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.
Winter fishing in California can be an exercise of extremes…
www.flyfisherman.com/south/ffmwinter/index3.html
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
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
This is a web page in the California state portal entitled: Colusa-Sacramento River SRA.
www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=461
Map, photo, and description of the Eel River
www.northcoastweb.com/fishing/Rivers/EEL/index.HTM
The most important game fish in the Inyo-Mono area are trout.
www.395.com/index.shtml?/generalinfo/fishinyo.shtml
Northern California’s Hat is one of the West’s best spring creeks.
www.troutsource.com/RiversFolder/Hat.htm
Only catch-and-release traditional dry fly fishing is allowed.
espn.go.com/outdoors/flyfishing/s/ff_fea_Becher_hot_creek.html
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/
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
History and culture of Lassen County, Northern California. Fishing for Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout.
www.psln.com/pete/fishing.htm
Articles on the McCloud, Hat Creek, Fall River, Upper Sacramento, and the Pit River
www.troutsource.com/StatesFolder/CA.htm
Smallmouth are well adapted to severe winter temperatures and though they will dine on the Truckee
flyline.com/tips_trivia/truckee_smallmouth
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
Local information on Dunsmuir, CA.
www.dunsmuir.com/fishreg.htm
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
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
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
Fly-rodding afoot in the surf zones of California, Washington and Oregon.
www.flyfisherman.com/southwest/khsurfintro/index.html
CFFU, Sacramento, CA, has a vast array of activities for every level of fly fisherperson.
www.cffu.org/
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 is a community organization whose members are dedicated to the furtherance of the art of fly fishing.
www.deltaflyfishers.com
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
Wilderness Fly Fishers was born in 1965 when fly fishers who congregated at Cliff Wyatt
www.wildernessflyfishers.org
This emergence index is based on 30 years of monitoring Northern Sierra waters.
flyline.com/fishing_report/hatch_chart
a nice map from ESPN outdoors
www.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/f_map_bare_CA_Sacramento_River.html
Reports on Hat Creek, Fall River, Pit River, Burney Creek, Cassel, Baum Lake, and Manzanita lake
www.troutcountry.net/report.php
Reports for the Owens, Hot Creek, Pheasant Valley Reservoir, June Lake, Mammoth Lakes, and Crowley Lake
www.thetroutfitter.com/fshreport.html
Northern & Central California Lake Reports and maps
www.anglernet.com/web/reports.htm
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/
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
Current Conditions for the Truckee River
flyline.com/fishing_report/current_conditions
482 Cottonwood Drive Bishop, Ca. 93514 760.872.3830
barrettsoutfitters.com/index.html
#16 Grizzly Lane P.O. Box #672 Alturas CA 96101 1-800-392-5346
www.jjkingflyfishing.com
463 Bush Street San Francisco, CA. 94108 (415) 781-3474
www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/Welcome.htm
P.O. Box 1882 Mammmoth Lakes California 93546 800-637-6912
www.thetroutfitter.com
2790 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa CA 40147 707-542-4432
www.westernsportshop.com
2705 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (530) 541-820
www.tahoeflyfishing.com