Shasta Area Guides Preseason Preview: Fall River, Pit River, Hat Creek

The General Trout Season opens this Saturday, April 26th!

This weekend will be your first opportunity to sample the McCloud, Hat Creek and Fall Rivers this season. Backcountry skiers, rafters and kayakers are rightfully bummed with the drought conditions this spring, but fly fishers have good cause to celebrate these rare outstanding conditions when our best hatches of the year peak and flows are at historically low levels making local rivers incredibly accessible. With nearly all rivers in great shape folks will likely be spread out. The National Weather Service is also forecasting showers in the shadow of Shasta with daytime temps in the 50's and 60's this weekend (clearing early next week) which should also help keep the crowds at bay, but spark hatches and improve the bite. Our recommendation is to fish early and often this spring!

Our year round trout rivers including the Upper Sacramento, Lower Sac and Pit Rivers have been fishing exceptionally well, with flows on the Upper Sac and McCloud Rivers unbelievably low, at levels and clarity we don't see until late June in average seasons. Fall River and Hat Creek are in great shape as usual and we expect with the mild spring that hatches will likely come off earlier than usual.

Pit River

The fishing as well as the catching has been fair to good except on the Pit 3 section which has been high due to some PG&E work. We are finding fish nymphing classic runs and slots prospecting with two fly rigs. Small patterns have been out fishing large ones but the larger specimens have preferred the bigger bites. Might consider trying a streamer? This is an early season gem as spring hatches are terrific and come off sooner here than local sister rivers. With the new flow regimen crowds are a thing of the past, but with the limited access, weekdays can fish better. The Pit is an excellent venue to round out your opening week successfully!

Water Conditions

Flows are a bit above optimum, 420 cfs on Pit 5, 475 cfs on Pit 4, at the norm for the new flows and are reasonably clear, 400 cfs on Pit 3 (higher than usual). Work on Pit 3 is expected to be completed in early May (7?) and flows dropped from the current 400cfs, stay tuned!

Flies

Standard prospecting with nymphs has produced the best. Prince Nymphs, PT's, Birdsnests, Rubberleg Stones, Golden Stones, Copper Johns and Yellow Sallies. Try mixing and matching, one large, one small, one dark, one light. Dry flies and droppers? Pull a large streamer in olive or black and hang on. Might be a good plan to start your season here before the weekend opener?

Fall River: Reopens Saturday, April 26th.

Early scouting on the Fall River is finding very similar conditions to last year with very low and clear flows and minimal early season weed growth. The flow is steady and the river is clear with perfect conditions. The bugs have been sparse so dry fly fishing will likely be spotty but nymphing and pulling streamers will always find fish. With rainy weather in the forecast and other local streams in great shape we expect the opening weekend to be the usual social event as anglers make their annual pilgrimage but will likely lack the crowds that high water seasons bring.

Expect predominately a mix of Blue Wing Olives and Pale Morning Duns along with some springtime caddis. Before and after hatches plan on nymphing or swinging flies to fish that are active and willing. Locating pods of feeders and technical, stealthy presentations will be key. Flows and clarity are currently ideal, and with little snow at lower elevations, melt from tribs on years like we are having is unlikely to cloud the water and spoil the dry fly fishing.

Water Conditions

The steady primary flows from this giant spring creek bubble out of the ground from the aquifer. The few small tributaries that contribute flows and that can silt the river making fishing less productive, are also low and clear so we expect a terrific spring season.

Flies

Small dries are the norm during hatches. We prefer low floating imitations that provide good profiles such as Parachute PMD's and BWO's, Hacklestackers, Sparkle Duns, Henryville Specials and the like. Having Emerger and Cripple patterns is always a good bet as well. Try nymphing with or without a tiny indicator with small mayfly patterns such as Pheasant Tails, Hunch Back Infrequens, Poxyback PMD's, and Micromays as well as your favorite caddis pupa patterns. We most enjoy swinging small streamers and nymphs before and after hatch periods.

Hat Creek: Reopens Saturday, April 26th.

The Hat is typically in good condition and should fish well during the first weeks of the season. The opening weekend on Hat Creek can be a community affair, particularly at the Powerhouse 2 riffle. With other rivers in the area experiencing low water conditions, Hat Creek will likely see less pressure this season but a good many anglers will still make their annual pilgrimage. Spring hatches are the reason. The fish have had a break from angling pressure and larger bugs make it easier on the angler, particularly those of us with aging eyes.

Water Conditions

Hat Creek, being low gradient with spring creek conditions does not receive the runoff other local streams experience. This year flows on area streams are currently well below average and will be for the coming weeks. Still, Hat Creek can be a circus at Powerhouse #2 riffle on opening weekend so seek out stretches midriver and below or other area waters for the opener or perhaps give Hat Creek a go midweek?

Flies

The attraction here is the big bugs of spring, Salmonflies, Goldenstones, Green Drakes, Flavs, and Mahoganies but your most likely top water action will come on PMD's and spring caddis. Nymphing the fast riffles downsteam can provide some relief from the crowds and is generally more productive than prospecting with dries during nonhatch periods. Parachute and Paradun PMD's, emergers and cripples #14-16, plan on changing flies often for rising fish than can be selective. Try EC Caddis & Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 and consider adding a pupa as a dropper. Not a bad idea to have a few ants and beetles tucked in the box just in case.

For a complete report including links and pics visit our website. As always, if you are headed our way, please drop a line, we are pleased to point you in a direction you are most likely to enjoy whether you are seeking guide service or not. We hope to see you soon!