Northern California Steelhead Fly Fishing Trips
Guided trips
Guided Steelhead Trips on the Trinity River & Northern California’s Best Steelhead Waters
There’s nothing quite like hooking a wild steelhead on a fly.
AC Fly Fishing offers private guided steelhead fly fishing trips throughout Northern California, with most of our season spent on the Trinity River, just west of Redding. From aggressive fall steelhead willing to chase a swung fly to powerful winter fish holding in cold, clear runs, our guides spend months each year pursuing these incredible fish.
Whether it’s your first steelhead trip or you’ve spent years chasing chrome, we’ll build your trip around the season, current river conditions, and the way you want to fish.
Fly Fishing Only | Private Guided Trips | 1–2 Anglers
Steelhead Fly Fishing in Northern California
Three things make Redding stand out:
Northern California offers a remarkably diverse steelhead season.
Our primary destination is the Trinity River, where we can target steelhead from late summer through winter and into early spring. When winter rains create the right conditions, our guides also venture to coastal rivers like the Eel River in search of wild winter steelhead.
Instead of booking a trip based solely on a river name, tell us when you want to fish. We’ll help you determine the best option based on the season, current conditions, fish movement and what you’re hoping to get out of your trip.
At a Glance
- Primary River: Trinity River
- Other Waters: Eel River and select Northern California coastal rivers
- Primary Season: September through March
- Trip Type: Fly fishing only
- Anglers: 1-2 per boat
- Experience: Beginners through experienced steelheaders
- Techniques: Swinging flies and dead-drift/nymph techniques
- Home Base: Redding, California
The Trinity River:
Our Primary Steelhead Fishery
If you're planning a Northern California steelhead fly fishing trip, there’s a good chance we'll point you toward the Trinity.
Located roughly 30 miles west of Redding, the Trinity River provides miles of productive steelhead water in a much more intimate setting than many large Western steelhead rivers. Our guides primarily fish the upper stretches around Lewiston, Junction City and surrounding areas.
The Trinity sees both wild and hatchery steelhead, with fish entering the system beginning in late summer and opportunities extending throughout fall and winter.
One of the biggest advantages of the Trinity is its long season. Conditions and fish behavior change considerably from September through February, giving anglers several very different ways to experience the river.
Why We Love the Trinity
- Long steelhead season from late summer through winter
- Wild and hatchery steelhead
- Excellent opportunities to swing flies
- Productive dead-drift and nymph fishing
- Smaller, intimate river setting
- Close to Redding and easy to incorporate into a Northern California trip
- Options for both experienced anglers and first-time steelhead fishermen
Watch
Fly Fishing for Trinity River Steelhead
There’s only so much we can tell you about steelhead fishing. This will give you a better idea of what a day chasing Trinity River steelhead with AC Fly Fishing actually looks like.
Coastal Steelhead:
The Eel River & Beyond
When winter storms arrive, another side of Northern California steelhead fishing comes alive.
The Eel River is a large, wild coastal system and one of our favorite places to chase winter steelhead when conditions are right. These trips are very different from fishing the Trinity.
The fish are wild, the river is bigger, and success depends heavily on rainfall and river conditions. Rather than promising a particular coastal river months in advance, our guides watch storms, flows and clarity and make decisions based on where we believe you'll have the best opportunity.
For anglers looking for a rugged winter steelhead experience and the chance to connect with a chrome-bright wild fish fresh from the Pacific, coastal steelhead fishing is hard to beat.
Prime Coastal Season: December through March
There isn't one single "best" month. The experience changes throughout the season.
September is one of our favorite sleeper months on the Trinity.
Summer-run steelhead begin pushing farther upriver, fishing pressure can be relatively light, and these early fish are fresh, aggressive and capable of taking a swung fly.
If you want warmer weather, fewer anglers and an opportunity to chase some of the hottest fish of the season, September deserves serious consideration.
As fall progresses, more steelhead enter the system and the Trinity becomes one of our primary fisheries.
October and November can provide some of our best opportunities for numbers. With salmon spawning in the system, steelhead also begin keying heavily on the food naturally moving downstream.
For anglers planning a dedicated fall steelhead trip to Northern California, this is prime time.
Winter brings colder weather, changing river conditions and the possibility of some of the largest steelhead of the season.
Winter-run fish begin entering the system around Thanksgiving and continue through the heart of winter. These fish often settle into slower winter holding water, where our guides adjust techniques and presentations accordingly.
Storms also begin opening opportunities on Northern California's coastal rivers. When conditions line up, the Eel and other coastal fisheries can provide an entirely different steelhead experience.
If you're willing to fish through some cold and wet weather, winter can produce some unforgettable days.
Steelhead opportunities can extend into March, with fewer anglers and opportunities to encounter late-season and post-spawn fish.
The Trinity can even provide unusual opportunities to catch adult steelhead on dead-drifted dry flies when the timing and hatches line up.
Not sure when to come?
That's exactly what we're here for. Tell us approximately when you're considering visiting and we'll help you understand what your steelhead options should look like.
