Fishing Report-April 24

Written By Patrick Bock

Flows are finally dropping on both the Low and High Flow sections of the Feather and the Lower Sac, and it’s about dang time. Things are starting to fish again, and I’m here for it.

We’re seeing better water clarity, more access, and fish that are actually eating instead of just sulking in weird spots. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get back out there, this is it.

I’ve been bouncing between rivers and seeing good stuff on all of them. Still gotta work for it, but the bite’s coming back around—especially with more bugs moving and spring weather sticking.

Last week’s Steelhead Clinic was a blast—everyone stuck fish and a few have already been back out on their own getting grabs. That’s the whole point! I’ve got a few spots open for the next one on Saturday the 26th if you’re ready to level up your steelhead game

Intro to Fly Fishing Clinic – May 18th

New to fly fishing or just need a refresher? This one-day clinic at Deer Creek is the perfect way to get dialed in before peak season. We’ll cover the basics—gear, casting, reading water, and a few flies that flat-out work—all in a laid-back, hands-on setting.

Cost is $175 per person and spots are limited. If you’ve been meaning to learn, now’s the time. Click below for details and to sign up!

  • Lower Sacramento River – April Update

    After a wild ride from 4,000 to 10,000 CFS, the Lower Sac is finally settling in just under 6,000 out of Keswick. That’s solid drift boat water—and the fish are starting to stack in those deeper channels, making them easier to find (if you know where to look). Wading’s still off the table, but the bite is turning back on.

    Above Hwy 44 is closed ‘til August, so that dream of landing a donkey under the Sundial will have to wait. But don’t worry—there are still some slabs being hooked further downstream.

    Current Conditions:
    Fishing is fair and improving. The fish are adapting to the new flows, and so should you.

    What’s Working:

    • Eggs: Yellow beads in 10mm and 12mm—sucker spawn is still happening

    • Caddis: Olive Hot Spot (#16–18), Bird’s Nest (#14–18), CDC Prince, Dark Lord are good this time of year also

    • Stoneflies: Rubberlegs (#6–8) – it's almost that salmonfly time…

    • Mayflies: PMD nymphs Crack Back PMD, Ginger Snap,(#16–18), BWO Olive hot spot, Weiss Nymph dark and Sweet pea(#16-#18)

    Pro Tip: Fish slower water with structure. The fish aren’t interested in CrossFit right now—they’re conserving calories.

    Want to keep tabs on current flows?
    Check the CDEC Flow Graph for Keswick releases – Sensor #841. It'll keep you honest.

    Need help getting dialed?
    Book a trip and let me do the heavy lifting. You bring the snacks—I’ll bring the flies and fishy water.

  • Flows just dropped again—now down around 600 CFS and this is when the Feather starts to flirt back. Spring fishing is officially on, bugs are hatching, and the fish are getting into that sweet, predictable rhythm we all love.

    Last week’s Steelhead Clinic was a blast—everyone got into fish and we even stumbled on a few Easter eggs in the river (the chrome kind, not the candy kind). Always nice when the fish decide to cooperate during class.

    Now that flows have dropped a bit more, things are lining up even better. This is light-and-tight fishing season: slower water, soft seams, tight drifts, and tiny bugs.

    What’s Working:

    • S&M Nymphs (#16–18, olive or brown)

    • Redheaded Stepchild (#16–18)

    • Hydropsyche Caddis (#14–16, olive)

    • Perdigons (#14–18, olive or brown)

    • Yellow sucker spawn (still rolling strong)

    • Olive Hotspot, Waltz Worm, Hogan’s SN, Olive Bird’s Nest – the MVP list holds strong

    Tip: Don’t overthink it—just downsize and hit the soft water. These fish aren’t in a rush, and neither should you be.

    Flow Watch:
    Flows can change quick here. Best way to keep up is still calling the hotline: (530) 534-2307—they’ll give you the update for both the High and Low Flow sections.

    Want in on the next clinic or a guided day?
    I’ve got spots open for the next Steelhead Clinic on Saturday, April 26. Whether you're looking to tighten up your nymph game or just see what this whole steelhead hype is about, now’s a good time to get after it.

    Let’s go find some more of those chrome Easter eggs.

  • High Flow Feather River – Wader’s Delight

    Flows out of the Afterbay have dropped again—now at 2,350 CFS, for a total of around 3,000 CFS in the High Flow. Translation: it’s time to stop staring at weather apps and start rigging rods. The river is finally in fishy shape—super wadable, boatable, and downright fun.

    From Thermalito all the way down to Gridley, the water’s opened up and the fish are in their spring groove. We’ve been getting grabs in all the right places, and the bugs they’re eating are telling the story.

    Flies That Are Getting It Done:

    - Olive or natural Bird’s Nest or Waltz Worm (#14–16)

    - Yellow beads (8mm & 10mm) – still a solid choice with sucker spawn lingering

    - Hogan’s S&M Nymph (#16)

    - Hogan’s Red Headed Stepchild (#16)

    - Crackback PMD (#16)

    - Sweet Pea (#16–18)

    Tip: Target soft edges, seams, and inside bends—those spots where fish can chill without getting bulldozed by current. With flows this friendly, you can really dial in your presentation and hit a bunch of productive water without feeling like you’re training for a triathlon.

    Golden Hour Bonus:

    When the sun drops, caddis come out to party. Swinging a soft hackle or emerger through tailouts during the evening window has been straight-up electric. It’s also a solid excuse to stay out a little longer. You’re welcome.

