Northern California is home for great Rainbow Trout
fly fishing. Some of our favorite waters include the Lower
Sac near Redding, The Lower Yuba River near Marysville and the
Middle Fork of the American river near Auburn Ca. All of these
waters are open year round with a few special restrictions on the
Middle Fork during the winter months.
Rainbow trout are the main focus for fly fisherman around the
world. They can be taken with Dry flys, nymphs or streamers.
Most people can remember a time in their childhood when you went to a
local lake or small stream and experience the great sport of trout
fishing. Trout can be caught year round.
STEELHEAD
A passion for Steelhead is what its all about. Every year
these fish leave the ocean and return to the waters where they
were born. They swim up miles of river just to find a a
gravel bar to Spawn. If you are one of the lucky ones
that doesn't mind fishing in good and bad weather then
northern California has a lot to offer. Our local rivers
include the American and the Feather river. a few hours
away is the great Trinity river outside of Lewiston.
Steelhead are my favorite fish to chase up and down the west coast.
One of the thing that make steelhead fishing so special for me is the
fact that they are hard to come by. I have spent hundreds of
days on the water in search of that one moment when the line comes
tight and you feel the head shake of a large winter run steelhead.
In the last year my focus has become more on the experience rather
than results. I have found that the most rewarding form of fly
fishing for me these days is swinging flys with a spey rod.
These techniques are not for everyone. Steelhead can be
constantly caught on a nymph or egg patterns. The choice is
yours and just make sure you enjoy your time on the water.
STRIPER
Striper fishing can be a blast. The American,
Sacramento and Feather river all host a good population of
Stripers. Fish are caught every year that exceed 50lbs.
Striper fishing with a fly rod is one of the most exciting times
of the year and i look forward to it every season. Evening
or morning trips are best. The 4-5 hour floats are always
exciting. A fly rod actually seems to out fish the gear guys
on a regular basis.
Stripers come into our rivers from April until September to spawn.
You can catch shoolies in the 15" to 20" range or hook into a large
adult that may weigh in above 40 pounds. This is what makes it
so much fun. Floating around in a drift boat with shorts. flip
flops and a tee shirt sticking huge fish, Dose it get much better than
that? Stripers are usually caught on Clouser Minnows fished with
a sink tip line and an 8-9wt rod.
SHAD
Another one of the many fish that make that yearly trip up the
rivers to spawn. The American river, Yuba river and
Feather river all have good runs of shad. Typically
known for great numbers and a ton of fun, shad trips are a
great way to spend an afternoon with the family.
Shad fishing is usually best from June thru July. We usually
fish for them in the American river from an anchored boat. Using
shad darts we cast at a 45 deg angle and let the fly swing down and
across. Once the fly has come to rest the fish usually grab it.
It is a peaceful and relaxing way to spend an evening with the whole
family. If you ever thought about getting your kids into fly
fishing, this is a great way to start.
