Trinity 9/23-9/25

[Chukwithak]

So last year was my first year throwing the Spey Rod around the American, and going to step up in water for the first time. Going up to the Trinity for a 3-day and camping at Douglas city campground. Any pointers on flies, or fly color selection? And sounds like I need to driver closer to the Klamath or are there steel in the Trinity now?

[Bwag]

I think I'd go farther down river than Douglas City, I don't fish the Trinity much anymore but you can use google to look at the Weir Counts (Junction City and Willow Creek). There will always be more fish counted through the Willow Creek Weir as it's lower than Junction City, but you can at least get an idea as to how many of the fish from Willow Creek have moved up through Junction City. Aside from that I don't think the run is looking that great this year, at least so far.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I think I'd go farther down river than Douglas City, I don't fish the Trinity much anymore but you can use google to look at the Weir Counts (Junction City and Willow Creek). There will always be more fish counted through the Willow Creek Weir as it's lower than Junction City, but you can at least get an idea as to how many of the fish from Willow Creek have moved up through Junction City. Aside from that I don't think the run is looking that great this year, at least so far.

This was my first thought...go down much further that early.


With a Spey rod I would fish a leader as long as my rod to 1x tippet with a #6 Silver Hilton fly with the barb down.

Go out very early and fish till noon....take a break and eat lunch....go out at 3pm and fish till dark.

Keep fishing, keep moving and keep driving down stream till you find fish or see boats and cars parked along the river.

Be sure to get a StreamTime map....the Klamath and the Rogue Rivers are two more close possibilities.

Sept/Oct/Nov are the best months for Swing flies for most of us.

Try to get a day with guide Jason Hartwick or another top Spey guide...

.

[Mark Kranhold]

Definitely go lower and much better Spey water down low as well.

[donkeyhunter007]

Stream time map, floating line 10-13ft leader, traditional patterns (great time of year for muddlers) and sizes but with a splash of orange if possible. I tie on a Macks Canyon variation and don't take it off till the water temps drop. You heard none of this from me.
Have FUN!

[Digger]

IF "they" made the turn up the Trinity by next week, maybe try somewhere near the Hoopa/Willow Creek area.
There's a campground called Tish-Tang (I believe) near there.

I've found that Trinity fish seem to like Silver Hiltons, Brindle Bugs, Comets, etc

[Chukwithak]

Appreciate the info you all have provided. I have a feeling we will go to the Hoopa/Willow area. It's my uncle's (Jim) first year swinging, and my first year on any water other than the American, swinging. Just time on the water will be good for us. I'll give a report when we we get back. Also, I just picked up Fly Fusion. Do you guys recommend tying any particular flies from this book for Northern California waters?

[NCL]

I am not familiar with the contents of that particular book but two flies I always have on the Trinity are a red Copper John, Mercer's Psycho Prince. After those I have other colors of Copper Johns, the flies that have been mentioned above, an Assassin in olive and brown, a Herniator plus others.

[ricards]

The Bill Geise Herniator in green and red.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Dale Lackey's Assassin is a great Fall fly too.

I like some of the October Caddis Steelhead versions as well.

For the Trinity River my old friend the late Chuck von Geldern used the 'Governor' which is a classic pattern, tied with a peacock body and brown wing of turkey or brown bear hair.

Herb Burton likes the "Brown Hackle Peacock" wet fly for Steelhead and also swings the Muddler on top too.