Baum Lake - Updated: April 21, 2025

Fishing conditions:  Poor

Report: Still slow fishing reports from those who have been to this lake. There are not a lot of fish in the upper section of the lake by the hatchery. Larger resident fish can be found probably up in Hat Creek spawning or down by the dam. We can't recommend the lake for now. Some early Callibaetis and PMDs are beginning to come off. Good flies will depend upon what fish you are targeting, the stockers will chase Crystal Buggers and swung Zug Bugs, and a small black Balanced Leech is always a good choice here. Small, black Balanced Leeches work wonders on Baum and the Harbody Leech and Meyer's Jigged Leech were tailor made for this venue. Bring your #14 Adams when you see noses poking up. Our guides have this place wired if you are looking for some tactical advice on fishing a great spring creek fishery with an expert!

Hot Flies:

Dry Flies:
• Adams - #18-20
• Hackle Winged May - BWO
• Harrop's Last Chance - All
• Griffith's Gnat
• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-18

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Red Copper John - #18
• GB Flashback PT - #14-20
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #18-20
• Mercer's Gidget
• Mercer's CB Micro Mays - #16-18
• GB Flashback PT - Olive #18
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #16-20
• Chromie - #18

Steamers & Leeches:
• JGF Translucent Wiggle Tail - #10
• Beaded Micro Buggers - #12
• Zack's Damseleech - #14

 Update 3-19-26

Bucks Lake, Quincy, CA, a prominent high-elevation Plumas County reservoir, offers a robust multi-species fishery. Key species include rainbow and brown trout, kokanee salmon, and a notable smallmouth bass population. Current water temperature (60°F) is conducive for trout and salmon. Optimal fishing action, rated 3/5, often occurs during major and minor solunar periods, including mid-afternoon and early morning. Trolling is highly effective for trout and kokanee, while smallmouth bass respond to jigs and crankbaits around rocky structure. Generally mild winds (3 mph average) facilitate comfortable angling. 

1/31/26

 Snow fell in the area over the New Year, and interest in trout trolling slowed to a crawl. Once the weather clears, trollers should be back out there looking for two-fish limits with a variety of trolling flies or red/gold spoons from the surface to 10 feet. The trout season ends on February 28 before reopening during the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. 

Western Outdoor News.

3-26-26

Eagle Canyon Trophy Trout Lakes in Manton, CA, is reporting a strong bite, particularly for fish over 10 pounds, despite challenging, windy conditions. The private fishery, which runs from mid-November through mid-April, requires varied tactics, as fishing can get tough during calm periods. Egg patterns and intermediate lines are generally effective here. 

Confluence Outfitters +2

3-26-26

  As of late March 2026, the Feather River offers productive spring fishing following a drop in flows, with caddis and midge patterns working well. Steelhead fishing remains strong, and the river is gearing up for the early April striped bass season. Water temperatures are around 54-55 degrees, with top action in the low-flow section.     

Hat Creek - Updated: May 5, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: Up on Hat the caddis are beginning to show in force, probably Glossosoma. Stripping emergers/pupas like a #14 or 16 Cinnamon Fox Poopah or Bird's Nest will work. Some Golden Stoneflies and PMDs are beginning to show, the Salmonfly hatch should begin soon below the Hwy 299 bridge. Anglers fishing the Powerhouse 2 Riffle are reporting good fishing, but we would also like to take this chance to remind folks who fish the Powerhouse 2 riffle that the wild trout spawn in this section. Use caution to stay off of any redds and let the fish do their thing so we have a healthy fish population.

Hot Flies:
• Lance's Jigged X-May
• Rubberlegs
• Sweet Pea Jigged Baetis
• Pheasant Tails
• Mercer's Missing Link
• S&M Nymph
• Walt's Worm
• Peaches n' Green

The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/

Note: Hat Creek is a world renown fishery. Wild trout are large and abundant!

3-26-26

    As of late March 2026, Iron Canyon Reservoir offers good fishing for rainbow and brown trout, with water temperatures around  39F to  46F, leading to a slower bite and requiring deep-water tactics. The lake is accessible, with best results often in winter and spring, frequently targeted using small boats or bank fishing.  

