The Trinity River is the longest tributary of the Klamath River, approximately 165 miles (266 km) long, in northwestern California in the United States. It drains an area of the Coast Ranges, including the southern Klamath Mountains, northwest of the Sacramento Valley. Designated a National Wild and Scenic River, along most of its course the Trinity flows swiftly through tight canyons and mountain meadows.
The river is also known for its runs of salmon and steelhead maintained in part by hatcheries. The king salmon enter the river in mid-July and are there generally through October before fading out in early November. The steelhead arrive in October and typically are in the river through March. In 1981 the United States Congress designated the entire river downstream from the Lewiston Dam to its mouth on the Klamath, as well as portions of the river's tributaries, as the Trinity Wild and Scenic River.
The Trinity is known for its runs of salmon and steelhead; the king salmon are available mid-July through October, when the steelhead arrive and typically stay through March. It's open year round, and the Fly Fishing Only Section (200 feet bwloe Lewiston Dam to the Old Lewiston Bridge) is open April 1-September 15.
Guided Fishing Trips
The Trinity River is California's most productive steelhead river. It's steelhead season is also the longest. We catch adult fish from September through March. During the early season ... morewe fish near Willow Creek. We follow the fish up the river through the Del Loma, Junction City, Douglas City, and Lewiston areas. We primarily swing flies with spey rods and switch rods, but we are not above catching these fish with nymphs and indicators if that's what you prefer. We use rafts and drift boats on the Trinity.
Fly Fishing the Trinity River can be tough and extremely challenging, however, having a professional and knowledgeable Trinity River Fly Fishing Guide, will not only make for an enjoyable ... moreday on the river, but also an unforgettable journey down one of the best steelhead rivers in the state.
The Trinity River is the longest tributary of the Klamath River system at 120+ miles, stretching from Lewiston Dam down to the confluence with the Klamath at Weitchpec. It’s also one of the of the most pristine and scenic river systems in California, and is world famous for its large steelhead runs. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides guide on the upper stretches of the Trinity River, starting at the dam in the Fly Only water down to Burnt Ranch. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides have many access points along the river and have many float options depending on where the fish are and what techniques we may be using.
If you are looking to fly fish for Steelhead, Salmon or huge Brown Trout, the Trinity River is the place. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides not only know where the fish are, but they know how to get that tight line using all facets of fly fishing. Whether chasing them with traditional methods like swinging with two handed rods or indicator fishing with single handed rods, our guides have the knowledge and experience to teach on the water and put you on the fish, or just row you down and let you do your thing.
The steelhead season on most Northern California Rivers, start early September and same goes for the Trinity River. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides are on the river as early as August, and guide/fish it on through till April. The Trinity River is known for 3 runs of heart pounding steelhead action, 1) Late Summer/Early Fall, 2) Late Fall/Early Winter and 3) Late Winter/Spring.
Late Summer/Early Fall- August-October starts out with some early season unbelievable numbers of 12-20” chrome bright half pounders with an occasional adult up to 10lbs. This is a great time of year for those just starting out, or those wanting to really put a bend in those light weight rods, as there is a lot of rod bending action. It’s also a great time to dust off those small 2 handed Switch/Spey rods and try out some surface/sub-surface swinging techniques, and to get ready for the up and coming steelhead season. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
Late Fall/Early Winter- October-December starts out with the change of fall colors and then too many more bent rods. With and extremely large number of steelhead averaging 5-8lbs being well distributed throughout the river system, this is definitely the time to be on the Trinity. These fish are very receptive to a variety of fly fishing methods, however, personally I think this is the best time of year to swing up some sweet fish. So bring your medium sized 2 handed rods and be ready. Dont forget about the Egg Bite, end of October to mid November can be epic on this river when the salmon are spawning. This is our most desired and most popular time before the press of winter, so we strongly advise booking in advance.
Late Winter/Spring- December-April this is a very sensitive time of year due to the weather, fishing it is really all up to Mother Nature. However, when the Trinity is not blown out, it can be outrageous, with some of the largest steelhead of the season, some up 15lbs. It is steelhead fishing at its finest and it’s full on steelhead weather, snow, rain, wind, cold temps, cold water and big fish, nothing better than that. Later in the season (Feb, Mar, April) you can catch Steelhead and Brown Trout on dry flies, yes I said dry flies. Mid-day hatches get these fish in a sipping frenzy and will leave the most experience steelheader in awe.
If the conditions are not favorable, we will reschedule. Advanced booking is a great idea.
It doesn’t get any better than that folks. Whether its summer, fall, winter or spring, our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides, know what it takes to not only find the fish, what flies to use, where to go, but what techniques can be used to make your rods have a bend in them all day long. Come join us on one of the finest steelhead rivers in the state, and enjoy some of the best steelheading on the west coast.
-Brian-
Tributaries:
East Fork Trinity River
Latest Guide Fishing Reports
Guide Reports
Man I love talking about this river, its becoming one that I guide more and more each year, and it keeps producing while others are not, sometimes not so easily, but thats what makes ... morethe Trinity so cool and fun to fish, you have to "Earn It". With that said its even fishing as I type. This is one of my favorite times of year on the Trinity, the lower flows make wading a breeze, and there are not a ton of people on the river. Your typical half pounders can be found throughout the river system and the closer to the dam the more you will find. The halfies will put any 5wt rod to its test and while you can get a ton nymphing, these mini-chrome domes will eagerly take a dry or a swung fly, they are just a hoot. On the bigger note, strewn about in the river system are the early fall run fish that can range from 3-6lbs and some pushing 10lbs are caught this time of year as well. While nymphing once again will get you on a good number of fish, these early fish will talk swung flies likes its going out of style, they love skated flies too. If you are looking to swing from now till about mid Nov this is the river, and that is prime time to swing for chrome. If you are looking for something different, treat yourself to a guided trip down the Trinity River, you wont be disappointed with its beauty, solitude and over all fishing experience. Booking well in advance is highly recommended on the Trinity as my dates fill up fast, especially in the early season prior to December.
