Aug 27th- Labor Day Weekend
Trade the BBQ tongs for a fly rod
Fall trout season is firing up
Labor Day doesn’t signal the end of summer—it’s the spark that kicks fall fishing into high gear. Rivers are cold and clear, trout are hammering hoppers, salmon are sliding in, and steelhead are just starting to make their move. It’s the kind of window where every trip feels like a highlight reel—but it won’t last long.
And speaking of steelhead… my Feather River Steelhead Clinic is coming up September 20. This is the perfect chance to dial in your tactics before the peak run hits. We’ll cover everything from rigging to presentations, so when that grab happens, you’ll be ready to make it count. Spots are limited, and they always go quick once the bite turns on.
If battling valley rainbows, sneaking into mountain pocket water, or chasing your first (or next) steelhead is on your list, now’s the time to make it happen.
Book your fall trip—or grab a seat in the steelhead clinic—before the best days disappear.
Feather River Steelhead Clinic – September 20
Fall is just around the corner, and steelhead don’t cut slack for sloppy presentations. We’ll focus on tactics, rigging, and how to find and hook these beautiful fighters with confidence. $200 per person.
Fishing Report
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The mountains are calling—and they aren’t whispering politely. They’re yelling, “Why are you still sitting at home when the water is perfect and the trout are looking up?” Crisp mornings, cool air, and the kind of scenery that makes even a gas station burrito taste gourmet—this is prime time for chasing wild mountain trout.
Deer Creek is waking up fast with the summer heat. Fish it early or risk watching more TikToks and trail selfies than rising fish. Meanwhile, the Upper Sacramento is the real star right now—clear, cold, and loaded with eager trout that reward sharp drifts and punish lazy casts. Pocket water and riffles are stacked with fish, and if you bring your A-game, you’ll get rewarded with plenty of eats.
The McCloud, of course, remains her dramatic self. She runs off-color just when you think she’s perfect, warms up when you need her cold, and generally keeps anglers humble. But if you’re willing to dance with her on her terms, she’ll give you some of the prettiest trout you’ll ever hold.
Top Flies:
Small Stimulators (#14–16)
Parachute Adams (#14–18)
Mike Mercer’s Missing Link (#14–18)
Copper Johns (#16–18)
Hare’s Ear Nymphs (#14–18)
Ant & beetle patterns
Tasmanian Devil, Brush Hog, Blow Torch
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t stand still. Mountain trout are like picky museum-goers—they’ll glance once and move on. Cover water, make short, accurate casts into pockets and seams, and don’t waste time flogging the same run. The more ground you cover, the more fish you’ll stick.
🎣 Why you should go now: Fall is around the corner, and once those leaves start to drop, you’ll wish you had one more day of summer pocket-water magic. The fish are fired up, the water’s clear, and it’s only going to get better in the weeks ahead. Don’t just read about it—go make your own story on the water.Top Flies:
Small Stimulators (#14–16)
Parachute Adams (#14–18)
Mike Mercer’s Missing Link (#14–18)
Copper Johns (#16–18)
Hare’s Ear Nymphs (#14–18)
Ant & beetle patterns
Tasmanian Devil, Brush Hog, Blow Torch
💡 Pro Tip: Keep moving. Mountain trout are like picky museum-goers—they won’t linger where it smells like too many humans. Short, accurate casts into pocket water or along seams will outfish blind flogging every time.
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Forget everything you think you know about the Lower Sac. This isn’t just a numbers game anymore—it’s wild-trout country, and it’s fishing like it knows it’s the headliner. Big rainbows are holding in the heavy stuff, sliding out to crush dries at dusk, and just when you think you’ve figured them out, they’ll smack a bead or nymph you didn’t expect. The evening hatches have been straight-up theater: caddis, PMDs, and enough chaos on the surface to make even seasoned anglers miss hooksets while they stand there gawking.