3/19/26

3-26-26

As of late March 2026, the Klamath River is experiencing early spring conditions with cold water and flows influenced by recent dam removals. Fishing is currently best in the upper stretches near Iron Gate, with deep nymphing and slow streamer presentations recommended for trout and steelhead. Salmon are currently off-limits

3-26-26

Lake Almanor fishing is currently excellent, featuring a productive late-summer/early-fall bite for rainbow trout, brown trout, and king salmon (2–8 lbs). Fish are feeding heavily on pond smelt at 30–45 foot depths, with top action on the east shore and around the peninsula using slow-trolled minnows and fast-trolled spoons.

Lewiston Lake - Updated: May 5, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: The lake is a sleeper and definitely worth checking out now. Warming weather and longer days has the first of year mayflies coming off, these Callibaetis are large and the trout will key on them. Also, Dragonflies and Damselflies will be emerging soon. Good setups are small, light indicators and small bugs, Sweet Peas, black Micro Perdigons, Jumper Cables, and small Pheasant Tail nymphs fished three to five feet deep. Thje takes are subtle. Bring your Woolley Buggers too as you can get fish stripping them with your I-line setup, black, olive and brown all can work depending on the conditons. Pheasant Tails in #14 - 16, Zack's ZT Zallibaetis in #14, the Milla Time May in Callibaetis and #14 - 16 Adams should be in your box. Standard stillwater fare always works up here, so leave your Zebra Midges and Balanced Leeches at home.

The lake is a good option if you are in the area, with intermittent releases from Trinity Lake, fishing right below the outflow can produce some consistent hookups. With the amount of Damsels and Dragonflies in this system, Wooly Buggers stripped in brown, black and olive, and Balanced Leeches the same color stripped or fished under an indicator are solid approaches. And Zebra Midges in #16 - 18, black and red, are a staple here. We've got guides who can get you out on Lewiston, give Bryan a call to set up a trip!

Hot Flies:

Dry Flies:
• Hackle Stackers - BWO #18
• Parachute Adams - #14-18
• Mayfly Cripples

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Ultra Scuds - #16
• Chromies - #18-20
• Mercer's CB Micro May - Black #18
• Flashback Pheasant Tail - #16-18
• Beaded Zebra Midges - #18-20
• Mercer's Gidgets

Streamers & Leeches:
• JGF Translucent Wiggle Tail
• Woolly Bugger - Any
• Beadhead Crystal Buggers - #8
• Zack's Swimming Leech - #8
• Zack's Damseleech - Orange/Olive

The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/

Manzanita Lake - Updated: May 5, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: The lake is really waking up now and fishing well for the early season. Look for midge and mayfly hatches happening towards the shorelines. As we roll into the weekend and things really warm the damsels and dragons should begin hatching, these will be found towards shore and in the shallower flats. Good flies would be the sparsest Pheasant Tail nymphs in #16 - 20 stripped sloooowly, and keep a range of Adams #14 - 18 ready for those times the fish are eating up top. The flats will become active with cruising fish soon chasing damsels and dragons, any of Zack Thurman's damsel nymphs and Balanced Leeches fished stripped or under an indicator can be quite effective. Spring is a great time to fish Manzanita!

Hot Flies:

Dry Flies:
• Harrop's Last Chance - #16-20
• Adams - #14-18
• Mayfly Cripple - #18
• Last Chance Cripple - Callibaetis or Baetis
• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-16
• Mercer's Parachute Profile Spinner

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Zack's Attack Damsel
• Burk's Sierra Damsel
• Zack's Bomb Squad. - #14-16
• Hogan's S&M - Olive #16-18
• Beaded Zebra Midge - Black #18-20
• Mercer's Gidgets

Streamers & Leeches:
• Beaded Micro Bugger - Black
• Zonkers - #4
• Beaded Micro Buggers - Any

Redding, Ca.

The Fly Shop

McCloud River - Updated: May 5, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Great

Report: The Nature Conservancy is open and from the dam down through the last pool, the river is fishing very well and will continue to improve over the coming weeks. Some random mayflies are coming off daily, some March Browns, PMDs and a few drakes. Perdigons, Frenchies, Rubberlegs and the RK Sin City are good flies. Look for Green Drakes to come off later this week when we get the stormy weather. The Salmonflies will be hatching shortly, so keep your eyes open and a Chubby Chernobyl tied on if you are fishing dry-dropper. Fishing tailouts with streamers like Barr's olive or black Slumpbuster or your favorite Sculpin will produce. Streamers can net a big Brown. To reserve a day with one of our expert guides to experience one of the most picturesque streams in the north state, call Bryan in Outfitters at 800-669-3474.

