Recently Active Topics

Hi everyone, I just moved to the North Bay for a job and I am desperate to wet my line. I have no idea what the area holds, but I am eager to start exploring. Ideally I like to fish for trout in moving water. Does anyone have any suggestions for trout streams within 100 miles of Novato, CA? I am not asking you to...

Selling a barely used switch rod outfit which I purchased from feather-craft.com. Paid over $600. Asking $400. OBO. Temple Fork Deer Creek Switch Rodline #7, 11', 4 pcs. 350-550 grainEcho "Ion" Large Arbor Reel 8/10RIO floating switch line#20 dacron backing

So, does anybody know how far the lake has to still come up to get the gloryhole running? -- Edited by mudhen on Thursday 26th of January 2017 12:32:23 PM

I want to cure a batch of shrimp for steelhead. (called coon shrimp) It's difficult to find whole small shrimp in the SF bay area to use. I've been thinking of using grass shrimp. They are easy enough to get with a small gage trap and a little bait. Has anyone tried curing them for steelhead? If so what was t...

Anyone has an update on the road closure?

A new online program has been designed to enable users to Report Suspicious Activity on Putah Creek.? The results of these reports will be forwarded to either the Dept. of Fish & Game's Enforcement Dept. or local law enforcement officials. This program is a work in progress.? Your comments and s...

I caught over a dozen fish last Thursday. None on my size 16/18 Hare's Ear or PTN, all on my size 20 midges. Of all the fish caught, mostly small to medium size, I was able to bring only two to hand; the rest were "self-release" at some point after the hook-up with the hook still on my line. I don't mind so muc...

I hear people talk about the "staircase" spot on putah. What is this? Thanks!

I went to take a look today and the water from four on down was as muddy as the Mississipi below Memphis. And the flow was something like 40 CDs. this is fish killing mud if it doesn't clear up soon -- Edited by mudhen on Friday 16th of December 2016 03:36:22 PM -- Edited by mudhen on Friday 16th of December 20...

Well, some goober already pulled down all of the tape at no.3.......aaannd what's up with all of the grading on the far bank down by access 4?

All: This year saw the successful completion of the side channel inlet construction project to increase refuge habitat for young fish and restoring two spawning beds to add approximately 4000 sq. ft. of spawning area. We will be monitoring and maintaining spawning habitat and the side channels fo...

So I have a drift boat for two more months. And still need a fishing buddy. To meat me up at the spot to shuttle us back up river and then float down fishing from boat and shore mostly

I'll be headed to the lower yuba river for day trips on 12/18/16 and 12/22/16. I'm in Oakland, it takes me about 2.5 hrs. I'm usually on the road at 6:30am and I fish til dark but I'm flexible. Cheers!

Is there anywhere I can fish without pissing people off or effecting spawning fish.1

If you need another reel or are just curious about this product, these Prestige Plus reels are good and you won't ever find anything better for $20 - or even $50. I've been using them for about a year now and can't find anything wrong with them except that they are not precision machined like the super e...

i am getting the steelhead itch pretty bad right now. i've been on the trinity river but want to explore some new areas, especially those with better access. Humbolt County areas open yet? Van Duzen River? Eel River? Mad River?

With the spawn happening on Putah some of us have been fishing the Napa for stripers. It's been pretty good but can be hit and miss depending on the day and time. A boat, even a 12' with a small outboard makes getting to the fish a whole lot easier than fishing from shore. You don't need to run far so anything...

Not sure if this ok in this forum or if I should have placed it in the "Shameless Plug" section. Felt this was a little more of the appropriate space. None the less I wanted to share my tying with you... I didn't get a lot of time this past year to focus on the blog having moved from Washington and the new jo...

With Putah Creek fishing tapering off to let the spawners do their job undisturbed, I plan to fish the Lower Yuba whenever weather permits. The Yuba is a challenging river but when trout are in the mood, it can be a lot of fun. I usually fish upstream of the Hwy 20 bridge and start with nymphs. If fish i...

Very windy and pretty chilly today. Casting was a challenge but fish were in a good mood. Brought a half dozen fish to hand (8" to 12 ") but still lost more than 50% within the first 10 seconds of hooking them. I tied size 20 patterns on a size 18 hook and caught a few but patterns on the actual size 20 hook a...

I grew up in San Francisco, CA and never fished Putah Creek. I'm back for Thanksgiving and decided to give it a shot this morning. Water was a bit high and I wasn't quite sure where to go, but ended up just hiking around and came upon a school of about 6 massive fish. Were they salmon. The glare was bad, but I s...

This week flows were increased for 5 days to pulse more water down the creek channel below the diversion dam at LS. At the same time the flash boards at the Los Rios Check Dam in the bypass were removed to allow salmon to move up the channel for spawning this winter. Expect flows to decrease through Friday...

Hi, As I was bushwacking on the highway side of the creek upstream of Access 1, I dropped a section just above the handle section of my fly rod. It's dark blue and has the stripping guide and one snake guide on it. "905" is hand painted on it. If you find it, there's a Berryessa Brewing pint for you and invalu...

Does anyone fish Putah creek above the lake?

Originally posted November 12, 2014- It's that time of year again: big fish are starting to move around in preparation for their annual ritual. Some sites already have fish and redds. Winter flows appear in place at 135 CFS already because of the drought. Hopefully, they will not drop below 100 CFS ov...

ive been collecting a lot of flies out of trees on the Creek. You just need to know where to look and you can get lots of free flies. Yesterday I found about 30 in various spots. 3 of them had pinched barbs. Police yourself and do the right thing.

On an 18 shell back green caddis! Wadda Rush! I need a bigger net! He was so tall that I couldn't get my hand even half way around his body. -- Edited by mudhen on Sunday 13th of November 2016 03:16:28 PM -- Edited by mudhen on Sunday 13th of November 2016 03:18:30 PM -- Edited by mudhen on Monday 14th of Novem...

i found a backpack yesterday in the Creek. Looks like it had been in there for a while. Claim it I'll send it.

sorry if this should be under rants and raves. I've been trying to catch a carp in Vietnam on the fly. Are there any carp fly fisherman that might have any advice? Locals in Hanoi here use 12 foot long bamboo rods with a handspool of heavy mono; they attach a heavy sinker to a hook with some type of bait, a...

All: In early March this year a heavy rain storm cell sat over the badly burned Cold Canyon/Wildhorse Canyon watershed for several hours, dumping inches of rain onto the steep canyon slopes, and heavily eroding the burned ground. The result was a sudden high pulse of mud and water roaring down Cold C...