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.

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.

California Fly Fishing Articles
California Department of Fish Game
www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/
California Department of Water Resources
The California Data Exchange Center
cdec.water.ca.gov/
California Winter Fishing
Winter fishing in California can be an exercise of extremes…
www.flyfisherman.com/south/ffmwinter/index3.html
Wilderness Lakes
Trout Fishing Wilderness Lakes in California
www.tdl.com/~wako/trout.html
Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park
The main activity to be enjoyed at Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park is bank or boat fishing for salmon, steelhead and shad.
www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=463
Big Steelhead Runs Return To Trinity River Hatchery
The Trinity River Fish Hatchery received its largest return ever of steelhead in 2003-2004 – and this is shaping up to be another good season, though not as spectacular as last year.
www.fishsniffer.com/dbacher/050301trinity.html
Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area
This is a web page in the California state portal entitled: Colusa-Sacramento River SRA.
www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=461
Eel river info
Map, photo, and description of the Eel River
www.northcoastweb.com/fishing/Rivers/EEL/index.HTM
Fall River
Northern California
www.troutsource.com/RiversFolder/Fall.htm
Fishing in the Mammoth Lakes Area
The most important game fish in the Inyo-Mono area are trout.
www.395.com/index.shtml?/generalinfo/fishinyo.shtml
Fly Fish Nor Cal
Northern California Fly Fishing
www.flyfishnorcal.org
Hat Creek
Northern California’s Hat is one of the West’s best spring creeks.
www.troutsource.com/RiversFolder/Hat.htm
Hat Creek
Only catch-and-release traditional dry fly fishing is allowed.
espn.go.com/outdoors/flyfishing/s/ff_fea_Becher_hot_creek.html
Hat Creek Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing California
www.troutsource.com/RiversFolder/Hat.htm
North California Council Federation of Fly Fishers
The Northern California Chapter of the Federation of Fly Fishers home. Events for our fly fishing community, conservation news, fishing stories and tips.
www.nccfff.org/
Sacramento River – Best fly water in the North
What’s the best stretch of wild trout water in the state of California?
espn.go.com/outdoors/flyfishing/s/ff_map_CA_Sacramento_River.html
Trout Fishing Eagle Lake California
History and culture of Lassen County, Northern California. Fishing for Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout.
www.psln.com/pete/fishing.htm
Troutsource
Articles on the McCloud, Hat Creek, Fall River, Upper Sacramento, and the Pit River
www.troutsource.com/StatesFolder/CA.htm
Truckee River Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth are well adapted to severe winter temperatures and though they will dine on the Truckee
flyline.com/tips_trivia/truckee_smallmouth
Upper Sacramento River
The Upper Sacramento River is an outstanding river of diverse character. It is densely populated with hard-fighting wild rainbows that average 12″ and range over 20″.
www.troutsource.com/RiversFolder/UpperSac.htm
Upper Sacramento River Fishing Regulations
Local information on Dunsmuir, CA.
www.dunsmuir.com/fishreg.htm
Upper Sacramento River Offers Bounty Of Trout
One of the best bets on the upper Sacramento is the newly opened section of river from the confluence of Soda Creek to the bridge at Sweetbriar.
www.fishsniffer.com/cmyer/051702sactrout.html
Angling Abroad: Tuna fever & Baja by kayak
Yellowfin on the fly is the big draw to the Mexico
espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/s/f_fea_AA_Baja_kayak_fishing_Becher.ht
ml
Inshore angling: Give East Cape by fly a try
The big game can wait, really; cast from the beach for a
sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?page=f_fea_AA_East_Ca
pe_inshore_fly
West Coast Sandy Beaches
Fly-rodding afoot in the surf zones of California, Washington and Oregon.
www.flyfisherman.com/southwest/khsurfintro/index.html


California Fly Fishing Clubs
California Fly Fishers Unlimited
CFFU, Sacramento, CA, has a vast array of activities for every level of fly fisherperson.
www.cffu.org/
Conejo Valley Fly Fishers
The Fly Fishing Club of the Conejo Valley, California. Fishing reports, flies, patterns, hints/tips, membership information, club meetings, weather, and great fly fishing links.
cvff.org/
Delta Fly Fishers
Delta Fly Fishers is a community organization whose members are dedicated to the furtherance of the art of fly fishing.
www.deltaflyfishers.com
Eastern Sierra Fishing
The Eastern Sierra is home to a number of trout species. From the Rainbow to the state fish, the Golden trout, the entire region contains excellent populations of stocked and native fish.
www.easternsierrafishing.com
Downey Fly Fishers
www.downeyflyfishers.org
Wilderness Fly Fishers
Wilderness Fly Fishers was born in 1965 when fly fishers who congregated at Cliff Wyatt
www.wildernessflyfishers.org


California Hatch Charts
Truckee River Hatch Chart
This emergence index is based on 30 years of monitoring Northern Sierra waters.
flyline.com/fishing_report/hatch_chart



