Fishing Report

Written By Patrick Bock

  • Conditions: Fair to Good
    The river is currently a milky blue, which isn’t the worst thing—it just means the fish have to work a little harder to see your fly (and you have to work a little harder to fool them). Flows are steady at 6,000 CFS out of Keswick, which is good news. Sunny days seem to be fishing better, so grab your sunscreen and start making up excuses for why you “have” to go fishing midweek.

    Recommended Flies:

    • #6-8 Rubberlegs – A trout’s equivalent of a drive-thru burger. Big, satisfying, and hard to ignore.

    • 10mm Yellow Eggs – Because if there’s one thing fish love, it’s a free meal they don’t have to chase.

    • Birds Nest (Size 14-16) – Classic, effective, and basically the little black dress of nymphs.

    • Cinnamon Caddis Poopah (Size 14-16) – The name may not sound appetizing, but the trout aren’t picky.

    • Olive Hot Spot (Size 16-18) – Think of it as a flashy accessory—just enough bling to get noticed.

    As the water clears up, these flies will become even more effective. For now, stick with bigger profiles and bright colors to cut through the haze.

    Notes:

    • Bonnieview Boat Launch is still toast. Storms wrecked it, and fixing it could take months. The city is working on a temporary solution, but don’t hold your breath. Good thing there are plenty of other launches (and plenty of fish in between them).

    • The stretch above Highway 44 closes on March 31. If you want a shot at your PB trout, you’d better get out there before the big boys take their annual vacation.🚨 Time is Running Out! The stretch above Highway 44 closes on March 31, and this is where California’s biggest wild trout reside. If you’re looking for that once-in-a-lifetime trophy trout photo, now is the time to book your trip before this section shuts down. Don’t miss your chance to experience some of the best fly fishing Northern California has to offer!

    📅 Limited Availability – Book Now! Secure your spot before the closure and take advantage of our March Discount. Visit bockflyfishing.com or call us today!

    🎯 Recommended Flies:

    • Morning: Zebra Midges

    • Nymphing: Olive Hot Spot, BWO imitation, Cinnamon Caddis Pupa (Tim Fox’s version), Bird’s Nest

    • Dirty Water: Rubber Legs

    • Dry Fly Headhunting: Comparadun, Elk Hair Caddis

  • Conditions: Good to Great
    Flows have dropped to just under 900 CFS, making the river very wadable and perfect for chasing Feather River steelhead (which, let’s be real, sometimes act more like trout with an attitude problem). Overcast days are fishing better, but even on brighter days, you’ll find fish if you put in the work.

    Recommended Flies:

    • Redheaded Stepchild (Size 16-18) – No parental issues, just a fish magnet.

    • S&M Nymph (Size 16-18) – Not as risqué as it sounds, but definitely effective.

    • Olive or Brown Perdigon (Size 14-18) – These little bullets get down fast and get the job done.

    • Sweet Pea (Size 18) – Tiny, but deadly.

    • Any small BWO imitation (Size 18-20) – The steelhead are watching for emergers, so don’t ignore the little guys.

    Pro tip: Let your flies swing out at the end of your drift. These fish are looking up for emerging bugs, so don’t yank your line back too soon.

    Notes:

    • A buddy of mine caught a coho salmon on a Redheaded Stepchild. Maybe this fish was lost, or maybe it was trying to tell us something about the future. Either way, it was cool to see.Right now, BWOs and midges dominate the hatch, while warmer days will bring some caddis activity. These steelhead are aggressive, making swinging soft hackles and streamers a solid tactic.

    🎣 Now’s the Time to Target Feather River Steelhead! The river is in prime condition for a guided drift trip. Book now to lock in your March Discount and experience some of the best winter steelhead action in NorCal!

    🎯 Recommended Flies:

    • Nymphing: Fox’s Olive Caddis Pupa, Olive Bird’s Nest, Sweet Pea Nymph, Crack Back BWO, Hogan’s S&M Nymph

    • Swinging: Sculpzilla, Olive Bird’s Nest, White/Olive/Black Micro Bugger

  • Feather River (High Flow)

    Conditions: Still High (7,600 CFS)
    If you like Spey fishing, this stretch might be worth a look, but for now, it’s still pushing a lot of water. Once flows drop, expect more consistency.

    🌊 Striper Alert! With this much water moving through the system, stripers have been able to migrate past the diversion dam downstream of Gridley. This means that spring and summer should provide some excellent opportunities to target stripers in the Feather River. If you’re looking to chase big, aggressive stripers on the fly, start planning now!

  • Yuba River

    Conditions: High Flow, 4,600 CFS
    Right now, the Yuba is flowing like a freight train, and to make things even more fun, access just got worse.

    Access Issues:

    • The Yuba County Board of Supervisors closed the south-side access at Parks Bar Bridge, which makes getting to the river a bit more “adventurous.”

    • There’s no indication that they plan to reopen it anytime soon. If you were hoping for a quick fix, well… don’t.

    • For now, Hammon Grove is your best bet once flows drop, but until then, maybe pick another river unless you’re training for an Ironman.

  • Deer Creek & Other Mountain Trout Fisheries

    Conditions: Poor
    Most of these spots are either closed, blown out, or require survival skills you probably don’t have. If you insist on going, bring a GPS, a space blanket, and a will to live.

    Notes:

    • A storm is coming This week. Expect rain in the valley and more snow in the mountains. If you were thinking about heading up there, just remember what happened to the Donner Party.

    🎣 Now is a great time to explore before runoff begins! If you're looking to hone your small-stream techniques or just want to chase wild trout in beautiful mountain settings, now is the time to get out there.

    🌄 Want to learn how to fish these technical waters? Book an Introduction to Fly Fishing Clinic and start your season off right!

    📅 Spring and Summer Clinics Coming Soon! Keep an eye out for Spring Steelhead Clinic dates and our Fly Fishing School launching this summer. Don't miss your chance to elevate your skills before prime season hits!

    👉 Book now and secure your March discount!

  • Conditions: Still Primo
    Baum Lake is fishing great, but getting there might be an issue if the incoming snowstorm dumps on the roads. If you make it, expect solid fishing with these setups:

    Recommended Flies:

    • BWO Dries – Perfect for those moody, drizzly days.

    • Caddis (Afternoons on warmer days) – When the bugs wake up, so do the fish.

    • Balanced Leech under an indicator – If you’re feeling sophisticated.

Feather River Steelhead Clinic

〰️

Feather River Steelhead Clinic 〰️

April 5th

Want to get better at catching steelhead instead of just telling people you almost caught one? Join our Steelhead Clinic on the Feather River on April 5th. We’ll cover everything from reading water to choosing the right flies—and maybe even how to handle rejection when a steelhead turns you down.

Spots are limited, so book now before you’re stuck waiting until next season!

Book Your Spring Fishing Trip!

Spring is heating up, and so is the fishing. Whether you’re after Lower Sac trout or Feather River steelhead, now is the time to get on the water.

Patrick Bock
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Fishing Report