California Fly Fishing - Northern California Fly Fishing

California Fly Fishing

California Rainbow Trout Fishing

Rainbow Trout can be found in many lakes and rivers across California, but particularly in Northern California. The best time for Rainbow Trout fishing is normally early morning or late afternoon. The Rainbow trout is a cold water fish so the recommended seasons for trout fishing in California is winter thru late spring. The closer you get to summer the rainbow trout usually go to deeper colder water which make them harder to catch.

Top California Rainbow Trout Lakes

California Brown Trout Fishing

When brown trout fishing in California look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the California brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

California Lake Trout Fishing

In early spring these fish can be taken in the lake shallows on dry flies, wet flies and other slow moving presentations. Once the surface waters warm the lake trout retreats to deep water where trolling with heavy tackle is the preferred method. Spoons and baitfish imitating lures worked near the bottom provide the best results. As summer warms the water, cowbells and other flashing devices trolled deep often can get you to the depth where the lake trout stalk.