The fish aren’t shy. They’re eating with confidence, and if your drift is right, you’ll feel that unmistakable Lower Sac surge—the kind that bends your rod deep and makes you forget about the laundry piling up at home. You’ll laugh, you’ll probably curse, and if you’re lucky, you’ll land one of those chrome-sided wild bows that looks like it belongs in Alaska, not Northern California.
Top Flies:
Small cinnamon caddis pupae (#16–18)
Small PMDs (Split Case, Wonder Bug, Crack Back #16–18)
Olive Hotspots (#16–18)
Weiss nymphs (#16–18)
Rubberlegs (#14–16)
Peach & Tangerine egg patterns
8 mm & 10 mm orange/tangerine beads (egg imitation)
💡 Pro Tip: Keep that drift quick and natural—the fish don’t want a slow dance, they want a drive-by snack. And don’t skip the evening bite. It’s electric, it’s chaotic, and it’s the kind of fishing that’ll have you texting your buddies “you should’ve been here” while you’re still on the water.
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The Low Flow is in a great spot right now. Spring-run steelhead are still hanging in their favorite buckets, and a few early fall fish are sliding in, giving you a two-for-one opportunity if you’re willing to put in the time. The current flows are low enough that fish don’t spread out—they stack up in spots you might usually walk past when the river’s ripping. That means you can slow down, shorten your drifts, and fish with precision.
It’s not about bombing casts or covering miles of river here—it’s about making every presentation count. Beads and egg patterns are the obvious choice, but don’t sleep on small bugs. Caddis pupae, PMDs, and flashy little attractors are all in play, especially when the fish get picky. The reward for dialing it in? Shots at steelhead that most folks don’t even realize are there.
And here’s the kicker: everyone else is waiting for the big fall push and the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds that come with it. Right now, the Low Flow feels almost empty—like you’ve got a private fishery hiding in plain sight. If you skip this window, you’ll be the one scrolling through other people’s grip-and-grin photos wishing you had gone.
Top Flies:
Soft hackles (#14–16)
Small attractor nymphs (#16–18)
Small cinnamon caddis pupae (#16–18)
Small PMDs (Split Case, Wonder Bug, Crack Back #16–18)
Peach & Tangerine egg patterns
8 mm & 10 mm beads (egg imitation)
💡 Pro Tip: Cast upstream, follow seams, and fish with intent. The Low Flow is serving up quiet, technical fishing with way less pressure than you’d expect. Miss it now, and you’ll spend the fall dodging crowds instead of catching fish.
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When flows jump, the Feather transforms into a steelhead obstacle course. Fish tuck tight to seams and hunker in the softer buckets, but the moment a bead or nymph drifts by just right, it’s like hitting the jackpot. Think of it as a game show where the steelhead are the judges, and every drift is an audition. Nail it, and you’re in the spotlight. Miss it, and you’re just background noise.
High flows don’t mean fewer opportunities—just fewer anglers willing to work for them. Which is perfect, because it means less pressure and more fish for anyone who shows up. The grab out here isn’t polite—it’s a full-blown ambush. That’s why this stretch feels so addictive. The challenge is real, but so is the payoff.
Top Flies:
Soft hackles (#14–16)
Small attractor nymphs (#16–18)
Small cinnamon caddis pupae (#16–18)
Small PMDs (Split Case, Wonder Bug, Crack Back #16–18)
Peach & Tangerine egg patterns
8 mm & 10 mm beads (egg imitation)
💡 Pro Tip: Patience is your wingman here. The eats are violent, and if you’re not dialed in, you’ll be telling “the one that got away” stories while your buddy grins over lunch.
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If spring creeks had a VIP lounge, Hat Creek would be first in line. This legendary spring-fed stream stays cool and clear, even under summer’s sun, making it a prime retreat before fall steals the spotlight. It’s a trout buffet—and the menu is always top-tier.