Getting Here
A classic freestone stream in Mt. Shasta's shadow, offering pristine waters and acrobatic wild trout. Perfect for wade fishing enthusiasts seeking mountain scenery.
The Trinity River is approximately 30 miles west of Redding, with our guides focusing much of their fishing around Lewiston, Junction City and the upper river.
For anglers traveling from elsewhere in California, Redding also makes a convenient jumping-off point for a dedicated steelhead trip.
Sacramento: about 2.5 hours
San Francisco Bay Area: about 3.5-4 hours
Reno: about 3.5-4 hours
Eureka: about 3 hours
Contact us before booking your travel and we'll help you understand where you'll be fishing and the easiest way to structure your trip.
How We Fish for Steelhead
Swinging Flies
Few things in fly fishing compare to feeling a steelhead grab a swung fly.
When water temperatures, flows and fish behavior line up, swinging can be one of the most exciting ways to target Trinity River steelhead. This can be especially productive with aggressive early-season fish.
If swinging for steelhead is your priority, let us know when you contact us. We'll help you choose a time of year that gives you the type of experience you're looking for.
Dead Drifting & Nymphing
Dead-drift techniques allow us to efficiently cover productive holding water and can be extremely effective throughout the steelhead season.
As temperatures drop and fish settle into their winter holding areas, smaller nymphs, eggs and other natural presentations become especially important.
Our guides aren't locked into one method. We'll choose techniques based on conditions, fish behavior, your experience level and how you want to spend your day.
AC Fly Fishing steelhead trips are 100% fly fishing. We do not offer spin fishing trips.
What Does a Guided Steelhead Trip Include?
Our steelhead trips are private guided experiences for one or two anglers.
The Trinity River is approximately 30 miles west of Redding, with our guides focusing much of their fishing around Lewiston, Junction City and the upper river.
For anglers traveling from elsewhere in California, Redding also makes a convenient jumping-off point for a dedicated steelhead trip.
Sacramento: about 2.5 hours
San Francisco Bay Area: about 3.5-4 hours
Reno: about 3.5-4 hours
Eureka: about 3 hours
Check Availabity
Coastal trips are dependent on river and weather conditions.
Contact us to discuss timing and availability. Have your own steelhead setup? Bring it. Need gear? That's fine too.
When you contact us, we'll go over exactly what you'll need based on where and when we'll be fishing.
Perfect.
You don't need years of two-handed casting experience to book a steelhead trip with us.
Our guides work with anglers across a wide range of experience levels. If you've never swung a fly, we'll teach you. If you're newer to fly fishing altogether, we'll adjust the day accordingly. And if you've been chasing steelhead for years, we'll skip the basics and get to work.
Steelhead have a reputation for being difficult fish, and sometimes they absolutely are.
That's also what makes catching one so memorable.
Steelhead season can mean everything from comfortable fall afternoons to cold, wet winter days. We'll provide specific recommendations before your trip, but plan on bringing appropriate layers and rain protection for the forecast.
Polarized sunglasses are strongly recommended.
If you're traveling and don't want to bring rods and reels, let us know. Equipment is available for our guided trips.
Ready to Chase Northern California Steelhead?
Steelhead aren't an everyday fish.
That's why we chase them.
Whether you want to swing flies through a Trinity River run in October, hunt winter fish in January, or finally catch your first steelhead on a fly rod, tell us what you're looking for.
We'll help you figure out the right time, river and trip.
Contact Us
Northern California Steelhead Fly Fishing FAQ
When is steelhead season in Northern California?
Our primary steelhead season runs from approximately September through March. The Trinity River provides opportunities throughout much of that window, while coastal steelhead fishing becomes an option during the winter months when rainfall and river conditions cooperate.
What is the best month to fish the Trinity River for steelhead?
It depends on what you're looking for. September can provide aggressive fish and lighter pressure. October and November typically bring greater numbers of steelhead into the system. December through February offer winter-run fish and the possibility of some of the largest steelhead of the season.
Can I swing flies for steelhead?
Absolutely. Swinging flies is one of our favorite ways to fish the Trinity when conditions are right. Tell us that's your priority when booking so we can discuss timing.
Do you offer spin fishing trips?
No. Our steelhead trips are fly fishing trips. We do not offer guided spin fishing.
Can beginners book a steelhead trip?
Yes. You don't need previous steelhead experience. Our guides can teach casting, presentation, line management and the techniques we'll be using throughout the day.
Where do your steelhead trips take place?
Most trips take place on the Trinity River west of Redding, California. During winter, we also fish the Eel River and other Northern California coastal waters when conditions are favorable.
How many people can fish?
Our guided trips accommodate one or two anglers per boat.
Do I need to bring fly fishing equipment?
No. Rods and reels are available for use, and terminal tackle is provided.
What happens if the river conditions aren't good?
That's one of the advantages of fishing with guides who spend their season across Northern California. We'll monitor conditions leading up to your trip and communicate with you about the best available options.
