AHHHHH!!!!!! + spring summer preview
I fished the Lower Sac this weekend and I would usually post a report but the report would be useless sense the flows came up from 4000cfs to over 16,500cfs this morning. That changes things. I would expect it to take a week for the fish to adjust to this change based on how extreme the change is. After that fishing should be good as long as the flows are some what stable. The weather coming in will most likely blow out the tribs so the higher floats are going to be the only floats that are fishable.
The Yuba began to come down but quickly jumped up to over 4000cfs with deer creek coming in. Patience is the word here. If you can get on the river when it does drop to around 3000cfs fishing will be good if you have a boat and know how to fish the river on high water. Furthermore, the river is going to fish really well once it drops to around 2500cfs and stays there. This summer should be another great if not better than last year hopper year. Yes the river will get scoured with these high flows but rivers naturally blow out and this happens. The fish will survive. I wouldn't worry to much about it. Here is my latest update with regards to what I will be doing over the next few months.
Spring is showing up every once in a while and I had to double check my calendar when some one told me the time change was this last weekend. The weather has just not put me at that time of year yet. Though it is mid march and summer will be here before we know it even if spring only lasts a few weeks like it can in Northern California. I will be busy this spring and summer all over the north state here is an update as to what I will be doing and available dates. Spring is getting slim on choices but summer is still pretty much open so have at it. Should be a great summer with plenty of water.
Spring:
Available Dates:
April 9, 10, 23
May 7, 22, 29
Lower Sac: Spring fishing has been pretty good here on over cast days the mayfly hatches are going strong and on the rare sunny day or hour for that matter the caddis get going. Fishing should continue be good through mid April and then pick up again in mid may after the spawn.
Lower Yuba: high but fish are being caught if you know how to fish the river in high water. Drift boat is mandatory at the current flows. With no rain though flows should drop over the next week or two and fishing should be GREAT.
Lower Feather: nothing with spring steelhead yet but should get going over the next month. April is the prime time to be on this river for spring steelhead.
North Fork Feather River: When trout season opens if the flows are fishable fishing will be good. I will be offering raft trips this year down various stretches of this river. This are limited and condition dependent but are a ton of fun.
Summer:
Available Dates:
June 6-11, 13-16, 21-26
July 1-3, 5-6, 11-31
SHAD: these guys will start showing up in early to mid may and keep running through June. Prime time is last two weeks of may – first two weeks of june.
Evening Shad Trips $225 two anglers + drinks + about 4 hours of shad fishing
May: 23, 24, 29, 30
June: 6-11, 13-16
Stripers: Should be a great year for stripers on the L. Sac with plenty of water the migratory run should get up around chico in May and the residents will get going at the same time and stay active through September.
I will be running my shad/striper camp again this year with Sacramento River Eco Tours so if you are interested in getting away check this out
http://hgbflyfishing.com/hgbflyfishing/Camp_Outs.html
Lower Sacramento Trout: Summer is a great time of year to be on the Sac. This is when fishing down through the lower stretches from Barge Hole down to Los Molinos really gets going. Great time to see some new water.
Lower Yuba River: Spring through Summer is a great time of year to be on the Lower Yuba. Tons of hatches and things are shaping up for another great hopper hatch this summer.
Burney Area: I will again be guiding up on the Fall River, Hat Creek, Baum Lake, Pit River, and various other waters around this area. I have many options to offer people up in this neck of woods from Clearwater Lodge to housing right on Fall River. Give me a call or shoot me an email and I can help you put a trip together.
North Fork Feather River: Great summer trout fishery miles from chico, ca and one that can be floated or wade fished depending on flows. One of the most under fished rivers in California.
North Fork Yuba River: I will be doing a limited number of days up on the North Yuba this year. A great small river for those just learning or want to get away from the crowds.
Chico Small Streams: Butte County is home to some amazing small stream fishing for trout. If you are just getting into fly fishing or want to put that new light line rod to use these streams offer the opportunity to throw dries and droppers to hungry 10-12” wild trout in beautiful mountain streams.