California Fly Fishing

The variety of fly fishing in California is as large as the state itself. Northern California is full rivers that provide fly fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, and stripers. Many lakes provide stillwater fly fishing opportunities in the northern and southern regions. Saltwater fly fishing is also popular in many california coastal regions as well.

• Carson River East Fork Fly Fishing In California
• Fall River Fly Fishing
• Fishing Alpine Lakes in the Trinity Mountains
• Fishing California’s Largest Spring Creek: The Fall River
• Fishing for Sacramento River Rainbows
• Hat Creek Fly Fishing In California
• High Lakes Fly Fishing (Stanislaus)
• Klamath River Spring Trout Fishing
• Klamath River Steelhead Non-Stop Action!
• Lake McCloud Salmon Fly Hatch
• Lower American River Fly Fishing
• McCloud River Fly Fishing In California
• Merced River Fly Fishing In California
• Pit River Fly Fishing In California
• Sacramento River (Lower) Fly Fishing
• Sacramento River (Upper) Fly Fishing
• San Diego Sand Bass
• Shad Fishing on California’s Lower Sacramento River
• Siletz River Steelheading
• Smith River Fly Fishing
• Truckee River Fly Fishing
• Upper Twin lake Brown Trout Fishing

Hat Creek

Hat Creek Wild Trout Section

This is a three and one half mile section of beautiful classic dry fly water restricted to catch and release fishing with flies or lures with barbless hooks. The flow is regulated by the powerhouse and stays consistant throughout the season. Spring runoff does not affect it. It is always fishable, when other waters are blown due to high water at the beginning of the season.

More info on Fishing Hat Creek

The wild trout section starts at Hat Powerhouse #2, and ends at lake Britton. There is a fish barrior that prevents the squaw fish and other warm water species from entering Hat Creek. The water from the Highway 299 bridge, downstream to the fish barrier is referred to as the lower section. Most of this water is riffles. Most of it is wadeable.co

There are good caddis, green drake, and Salmon Fly hatches in this section of the creek. We start looking for these hatches to start around the 2nd. week of May.

Most of Hat Creek, upstream from the highway 299 bridge, is smooth, flat water with abundant weed growth and predictable hatches. It is challenging water because the fish are very selective and leader shy. It can be crowded in early season. Crowds thin down in summer. It is very easy access, and plenty of casting space from the banks. Wading is difficult in most of the flat water due to depth of water.

The best hatches are in May, June, and July. The biggest people hatches are in the same months. Spinnerfalls of Trico and rustys provide good dry fly action from May through the end of season. If you enjoy dry fly fishing to risiconneng fish, test your skills on the flat water of Hat Creek. We love casting to those rising fish, and this is the place for it. Catching depends on your skill level and ability to make your fly drift naturally into the fish’s feeding lane.

The most popular spot on Hat Creek is the riffle known as Hat PH2.This riffle continues to produce good nymph and dry fly fishing year after year. The fish are leader shy, but don’t seem to mind wading boots!!! It is easy to wade, and a perfect place to learn nymphing techniques. This riffle provides an abundant food source for the trout. Try it, you’ll love it!

Upper Hat Creek

This section of the Hat is accessed along highway 89 going south from the intersection of 299E and 89 just east of Burney. The stream is stocked. Regular CA. fishing regulations apply here. The water is clear and running fast. There are several campgrounds along the highway. Nymph fishing is the best method in this stretch of Hat.

Cassell

This is a stocked section of Hat Creek/Rising River. There is a P.G.& E. campground there. This is a good spot for beginner fly fisher persons.

Fall River

This a California’s largest spring creek. It is a spectacular fishery, especially when the P.M.D. hatch is going good.There is abundant weed growth, and clear, smooth water. We focus on the section that has public access that is provided by Cal Trout. The hatches are predictable, and pretty much go on all season. Prime months to get the best dry fly action are May, June, July, Oct, and Nov. There is an excellent Hexagenia hatch in the lower section of the river. This hatch usually starts around the third week of June and continues through July, and sometimes into August. In the summer, the evening caddis hatches are good throughout the river. You need a boat, canoe, or pontoon boat to fish this river. No fishing from bank or wading, as it is all private property.

Pit River

This is where you will catch the biggest fish! Access is difficult and wading is slippery, slippery, slippery. The sections we fish are called Pit #3, and Pit #4. Pit #3 starts at the dam at the end of Lake Britton. This is the C&R; section. It goes about seven miles. The section below the Pit #3 powerstation is Pit #4. This section is not C&R.; None of the Pit is stocked, as far as I know. The water is pocket water, riffles, runs, and pools. Nymphing is the most successful method. You can often get a fish to rise to a dry fly, but if you judge your success on fish count, nymphing is best.

Burney Creek

This small stream flows through McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park. It is fast flowing and difficult wading. There are special regulations for the section of the creek from the base of Burney Falls to the mouth at Lake Britton. This section requires barbless hooks, artificial flies, or lures, with a two fish under 14 in.limit. The section above the falls is stocked and regular CA. fishing regulations apply. There is a state campground in the park. It is a beautiful creek, and the falls are spectacular

Manzanita Lake

Manzanita is a catch and release lake in Lassen National Park. There is a $10 fee to enter the park. The fish are usually in the 16in. plus size range. This is a beautiful lake, with Mt. Lassen looming in the background. A good place for family and fishermen alike. No power boats are allowed. The lake is great for float tubes. Manzanita ices over in the winter, and is usually ice free sometime in May.

Baum Lake

This is a stocked lake. Regular CA. fishing regulations apply. No gas motors are allowed. Flyfishing is more productive using a small pram or tube. If you tube Baum, you should have an anchor as there is a current throughout the lake. Baum is open all year, and can provide some good winter fishing. It does not ice over.

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