Aug 3rd-The Dog Days

Written By Patrick Bock

August’s Here—Bring the Foam and Watch It Get Eaten

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get back on the water, this is it. Hopper season has officially arrived, mountain creeks are fishing like wildfire (in between actual lightning strikes), and the fish are on a tear. Mornings are cool, afternoons are just warm enough to stir up some bug activity, and every trout in NorCal seems to have the same idea: eat everything that moves.

Hopper-dropper rigs are the name of the game right now. Big foam flies up top, small mayfly or caddis patterns down below. Whether you’re bombing banks on mid-elevation streams or creeping through pocket water in the high country, the grabs have been aggressive and the net is getting wet.

Before you go full send on the foam parade, a quick PSA: bring a stream thermometer. If water temps climb above 65°F, it’s time to give those fish a break. Healthy fish fight harder and live longer—and if you missed it, I covered this in more detail in my latest blog post.

And if you’re ready to level up your fly fishing game or just want someone to finally explain what the heck a reach cast is—good news:

Spots are limited and filling fast—don’t let another season pass you by while you’re stuck watching fish pics from your buddies. Let’s get you geared up and out there

Fishing Report

  • Burn Scar Country Is Prime Hopper Ground

    This is the best dry-fly game around right now. While I’d normally point hopper-hunters to the Yuba, that river’s in rough shape (more on that below). Instead, head for those fire-scarred drainages in the Sierra and Cascades. The terrestrial activity in these zones is legit, and the trout are straight-up reckless.

    Hopper-dropper combos are producing everywhere from the Upper Sac to smaller creeks around Lassen and the North Fork Feather. Keep it light, keep it high, and fish early—water temps are climbing by late morning in places like Deer Creek and the canyon stretches of the North Fork Feather.

    Flies to Try:

    • Stubby Chubbies, Tan or Pink (#10–14)

    • Jig Pheasant Tails & Frenchies (#14–16)

    • Olive Caddis Pupae / Poopahs

    • Parachute Adams / Missing Link Caddis

    • Foam Beetles and Ants

    Pro Tip: Don’t ignore those glassy flats between plunge pools. A sneaky cast with a single dry can move surprisingly big fish in skinny water.

  • At a consistent 14,000 CFS, the Lower Sac is in its groove. The stretch above Highway 44 reopened August 1, and fish are already back in their lanes. If you want consistency, this is your river.

    The salmon pulse is on its way, and that means the egg bite’s about to kick into gear. Trout are feeding well throughout the day, especially with cloud cover or smoky skies keeping the light levels down.

    Best Bugs Right Now:

    • Olive Hot Spots / Two-Bit Hookers (#14–16)

    • PMD Nymphs & Split Cases

    • Fox’s Poopah

    • Rubberlegs

    • Egg patterns (get ‘em ready)

    Pro Tip:
    Short-leashing inside seams and foam lines near structure is the move. Set early—these fish aren’t sipping. Best Bite Windows:

    • Early morning – Those first two hours are gold.

    • Evenings – Caddis come out to play and the fish follow.

    Flies to Run:

    • Olive Hot Spots / Two-Bit Hookers (#14–16) – Still a staple.

    • Fox’s Poopah / Caddis Pupae (#14–16) – Fish the soft seams.

    • PMD Split Case (#16–18) – Especially late in the day.

    • Hopper-Dropper combos – Find a shady bank and test your reflexes.

    Float Tip:
    Short-line those riffles and inside seams. You don’t need to bomb 60 feet to find fish — you just need a good drift and enough caffeine to see the take.

    Temp Check:
    Lower Sac stays cooler longer thanks to cold releases, but once you hit those backwaters and side channels, don’t assume — check your temps. If it’s too warm, it’s time for plan B (carp, bass, cold beverage).

    Track current flows here: CDEC Flow Info

    If you’re after that high-volume, high-quality action that the Lower Sac is famous for—this is it. Don’t miss out.

  • Flows are holding around 1,232 CFS, which is solid for summer and great for early morning walk-wading. The trout are eating well before the sun hits the water, with caddis and small mayfly nymphs doing most of the heavy lifting.

    When the thermometer says the water’s over 65°F? Pack it up, or head higher. Evening dry fly activity has been solid if temps cooperate.

    Go-To Flies:

    • Frenchies & Olive Hot Spots (#14–16)

    • Caddis Pupae (swing or drift)

    • PMD Split Case / Micro Mays (#16–18)

    • CDC Caddis and small Adams for dusk

  • At 6,542 CFS, this section is full-size and best fished from a boat. Salmon are starting to show, and pressure is heating up. Everyone wants to be the first to post a photo of a chrome steelhead—even if it’s still mostly wishful thinking.

    Trout are still around and biting, and the steelhead will keep trickling in as flows hold and temps drop. We’re not at peak yet, but it’s coming.

    What to Fish:

    • Perdigons & PTs (#14–16)

    • Fox’s Poopah / Olive Caddis Pupae

    • Thin Mints & Sculpzillas for swing missions

    • Egg patterns ready to deploy as soon as salmon drop

    Drift Tip:
    Row your way to the seams and cover water. It’s not always about hero casts—it’s about putting bugs in front of fish.

