Top 5 Summer Fisheries (Lower Sac, Fall River, Upper Sac, McCloud, Pit)

The Best Fly Fishing Options in Northern California during the Summer

As we look forward to summer and all the fun that it brings, here are the top 5 Northern California summer fisheries that should be on every angler’s bucket-list this summer.

The Lower Sacramento

The Lower Sac deserves to be at the top of this list for many reasons. The fish on the Lower Sac during the summer months are in some of the healthiest and hard fighting shape you will ever find a wild rainbow trout to be in. Most days even during extreme heat spells we see consistent fishing, and the temperature on the water typically is several degrees cooler than the surrounding area. On a typical summer evening, large Hydropsyche caddis hatch as the shade begins to hit the water. This can make the bite go into full frenzy mode in the riffles as the trout gorge themselves on these vulnerable snacks. Paired with golden summer evening light and it’s an experience like no other. All day during the summertime on the Lower Sac you will typically find some bugs hatching and fish feeding. In the Lower Stretches, summer means large stonefly imitations and “swirl” fishing when some of the hardest fighting trout in the river suspend just under the surface in deep holes feeding in the miniature whirlpools created by the current. A summer float on the Lower Sac, especially in the lower stretches can mean complete solitude and solid fishing.

Fall River

The Fall River is undoubtedly the most unique fishery in Northern California. The large spring creek literally boils up from underground and meanders through gentle grass beds as it wanders it’s way through the scenic Fall River valley. Summer is peak fishing season on Fall river, as water temperatures finally become warm enough for insect hatches to take place. Gin clear water makes the fish wary, so good presentation is key here. That being said, anglers can have huge days of constant action on this prolific river. Summer also brings with it the famous Hexagenia mayfly hatch. These giant yellow mayflies hatch at dusk, creating a short yet intense flurry of dry fly fishing action that has become famous on this river.

Upper Sacramento River

It wouldn’t be summer in Nor Cal if we didn’t talk about wading the Upper Sac. This fishery is many people’s favorite walk n wade stream in the summer. As outside temperatures rise, wet wading with no waders becomes a refreshing way to beat the heat and catch fish. With over 30 miles of productive water above Lake Shasta, finding complete solitude is easy on the Upper Sac. With a little hiking and adventurous spirit, you can fish areas that seldom see any anglers. The trout population on this river seems to be in extremely good shape, so if the water looks fishy, it probably has fish. Nymphing with various caddis, stonefly, and mayflies all work great depending on what’s hatching that day. Dry Dropper is always worth fishing as well, especially in the pocket water. Prince nymphs, rubber legs, and jigged perdigon style flies are always a safe bet here. We also see some dry fly action in the mornings and evenings most days.

McCloud River

The McCloud River is easily one of the most famous trout streams in California, if not the most famous. The scenery alone is worth a visit. Emerald blue water, giant foliage, and some of the prettiest native redband rainbow trout in the world as well as brown trout that grow quite large. On the hot days, wet wading here is an option although the water is typically pretty cold still coming out of McCloud reservoir. The shaded canyon of the Lower McCloud is always a welcomed oasis from Northern California’s summer heat. Summer time is pocket water season on the McCloud, and most oxygenated boulder pockets will have fish waiting for the opportunity to eat the right fly. Sometimes in this foamy water, attractor style flies like a copper john will get bit as good or better than a perfect caddis, mayfly, or stonefly imitation. Dry dropper fishing is a perfect way to cover this water, and an explosion on a chubby chernobyl dry fly is like nothing else. Hiking this river on a summer day is a rewarding and special experience, and it is important to note, watch out for rattle snakes as you hike in.

Pit River

Summer is peak season on the Pit River. The main reason we say this is because you can wet wade all day in the summer, as the river temps are usually perfect for this and the outside temperatures require it. “There a fish behind every rock on the Pit” is a saying we hear often, and we have experienced it to be true. The Pit River is known for having stout “football” shaped rainbows that don’t typically grow long, but they do grow round. These fish pound for pound are some of the hardest fighting native trout around. Wading the pit is very challenging, as the boulders are slick and plentiful. This is why wet wading is perfect, because if you slip a little, it’s always nice to cool off in the river anyways. Golden Stoneflies are prolific on the Pit River, which makes any golden stonefly nymph an easy choice. There are also plenty of Caddis, Mayflies, and other Stoneflies that hatch on this river. Often, the trout aren’t extremely picky here. It’s more about getting a fly in front of them.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

