Memorial Day And Beyond
Fishing across Northern California is lighting up just in time for Memorial Day weekend
Heads up—I’m totally booked for the holiday weekend, but no worries! June is shaping up to be fantastic with cool mornings, hungry fish, and prime conditions before the summer heat pushes us indoors with fly tying and AC.
Flows are just right, bugs are buzzing everywhere, and fish are chomping like it’s their full-time job. Whether you’re dreaming of pocket water or long runs, the bite is steady and strong.
But here’s the real deal—if you’re new to fly fishing (or just want to brush up), I’m running an Introduction to Fly Fishing Clinic on June 28th. We’ll cover everything from gear basics and casting to reading water and picking flies, all in a laid-back, hands-on setting where you can ask questions and get comfortable on the water.
Spots are limited and filling up fast—this is your chance to jump in and start catching fish this season without the guesswork. Don’t wait and miss out!
To learn more Click Here.
Trust me, you don’t want to be hearing about the epic fishing from the sidelines while everyone else is out there having a blast. Let’s get you casting and catching this June!
Fishing Report
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Shad are thick, fired up, and ready to rumble. Cottonwoods are shedding like crazy, stripers are cruising, and when the stars align, the bite gets downright ridiculous. We’re hooking fish daily—and trust me, the best action is still coming.
These aren’t your gentle nibblers—think explosive strikes, rod-bending pulls, and if you’re lucky, backing-burning runs that’ll make your heart race. Whether you’re just diving into the swing-and-strip game or already hooked for life, this is peak fun-per-hour fishing you don’t want to miss.
Top Shad Flies That Get the Job Done:
Bloody Maria (#6 Red/Chartreuse)
Shad Darts (Fluoro Pink, Orange, Chartreuse)
Crazy Charlies (#8 Hot Pink)
Basically anything that screams “neon candy on a jig hook”
Evening bank sessions are filling up fast—don’t wait until the shad season is history.
Book your shad trip now and get in on the frenzy before it’s gone!
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If you’ve been sitting on the fence about fishing the Sac—time to hop off and get in the game. From Bonnieview all the way down to Red Bluff, the entire river is fishing incredibly well right now. This isn’t a “just a few good spots” situation—the whole stretch is loaded with opportunity.
Flows are currently holding steady around 14,000 CFS to help salmon make their downstream journey. On days when flows aren’t changing much, the fishing has been consistently great—giving us fantastic windows to chase fish and put rods in hands. This flow also creates prime conditions for boat traffic, side-channel sneaks, and picking your way through the best wade spots.
The recent flow spike helped push salmon smolt downstream, woke up the stripers, and lit up the trout bite in all the classic holding water.
Expect a smorgasbord of bugs depending on where and when you’re fishing: caddis, PMDs, small stoneflies, and midges are all on the menu. Indicator nymphing still reigns supreme, but don’t overlook euro rigs in the soft seams or dry-dropper combos when the sun is high and the riffles are firing.
Cloudy days? Keep a dry fly rod handy. Rising fish have been showing up in tailouts and foam lines—especially in the evening hours—ready to dance.
Hot flies to have tied on:
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 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.
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High Flow (1,700 CFS)
Still plenty wadable and with fewer boot prints, this stretch has been quietly putting on a show with some seriously solid fishing. Caddis and PMD nymphs are your trusty go-tos, but if you’re feeling adventurous, this is the prime spot to throw a swing or strip small baitfish patterns.
Evenings? They’ve been absolutely lights-out for anyone stripping or swinging—those higher flows push fish into soft water pockets and slower runs, making it perfect terrain for ditching the bobber and covering some real water. If you want action and a chance to put some distance on your cast, this is where to be.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 still move some surprisingly big fish. On hotter days, the bite does slow down, but if you know where to look, you can still find a few steelhead hanging in the shadows..
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—both literally and figuratively. Flows are shaping up beautifully across NorCal’s freestone creeks, and the trout are definitely looking up. The water’s still cool and clear, but the heavy runoff push is finally easing off, opening up more water every day.
What’s the headline? Salmonflies are crawling, and it’s prime time for terrestrials. From beefy foam flies skimming cutbanks to sneaky ant and beetle patterns tucked in slow pockets, fish are on the hunt for big meals right now. Midday dry-dropper setups are putting up some of the best numbers of the season, but when the bugs really come alive and the wind kicks in, don’t hesitate to go full dry fly.
That said, the heat is starting to dial things back during the hottest parts of the day. But for those willing to hike into less-pressured creeks—and put in the steps—it’s paying off big. With almost no angling pressure, it’s not uncommon to find eager fish ready to greet you 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 3,400 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 buzzing right now — perfect days, active fish, and bugs swarming like it’s nobody’s business. Whether you’re chasing a full river float, exploring a hidden mountain creek, or lining up a shad trip, everything is firing on all cylinders. The season’s wide open, and the only thing missing is you getting out there and making some memories.
This is the time you’ll look back on when the rivers are frozen or the summer scorch shuts everything down. It’s prime for throwing dries at dusk, hiking to those secret spots, and sharing laughs as shad smash your fly under a fiery sky.
Heads up:
Next week, there won’t be a new fishing update. I’ll be spending all my free moments meeting my daughter, Olive, who’s expected any day now. Life’s about to get beautifully chaotic, and I appreciate your patience as I dive into this new adventure. But don’t worry — just like a hatch, I’ll be back on the water and back to sharing soon.
Looking ahead, I’ve got an Introduction to Fly Fishing Clinic scheduled for June 28th, and I’d love to have you join. Whether you’re new to the sport or just want a refresher, it’s a great way to kick off summer on the water.
Until then, the fishing is hot, the flows are solid, and there’s no better time to sneak out of work and chase some wild fish.
Bonus:
I’m offering discounted half-day evening shad trips from the bank — great for quick post-work sessions or a fast escape from the daily grind.
Whether you want a full-day float, a mountain stream clinic, or just a solid excuse to get outside, I’ve got you covered.
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.