The river is calling. Are you answering the phone?
10/20 & 10/21 – I started this week on the Lower Sacramento River. I opted to give my clients the option to go enjoy the Egg Bite since I felt like the Trinity River was fishing “advanced”. What does that mean? It means low water, low steelhead counts, and in order to get a chance at an adult, you need to be fishing advanced. Presentations further away, lighter presentations and also thinking outside of the box.
Well, we said, let’s do 10/20 on the Lower Sac and then 10/21 on the Trin. The Lower Sac was so good that we decided to do it both days. Eggs and nymphs. Not as many boats as the week before on 10/20, but 10/21 was a shit show for a little while. Plenty of big fish lost and landed. Action from top to bottom. Dave has not fished the Lower Sac before, so he was very pleased to be hooked up on footballs all day. He is also a beginner, so this was great practice for him to work on his fly fishing mechanics. We lost some BIG fish both days but were able to put a few 20”+ in the boat!
Plenty of midges hatching mid morning. Saw some caddis early AM as well, but EGGS EGGS EGGS. Be sure to check out my Patreon to get JUICY details from the float.
What I was mostly stoked about was seeing clouds in the sky. We had a front coming in which set us up for some shots at the Trinity after the water rose ever so slightly…
10/23 – We got rain up in Lewiston the night of the 21st and throughout the day on the 22nd. Nothing too crazy but enough to wish I was on the river the 22nd AND the 23rd. I had heard there were fish coming up from down river, but maybe they were going back down river from being up river?… Regardless, I was stoked to be out after a little front came in.
We arrived to low lying morning fog, cold, and then it cleared out to be SUNNY again. DAMN IT! I love it when it’s sunny for a long time and then the clouds stay around for a week straight. That usually picks up the fishing on the Trinity.
Well, we started out by hammering out a bunch of ripping half-pounders around salmon and then BOOM, a smaller hen adult ate the nymph. She was a shredder! The perfect sized Trinity fall run hen. The one that people like to hate on and not call “real” steelhead. It’s definitely been to the ocean, climbed up rapids, avoided nets, and ate our bug to give us a great battle. Awesome, this is what I’ve been looking for. And Johannes is a STICK, so having someone who has great presentations and casts helps when you really want to figure out what the river is doing when it’s slow and low.
Slowed down during the day and then we found her. A big old fresh fall run fish. She was everything and anything we look for when we fish this river any time of the year. I was so happy my good buddy Johannes got this fish and we got her to the net. Very special battle and fish. It’s what I’ve been looking for. It’s what Johannes lives for.
10/24 – Another day on the Trinity with some sticks. The half pounders kept us busy! So fun. They rip so hard I kept thinking we were on adults. Super fun and what a great way to start the day. Ashley and Connor are a cute couple. They can fish and we fished hard looking for the big ones.
We had gotten through most of the day when we were coming up to this great run that is a make or “get caught in a tree” spot. I said, “You’re either going to get a good fish here or this is going to be really funny…” Well, it was a bit of both. Connor got caught in the tree, got it out of the tree, let it drift and WHAM, another nice fall run Trinity steelie. Look, if you want big ass mega steelhead, go to BC or wait until winter and go to your stupid secret coastal river. These are our Trinity River gems that are known to change people’s lives, and Connor was stoked to finally catch his first beautiful steelhead on the fly. Congrats buddy and stoked to watch that go down.
10/25 – Lower Sac – We arrived late and fished the top. No boats around. Fish eating bugs and eggs but not as fire as it was before, although we still got plenty of fish. We also lost some BIG fish. Like BIG. Which is rad because it’s been some time since I got to play with these bigger Lower Sac bows. Fall on the Lower Sac is fun. Connor’s first time down the Lower Sac and great to see Ashley ripping on some biggies per usual.
10/26 – Lower Sac with the Tomikawas. I’ve had Micah out here before and he had a stellar day 5 years ago when this river used to fish consistently well. I was hoping for another ripping day and we got ’em, but it was slower than the week before. Had to work a bit harder for the bites and the trout I was wrecking on eggs weren’t as hungry or not there. There were definitely way less boats, which was awesome. Conditions were perfect though. A bit of clouds, about 68-71 degrees and big ripping rainbows. I feel these fish are a bit glutted or are starting to transition to different patterns. You’ll still find them around salmon but it’s time to start thinking differently on the Lower Sac. I don’t have any plans to head back out there soon, so it’s Trinity River here on out.
Watching Micah grow up and take him fishing from the Feather River to here is very special. We wanted to fish Trinity but again, I opted to not pulverize him with the “advanced” conditions. Collin is a great father and I love that I am a part of this family and that they are a part of the Taco Family as well.
I hope you enjoyed this report! The Trinity has fish. You have to find ’em. Trust your guide and come with a positive mental attitude. These are anadromous fish and are elusive. Yes, the Trinity can make it easy to get a steelhead but it can also humble you and remind you that these fish aren’t called the grey ghost for nothing.
One thing is certain, weather is coming. So stay tuned and I am hopeful that we get more fish coming up the Trinity. Can’t catch fish sitting on your ass picking your nose while at home watching lame ass sports. Get outside. Bring a friend. Learn some new techniques. Challenge yourself. And you might get one of the prettiest needles in a haystack you’ve ever seen.
I have some days available. November 15, 16, & 23. A bunch of dates in December as well I’d grab one. We will have fun. You can always check my calendar here as well. Tacoflyco.com/calendar.
-Mario