Hot Flies:

• Morrish's Adult October Caddis
• Pat's Rubberlegs
• Mercer's Tungsten October Pupa
• Olive Hotspot
• Coppertop Duracell
• Sweet Pea - #16/
• Copper John Red - #16/
• Jigged Birds Nest - Natural, Hot Spot #14-16
• Walt's Worm

The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/

Report provided by Modoc Outdoor Recreation and Tourism:

The drought is hitting Modoc hard. Some lakes that are at the basis for great fishing in Modoc County are low enough to challenge boaters at the launch and the river has not run high all year. Surprisingly though, the fishing has not suffered… yet. As a mater of fact, low lake levels have made targeting bass and other warm water species like, well, shooting fish in a barrel. A fly angler recently landed a 5.5 pound largemouth from shore on a Devil’s Garden lake. Kids get hooked on the lifestyle when 20-fish days are common, as they are right now. Trout are kegged up in deeper holes in rivers and streams making them almost too easy to target. All in all, it is a great time to be an angler in Modoc County. Just pray for rain before it all goes away…

Here are a few tips for low-water fishing:

•Please remember fish do not do as well when released in warmer water, especially trout and other cold water species.

•Play fish intended for release as quickly as possible, wet hands and keep fish in the water to maximize survival after release.

•Think about keeping a few smaller fish where regulations allow to lessen the drought’s impact on others left behind.

•Remember fuels are dry! Don’t start a wildfire that could impact all kinds of habitat, including already-stressed fisheries.

•Always leave an area better than you found it. Increased visitation means increased trash and other waste. Public servants cannot always keep up due to declining budgets and soaring demands. Please do your part!

3-20-26

Over the past three weeks, I’ve had several trips on Hat Creek, the McCloud, and the Upper Sac. The flows are very wadable, the water temps are in the low-mid 50’s, and all three rivers have fished very well for my guests. Euro nymphing has been the most productive technique for my guests, but we’ve also done very well fishing dry-dropper rigs, and you will always catch fish on an indicator rig. The dogwood trees are blooming along the McCloud, which always makes this a special time of year. If you’re interested in learning a new technique, or perfecting what you have already learned – let’s book a walk-wade trip on any of our amazing rivers!

- Courtesy of:

Confluence Outfitters
Andrew Harris
888-481-1650
andrew@confluenceoutfitters.com

https://www.confluenceoutfitters.com/

Pit River - Updated: May 5, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: The river has dropped in and is fishing well from Pit 3 down through 5. Keep your eyes peeled from hatches, this time of year you can see stoneflies, PMDs and Callibaetis along with some big caddis. Good flies are always Perdigons, Hotspots, Rubberlegs, and don't discount a well-fished crayfish pattern. Some people fish Woolly Buggers, TJ Hookers can be very effective. Come on up and fish, the river is in!

This is a great river to fish a Euro rod and we highly recommend it. Be careful though, this can be a slippery river to wade. We recommend a wading staff when fishing the Pit.

Be aware that the flows on the Pit can and will change without notice, so definitely check before you go! And be prepared to get out when the river begins to rise.

Here are some useful links to monitor the flows:
Pit 3 - Below Pit 3 Dam
Pit 5 - Through Big Bend

Hot Flies:

Dry Flies:
• Stimulator - Orange
• Foam October Caddis
• Potter's October Caddis
• Mercer's Skating October Caddis
• Adams - #14-18
• Mayfly Cripples - #12-16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Mercer's Tungsten October Pupa
• Skip’s TB October Caddis
• Dark Lords - #12-16
• Flashback Pheasant Tail - #14-16
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #18
• Mercer's Poxyback Dark Stone - #6
• GB Black A.P. - #10-12
• CB Micro Mayflies - #16-18
• Red Copper Johns - #16-18
• Pat's Brown Rubberleg - #6-8
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince - #14-18
• Jigged Birds Nest - #14-16
• Walt's Worm
Streamers & Leeches:
• Zack's Swimming Leech - #8

The Fly Shop,

Redding, Ca. 

