Reel Adventures Guide Service

Steelhead season still going strong....

*Dates still available in February... 19-21, 27, 28

We've had some turbulent storms this past week in Northern California. As a result we are sitting at slightly ahead of "normal" for rainfall and water content in our snowpack so far this season. Woot Woot. This is great news for steelhead, salmon and wild trout fisheries all over California and especially here in the Northstate.

Steelhead fishing on the Trinity River was pretty solid last week before the biggest storms blew out the river for a couple days.

(Images: Sean and Matt got on em pretty good for a couple days... it wasn't easy fishing but whoever was in the bow seemed to do alright)

Flows in DC are steadily dropping under the 900cfs mark and I would assume things to be back in shape here in the next day or two. Flows in JC are still on the big and pushy side of 1600cfs so it may take until the weekend for the lower drifts to be fishable.

The upper Trinity River is well known to drop very quickly after it stops raining and it can return to fishable shape amazingly fast. 

(Bob and Tom show. They certainly hooked more than they landed...lol, mostly due to bad luck and "sticks"! We had a pretty decent 2 days I'd say, hooking 10 nice adult stlhd in two days fishing aint bad right now)

Danny H with a good wild hen that jumped 4 or 5 times and ripped... tough fishing but we got one when it mattered.

Trout fly fishing report...

As we get further into February I start looking ahead to fishing the Lower Sacramento River a lot more... from Redding to Anderson and down to Cottonwood.

March, April and May can be outstanding and it's probably my favorite time of the year on the Lower Sac river (October is a very close 2nd). The weather is cooler and the spring hatches are at the peak.

(Fun loving Bob and Judy... We took a break from steelhead fishing and floated the Lower Sac last week instead. We had a short window of time and made the best of it. Awesome caddis action mid day... things are looking good for spring caddis in February)

We fish out of my comfortable and custom-made 17' Willie drift boat for big wild trout. These fish are abundant in this incredible tailwater fishery and we often have 25-50 fish days out here. The upper river floats see wild rainbows averaging between 17"-22" with shots at bigger fish as well. The lower river floats are much more scenic with slightly smaller fish on average - but nonstop hookups most days. I suggest booking 2 days if you can, one day down low and one day upriver... tell me which you prefer.

This river is perfectly suited for fly fishing from a drift boat. Having a competent, knowledgeable and local guide who is experienced behind the oars is key. This river is fast and deep and the technique of side drifting with an indicator has been perfected over decades on the Lower Sac.

One of the reasons I like the springtime is that we can get into some dry fly fishing as well. The best days will be overcast or rainy days with little to no wind... the BWO and PMD's can go off in the spring, along with March browns and other large mayflies. (Summertime caddis hatches in the evenings from July-September can be another awesome dry fly time)

Simply put, these fish are incredible and very hard pulling! The Lower Sac is one of the reasons we decided to call Redding our home, after moving back to Northern California from our previous adventures in Mammoth Lakes, CA. This is an amazing year-around wild trout river with a lot of diversity of water and limitless fishing potential for some of the most consistent, large rainbow trout in the state. If you have never seen it or fished it you should make plans now for this spring. If you are already a fan, then what are you waiting for?

As I mentioned above, my favorite time for the Lower Sac is March thru May (possibly great fishing in February, also) Take a look at my online calendar on my website www.reeladventuresguideservice.com to book your dates now. Prime times will be booking up in the next few weeks....

*Dates still available in February...19-21, 27, 28

March... 7-16, 18-22, 25, 26, 28, 29

 

Forecast calls for warm and sunny...

Sorry it's been a few weeks since I updated the blog... had a few days on the water before the river below out last week giving me a few much needed days off. Weather is fantastic right now!

The Trinity River got really big with flows over 2k in Douglas City and double that in JC. Repeated back-to-back storms finally blew the river out for a few days... This is great news and we should see a lot of fresh fish moving into the upper river. Also, our mid January rainfall and snowpack totals are slightly ahead of "normal" for the season so far!

The river is steadily on the drop and fishable in many areas currently. I will have a busy week ahead guiding a bunch of days so I'll have a good update as we roll into February time. Currently, I have a lot of open dates in February and it's not to late to get into some fly fishing steelhead action on the Trinity River this season... get a hold of me www.reeladventuresguideservice.com

(Robin J got into some action last week prior to the river blowing out... it wasn't easy and she had to work for them but got into some nice fish each day)

Always beautiful Trinity River...

