Baum Lake - Updated: June 2, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Poor

Report: Recent reports are good bug life, not too many fish though. If you would like to get fish you will have to row up past the hatchery or head down to the dam. Mayflies and caddis are coming off in the evenings. Look for Water Boatmen and ant falls. 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 Hardbody 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: June 16, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: Goldens and Yellow Sallies are the ticket in the lower reaches, throw your big bugs up top and you should get eats. Up by the Powerhouse you will get eats on the big bugs now too, in the flats not so much. PMDs and caddis are coming off in the flats, and there are Yellow Sallies and caddis coming off in the Powerhouse 2 Riffle daily. Fish Rusty Spinners in the morning and the PMD Challenged during the hatch. Stripping emergers/pupas like a #14 or 16 Cinnamon Fox Poopah or Bird's Nest will work. Bring your Adams in sizes #14 - 20 to match any mayflies coming off in the meadow sections, and fishing a Chubby Chernobyl or your favorite salmonfly dry just about anywhere as a dry-dropper setup can produce takes on the dry.

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
• BP Weiss Nymph

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

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

Iron Canyon Reservoir - Updated: June 2, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Fair to Good

Report: This lake should be on your radar now that the weather has stabilized and the road in is passable. Good hatches in the shallower regions of the lake will have trout sipping emergers and spinners. San Juan worms are always effective here.

Hot Flies:

Midge Flies:
Harrop's CDC Emerging Midge - #20

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• San Juan Worm - Fire #8-14
• Chromies - #16-18
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #16-20
• Mercer's CB Micro Mayfly - #14-18
GB Half-Flashback PT - #16-20

Streamers & Leeches:
• Beaded Micro Buggers
• Freshwater Clouser - Olive/White
• Zonkers - #4

 The Fly Shop 

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: June 2, 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: June 16, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: The lake is a good option now and you can have a very good day if you keep your eyes peeled. Look for ant falls, have some ant patterns in your box. And the mayfly hatches will be in the shallower spots. 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

The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@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: June 16, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: The river has dropped in and is fishing well from Pit 3 down through 5. Keep your eyes peeled for 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: June 16, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Great

Report: The river continues to fish well. Flows are 11,500 CFS and the clarity is excellent. PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis continue hatching daily, mostly after mid day through the evening. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but good flies are still Rubberlegs, Peaches 'n Cream, Ginger Snap, Eng Thing, Olive Hotspot, Cinnamon Fox Poopahs, and Bird's Nests. The new addition to this week's lineup are Yellow Sally nymphs, so a UV Sally or the Jiggy Yellow Sally are good producers. Now would be the best time to get up here and rope some Lower Sac Hogs!

As we get into late spring and summer, ask us about our split days and evening trips! Beat the heat early, get a siesta, and get back out on the water for an evening session in the heat of the hatch!

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

The Fly Shop

Redding, Ca. 

Upper Sacramento River - Updated: June 16, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: The river is in good shape with flows down by the lake with flows around 350 CFS. Temps on the low end are approaching 65 F, so fish early to ensure you won't harm fish and carry a thermometer. Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and PMDs are coming off. Bring your favorite salmonfly or golden dry and fish towards dark for best topwater action. Midges are always a good idea to fish. Caddis should be popping soon. Always have Rubberlegs, Perdigons, BP Weiss Nymphs, Poopahs, Zebra Midges and Bird's Nests to round out your offerings. The Upper is ready to go!

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: 6-13

Bass are still being caught in great numbers. Water temp. on the surface was between 73 and 76 during the day. You an find colder water at the end of the various arms. We went up the pit, on the 13th of June, the water dropped to 63 at the end, by the Pit Dam.  The lake is only 26 ft. down, lots of water to enjoy, and up the pit past the no ski zone is fantastic. We caught 30 bass to 2 lbs. in 4 hours before the heat got to us. 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. One of the bass had a orange and red color Crawdad still in its mouth when we brought it to the boat. Water is getting more color and less clarity, as the wake boats stir things up. 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. We still throw finesse baits on light line and medium action poles. Most bites came on the first drop. Make sure you bring lots of water and stay hydrated. 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. 

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: June 16, 2026

Fishing conditions:  Good

Report: A large group of steelhead between 18-22" can be found between Cedar Flat and Douglas City. The releases from Lewiston are around 700 CFS and will continue to drop through the month. Fish are pretty grabby right now, it is a good time to swing and skate. Keep an eye on the water temps, if they go higher than 65 F you should call it a day. The weather over on the Trin is much cooler than down here in the valley and this is a good option right now to beat the heat. We've got guides available right now that can get you out, give us a call or 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.