Trinity River will be the go to Steelhead Fishery for the next 3 months

Date
Monday, 19 Dec, 2016
Water Clarity
Clear
Angler Traffic
Low
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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 daily 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
 
Fishing Water Report
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 ... moreRanges, 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.
Reporting Outfitter
 (12)
We are a team of friendly and knowledgeable fly fishing guides, with a combined 40 years of fly fishing experience, dedicated to making your adventure on the water with us as enjoyable ... moreand informative as possible. We want you to succeed in all of your fishy endeavors, and we will take the time with you to make sure that you have all the techniques and skills necessary to catch fish wherever you go. Float or Walk and wade with us on one of Northern California's finest rivers and streams and we will accommodate our guiding style to meet your needs and abilities. With our extensive fly fishing knowledge and experience on waters all over Northern California, we will guide you on a fly fishing trip you will not soon forget.

NCFG practices catch and release on all boats. We respect the sport of fishing and wish to give all anglers the opportunity to experience the gratification we strive to give each of our clients.
Reported Trip
  • 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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