Nez Perce Creek, WY Fly Fishing Report

Sean Wallentine

Sacramento, CA

Nez Perce Creek, Yellowstone National Park, WY

July 2008

Caught Browns and Rainbows in the 6" to 12" range.

Flies Used: #10 Rubber Legged Stimulator #14 Tan Elk Hair Caddis, and #16 BH Dark Lord Dropper.

Other Details: Fished for a few hours in the morning. I caught 9 fish on this beautiful morning. Fished the afternoon after Biscuit Basin from about 5pm to 7pm. Very productive. Caught 9 in the afternoon. Found the remains of bison along the river, obviously consumed by bear or wolves.

The Golden Trout of Upper Bubbs Creek Video

Coffee Creek's Rainbows & Rattlesnakes

Sunday

July 25, 2009

My dad and I fished some new water over the weekend: Coffee Creek, CA. This stream feeds the upper Trinity River north of Trinity Lake (formerly known as Clair Engle Lake) in Trinity County. It's about an hour drive north of Lewiston, which is approximately 30 miles west of Redding in California's northern Central Valley.

From California's Highway 3 we drove 6 miles west (upsrtream) along Coffee Creek Road. This classic, icy cold freestone stream has beautiful plunge pools and runs. It is filled with stunning natural Rainbow Trout.

Fishing a dry/dropper combination (#10 Stimulator with #16/18 Copper John, Dark Lord or Prince Nymph Droppers) we got strikes on nearly every cast. While the fish were small, topping out at 11 inches, they were active all day and fought hard.

Together we brought more than 40 fish to hand. The wading was a little tough and it was very hot (at least 90). Dad was nearly struck by a 5 foot rattlesnake. I heard the snake rattle from across the stream. It made me realize how loud a rattler rattles. I couldn't hear my dad yell from across the roaring stream but I heard that rattle loud and clear! Of course, we had to get a closer look.

If you like catching fish all day long in a pretty mountain setting (with an occasional rattlesnake), then give Coffee Creek a try if you ever find yourself in the area. I wouldn't come all the way to California just to fish Coffee Creek, but if you find yourself fishing Steelhead or Salmon in the Trinity River and need a small stream diversion, Coffee Creek's a perfect destination.

Profile of the West Walker River, CA

The West Walker River begins it's journey high in the Eastern Sierra north of Yosemite. The West Walker eventually merges with the East Walker in Nevada flowing north and empting into Walker Lake. The West Walker looks no different than other rivers that parallel a highway. Until the unexpected happens.

The West Walker is stocked with Alper's Rainbows. The Alper's raised trout have grown to some very large sizes, with a few pushing the 30" mark. There are a wide variety of fish in the river, from the small 8 inchers to some surprising lunkers. Access to the West Walker from the town of Walker, CA is very easy since it flows along Highway 395 for many miles.

As a side note, in 1997 a flood all but decimated the river and the highway running along it's bank. There are still enormous uprooted tree stumps littering the river banks and some large boulder fields. Since then, the West Walker has made a tremendous comeback and is a hard place to pass up when driving the 395.

Upper Sacramento River, CA Fly Fishing Report

Dan Wallentine

Irvine, CA

Upper Sacramento River, CA

September 2004

Caught 27 Rainbows up to 13"

Flies Used: Beaded Prince Nymph #14; Beaded Micro Mayfly 18; Cased Caddis #16; Serendipity #18; Gold Bead Caddis Emerger #16.

Other Details: Fished downstream from I5 bridge, through town at Prospect Access up to Mossbrae Falls and near Gillis Street, and down I5 to Vollmers exit.

Rush Creek, CA Fly Fishing Report

Ross Kingsley

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Rush Creek, CA

May 24, 2008

Rainbows and Browns: 7"-11"

Flies Used: #18 Red Zebra Midge, #18 Black Copper John

Other Details: Fished below the bridge on 395. Was a little cold and overcast but managed to pull out 6. Fishing was pretty good with all of the takes being subsurface using an indicator. Even though it was May, most of the activity was still taking place towards the bottom. Stick to small midge patterns and get your drift as dead as possible. Takes are subtle.

Gibbon River, WY Fly Fishing Report

Sean Wallentine

Sacramento, CA

Gibbon River, WY

July 2008

Caught 10" to 12" Browns and Brookies

Flies Used: #10 Rubber Legged Stimulator, #12 Parachute Adams, #14 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Green BH Pulsating Caddis.
Other Details: Fished Gibbon near Beryl Geyser and then later we fished below the Virginia Cascades.