    Flow Check:

    Feather flows change fast. For the real-time scoop, call (530) 534-2307 and listen to the recorded update for both the High and Low Flow sections.

    Ready to Get Out?

    This is hands-down one of the best windows we’ve had in a while. If a half-day mission sounds like your kind of therapy, hit me up and let’s get you on the water. The fish are ready. Are you?

  • Yuba River – Still Up, Still Annoying

    Flows have come down to 4,544 CFS, which sounds a lot better than 6,400… until you try to wade it. Still too high to fish comfortably on foot, unless you’re rocking scuba gear or prepping for a SEAL qualification. If you were eyeing Parks Bar for a quick session—don’t. You’d have an easier time tightlining in a whitewater park.

    Now, the good news: we’re heading in the right direction. With no major rain on the horizon, flows should continue to drop, and when they do, the Yuba will come back to life quick. It's just not there yet.

    Access Woes Continue:
    The south-side access at the Highway 20 bridge (Parks Bar) is still closed, which means your options are either Hammon Grove or embracing the suffering. And let's be honest, hiking into subpar water like it’s a backcountry expedition just to cast into chocolate milk isn’t exactly the dream.

    If that rubs you the wrong way (same here), don’t just grumble—call the Yuba County Board of Supervisors and let them know anglers deserve better. It’s public land. We should be able to get to it without needing a four-day permit and a Sherpa.

    Tip for When Flows Drop Further:
    Once we get below 3,000 and the river starts to level out, it’s game on. Fish the inside seams, tailouts, and softer water with a bit of flash—think jigged PMDs, copper bead Hare’s Ears, or anything sparkly enough to catch the eye of a fish still adjusting to new conditions.

    Still Want to Fish?
    Your best bet for now is to choose a different river. Unless your idea of fun involves chest-deep current and mystery footing, this one still needs a little time.

    Hang tight. The Yuba’s day is coming—but maybe not this week.

  • Absolutely! Here's your updated blog in your voice, with the latest info, humor, and the CAF event:

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    ### Deer Creek, Hat Creek & Other Mountain Streams

    The High Country is Calling (Just Don’t Forget Your Wading Staff)

    The general trout season opens this Saturday, and while flows are still a little high from runoff, there's plenty of reason to get excited. Most mountain streams are cold and pushy—but fishable—and the trout? They’re waking up hungry after a long winter nap.

    This time of year, it’s less about matching the hatch and more about just showing up with a decent drift. A dry-dropper rig is going to be your best friend—unless you’re one of those Euro-nymphing animals who finds joy in counting split shot and talking about tippet diameter like it's F1 engineering.

    Hat Creek is already fishing good to great. We’re seeing clouds of caddis, BWOs on overcast days, and PMDs making an appearance when the sun’s out. Stoneflies are on the way too, and yes—I’m officially chomping at the bit for that first taste of salmonfly mayhem.

    Other streams like Deer Creek and Butte Creek are a little behind, but give them a minute. One solid week of sunshine and things will pop. Presentation is key—don’t get too hung up on fly choice. Fish are more forgiving than you think as long as your drift doesn’t look like you’re skipping rocks.

    Chico Area FlyFishers Event – Learn to Fish Small Streams!

    Want to learn how to read small water, fish pocket water, and make your flies dance in tight spaces?

    I'm hosting a FREE small stream clinic for members of Chico Area FlyFishers at Deer Creek. We’ll cover fly selection, tactics, and all the sneaky tricks for getting into wild trout on technical little creeks.

    Date: May 3

    Location: Deer Creek

    Cost: Free for CAF members

    Details & Signup:chicoareaflyfishers.com

    Pro Tips & Flies for Mountain Trout:

    - Dry-Dropper Combo: Try a size 12 Stimulator with a Walt’s Worm, Bird’s Nest, or Pheasant Tail (#14–16) dropped off the back.

    - Bugs to Watch For: Caddis, BWOs, PMDs—stoneflies on deck.

    - Presentation > Perfection: Don’t sweat it if your fly isn’t a textbook match. A clean drift will outfish a perfect pattern every time.

    - Wade Carefully: Flows are better but still spicy. Don’t go chasing trout down hydraulics like you’re in a GoPro ad.

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    Ready to explore the mountain streams or brush up your skills before the summer crowds hit?

    Now’s a great time to book a day trip—especially if you want to get dialed in before runoff is completely gone.

    Every cast is an adventure—just try not to swim on your first one.

Final Word

Spring’s finally stretching its legs, and so should you. From valley steelhead to hungry mountain trout waking up from their winter naps, NorCal is about to go off. Flows are still a little pushy in spots, but that just means we’re on the edge of some of the best fishing of the year.

We’ve got the latest lowdown on what’s fishing, where it’s heating up, and which bugs are actually getting eaten. If you haven’t checked out the new river reports—Feather, Lower Sac, Yuba, Hat Creek, and more—you’re flying blind. Don’t be the angler guessing with a fly box full of the wrong stuff while everyone else is hooked up.

Now’s the time to get your name on the calendar. Once things settle, prime dates disappear faster than a wild trout in pocket water. Whether you want a full-day float, a mountain stream clinic, or just someone to tell you you’re doing fine (even if you’re not), I’ve got you covered.

Tight lines,
PJ
Bock Fly Fishing

Ready to make some memories?

Book your trip—before someone else grabs your date.

Every cast is an adventure—especially this time of year. Get out there and make it count.

Patrick Bock
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Fishing Report-Flows Dropping