. Also, I will be doing a Spey Clinic with Brian Clemens on April 12, 2025.

Open Dates: Booking through March. Call or Email for availability.

LOWER SACRAMENTO RIVER:

Rating: Good
Flows: 4,030 cfs
Water Temps: 52°F
Water Clarity: 4 - 6 FT

Fishing Report: Unfortunately, very few salmon showed up, in the upper stretches of the river, so the egg drop never quite developed. It is not all sad news though there are fish around actively seeking insects, instead of round protein pellets, as they fatten up for winter. BWO's has been the main staple in the morning, with these cloudy days. With attention, turning to the caddis in the afternoon hours. Also do not forget the stone, trout are looking for a big bang for their effort, they will not hesitate to pounce on a stonefly. The Lower Sacramento River is my most consistent producing river throughout the year.

Nymphs: #12/14 Caddis, #6/8 Stoneflies, #16/18 Baetis, #16 PMD
Streamers: #6 Sculpin
Dries: #12 Caddis, #16 BWO

Guide Tip: Be prepared for all types of weather this time of year. Bring waders, boots, and a waterproof Jacket.

Open Dates: Booking now through January. Call or Email for availability.

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