December Fishing Report

Lower Sac - It’s been all about those Baetis (blue-winged olives) on the Lower Sac in town lately. When those bugs hatch, the bite has been lights out good. A few clouds in the early afternoon has been the formula for an epic bite that rivals or beats that of the egg bite in October if you are in the right spot. It’s mostly a few hour window during the hatch when they are feeding on those tiny nymphs most aggressively, but there is still enough action the rest of the day to make it worth it. The river has been a ghost town as well, with most folks either staying home or off chasing steelhead somewhere. Speaking of steelhead, there have been a decent number of them showing up in the lower-river floats on the Lower Sac, a very cool and unique option where you can target large valley steelhead and still have good trout fishing on the same fishing day. 

Trinity River - We have been fishing the Trinity pretty much every day over the last few weeks and have been seeing extremely consistent results. There are quality fish spread throughout the system, and each day we are getting plenty of shots at them. They are taking the typical winter-time patterns, stoneflies, small attractors, and pheasant-tail style nymphs in the #14-#16 range. Sometimes it’s surprising that the big 28”+ steelhead will take such a small bug, but that’s exactly what we have been experiencing as is usual when we have long periods of little rain like this. With more rain on the forecast, the numbers of fish will get even better, and they will get more aggressive when the water gets some color added back into it, we love a little rain! We have been seeing a mix of hatchery and wild fish, but this next rain will likely bring in some big wild winter fish.

Feather River - The Feather has been good for our guides the past two weeks.The fish have been very concentrated into a select few spots, which means getting those spots is key. If you aren’t in the right spot, it might be tougher. We are still seeing plenty of results, but our guides are eager for this next rainstorm to bring in some extra water and move the fish around a little bit as well as bring in more fresh valley steelhead into the system.

Upper Sac - No recent reports, but there are likely some big fish moving into the lower river below Simms. Also, you are pretty much guaranteed solitude this time of year.

McCloud River - No recent reports

Pit River - No recent reports

Fall River - Our season up in Fall river has concluded for the year, we will check back in on the Fall River in springtime.

North Coast - Eel River - We haven’t heard of anyone chasing those coastal fish just yet, but undoubtedly we will be heading over there in the coming weeks. You don’t want to miss when those fish show up.