There is no doubt that some of the best fly fishing in California is in the northern part of the state. The Sierra Mountains provide great scenery, as well as some great rivers and streams where fish abound and the weather is excellent. Because California’s climate is fairly static, year-round fly fishing is available to the angler.
Located above Crowley Lake, the Owens River is one of the best places to fish for trout in California. The river is one of a kind with a gentle current flowing through a glacial valley between mountains that are 9,000 feet high or higher. At one point, the Owens River provided Los Angeles with water and power. When they converted the gorge, much of the fish became extinct. With the river’s restoration as a fly-fishing destination, you can now find beautiful brown or rainbow trout any time of year.
The McCloud River is one of California’s major trout fisheries. This river feeds Lake Shasta and was the breeding ground for rainbow trout that were shipped across the country to repopulate other rivers and streams. You can find big brown trout and rainbow trout in abundance at McCloud.
In Northern California, the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River offers excellent fly fishing for some excellent trout. This river is one of the few places designated as wild trout waters by the state. This area gets a lot of fishing, so it’s a good idea to get there early in the morning to keep an eye on your spot. In addition to the normal species of trout, this river also has a hybrid variety of rainbow and golden trout with bright orange sides.
Hat Creek is another great place to fly fish in California. These have also been designated as trophies for wild trout, and you’ll find plenty of them here. This creek is well suited for both beginners and experienced fly fishermen. The banks are laden with dense brush that provide excellent hiding places for brown and rainbow trout. Much of the creek is heavily populated, but there is natural breeding that takes place, making Hat Creek a very easy place to fish.
If you are looking to fly fish in California, you have many options available. Much of the best fly fishing would be in the northern part of the state, but you can also find plenty of other places where fish and challenges abound. You can’t go wrong with a fly fishing vacation in California.