California Fly Fishing Maps
Sacramento River map
a nice map from ESPN outdoors
www.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/f_map_bare_CA_Sacramento_River.html


California Fly Fishing Reports
American River reports
www.nccn.net/~anglers/american.htm
California Delta reports
www.californiadelta.org/fishreports.htm
Feather River fishing report
www.nccn.net/~anglers/feather.htm
Fishfirst.com
Northern California Flyfishing Report
www.fishfirst.com
Fishing Report
Reports on Hat Creek, Fall River, Pit River, Burney Creek, Cassel, Baum Lake, and Manzanita lake
www.troutcountry.net/report.php
Fishing Report for the Eastern Sierra
Reports for the Owens, Hot Creek, Pheasant Valley Reservoir, June Lake, Mammoth Lakes, and Crowley Lake
www.thetroutfitter.com/fshreport.html
Fishing Reports
Northern & Central California Lake Reports and maps
www.anglernet.com/web/reports.htm
Fishing Reports by guide Gary Gunsolley
California Fishing Report for: Owens River, Crowley Lake, Hot Creek, San Joaquin River, East Walker River and Pleasant Valley Reservoirby guide Gary Gunsolley
www.cyberangler.com/reports/ca/gunsolley/
No California Reports
Many rivers & what to use
www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/p/p.asp?mlid=6
Tahoe Area Reports
www.renoflyshop.com/fishingreport.html
Truckee Fly Fishing Conditions
California School of Flyfishing conditions and hatches and flies for the Tahoe Truckee area including the Truckee, Little Truckee, Martis, and Lake Tahoe.
www.flyline.com/s_fish.htm
Truckee Reports
Current Conditions for the Truckee River
flyline.com/fishing_report/current_conditions
Truckee River flows
www.nccn.net/~anglers/truckee.htm
Yuba River
www.nccn.net/~anglers/yuba.htm
Santa Barbara Flyfishers reports
www.sbflyfishers.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl


California Fly Fishing Forums

Western Sport Shop Shop
Cali Forum/Reports
www.westernsportshop.com/fishreport
San Jose FlyShop
www.sjflyshop.com/disc89_toc.htm
FlyFishNorCal
www.flyfishnorcal.org/php-nuke/modules.php?name=Forums
California fly fishing forum
from westfly.com
www.westfly.com/forum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=1



California Fly Fishing Shops

The Fly Shop
4140 Churn Creek Rd Redding, CA 96002 530-222-3555
www.theflyshop.com
Sierra Anglers Fly Shop
700 McHenry Ave. Modesto, CA 95350 209 572-2212
www.sierraanglersflyshop.com
American Fly Fishing Co.
3523 Fair Oaks Blvd Sacramento, CA 95864 916-483-1222
www.americanfly.com
Mountain Hardware & Sports
P. O. Box 26 Tahoma, CA 96142 (530) 525-6575
www.flyfishingtahoe.com
A-1 Flyfishing
517 8th Street Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 832-0731
www.a1flyfishing.com
Barretts Outfitters
482 Cottonwood Drive Bishop, Ca. 93514 760.872.3830
barrettsoutfitters.com/index.html
Western Sport Shop, Inc.
902 Third Street San Rafael CA 40147 415-456-5454
www.westernsportshop.com
Creative Sports
100 North Main Street Bishop, CA 93514 (760) 872-358
www.creativeflyshop.com
Ernies Casting Pond
4845 Soquel Drive Soquel CA 95073 (831) 462-HOOK
www.ernies.com
J. J. King Fly Fishing Co.
#16 Grizzly Lane P.O. Box #672 Alturas CA 96101 1-800-392-5346
www.jjkingflyfishing.com
Kienes Fly Shop
2654 Marconi Ave. Sacramento, CA 95821 (916)486-9958
www.kiene.com
Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters
463 Bush Street San Francisco, CA. 94108 (415) 781-3474
www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/Welcome.htm
Mother Lode Fly Shop
14841 Mono Way, Sonora CA 95370 209-532-8600
www.motherlodefly.com
Fish First!
1404 Solano Avenue, Albany, CA 94706 510.526.1937
www.fishfirst.com
Trinity Fly Shop
P.O.Box 176 Lewiston, CA 96052 (530) 623-6757
www.trinityflyshop.com
Troutfitter Flyshop
P.O. Box 1882 Mammmoth Lakes California 93546 800-637-6912
www.thetroutfitter.com
Reno Fly Shop
10200 Donner Pass Road Truckee, California 96161 (530) 582-0900
www.renoflyshop.com
Tad Fay Fly Shop
4310 Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir, California 96025 (530) 235-296
www.tedfay.com/
Fish First!
167 E. 3rd Street Chico, CA 95928 530.343.8300
www.fishfirst.com
Western Sport Shop, Inc.
2790 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa CA 40147 707-542-4432
www.westernsportshop.com
Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters
2705 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (530) 541-820
www.tahoeflyfishing.com

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