Northern California 2006 Part 7 of 7

Check out our most popular fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Northern California 2006 Part 6 of 7

Check out our most popular fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Northern California 2006 Part 5 of 7

Check out our most popular fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Northern California 2006 Part 4 of 7

Check out our most popular fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Northern California 2006 Part 3 of 7

Check out our most popular fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Northern California 2006 Part 2 of 7

Check out our most popular fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Northern California 2006 Part 1 of 7

Check out our most popular fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Madison River, WY Fly Fishing Report

Sean Wallentine

Sacramento, CA

Madison River, Yellowstone National Park, WY

October 2005

Caught 11 Rainbows up to 21"

Flies Used: Beaded Prince Nymph #10 and #12; Red Atomic Worm #8.

Other Details: Places to fish the Madison in Yellowstone Nat'l Park should include the Madison Junction campground area, a spot called Barnes #1 and #2 (just inside the west entrance) and turnouts along the West Entrance road.

Madison River Rainbow Video

East Walker River, CA Fly Fishing Report

Ross Kingsley

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

East Walker River, CA

February 2009

Rainbows and Browns 8" to 12"

Flies Used: #18 Sawyer PT and #20 Black WD-40

Other Details: Fished near Bridgeport, CA below the first mile. Mostly pocket water this far down because of low flow but did alright. Flies have to be small and fish are in the deepest water possible.

West Walker River, CA Fly Fishing Video

Putah Creek, CA Fly Fishing Report

Dan Wallentine

Irvine, CA

Putah Creek, CA

February 2008

Caught 2 Rainbows an 18" and 22".

Flies Used: Cooper Bead Copper John #16 and Pheasant Tail Nymph #16.

Other Details: Fished mostly near the Hwy 128 bridge.

Profile of Putah Creek, CA

When you mention to other fly fishers you've spent the day on Putah Creek, you usually receive a strange look, like you used some sort of obscenity. What is obscene is the size of some of the trout that lie in Putah Creek. There are some monster rainbows and browns that make this roadside river home.

Fly fishers usually wait until November 16th to make their trek to Putah. On November 16th to the Friday before the last Saturday in April, Putah Creek has special regulations, including artificial flies, barbless hooks, and catch and release. The remainder of the year has no special regulations and a limit of 5 fish per day. Always check for updates in regulation changes.

Putah Creek is a tail water that flows from the base of Monticello Dam that holds back Lake Berryessa near Vacaville, CA. All along Highway 128, Putah Creek has access points for fishermen all the way to Lake Solano. A very inconspicuous body of water, Lake Solano is created by a diversion dam downstream from Lake Berryessa.

There are many places to fish Putah Creek from Pleasant Valley Road all the way to the dam. The access points are numbered from #1 nearest the dam to #5 farther down toward Lake Solano.

Putah Creek is a place that will challenge fly fishers with difficult wading, dark deep pools and runs, and large trout that will snap your tippet as they charge up and down river when hooked.

Looking for a guide or more information about Putah Creek, contact Greg Bonovich at Putah Creek Fly Fishing Guides Service .

San Juan River, NM Fly Fishing Report

Darin Wallentine

Tucson, AZ

San Juan River, NM

August 2002

Caught 34 Rainbows up to 22"

Flies Used: Tan San Juan Worm #16, Red Larva #18, and Dark Brown Midge Larva #20.

Other Details: Parked at the church lot. Fished the Kiddie Pool, the areas between Kiddie Pool and the Upper Flats, and the Upper Flats.

Profile of the San Juan River, NM

When fly fishers congregate to spin their tales, it is likely that fly fishing destinations will float to the surface. Conversations will begin with places like the Green River, the Henry's Fork, or a variety of assorted trout hunting destinations. But after a short time, the conversation rapidly turns to the San Juan River in northern New Mexico. For most fly fishers, they have made their pilgrimage to the San Juan at least once. And for a few of us, it seems to be an annual trek. Whether it is your first time, or your tenth, the experience is always the same. The anticipation of a hefty trout at the end of a tightly strained line floods the senses.

The San Juan River that most know of or have heard of, is a tail water that flows out of the bottom of the dam that creates Navajo Reservoir. The water is always cold and trout infested. Located near the small fly fishing community of Navajo Dam, NM, the San Juan River is an important economic focus for it's residents. There are a variety of shops, outfitters, motels and businesses catering to the wader clad tourists.

