May Madness
If you’ve been sitting on the fence waiting for a sign to get out and fish—
this is it.
Fishing across Northern California is on fire. Flows are prime, bugs are popping, fish are chowing, and the weather is playing nice. From the riffles of Hat Creek to the broad runs of the Lower Sac, the grab is real and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
I’ve still got a few prime evening shad sessions available—these are fast-paced, no-nonsense trips where we cover water and watch rods bend. Perfect for after work or sneaking out midweek before everyone else catches on.
Bonus: Now’s the time to lock in dates for your favorite smallmouth fisheries before they fill up. Warmwater season is coming fast, and the window for topwater eats and clear water visuals doesn’t last long.
From Bonnieview to Red Bluff, the Lower Sac is fishing like it’s showing off. Whether you're floating long miles or sneaking in a few hours after work, it's the kind of stretch that delivers again and again. Everywhere you turn right now, there’s something to chase—and if you’re still on the couch, you’re missing out.
fish don’t care that your lawn needs mowing. Hit the water while the getting’s this good.
Book your trip now—before the best dates are gone and the bite becomes another “should’ve gone” story.
Fishing Report
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Shad are thick and angry. The cottonwood’s flying, stripers are on the move, and the grab is borderline ridiculous when things line up right. We’re catching fish daily and the best is still ahead.
These aren’t subtle eats—they’re aggressive, hard pulls with backing burns if you’re lucky. Whether you're new to the swing-and-strip game or already hooked, this is peak fun-per-hour fishing.
Top Shad Flies:
Bloody Maria (Pink/Chartreuse #6)
Shad Darts (Fluoro Pink/Orange/Chartreuse)
Crazy Charlies (Hot Pink #8)
Anything that looks like a piece of neon candy on a jig hook
Evening bank sessions are still booking—don’t wait until it’s over.
Book a Shad Trip -
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about fishing the Sac—hop off. From Bonnieview down to Red Bluff, the entire river is fishing incredibly well. This isn’t one of those “just a few good spots” situations. Whether you’re floating long hauls or picking apart structure on a shorter half-day, there’s opportunity everywhere right now.
Flows are currently just above 9,000 CFS and projected to drop to 8,000—which is absolutely prime for boat traffic, side-channel exploration, and wading select edges. That recent spike helped push salmon smolt downstream, waking up stripers and igniting the trout bite in all the classic holding water.
Expect a variety of bugs—caddis, PMDs, small stones, and midges—to be in play depending on the stretch and time of day. Indicator nymphing is still king, but don’t sleep on euro-style rigs in the soft seams or dry-dropper combos when the sun is high and the riffles are lit.
Cloudy days? Keep a dry fly rod close. Rising fish have been showing themselves in the tailouts and foam lines, especially in the evening.
Hot flies:
Rubberlegs (Black/Brown, #6–8)
Olive Hotspot (#16–18)
Jigged Bird’s Nest (#14–16)
UV Sally (#16)
Ginger Snap (#16–18)
Peaches n’ Cream (#16–18)
BP Weiss Nymph (#16–18)
Track the flows here:
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecplotter/JspPlotServlet?sensor_no=9298&end=&geom=small&interval=2If you're after that high-volume, high-quality action that the Lower Sac is famous for—this is it. Don’t miss it.
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High Flow (1,700 CFS)
Still plenty wadable, and with fewer boot tracks, this section has been quietly producing some excellent fishing. Caddis and PMD nymphs are still your go-to, but this is also the place to swing.
Evenings have been lights-out for anglers stripping or swinging small baitfish and attractors. The higher flows push fish into soft water and slower buckets—perfect zones for those looking to ditch the bobber and cover some ground.
Go-to flies:
Same nymphs as above (Z-Wing Caddis, Walt’s Worm, Bird’s Nest, etc.)
Soft Hackle Caddis (#14–16)
Sculpzilla (#8–10)
Baby Gonga (#8–10)
Mini Intruder-style streamers (#8–10)
Silver Hilton and other classic swing bugs
Cover water, swing wide, and don’t be surprised if a big one turns on.
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This is prime water for wading anglers. The flows are locked in at that perfect zone for picking apart buckets, riffles, and soft seams. With summer just around the corner, the river’s starting to get that clean, green clarity we love—and the fish are responding.
Caddis are the main course, with a healthy side of midges and mayflies. Nymphing remains the best bet, but swinging soft hackles or small streamers in the evening can move some surprisingly big fish.
Productive patterns:
Z-Wing Caddis (#14–16)
Bird’s Nest (#14–16)
Pheasant Tail Variants (#14–16)
Walt’s Worm (#14–16)
Spring Fling (#14–16)
Olive Hotspot (#16–18)
Weiss Nymph (#16–18)
Pro tip: Focus your efforts early or late in the day. That low light window has been turning passive fish into players.