 

The Lower Sacramento River is currently blown out... I don't think it will take long to clear up now that it has stopped raining... but not sure when as I am mainly focused on steelhead fishing at the moment.

I look forward to mid February and especially March through May to be prime time on the Lower Sac for its big wild rainbow trout. Springtime is one of my favorite times of year to fish this river and you should start now planning your trips now as dates will get booked up!

Lots of fish like this are caught everyday in the springtime on the Lower Sac... Schwacktopia. (pic is from a few seasons ago)

 

I would put the Sacramento River at the top of all rivers in California for consistent, big, wild rainbow trout that pull super hard on our 9.6" 6wt rods. These fish are basically derived from steelhead stock (Upper Sac, McCloud, Pit River, etc) that have turned into resident trout over many years living below the dam at Shasta and Keswick Reservoirs... they don't need to go to the ocean in this nutrient rich, cold-water, tailwater system. So many resident trout just get big and grow up healthy on the supply of salmon eggs, fry and carcasses and well as abundant caddis, mayfly, midge and other aquatic insects... come see for yourself and you will be blown away. Come jump in my boat between March and May (or really any month of the year) and see what the buzz is all about.

Lower Sac wild trout are more similar to steelhead... it's indeed in their pedigree. (pic is from last spring)

Winter Steelhead...

Weather has been getting with it this week... lots of much needed rain and snow in the high country. Currently we are sitting at near or above "normal" for precip for the season. If things continue we should have a decent runoff this spring and our mountain freestones and big reservoirs will rejoice!

Steelhead fishing on the Trinity River has been looking up...

(Image: Cold, wet, rainy and snowy day on the Trinity. Jim is swinging a run, trying to find a player... the water is warmer than the air!

(Images: Jim R is a gamer and I always look forward to his steelhead trips. He knows how to sniff em out. No swung up fish on this day but he knows how to catch them with other methods just as well. Weather... what weather?

 

After these latest storms subside and the river comes down a little we should be firmly into our wild, winter-run fish. I can't wait to get back on the river after a few days off this week and see some of the FRESH arrivals. Should be pretty epic...

I still have quite a few days open in February. This is primetime for winter steelhead. So, if you want to be IN the pictures instead of VIEWING them... then lets get after it. Contact me soon. Visit:

www.ReelAdventuresGuideService.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

Wishing all of you, my friends and clients, a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday and hoping for the best this coming New Year! Hoping 2019 brings us much rain and snow for continued drought recovery.

2018 was an eventful year. In fact, it's been an eventful last few years with weather and fires adding to the complications of life and business for many folks in Northern California. We take the good with the bad and keep plugging along. Our thoughts continue to be with those who have been affected by this summer's devastating wildfires here in Northern California... the Carr Fire in Redding, Camp Fire in Paradise, Hirz and Delta Fires in the watersheds of the McCloud and Upper Sac as well as the Hat Fire which nearly burned down the Clearwater Lodge along the Pit River. It's been a crazy year with any one of these fires being a wildfire of a lifetime...

Trinity River Steelhead--

(Image: Trevor H. holding a beauty 32" wild buck he caught recently fishing with his father, Danny H)

Fishing on the Trinity River for Pacific Steelhead has been up and down. Somedays are just downright TOUGH (still scratching out 1-3 fish) while other days we get into a good half-dozen adult fish. We are still seeing hatchery fish coming in slowly and the run has been slow moving - but there are days where we see mostly or all wild ones, too. There are steelhead spread throughout the entire watershed right now.

(Images: Mike and Jack got into the stlhd pretty good this week...)

(Images: The Tierney clan on their annual Birthday stretch steelhead trip... always a good time with this fine group)

We are finally receiving consistent rainfall each week which has helped improve conditions by raising water flows and getting the fish moving. I feel like we may see better days ahead, particularly in regard to the bigger winter, wild, steelhead that typically show up in January and February. The quality of the wild ones are worth it!

(Image: Christian holding his first steelhead ever, a nice wild hen... he and his Dad, Guy, got into a few last week)

(Image: Another fine wild one for Trevor H. on a great day going 5/6 on steelhead with his father, Danny H.)