March Madness in the North State

By Matt Formento • March 9, 2026

It’s March Madness time - basketball lovers and trout fishermen unite in a love for this month. March marks the beginning of spring, and the beginning of spring bug hatches that wake up nearly every trout in the North State from their winter sluggishness. It’s time to string up those 5 and 6wts. As the weather warms, the first streams to really “wake up” are the Central Valley streams, because that’s where it gets warm first. The Lower Sac and Feather River often have trout / steelhead fishing in the month of March that can rival or beat the madness of fall. The reason being, is that as temps rise significantly, the PMDs really start to hatch. Caddis, other mayflies, and even some stoneflies will begin kicking around in March, but on the Lower Sac it is usually the PMDs that take center stage. With this abundance of food on the Lower Sac, the trout tend to be willing to expend more energy to feed, and become far more accessible for the fly angler. This means they are out looking for food, rather than just taking the food that drifts by them. These same trout have received very little pressure all winter from anglers, and are thus less “educated” and more bold about how they take a fly, and less picky on the more popular patterns they will have seen plenty of by the time the month of June rolls around. On the Lower Sac, March is the last chance to fish the famous upriver stretch from the Posse Grounds down to Highway 44. While there is plenty of epic water below highway 44, this upriver stretch is known for plenty of big aggressive fish, and March is the last chance to fish it before it closes on April 1st. On the Feather River, March typically marks the beginning of more elevated spring flow releases in the “low-flow” stretch of the Feather River. This can make for some of the most epic fishing of the year on the Feather, and those who have experienced it will attest to just how hot and heavy the fishing can be for the Feather’s feisty Valley Steelhead due to these elevated flows. March also marks the beginning one of the better chances for dry-fly fishing on the Lower Sac. Although still rare, when the stars align on a cloudy day in March during the first strong PMD hatches, you might just find some mega-sized trout softly sipping PMDs in the shallow and undisturbed current edges, flats, or soft riffles. Another fishery which is often overlooked in March is the Trinity River. March is hands down the best month to throw single dry flies on the Trinity. March Brown Mayflies are hatching strong on the Trinity, and feeding one of the Trinity’s wild winter steelhead, or large resident browns on a single dry fly is an experience like no other. There are typically plenty of “half-pounders” mixed in during this time as well, so action is consistent. Right now, all of this is on the table. All of these great options for epic fishing are part of what makes up the madness of fly fishing Nor Cal in the month of March.

Preparing for the Spring Transition in Nor Cal

By Matt Formento • February 23, 2026

A keen angler is focused on the present moment, but also keeps in mind what’s ahead so that they are ready when the time comes. Don’t get caught with your waders down. Right now, steelhead are swimming heavy through our brains, and for good reason. We have at least a month and a half, maybe even two months of prime steelheading left in Nor Cal. Often, the last part of steelhead season is the best part. Fewer people out targeting them, warming temperatures turning on the bite, and both inward and outward migrating fish in the systems. Looking ahead, we know that the transition from winter fishing to spring fishing will happen sometime in March, and when it does, an angler should be ready. It happens fast. Typically, these first few weeks of spring fishing ushered in by the warming weather will trigger some of the best fishing of the entire spring. The portion of the trout population that are relatively dormant in the winter come alive and start feeding ferociously at the first sign of a good Caddis, PMD, or BWO hatch. They haven’t been pressured, and they are hungry. The month of March can mean fishing on the Lower Sac that rivals the fury of the egg-drop in October. While there is always a small chance of rain showers in March, usually the weather is nice, and either way the fishing is usually great as soon as the temperature warms up just a little bit. On the Upper Sac, March also marks the beginning of some angler’s favorite season on this river. We see great numbers of large lake-run rainbows enter the lower portion of the river from lake Shasta in March, some of which can rival the punch of a coastal steelhead. They are aggressive, opportunistic, and hands down the best fighting fish you will find in this river. The transition from winter to spring also often creates a small window of ideal flows on this river, where snowmelt from Mt. Shasta has yet to begin in full force, and the rains of winter have subsided. Other great spring opportunities abound in March, and sometimes anglers miss out on weeks of good fishing with no crowds if they are not prepared for when spring begins. The Feather River, Lake Shasta, and McCloud River should also be on an angler’s radar in March in addition to the Lower and Upper Sacramento. April and May are when spring fishing is in full swing on nearly every body of water in Nor Cal and is by all means a fantastic time to go fishing. However, if you like taking advantage of every good opportunity, the winter / spring transition time in March should not be overlooked. Usually water levels are ideal, fish are unpressured, and memories are made. In the fly box, having PMDs, BWOs, and small dark colored Caddis are the key to being ready for these early spring hatches. If the stars align, you might even see some pretty epic dry fly action.

February Fishing Report

By Matt Formento • February 9, 2026

Fishing Report 2/9

Winter Steelhead

By Matt Formento • December 27, 2025

Winter Steelhead "The Pinnacle" of freshwater Fly Fishing

December Fishing Report

By Matt Formento • December 12, 2025

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No crowds and epic fishing. Winter steelhead are showing up in good numbers, and the stable weather over the past two weeks has produced some epic trout fishing on the Lower Sac. The main focus lately has been on Lower Sac trout and Trinity Steelhead. Rain on the extended forecast means more of this, as well as an increase in steelhead numbers on all rivers!