What’s Happening Right Now:
Morning Trico mayfly activity is lighting up the riffles around Powerhouse #2, while dusk brings caddis on the surface like clockwork. The water stays cold (think 50–54°F) and crystal-clear, setting the stage for some brutally technical, beautifully rewarding dry-fly fishing. It’s the kind of stretch that makes you rethink your entire life plan—and maybe tag the boss to say you'll be slightly late, every morning.Top Flies (all ready to fool those spring-creek PhDs in trout):
Trico spinners (early, #20)
Parachute Adams (all sizes #14–18)
Elk Hair Caddis (#14–16)
Quigley Cripple (gray, #14–16)
Parachute PMD (#16)
Yellow Sallies and caddis for evening rises
Stark White Rubberlegs for stonefly hatches
Black Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, Copper John for nymphing when the dries go quiet
Most anglers are either sleeping in or chasing salmon elsewhere. Meanwhile, the elite are quietly pounding the riffles, fooling hat-ridden trout without competition. This is where the photo-worthy stories start—and if you’re not there, you’ll just be liking someone else’s brag post.Pro Tip:
Hatches are fickle—show up early and pay attention to what's happening. Use long leaders, small flies, accurate drifts, and approach stealthily. Miss these gnarly, precision eats now, and fall’s crowds won’t give you a shot at this kind of magic. -
Flows are still a bit high for safe wading, but don’t let that scare you off—if you’re willing to get creative, the Yuba is serving up some seriously fishy edges. Access at Hammond Grove or Sycamore Ranch lets you target banks and backwater seams where trout are holding tight, and when you find them, it’s pure satisfaction. Limited anglers and high water make it feel like a VIP club—exclusive membership, maximum reward.
That said, access is tricky right now. The south-side road at Parks Bar Bridge is closed. If you’re itching to change that, you’ll need to contact the Yuba County Board of Supervisors to get anything moving. Until then, patience and clever approaches are your best friends.
Top Flies:
Small attractor nymphs (#16–18)
Soft hackles (#14–16)
Rubberlegs (#8)
Hella Stoned Fly (#10)
Peach & Tangerine egg patterns
8 mm & 10 mm beads (egg imitation)
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on edges and backwater seams—trout love these spots, and the high flows keep them predictable. Cover every nook, and don’t take your eyes off the water. One missed drift, and you’ll be staring at another angler’s landing while your rod stays embarrassingly quiet.
This stretch fishes almost like a secret—right now, you’ve got the chance to grab prime bank water before word gets out and the weekend crowd catches up.
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Sharpen your skills or just make work jealous with my Feather River Steelhead Clinic – September 20. We’ll cover rigging, presentations, and hooking steelhead confidently. Spots are limited—if you blink, someone else is swinging the rod you wanted.
Guided trips are open through fall—drift the Lower Sac, sneak into mountain creeks, or just tell me you want a fish that bends a rod. Don’t wait—the best days will vanish faster than a trout after seeing a fly land.
🎣 Pro Tip: Book your trip or clinic now and make this fall one to remember—because every cast counts, especially right now.
Final Word
Fall is about to spoil us rotten. Trout are eating like they’ve got dinner reservations, salmon are sliding in like they own the place, and steelhead are just starting to remind us why we lose sleep in September. This is the stretch of the year where “just one more cast” turns into three more hours—and you won’t even feel bad about it.
If your skills are a little rusty (or if you just want an excuse to tell your boss you’re in “professional development”), my Feather River Steelhead Clinic on September 20 is your ticket. We’ll cover rigging, presentations, and how to keep your cool when a steelhead tries to rearrange your shoulder socket. Seats are limited, and they’ll vanish faster than your favorite fly when the tree behind you looks extra hungry.
I’ve also got a few prime dates left for guided trips this fall—whether you want to drift the Lower Sac, sneak up on mountain trout, or finally feel that first grab from a steelhead. Don’t wait until your fishing buddy books the last spot and spends all winter bragging about it.
Shoot me a message, grab your date, and let’s go make some questionable decisions involving river rocks, rubber boots, and fish stories.
Tight lines,
PJ
Bock Fly Fishing