 

The Lower Sacramento River--

I've been spending most of my time on the Trinity River chasing steelhead but we do still hit the Lower Sac 1-2 days a week through the winter months for big trout. The river is fishing decent for a few hours each day with BWO's and PMD's coming off mid day, especially on the rainy or overcast days. 

(Image: Christian and Guy holding up another 20" double... we had many on this wet, rainy day!!

 

(Image: The Lower Sac is one of the BEST wild rainbow trout fisheries in the country... we fish it all year around. Why more people don't know about it... is bewildering)

 

(Images: Just more good ones from the Lower Sac...)

 

I will be chasing steelhead through February on the Trinity River as well as a few trips planned on the CA Coast for winter steelhead. Get online and visit my website www.reeladventuresguideservice.com for more info, reserve dates, etc... still have some open dates in Jan/Feb for this season.

March/April will be here before we know it and this is MY FAVORITE time of year to float fish for big trout on the Lower Sacramento River right here in Redding, California. The river is at its best shape in the springtime with mild temperatures to boot... sunny and 60's-70's typically with lots of bug hatches and possible dry fly action. Book soon this is a very popular time for me.

May/June is the BEST time of the year for walk & wade fly fishing trips on our local freestone rivers and spring fed creeks. The rivers I love at this time are: Pit River, McCloud River, Upper Sac as well as spring creeks - Fall River and Hat Creek. Get ahold of me ASAP to book your dates this spring/summer.

Trinity River Steelhead...

It's been classic steelhead fishing these past few weeks... it hasn't been easy, every day has been different and some days just surprise you. This is why the game is so much fun and rewarding.

(Images below: Eileen D always gets her fish... after a few good ones to the net on Day 1, she tore it up on Day 2 landing 3 out of  7 adult stolid she hooked -- add 2 more that Bill landed and we were 5/9 on a fun day fly fishing for steelhead)

In between rainstorms the Trinity River here in Northern California has been very low and clear making the river tough to navigate in a drift boat and increasing the wariness of the fish. Add to that some days have been very crowded with lots of guide boats and bank anglers... Luckily, I have been fishing and guiding this river for many seasons and I'm comfortable with both situations. 

Low and clear presents its challenges but experience has taught us how to work in these conditions and be successful. There are fish in the system and they are spread out from Lewiston to Junction City and downriver. We are seeing a mix of the hatchery run and wild fish in the mix. The best conditions will be during rain events and when the river is a little high and off color, to dropping. I believe we have many good days ahead of us on the Trinity River this season.

Take a look at my calendar www.reeladventuresguideservice.com to find open dates in January and February. Next available dates are January 2,3 & 7-10

(Images: Chivalrous Bill D got two nice bright wild ones on this day... so happy to see him get some action behind the the "ringer in the bow" his wife Eileen. Bill is such the gentleman always insisting she have the bow all day long despite her hooking 7 fish (a few right in front of his flies, lol) 

(Images: John W and I worked hard for a few hookups each day but these fish are worth the effort! This one above was a bright, wild one that was hidden in a little nook... it took one good cast and just the right drift/swing to get her to grab the fly. Good times, John, thank you again for making the trek.

(Images: While the "catching" was a lot tougher than I anticipated, the conversation, wildlife and appreciation of the river with all it's quietness and stunning beauty more than filled our cups. The river is amazing in the winter)

(Images: Last but not least... Matt Carpe Diem everybody. He's a special kind of animal who has fishing and fun on the brain 24/7/365 when he's not logging insane frequent flier miles for his business. Dude responds when the flows and fish look promising. He's always a gamer and willing to roll the dice. We've had good and bad days, errr never had a bad day with Mr. Miller. Cheers, Pal) 

Looking at and forward to... more rain in the forecast this weekend! Get on up here soon we are in the middle of the fall-run hatchery fish right now. I pulled 6 tags out of fish just last week and we should see more of those on this next rain event because they are long overdo. These fish are moving slow due to the lack of big rain events so far this fall/winter season. We've had only two substantial rain storms so far this season but the 2 week forecast looks promising.

Next up... the wild, winter-run fish (or late fall-run) arriving with rains typically through January - February. These are my favorite fish of the year, hot, bright and full of speed and agility. The wild ones let you know as soon as they come tight to the line!!!

For more info visit www.reeladventuresguideservice.com  Call, text or email me and lets discuss your plans.