Privately owned waters represent an appreciable portion of California’s fishable waters. This includes flowing waters, privately owned lakes, and ponds. California’s private waters provide a great amount of fishing opportunity, produces quality fisheries and are important habitats for native wildlife species. Book with one of our amazing members here:

The Fly Shop

There are several hundred miles of rivers, creeks, lakes and streams within easy striking distance of The Fly Shop® in Redding. To book a guided trip on one of our private waters or regional lakes or streams you can call or send a message at info@theflyshop.com. 

https://www.theflyshop.com/adventures/private.html

Reports from The Fly Shop Private Waters:

https://www.theflyshop.com/streamreport.html

Confluence Outfitters

We guide the best trout and steelhead destinations in northern California and southern Oregon. The guide team at Confluence Outfitters has the expertise, local knowledge and versatility to make your next fly fishing trip a trip to remember!

https://confluenceoutfitters.com/destination-map.aspx

Lower Sacramento River - Updated: April 28, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Great

Report: To be honest, the river is fishing as well as it can and as I sit here typing the report, guides are sending me pictures of PMDs on their boat. The flows are stable at 6,000 CFS, the clarity is excellent, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are hatching daily, mostly after mid day through the evening. We have some clouds and rain coming this weekend which means huge hatches and rising fish. Good flies are still Rubberlegs, Peaches 'n Cream, Ginger Snap, Eng Thing, Olive Hotspot, Cinnamon Fox Poopahs, sometimes Bird's Nests, and don't forget to tie on a Sucker Spawn. Now would be the best time to get up here and rope some Lower Sac Hogs!

To get a day on the books with one of our guides this spring, give Bryan a call in Outfitters at 800-669-3474

The Fly Shop does not offer a shuttle service. Kim at Sac River Shuttle can get your shuttle done seven days a week. You can reach her at (530) 782-9090

Access To the Lower Sacramento
The Lower Sacramento has many publicly accessible areas with good wading opportunities when the flows are below 7,500 CFS. Stop by the shop and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction.

Fishing Large Rivers Can be Frustrating
There are many great places you can get in and wade this blue ribbon tail water. Having said that, the absolute best method to fish the Sac is from a drift boat. Aside from being able to access all of the water, you can fish the long runs on a dead, perfect drift which is deadly on these legendary wild rainbows. And who would be a better oarsman than one of our Professional Guides? They know every nook and cranny of the river, what insects are and will be hatching, and the setups and methods that will get you onto the fish of a lifetime.

Recommended Equipment & Setups
Most of our fishing, whether from a drift boat, or wading when the releases are low enough, is done dead drifting nymphs. The Fly Shop's Signature Indicator Rod is nine and a half feet of indicator nymph fishing perfection designed by our professional staff right here on the Lower Sac. Teamed up with a 6 or 7 weight Scientific Anglers Amplitude Anadro Floating Fly Line or a Rio Intouch Xtreme Indicator Fly Line it will put a center pin rig to shame.

Hot Flies:

Dry Flies:
• Mercer's Missing Link, Dark
• Spotlight Caddis Emerger - Spotlight Caddis Emerger
• Comparadun - BWO, PMD

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Jigged Birds Nest - Natural, Hot Spot #14-16
• Fox's Poopah - #12-14
• Bubbleback Caddis, - Amber #14
• Olive Hot Spot, - #18
• Weiss Nymph, -
• Peaches n' Green, -
• Peaches n' Cream, -
• Ginger Snap, -
• Pat's Rubber Legs - #4-8

Eggs:
• Micro Spawn - Peachy King, Shrimp Pink
• Boles Bazookas - Shrimp Pink, Peachy King

Upper Sacramento River - Updated: May 5, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Fair

Report: The fishing up in Dunsmuir is so-so, the river is still high through town. Some have said the Salmonflies have come and gone. Golden Stones should be coming off soon. The flows on the lower end are now in the 900 CFS range. Checking out Simms and above would be where we would suggest. Keep a variety of Chubby Chernobyls on hand and fish dry-dropper. On sunny days you can possibly get a hatch, so a well-stocked dry box would be a shame to leave at home. We'd recommend fishing Hat Creek or the McCloud at Ash Camp for now.

Upper Sacramento Flows at Delta

Hot Flies:

Dry Flies:
• Sedgeback October Caddis - #10
• Low Water Baetis - #18
• Adams - #12-20
• Mercer's Missing Link - Dark #14-16
• Parachute Adams - #14-18

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Mercer's Tungsten October Pupa
• Skip's TB October Caddis
• CB Birds Nest - #10-14
• Red Copper John - #16-18
• Zebra Midge - #18-20
• Mercury Black Beauty
• Mercer's Glass Bead Micro May - #22
• Mercer's GB Dark Stone - #8
• Mercer's Dark Stone - #6
• Pat's Rubber Legs - Brown #6-8
• Jigged Birds Nest - #14-16
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince - #12-18
• Mercer's CB Micro Mayfly - #16-18
• Walt's Worm
Streamers & Leeches:
• Sheila Sculpin
• Woolly Buggers
• Zack's Stillwater Swimming Leech - #8

