Best Fly Fishing Rivers in Northern California
Klamath River
When you think of fly fishing, you probably picture a pristine mountain stream or a peaceful lake, but the Klamath River is unlike any other in California. The river runs through some of the best steelhead fly fishing in the country and offers plenty of options for trout and salmon as well.
With its clear blue waters and abundant wildlife, it's no wonder why this river attracts so many anglers from around the world. But there are also several other reasons why it's worth visiting:
It offers access to different species—trout, salmon and steelhead all inhabit this river at different times of year making it an ideal destination for anyone who enjoys variety in their angling experiences.
You can fish alone or with friends—fishing groups will find plenty of room on this less-traveled waterway while soloists can enjoy quieter days on their own terms without having to share their spot with anyone else.
The scenery is beautiful—the lush foliage along both sides make for beautiful scenery year round while the calm waters provide great visibility so you'll never miss seeing anything lurking beneath its surface!
Smith River
The Smith River is a tributary of the Klamath River, flowing for about 134 miles from its source in the Trinity Mountains through northwestern California to its mouth near Crescent City. The river is surrounded by temperate rainforests and mountains, making it one of Northern California's most beautiful destinations.
The Smith River is also unique as it's the only major undammed river in all of California; it has been protected as a wilderness area since 1984 and was designated a national wild and scenic river in 1986. Because of this protection, it offers excellent opportunities for fly fishing, including very large rainbow trout that can weigh up to 20 pounds!
McCloud River
The McCloud River is a tributary of the Sacramento River and flows through several private and public lands in Northern California. It's stocked with rainbow trout, brown and brook trout, and steelhead. The river has 3 forks: South Fork McCloud River, Middle Fork McCloud River, and North Fork McCloud River. The South Fork contains the most public access points in California's Central Valley Region but can be restricted depending on conditions (such as drought).
Fall River
Fall River is one of the best fly fishing rivers in northern California for a variety of reasons.
In terms of fly fishing, Fall River offers some of the best trout fishing in the state. While many rivers are home to both rainbow and brown trout, Fall River boasts that its waters host both species as well as golden trout (a subspecies of rainbow trout). This variety makes it ideal for fly fishing enthusiasts who prefer targeting specific species over others. In addition to rainbow and brown trout, you can also expect to catch cutthroat trout on Fall River—another exciting prospect!
The type of flies you should use while fly fishing on Fall River depends heavily on what time of year you're visiting this river. For example, during spring and summer months when water temperatures are higher than usual (65 degrees Fahrenheit or above) anglers should consider using nymphs such as caddisflies or stoneflies for dry-fly presentations; however if you're visiting during fall months when water temperatures dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit then streamer patterns will be more effective at getting bites from fish since they'll want larger meals like crayfish instead .
Upper Sacramento River
The Upper Sacramento River is one of the best places to fly fish in northern California. It's a tributary of the Sacramento River, and it's known for its trout. The Upper Sacramento is full of deep pools and riffles with clear water that flows over rocks and gravel banks. You can find good fishing from April through September, but it's best after June when the water has warmed up enough to support many species of fish that live here year-round.
The Upper Sacramento River is located near Redding in Shasta County, California. The easiest way to get here is by driving east on Interstate 5 before turning north onto Highway 44 at Dunsmuir (the town where they make train whistles). Take this road until you reach Lake Siskiyou State Park; then continue past the park entrance gate until you see signs indicating access into public lands along both sides of the highway where there are ample parking spaces available without any fees required!
Trinity River
Trinity River
The Trinity River is one of the best fly fishing rivers in Northern California. It has a lot of rainbow trout and some trophy size brown trout. The Trinity is known for having large trout, but they are not easy to catch. The river is located near Mount Shasta and it flows through various wilderness areas including Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Scott Valley Reservoir.
Northern California has some of the best fly fishing rivers in the country.
Northern California has some of the best fly fishing rivers in a country. The following rivers are all great destinations for fly fishers of any skill level, though you should check your local guide's website to make sure you're on the right river at the right time of year.
Feather River: This river is ideal for beginners and experienced anglers alike. It offers excellent fishing opportunities for steelhead and trout, with large hatches that can be caught throughout most of the year.
Trinity River: Just northeast of San Francisco, this river offers some amazing opportunities for salmon and steelhead fishing as well as rainbow trout and brown trout during springtime run up season. The most productive time to fish here is between April and mid-June, but other months are still worth exploring if you don't mind catching smaller fish or getting wetter than usual (the Trinity River is one of only two major rivers in Northern California where rafting trips are possible).