If you have not made your trek to the San Juan, it needs to be on your short list of places to fish. It will challenge all skill levels and in spite of the frequent bad rap that the San Juan is too crowded, there are many places to test your angling skill, even with some solitude.

Arkansas River, CO Fly Fishing Report

Ross Kingsley

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Arkansas River, CO

August 19th, 2008

Size and Species: Brown Trout 7"-12"

Flies Used: #20 Olive Elk Hair Caddis.

Other Details: Fished the Arkansas River about 2 miles below Leadville. Fishing was awesome. Mainly sight fishing to rising trout but did get some fish fishing blind water. Sunny, temperature 75 degrees, and minimal crowds. Pretty much an all day caddis hatch.

Salt River, WY Fly Fishing Report

Chris Uhls
Glendale, AZ

Salt River, WY
July 2007
Caught 23 Browns, Cutts and Rainbows up to 17"
Flies Used: Hoppers, PT's, Copper Johns, Hares Ear, and Streamers.
Other Details: Floated Etna Bridge to CR108.

Bitterroot River, MT Fly Fishing Report *New*

Bennett Miller

Morgantown, WV

West and East Fork of the Bitterroot River past Darby

June 28th thru July 2nd

Flies Used: Black Rogue Salmon Fly, Orange Stimmy's, Purple Haze, Elk Hair Caddis

Other Details: The Cutthroat's are eatin it up on the Bitterroot. Landed two 20"!! In the morning start throwing a salmon fly pattern, with a dark body, and you have it made. We probably turned 50 fish before lunch with that. After about 2, the Caddis flies are hittin the water everywhere. A dark Brown bodied Elk Hair worked great for that time of the day. The monsters were eating the Purple Haze Mayfly as well. Great fishing here right now!

East Walker River, NV Fly Fishing Report

Joe Specchio
Fernley, NV

East Walker River, NV
January 15, 2009
Rainbow and Brown Trout
Flies Used: Red Copper John and Micro May Fly
Other Details: Fished the Nevada side of the East Walker at the Rosaschi Ranch, and at the Elbow section. Caught a couple of 12" Rainbows, and a 13" Brown. The water is low and very cold. I fought floating ice at the Elbow section in the morning before moving up to the Ranch. Lows in the 20's, highs in the lower 50's. Beautiful day outside, but the fishing was a little slow.

San Juan River, NM Fly Fishing Report

Dan Wallentine
Irvine, CA

San Juan River, NM
August 2003
Caught 16 Rainbows up to 19"
Flies Used: Chocolate and Cream Midge Larva #20; Red Larva #18; Orange San Juan Worm #16; Parachute Blue Wing Olive #16.
Other Details: Parked at the church lot and fished the upper flats, Kiddie Pool,the braided areas between Kiddie Pool and the upper flats.

Whitney Creek, High Sierra, CA Fly Fishing Report

Sean Wallentine
Sacramento, CA

Whitney Creek, CA
September 2006
Caught 26 Golden Trout up to 11"
Fly Used: EC Caddis #16
Other Details: Fished this High Sierra creek for Goldens. The weather was Warm, sunny, progressively cooler with onset of dusk.

Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, CO Fly Fishing Report

Jared Griswold
Franklin, TN

Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, CO
August 2006
Caught 73 Rainbows and Brookies up to 25"
Flies Used: Gordon’s Prince Nymph #16; Red Copper John #16 (tungsten); Hopper #10; Parachute Adams #18; Royal Wulff #14; Black Woolly Bugger #8.
Other Details: Fished 5 miles of private river and private ponds from the bridge on Hwy 30 up to where Cottonwood Creek and the Lake Fork merge.

Hot Creek, CA Fly Fishing Report

Ross Kingsley
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Hot Creek, CA
February 14, 2009
Rainbows and Browns: 7"-12"
Fly Used: #22 Black PT, #14 BWO Cripple, #20 Black WD-40, and #22 Parachute Adams.
Other Details: Fishing was fantastic. Not too many people and a midday BWO hatch. Fish were very active for cold temps. Fishing was great until about 3:00pm and then started to slow down. Fish are both in deep and shallow water so walk slow. Watch your step also. A lot of snow down there right now.

Fly Fishing from VFG-TV July 2009