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Stoneflies, Drakes, and Everything in Between
The salmonfly party is in full swing, especially near the upper riffles. Green Drakes are popping more frequently—cloudy days are your best bet, but fish are starting to look up consistently regardless. Lower sections near Lake Britton will heat up even more in the next couple weeks.
Top Picks:
Rubberlegs (#8–10)
Jigged or Hunchback Green Drake (#12–14)
S&M Nymphs (#16–18)
Zebra Midges (#18–20)
Adams (#12–18)
Missing Link (#14–16)
Sculpzilla (Olive/Black #8–10)
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Summer is knocking and the high country is heating up—literally and figuratively. The flows are shaping up beautifully across NorCal’s freestone creeks, and the trout are looking up. Water is still cool and clear, but the extra push from runoff is finally easing up, opening up more water every day.
What’s the headline? Salmonflies are crawling, and it’s go-time for terrestrials. From beefy foam flies along cutbanks to sneaky ant and beetle patterns in slow pockets, fish are hunting big meals right now. Midday dry-dropper setups are producing some of the best numbers of the season, but don’t hesitate to go full dry when the bugs are active and the wind picks up.
Hiking into lesser-pressured creeks is paying off big—especially for anglers who are willing to put in the steps. With very little angling pressure in most places, it’s not uncommon to find eager fish on the first or second cast.
🎯 Terrestrial & Salmonfly Toolbox:
Chubby Chernobyl (#8–10) – salmonfly orange and purple
Yellow Crystal Stimulator (#12–14)
Stubby Chubby (#14–16) – great for ants and smaller hoppers
Black Foam Ant / Beetle Patterns (#14–16)
Elk Hair Caddis – Green, Black, Natural (#14–16)
Mercer's Missing Link – Olive, Black (#14–16)
Walt’s Worm, Bird’s Nest, Pheasant Tail variants (#14–16)
Olive Hotspot (#16–18)
Weiss Nymph (#16–18)
The best windows have been late morning through mid-afternoon, with evening caddis activity still hanging around in some drainages. With water conditions getting better every day, now’s the time to beat the heat, escape the crowds, and fish some of the most scenic water in the state.
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Still flowing high around 4,000 CFS, but here’s the good news: Hammon Grove and Sycamore Ranch are open, and you can absolutely pick up a few fish in the soft edges and tailouts. Parks Bar (Highway 20) access is still a mess, but if you’re willing to put in a short hike, you’ll find water that’s worth your time.
Fly Suggestions:
Rubberlegs (always)
Jigged Bird’s Nest
UV Sally
BP Weiss Nymph
Olive Hotspot
Pheasant Tail
Zebra Midges
Fish tight to structure and slow water, and don’t be afraid to double down with a little extra weight.
Access Woes Continue:
The south-side access at the Highway 20 bridge (Parks Bar) remains closed, so your choices are limited to Hammon Grove or embracing the challenge of a hike through what resembles a backcountry expedition. Not exactly the dream, right? If you’re fed up, it might be time to call the Yuba County Board of Supervisors and remind them that anglers deserve easier access.Pro Tip: Once flows drop below 3,000 and the river starts to level, target inside seams, tailouts, and calmer sections. Think jigged PMDs, copper bead Hare’s Ears, or anything with a bit of sparkle to catch a fin.
For now, consider a different river until the Yuba tames down a bit. Hang tight—the Yuba’s day is coming, maybe not this week, but soon enough!
Final Word
Northern California is lighting up. This is the season we wait for—long days, cooperative fish, and bugs crawling all over your windshield. Whether it’s a full float, a mountain hike, or a shad strike mission, it’s all happening right now. The options are endless, the windows are wide open, and the only thing missing is you out there taking a swing.
This is the stretch where memories get made. The kind you look back on when the water's high and muddy in winter, or when summer's heat has everything on lockdown. It’s the time for casting dries at dusk, hiking into a forgotten pocket of creek, and laughing with your buddies as shad crush your fly under a golden sky.
On a personal note
Olive, our baby girl, is due to arrive any day now. So if you don’t see the next report right away, I appreciate your patience. Life’s about to change in a beautiful, wild, and probably sleep- deprived way. But just like a hatch, I’ll be ready when it happens. And if you’ve ever wondered what a guy who hasn’t slept in three days looks like guiding a shad trip— you just might find out.
In the meantime, the fishing’s hot, the flows are right, and there’s no better excuse to dodge work and chase something wild. I’ll see you out there.
Bonus: I’m running discounted half-day evening shad trips from the bank—perfect for post-work grabs, short window getaways, or shaking off the 9-to-5.
Whether you’re eyeing a full-day float, dialing in a mountain stream clinic, or just need a reason to get off the couch and back on the water—I’ve got you.
Tight lines,
PJ
Bock Fly Fishing
Let’s get you hooked up before the calendar gets cooked.
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.