Sept 15th -Fishing Report
Cool mornings, crisp evenings, and rivers that are alive with fish
The first signs of fall are here—cool mornings, crisp evenings, and rivers that are alive with fish. The valley flows are holding steady, mountain creeks are running cold and clear, and the bite across the region has only improved over the past few weeks. Trout are feeding with urgency, steelhead are showing in the Feather, and salmon are pushing in stronger by the day.
It’s that magical window anglers wait for all year, the one where every cast feels like it could turn into a story you’ll be telling all season. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about getting out, now’s the time to make it happen—because once October rolls around, you’ll wish you’d grabbed these September days while you could.
Fishing Report
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Cooler nights are finally giving the creeks that usually warm up too quickly a break—water is staying cooler longer, which means trout are active for more of the day. Deer Creek is still warming fast, so early starts are key, but the Upper Sacramento is fishing beautifully—clear, cold, and stacked with eager trout ready to chase anything that moves.
The McCloud is running clearer than before and holding fish well. Pocket water, seams, and riffles are all holding trout, and the rewards for sharp drifts and precise casts are high.
🪱 Top Flies:
Small Stimulators (#14–16)
Parachute Adams (#14–18)
Mercer’s Missing Link (#14–18)
Copper Johns (#16–18)
Hare’s Ear Nymphs (#14–18)
Ants & Beetles (#14–16)
Tasmanian Devil, Brush Hog, Blow Torch
💡 Pro Tip: Keep moving. Mountain trout are picky—don’t linger where anglers have already fished. Cover water, make short, accurate casts, and mix surface and subsurface presentations for the best results.
🎣 Why Go Now: Fall is almost here, and trout are fired up. Cooler nights mean more consistent fishing across the creeks. Days like these won’t last forever—grab your morning or afternoon on the water before someone else snags your spot.
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The Lower Sac is still putting on a show and proving why it’s one of the state’s most reliable fisheries. Flows are holding steady at 7,500 CFS, and the trout are in a “feed me all day” mood. Nymphing is still the bread and butter, but don’t sleep on swinging soft hackles or leeches along the slower edges—they’ll smack anything that looks tasty.
As we slide deeper into September, the action only gets better. Think of it like the river’s version of happy hour: fewer people, cooler weather, and fish that suddenly remember how much fun eating flies can be. Even if your drift isn’t perfect, you’re likely to walk away with a smile (and maybe a few bruised pride moments when a big rainbow shakes the hook).
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: Mix up your tactics—nudge the nymphs through seams, swing a soft hackle in the slack, and be ready for those surprise grabs. Evening hatches? Electric. Midday? Still feeding. Basically, the Lower Sac is the kind of fishery that makes you rethink your weekend plans…in a good way.
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The Low Flow section is holding steady at 650 CFS and continues to fish very well. Spring-run steelhead are still hanging in their favorite buckets, and early fall fish are starting to slide in—giving you a two-for-one shot if you’re willing to put in the time. Trout are still feeding strong, and the lower flows mean fish aren’t spread out—they stack up in spots you might usually walk past when the river’s ripping.
It’s not about bombing casts or covering miles of river—this is technical, precise fishing. Shorten your drifts, make every presentation count, and keep a swing rod handy. Fish are willing to grab a swung fly in the right water, and beads, egg patterns, and small nymphs are all paying off. Caddis pupae, PMDs, and flashy attractors will help when the fish get picky.
The kicker? Most anglers are waiting for the big fall push and the crowded river sections. Right now, the Low Flow feels almost empty—like a secret slice of steelhead heaven. Skip it, and you’ll be 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 or olive 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. Dial it in now—you’ll thank yourself when everyone else is elbow-to-elbow chasing fish that were biting weeks ago
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The High Flow section is firing on all cylinders at 5,000 CFS. Tons of salmon are pushing through, and anywhere you spot a pod of kings, you can bet steelhead are lurking just behind—hoovering up eggs and ready to eat. This is where the action gets explosive if you know how to cover water and read the currents.
Unlike the Low Flow, the High Flow is about moving smart, spotting fishy seams, and keeping your offerings in front of hungry steelhead. Nymphs, beads, and egg patterns are essential, but don’t forget the swing game. Soft hackles, leeches, and flies like the Hoh Bo Spey will get grabs from fish cruising the tails of salmon pods. This is high-reward water, and it’s perfect for anglers who like a little chaos with their hookups.
The best part? Most folks are intimidated by the high flows, which means you can fish some prime spots with minimal pressure—like having VIP access to a steelhead buffet. Hit it now before the fall crowds start showing up, and you’ll leave the river with stories your buddies won’t believe.
Top Flies:
Split Case PMDs (#14–18)
Olive Hot Spots (#14–16)
Egg patterns (peach, pink, chartreuse)
Caddis pupae / Fox’s Poopah (#16–18)
Soft hackles (#14–16)
Swinging flies like Hoh Bo Spey, leeches, and streamers
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on seams just downstream of salmon beds and keep your flies moving naturally. Steelhead aren’t shy—they’ll smack anything that drifts right in front of them. Cover water, stay alert, and enjoy the show.
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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
Cooler temps are setting in, the rivers are alive, and this fall is shaping up to be one for the books. Trout in the mountains, steelhead on the Feather, and valley rainbows that fight like freight trains—it’s all happening, and it’s only going to get better as we move toward October.
Don’t wait until the stories are being told after the fact—make your own while the season is still unfolding. Book a trip or secure your spot in a clinic with Bock Fly Fishing, and step into one of the best windows of the year. Because when you look back on this season, you’ll want to remember the fish you caught—not the ones you only read about.