  • If you’ve ever wanted to question your casting, fly selection, and sense of self all before 9 a.m., then congratulations—you’re in the right place. Hat Creek is putting on a technical clinic right now, and the trout aren’t giving out participation trophies.

    Mornings are the main event. The Trico spinner fall is showing up on time (unlike you), and the fish are dialed in with terrifying accuracy. Land your fly a little off target? They’ll know. Cast too short? They’ll know. Think about lining the pod? Game over. But when you thread the needle… that’s why we do this.

    Trico Hatch Game Plan:

    Get There Early:
    Set your alarm and skip the drive-thru. Be in the water by 6:30–7:00 a.m. If you're late, the fish have already taken roll call and marked you absent.

    Flies That Might Actually Work:

    • Trico Spinners (#20–24): Think low-riding, spent-wing patterns. Drag-free or don’t bother.

    • CDC Comparaduns (#22): When fish are sipping emergers like it’s their morning latte.

    • Griffith’s Gnat / Renegade (#20–22): Great for hiding drag or your general panic.

    • Trico Nymphs or Micro May (#20–22): Drop one under a dry and double your chances at rejection.

    Make It Count:
    12'–14' leaders, 6x tippet (no, really), and dead-drift casts that would make a dry fly purist cry tears of joy. If your fly twitches, drags, or lands like a cannonball, you’re just decorating the water.

    What to Do After They Stop Eating Flies the Size of Dust:

    Once the Trico hatch fades, grab a nymph rig and hit the riffles. Perdigons, zebra midges, and tiny mayfly patterns are still getting grabs. Or take a break, find some shade, and re-tie the knot you’ve convinced yourself was the problem all along.

    Bonus Reminder:

    Water temps rise fast once the sun’s up. Keep a thermometer handy and call it when you hit 65°F. Or better yet, climb to cooler water and find trout with shorter memories.

    Pro Tip:
    Missed a set on a Trico take? Just tell your buddy you were “letting it develop.” Say it with confidence and no one will question you.

  • Let’s talk Yuba. It’s sitting at 2,000 CFS, which isn’t ideal but technically wadable in spots. The bigger issue? Access.

    Public access has been shrinking due to increased private land enforcement, gate closures, and limited legal parking options. Even areas anglers have fished for decades are now posted or fenced off. If you’re unfamiliar with the river, it’s not the best time to explore new water without checking land ownership first.

    That said, bug life is strong, and the fish are still there. But the combo of big flows and access headaches makes it a tough go right now.

    What’s Working:

    • Olive Caddis (dry & pupa, #14–16)

    • Hoppers (when you can reach grassy banks)

    • Soft Hackles swung through shallows

    • Micro Mays and PMD nymphs (#16–18)

    Wading Tip:
    Stick to known access points and don’t risk crossing fast water. It’s not worth it.

Final Word

Northern California is in peak form right now—flies are hatching, trout are eating like they’ve got dinner reservations, and the rivers look like they were designed by a travel magazine editor. Whether you’re bombing dries into pocket water, drifting nymphs from a boat, or chasing that high-stakes hopper eat, this is your window.

We’re smack in the middle of the stretch you’ll be talking about when things slow down—those glassy evenings, the surprise eats, and the days that make you wonder why you ever owned shoes that weren’t wet. It’s happening. Right now. And all that’s missing is you and maybe a good excuse for missing work.

If you’re still dialing things in or want to skip the “trial” part of trial-and-error, I’ve got just the thing:

  • Intro to Fly Fishing Clinic – August 23
    New to the game or want a tune-up? This clinic is your shortcut to confidence.
    $200 per person

  • Feather River Steelhead Clinic – September 20
    Fall’s closer than you think, and steelhead don’t forgive sloppy presentations. Let’s get you ready.
    $200 per person

And don’t forget—I've got open dates for guided trips through the rest of summer and into fall. Drift the Lower Sac or Feather, explore a canyon creek, or just tell me you want to catch something that bends a rod. I’ll handle the rest.

Bring a thermometer. Fish early. Fish smart. And above all—get out there while it’s still magic.

Let’s make some casts, tell a few lies, and maybe even land something worth remembering.

Tight lines,

PJ

Bock Fly Fishing

Your Excuse to Go Fishing Just Arrived

Let’s skip the part where you wait too long and end up scrolling Instagram while someone else posts grip-and-grins from your dream spot. Don’t be that angler.

Right now, mountain streams are cold, fish are feisty, and the calendar is filling up faster than a trout on a caddis hatch. Whether you’re craving a backcountry fix, gearing up for steelhead season, or just need a good reason to ignore your inbox, I’ve still got a few dates left. For now.

And hey — a quick PSA: bring that stream thermometer. If it reads over 65°, it’s time to move upstream, change species, or grab a cold drink and plan your next adventure. We’re here to catch fish, not cook them.

So here’s the plan:

Pick a date.
Book your trip.
Make it a summer to remember.

Because let’s face it — the fish are feeding, the water’s calling, and your boss probably won’t even notice you’re gone.

Every cast is still an adventure. But right now? It’s an absolute riot out there.

Patrick Bock
Next

July 25th - Fishing Report