The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/

Shasta Lake Bass Update: 5-4

The recent good weather has raised surface temps, the spawn is continuing with more fish spotted on beds. Water temp. on the surface was between 63 and 69 during the day. Male Spots and some larger females are still roaming the shallows off steep banks. On the 1st of May, up the Pit Arm, we were able to catch and release 48 bass many were between 1.00 to 1.25 lbs. They appeared to be all males. We use light line and small finesse baits, Dart heads, curl tails, so we were not trying for large fish. Some Small Mouth mixed in with the Spotted Bass. It is fun to catch a lot of fish and try different colors on the bass. Water is still clear to 12+ feet off shore in many areas. Stay back cast to the shaded areas, any color of curl tail or plastic bait and let it fall. I tried mostly shad color curl tails and small worms. Most bites came on the first drop. 90+ degree weather headed our way next week. Have a great time on the water.

Joe Rodola

Avid Amateur bass fisherman for more than 50 years.

Check my YouTube videos for fishing tips for both Shasta and Clearlake. 

Lake Shasta - Updated: May 5, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Great

Report: This lake is still putting out some great fishing this week. Float n' Fly is working, but get into a shaded cove and throw poppers. The trick is to let them sit. Plop it, bump it, let it soak. Bam! A lot of spotted bass and crappie are staging up in the water column especially in the backs of bays and sloughs. Fish the Pit or Squaw arms for the good numbers. Dark Float n' Flies fished at least eight feet deep continue to be the most productive method. Bass will still be on shad balls when you can find them, the trout are moving into deeper water for the most part. We are entering a very good time to fish the lake with a fly rod, we've got great guides who will give you a memorable day on the lake!

Hot Flies:

• Wooly Buggers
• Float-n-Flies
• Dead Drop Minnow
• Zack's Stillwater Balanced Leech

The Fly Shop

3-1-26

Lake Siskiyou fishing is currently productive, offering excellent trout action with opportunities for rainbow and brown trout, particularly in early spring as the lake wakes up from winter, notes SC Guide Service. Trolling, especially with dodgers, spoons, and scent-dipped lures at depths down to 40 feet, is effective for catching trout between 1-6 pounds.  

3-26-26

Trinity Lake currently offers excellent fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass, along with rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee, according to the US Forest Service. Bass are active, often spotted in groups, with plastic worms, crankbaits, and artificial lures like spoons proving effective

Trinity River - Updated: April 14, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Poor

Report: The TRRP and BoR will be bumping the flows up above 4,000 CFS over the next few months, it will be below 800 CFS again in late June. We will update the report as conditions are good and we begin seeing adults heading upstream. If you would like to get on the books for a Trinity River trip this fall, you can go directly to our Trinity guide page and book a trip now.

Trinity River Flows:

Trinity River Releases from Lewiston

Trinity River Flow at Pigeon Point

Shuttle Services:

• Bill & Caryl Dickens (Gold Coast Shuttle) at 530-623-1905

Access To the Trinity River
The Trinity has many publicly accessible areas with good wading opportunities during the steelhead season. Stop by the shop and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction.

Steelhead Fishing Can be Frustrating
These anadromous rainbow trout are known as the 'Fish of a Thousand Casts.' For good reason! The learning curve can be quite steep learning when and where to go, and what type of water to target. Our Professional Guide Staff has decades of experience guiding the Trinity River for steelhead. A day spent with one of our guides will get you up to speed much more quickly.

Recommended Equipment & Setups
Early Summer Run Steelhead on the Trinity River will take swung flies readily. Spey rods are becoming an increasingly popular method to swing flies. The Fly Shop's Signature Spey Rods are an economical way to get into a great Spey rig.

Hot Flies:

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Pat's RubberlegsBrown and Black, #4-8
• Mercer's Psycho Prince - #12-16
• TB Solitude Stone - #8
• Coppertop Duracell - #16
• Mercer's Gold Bead Biot Epoxy Golden Stone - #8-10
• Copper John Red - #10-14


Eggs:
• Clown Egg - #4-10
• Micro Spawn Eggs - Pink & Salmon Egg
• Boles Bazookas - #8

Swing Flies:
• Ho-bo Spey - #6
• Beaded Assassins
• Hoody's Hangers - #4
• Brett's Klamath Skater - #7

The Fly Shop

Redding, Ca.