Date: Friday, 11 Aug, 2017
Wow, the past few weeks on the Trinity have been extremely good to clients. While others have been working hard to find fish, we have consistently hooked a half a dozen adults on a ... moredaily basis, with my last 2 days up there hooking 16 adults and landing 8 of them, this being right after the big rain last week. This recent storm has blown the river out again, but as I type it is already back into fishing shape. What does this mean......time to get up there and hook some chrome. We are still finding some willing fish to take a swung fly, but its all about right place at the right time, as well as water temps. This last rain storm did help bring the water temps up slightly. The indicator with nymphs below has really been cleaning house, and if you have the right flies, the right drift and the right float, there can be some epic fishing. Look for the Trinity to be the go to steelhead fishery for the next month or two, especially if you want to get away from the crowds, and try you hand at swinging.
Flows: Lewiston - 300cfs steady Bucktail - 500cfs and dropping Douglas City - 775cfs and dropping Junction City - 1600cfs and dropping
Nymphs: Stones, Psycho Princes, Eggs, Worms, Copper Johns Swinging: Ho Bo Speys, Bread Crust, anything black/blue Guides Tip: "Be the report, dont believe the report!!!" This will be my go to steelhead fishery for the next 3 months
Date: Monday, 19 Dec, 2016
- Expert guide
- Lunch
- Beverages and snacks
- Flies and tackle
The Trinity River is California's most productive steelhead river. It's steelhead season is also the longest. We catch adult fish from September through March. During the early season ... morewe fish near Willow Creek. We follow the fish up the river through the Del Loma, Junction City, Douglas City, and Lewiston areas. We primarily swing flies with spey rods and switch rods, but we are not above catching these fish with nymphs and indicators if that's what you prefer. We use rafts and drift boats on the Trinity.
- Expert guide
- Streamside lunch for full day trips
- All essential equipment needed for the day
Fly Fishing the Trinity River can be tough and extremely challenging, however, having a professional and knowledgeable Trinity River Fly Fishing Guide, will not only make for an enjoyable ... moreday on the river, but also an unforgettable journey down one of the best steelhead rivers in the state.
The Trinity River is the longest tributary of the Klamath River system at 120+ miles, stretching from Lewiston Dam down to the confluence with the Klamath at Weitchpec. It’s also one of the of the most pristine and scenic river systems in California, and is world famous for its large steelhead runs. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides guide on the upper stretches of the Trinity River, starting at the dam in the Fly Only water down to Burnt Ranch. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides have many access points along the river and have many float options depending on where the fish are and what techniques we may be using.
If you are looking to fly fish for Steelhead, Salmon or huge Brown Trout, the Trinity River is the place. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides not only know where the fish are, but they know how to get that tight line using all facets of fly fishing. Whether chasing them with traditional methods like swinging with two handed rods or indicator fishing with single handed rods, our guides have the knowledge and experience to teach on the water and put you on the fish, or just row you down and let you do your thing.
The steelhead season on most Northern California Rivers, start early September and same goes for the Trinity River. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides are on the river as early as August, and guide/fish it on through till April. The Trinity River is known for 3 runs of heart pounding steelhead action, 1) Late Summer/Early Fall, 2) Late Fall/Early Winter and 3) Late Winter/Spring.
Late Summer/Early Fall- August-October starts out with some early season unbelievable numbers of 12-20” chrome bright half pounders with an occasional adult up to 10lbs. This is a great time of year for those just starting out, or those wanting to really put a bend in those light weight rods, as there is a lot of rod bending action. It’s also a great time to dust off those small 2 handed Switch/Spey rods and try out some surface/sub-surface swinging techniques, and to get ready for the up and coming steelhead season. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
Late Fall/Early Winter- October-December starts out with the change of fall colors and then too many more bent rods. With and extremely large number of steelhead averaging 5-8lbs being well distributed throughout the river system, this is definitely the time to be on the Trinity. These fish are very receptive to a variety of fly fishing methods, however, personally I think this is the best time of year to swing up some sweet fish. So bring your medium sized 2 handed rods and be ready. Dont forget about the Egg Bite, end of October to mid November can be epic on this river when the salmon are spawning. This is our most desired and most popular time before the press of winter, so we strongly advise booking in advance.
Late Winter/Spring- December-April this is a very sensitive time of year due to the weather, fishing it is really all up to Mother Nature. However, when the Trinity is not blown out, it can be outrageous, with some of the largest steelhead of the season, some up 15lbs. It is steelhead fishing at its finest and it’s full on steelhead weather, snow, rain, wind, cold temps, cold water and big fish, nothing better than that. Later in the season (Feb, Mar, April) you can catch Steelhead and Brown Trout on dry flies, yes I said dry flies. Mid-day hatches get these fish in a sipping frenzy and will leave the most experience steelheader in awe.
If the conditions are not favorable, we will reschedule. Advanced booking is a great idea.
It doesn’t get any better than that folks. Whether its summer, fall, winter or spring, our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides, know what it takes to not only find the fish, what flies to use, where to go, but what techniques can be used to make your rods have a bend in them all day long. Come join us on one of the finest steelhead rivers in the state, and enjoy some of the best steelheading on the west coast.
-Brian-
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