Reports from HGB Fly Fishing - Union Member Hogan Brown

Early Spring…or false spring…who knows…I can remember years where it literally rained all March and April after not raining much in January and February and while I hope for some rain this march and April it also nice sitting in the back yard with low 70s in the afternoon and enjoying a book and a cocktail while my kids play … meaning actually having a spring not rain all March and April then straight to 100 degrees in May and June.

The long term forecast shows some rain over the month of March and hopefully we do get some as I know we need it, but I am not panicking as the snow pack is OK and reservoirs are looking OK. I have been on Oroville and Shasta recently and they are far from winter levels. Oroville’s winter “ramp” is still very much underwater and not even close to being used. I will take a light spring and winter this year just for a nice spring with some spring fishing.

Lake Oroville and Lake Shasta are going well as fish are starting to move into the spawn…water is in the low to mid 50’s and fish have been eating during the morning and afternoon with a bit a lull midday. Most fish are still coming on the float’n fly rig but midday when the water warms if you can find fish up on points eating you can catch a few on a stripped fly.

Valley River Stripers – Most of the valley rivers are pretty low and clear as the tributaries are not pumping much water and we are not seeing much water released as we are not into irrigation season yet. There are plenty of resident striper around to catch but they are spooky with the low and clear water and not feeding all day. I have not heard any reports of migratory fish coming up river yet but it should get going in the next month though I would imagine they will not make it as far us as previous years with the low flows.

Carp Lakes are turning on in the valley floor a few of the lakes are starting to get some carp up in the flats and out of their winter slumber. A couple buddies went out this week and found fish up on the flats though the flats were a bit muddy. The valley lakes can get pretty damn windy this time of year so timing is everything on the carp flats. Though this is the time to be out there before they start to focus on the spawn.