Fishing Month By Month
This page provides a concise summary of the target species and locations where we fish for each month. Be sure to check out the links to the locations as listed, where you’ll find details on the gear required, plus a gallery of pictures and videos from past outings. And, if you’re interested in venturing out, please check out our Fishing Trips link, for a list of upcoming outings. Remember, you can head out for these locations any time your little fly rod desires — not just in the listed months!
January – Steelhead
FFD offers a winter steelhead trip with guides to the Trinity River. Numbers are limited, and returning members are given preference, but there are typically several openings per year. The cost currently is $340 for the two days – plus tip, lodging and food. The weather can be miserable, cold, or even gorgeous, but the chances for fish weighing up to 12 pounds make this a very popular trip.
February – Trout and Bass
This month typically has two offerings — one for trout and one for bass. For trout, we float the Yuba River, and for bass, we head for Lake Berryessa. Both trips require floating capability, with the Yuba obviously in moving water. If you don’t have a boat, pair up with a friend that does!
March – Trout and Bass
The March trip to Baum Lake is one of our traditions, and it requires a floatation device. The trout are generally in the foot long range, but can reach over six pounds. The chance for numerous fish in a day is good. This is a camping trip, but given the potential for wintry conditions, there are hotels in nearby Burney. The evening meal get togethers are great fun. And, in March we also head to Lake Berryessa, as the lake warms up and the bass come up in the water column.
April – Cutthroats and Rainbows
In April, as fishing activity heightens, two trips are generally scheduled. The first trip is to Pyramid Lake, where giant Lahontan cutthroat trout run from 18 inches to eight pounds — and potentially more. Pyramid is an acquired taste, where most fishing is done from ladders in a hog line, using both stripping with sinking heads and indicators with large midges. The second trip is a guided float on the Lower Sac with The Fly Shop, where members fish for strong Sacramento rainbows. Check our Fishing Trips link for details and guide fees.
May – Trout and Shad
May finds more activity offered with four outings, three for trout and one for shad. The initial trout trip is to the UCD field station on the Yuba River, where members wade and cast for rainbows up to 20 inches. Next is Hat Creek, an FFD 101 outing hosted by Dana Hooper. The third trout venture is to the McCloud River, a spectacular venue for both rainbows and browns — but note that the wading here requires good skills. The Shad trip hits whatever stretch of the Sacramento or Feather river seems to be producing best, and typically this is a boat trip.
June – Trout
The first June trout option is Lake Davis, where (hopefully) the damsel hatch is in full swing. Next, club members can take a trip hosted by Phil Reedy, seeking California’s Heritage Trout throughout the Sierras. This trip involves driving, car camping or motels, and hiking — in attempts to land small trout to qualify for the Heritage Trout certificate. The last trip is to Fuller Lake, a beautiful fishery just this side of the Sierra crest. Note that Lake Davis and Fuller Lake both require some form of floating craft.
July – Trout
The upper Trinity Basin is our July focus. The first trip is to Lewiston Lake, where we fish for trout and the occasional kokanee. (Watch out for Bandit the eagle!) This popular multi-day trip requires a boat (or a friend with a boat), and the happy hour friendship at the campground is wonderful. The second is a car-camping outing to the Coffee Creek area above Trinity Lake, where we also fish several of the lake’s tributaries. Lots of hiking, lots of trout, and beautiful scenery.
August – Trout
For many years in August, we ventured on a high-Sierra backpacking trip called the “Old Fogies,” a trip that offered numerous small native trout, but involved some serious hiking in the “Carson-Iceberg Wilderness.” And who knows — we just may hike this one again. For the rest of us, August means day trips to beautiful high Sierra Streams, such as Caples Creek, Forestdale Creek, and the headwaters of the Truckee high up in Meiss Meadow. These are all easy hiking and wading trips for rainbow trout.
September – Trout and Bass
In September, as Yogi Berra might say, it’s “Deja vu, all over again” with our Fall trip to Lake Davis. And if they aren’t biting at Lake Davis, we’ll take our boats east to Frenchman Lake, for more trout in the 12-14 inch range (or better). September also marks the start of our many fall Delta trips, and there’s always the chance of a healthy bass at Lake Berryessa.
October – Trout and Bass
October marks our fall trip down the Lower Sac with the Fly Shop guides, and when the egg bite is on, the fishing is remarkable. You can also head north to the Upper Sac, and pull a few October Caddis out of your fly box. We also fish the McCloud River with a chance to stay at Ah-Di-Na campground and fish the McCloud River Preserve — with big rainbows and large spawning browns. And don’t forget the Delta and Lake Berryessa for fall Striper and Bass fishing.
November – Stripers, Cutthroats, Steelhead
We host several trips this month, including a trip to the Delta for stripers, where members with boats mentor those without. The fish are typically “schoolies” with an occasional adult. We also venture up to Pyramid Lake, again in pursuit of gigantic Lahontan cutthroats. And those of us willing to brave the cold take to the Trinity for winter Steelhead, depending on the runs.
December – Trout and Bass
The Club’s last trip of the year is to Luk Lake, a private lake in Corning, just west of the Rolling Hills casino. Luk Lake is a “pay-to-play” venue operated by The Fly Shop. The 65 acre lake is stocked with trout to six pounds and has a good population of bass in the 2-3 pound range, as well as some very respectable bluegill. This lake is major fun, but check the weather for wind before you go. You’ll need a boat, float tube or kayak to fish here.