Welcome new subscribers. Things have been busy here in Northern California, between fly fishing and giving presentations. We have had a nice break from the rain for the last several weeks. However, that will change over this weekend. Forecasts are predicting 8 to 10 inches of rain over the next week. They have already jumped the flows on the Lower Yuba River and the Lower Feather River. Use caution if you are planning to head out this next week, or tie some flies, wait for the trout to acclimate. Wait for water clarity to improve as flows to settle down after this next week. I will be focusing on my Fly Fishing Club presentations and tying flies this week.
LOWER YUBA RIVER:
Rating: Hwy 20 to Daguerre Dam - Fair Daguerre Dam to Marysville - No report Flows: 3,789 CFS Water Temps: 48°F Water Clarity: 5 - 6 ft
Fishing Report:
Hwy 20 bridge to Daguerre Dam Point: The Skwala hatch was starting up just before this last cold snap. Since then, the fishing has slowed down a little. Fish started focusing more on BWO's, eggs and midges. With a good amount of rain in the forecast, the flows on the Yuba jumped up to 3,000 CFS yesterday. Wading will be difficult at these flows, with the slippery bottom, be careful out there. It is going to be a week or more before the Lower Yuba River comes back into shape and the Skwala really start to pop. I will be focusing on my Fly-Fishing Club presentations and tying flies this week.
Daguerre Dam Point to Marysville: I have not ventured below Daguerre for quite some time. The upper section has been producing good. Don't leave fish to find fish!
Guide Tip: With sedimentation coming out of Deer Creek, and Englebright use larger darker flies for a while, at least until the water clears up.
Clinics: Skwala Clinic: February 15 - open to 6 anglers Micro Spey: With Brian Clemens - March 23 - open to 10 anglers Spring Clinic: March 29 - open to 6 anglers
Open Dates: Booking through April. Call or Email for availability.
FEATHER RIVER:
Rating: Fair Flows: Low-flow = 677 cfs High-Flow = 5,000 cfs Total Flow = 5,677 cfs Water Temps: 50°F Water Clarity: 3 - 4 FT
Fishing Report: Flows have been down on the on the Lower Feather River since before the New Year. We have been working hard to get 3/4 Steelhead a day to the net. Caddis and Alvins have produced the best nymphing. Alevin and Hale Bopp have produced best on the swing. Rumor has it that there are a lot of Steelhead stuck below Gridley, waiting for the flows to increase. That increase happened today, the river jumped almost 4,000 CFS. This will bring a lot of fresh Steelhead upstream. With the heavy rains predicted for this next week, there will be a lot of sedimentation runoff from the Thompson fire burn scar. I would wait about a week and a half for the water to clear and be fishable again
Guide Tip: Keep a close eye on the flows this next week I suspect they will rise, in both the low flow and high flow, with the incoming rain. Might be a good idea to wait these storms out.
Clinics: Spring Clinic: April 5 - open to 6 Anglers Spey Clinic: with Brian Clemens - April 12 - open to 10 anglers
Open Dates: Booking through April. Call or Email for availability.
LAKE ALMANOR / EAGLE LAKE:
LAKE ALMANOR:
Rating: Fair Lake Level: 4485 ft Water Temps: 38°F Water Clarity: 6 - 8 ft
Fishing Report: Big Springs, the A-Frame, and Geritol Cove areas have been the most consistent producing areas. However, fishing has still been hit and miss. With lows in the single digits, the fish are slow until the sun has been on the water for a while. Balanced Leeches and slowly retrieved intermediate lines have been the most productive. Some fly fishers are doing well closer to shore. Canyon dam is still the only public launch open.
Guide Tip: Dress for the cold. Bring gloves and hand warmers.
Clinics: June 16/17 - 2-day Hex clinic. Open to 10 Anglers
Open Dates: Now Booking for Spring and Summer. Call or Email for availability.
EAGLE LAKE:
Rating: N/A Lake Level: 5087ft Water Temps: 30°F Water Clarity: 4 - 6ft
Fishing Report: No report roads are too Icey to tow the boat. Eagle Lake will close at the end of February.
Nymphs: Streamers: Dries:
Guide Tip:
Open Dates: Call or Email for availability.
LOWER SACRAMENTO RIVER:
Rating:Fair Flows: 4,630 cfs Water Temps: 53°F Water Clarity: 4 - 6 FT
Fishing Report: Riverflow started dropping back into fishable about a week and a half ago. Nymphing with an Indicator has been the most productive. Unfortunately, we have a week of rain (8 to 10 inches) in our forecast, so I expect the flows to bump up. This is the time of year where a mixture of nymph’s work, Caddis, Baetis, Midge, Stones, PMD's. But do not be afraid to throw some Sculpin or Hale Bopp patterns. The best section has been Anderson to Balls Ferry.
