Fly Fishing Keswick Reservoir
Keswick Reservoir is essentially the Lower Sacramento River... before it becomes the Lower Sacramento River. This reservoir flows through a wild and scenic river canyon, where spotting eagles, osprey, bobcat, and deer are all common occurrences, and the trout are equally wild.

The rainbows in this portion of the Sacramento System are all native fish, averaging in the 14-22 inch range. Indeed, fishing on Keswick is often comparable to fishing on the Lower Sacramento, drifting indicators and weighted nymphs with the current, although dry fly and streamer fishing options are often available.

Access on this stretch of water is very limited; our guides utilize jet boats to motor upstream and drift back down. Keswick fishes well throughout the year, with the prime time being the winter, spring, and early summer, from November through June.

Fly Fishing Lewiston Lake
If Keswick Reservoir marks the true beginnings of the Lower Sacramento River, so does Lewiston Lake function as the "headwaters" of the Trinity River. Lewiston is essentially a holding channel between Trinity Lake and Lewiston Dam; as it meanders peacefully through weed-lined channels, it often bears remarkable resemblance to a spring creek.

Fly fishing on Lewiston Lake is a great deal like fishing some of the bigger spring creeks of the west, such as Fall River or Silver Creek. Anglers on Lewiston Lake will find themselves sight-casting to large trout, usually casting light tippets (5X and 6X) with small flies (#18-22), with a variety of techniques, from indicator nymphing to small dry flies.

Lewiston Lake is a true trophy trout fishery, and one of the best places anywhere to hook and land trout in the 4-6 pound range, and trout up to 12 pounds are landed each year. Lewiston is open year-round, but prime time on the lake runs in the winter time, from November through April. July, August, and September can also be productive.

Fly Fishing McCloud Reservoir
Many anglers driving into the McCloud River have driven right past McCloud Reservoir, admiring its emerald green waters, gaping at the bald eagles perched above its shores, and wondering if there might actually be some decent fishing in its waters. The answer is yes, although hardly anybody ever fishes it. McCloud Reservoir is one of those special places where you almost always have the entire lake to yourself, with the exception of the eagles, osprey, bear, and mountain lions and are frequently seen cruising the shorelines.

Our guides fish McCloud Reservoir out of jet boats, primarily from November through May. The fish in the reservoir are a mixture of rainbow and brown trout averaging 13-24 inches, and almost all wild fish. There are some great dry-fly opportunities here as well, working the mouths of creeks with October Caddis in the fall and Stoneflies in the spring. Nymphing techniques always work, and there’s no better place in California to streamer fish for big brown trout.

Fly Fishing Iron Canyon Reservoir
Iron Canyon Reservoir is another fishery that receives very little pressure, and features both stillwater options and areas with current, more akin to stream fishing. Indicator nymph fishing predominates the effective techniques throughout the winter months, and dry flies can be quite productive as well, especially in the springtime.

The fish in this scenic reservoir are a mixture of brown and rainbow trout, with an equal mixture of wild and hatchery fish. This is one of the best places anywhere to simply hook a lot of fish, with 50+ hookups a likely possibility any day on the water, and fish averaging 13-24 inches. We generally fish Iron Canyon out of drift boats, efficiently working the edges and current seams.

Fly Fishing Baum Lake
Located near Hat Creek outside of the town of Burney, Baum Lake is a “spring creek lake,” meandering through weedy channels in a beautiful, open valley. It is a truly great winter fishery, from November through April, with high numbers of rainbow and brown trout ranging from 12 inches to 8 or 9 pounds. All manner of techniques work on this beautiful lake, from indicator nymphing to small dry flies to streamers.

Motors are absolutely not allowed on Baum Lake, so it is also a quiet, peaceful winter-time experience. Our guides generally use their drift boats on the lake, drifting in the soft current and casting along the edges of the weed beds.

Fly Fishing Eastman Reservoir
Anyone who enjoys fishing Fall River should give Eastman Reservoir a try. Eastman is essentially a part of the Fall River, yet it remains open throughout the year. Located in the Fall River Valley, the views of both Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen are stunning from this pristine piece of water, further bejeweled by an amazing abundance of waterfowl.

Eastman is a trophy trout fishery, not ideal for beginning anglers (but a true chess game for anyone wishing to test their skills on huge, wary trout). February through May is the prime time on this reservoir, when rainbows ranging from 15-23 inches and up to 7 pounds feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, including stoneflies, mayflies, and midges. These are wild, powerful fish, with lots of room to run, so make sure you have plenty of backing on your reel before booking a trip to this fantastic fishery.