LGC's February Newsletter 2024

I guess February equals rain – with rain the rivers are rising!

I hope everyone is getting out there to fish. The fishing has been okay – to great, it matters which day you picked. With rain the last couple of days and more rain on the way, fishing may have to be on the back burner for a while.

Kirsten and I have been planning our own trips and working out some LGC’s office logistics. New printer/scanner and replacing the big calendar with a digital one. Lots of new items to get accustomed.

I will be in Sacramento on February 6, 2024, at the CFFU fly fishing club in Sacramento. My presentation will be on Breaking Down Big Rivers. The Fly Fishing Show is coming up later this month and we will be in the same booth E26 right on the casting pond. When I get the schedule for the Fly-Fishing Theater, I will make sure you folks know ASAP.

If you haven’t yet gone fishing – you need too!! Get out there and fish!! Fish don’t care about the rain!

Rivers

The Lower Sac has been fishing good to great in the last week. That is all going to change on tomorrow on January 30, 2024 when the river flows go from 5100cfs to 15,000cfs. Yes, they’re all afraid of the incoming storms. I guess we will all kick back and see what happens. The Feather combined flows currently (1/29/2024) are 690cfs for the Low Flow Section and 1760cfs for the High Flow section. If you folks are looking for updated intel, call this recorded number 1-530-534-2307. The Yuba at Parks Bar is 822cfs and rising (1/29/2024) and deer Creek is bringing in 90cfs of that. With rain coming for the next couple of weeks I would suggest tying some flies, organizing your fly boxes to see what you need and going over plans for feature adventures on the rivers. Remember on the Yuba the Pink Alberts, March Browns and Skwalas all will be out in force soon. The Salmon Fry on the Feather River are or have lost their yolk sacs and are now miniature trout. Changing from a Salmon Fry pattern to a Pond Smelt is a great idea the next time you're out on the water. The Lower Sac will see everything once the river comes down and at 15,000cfs it is still wadable in certain areas and is easily drifted. 

Lakes

Manzanita Lake is not frozen anymore. With the last storms being warm and these storms coming in starting off warm and then going to cold. Manzanita has open water with snow around the lake. The snow will be flying great later on this week. I will be at Manzanita Lake from May 20 to May 25, 2024. On May 20, 2024, I have scheduled a Midge Workshop. I have the 22 and 23rd open. If you would like to be guided on the lake let me know. I will take $100 off the guide fee (since I will already be up there) for these bookings. Lake Almanor has been fishing okay to good in-between the storms. Last week the lake got its first big snow fall. Canyondam is open and is being plowed if you like to launch a boat. Fishing midges, pond smelt and balanced leeches underneath an indictor have been the top fish producers. Top flies Chan’s Bomber Black and Silver Size 14-16, Micro Balanced Leech Bruised Size 14 and Milt’s Pond Smelt Sinking Size 8. If you go concentrate on the coves around Canyondam. Dress warm and drive super careful. I still have July 8,9 and 10 open for the Hex Hatch. I also have October 1,7 and the 8th open for the Pond Smelt hatch.

Tours

Our LGC’s Tours are truly rising to the next level with – The Heritage Trout Challenge Tours. There is only 1 spot available on the Sacramento Drainage HCT on August 24 & 25, 2024. The rest of the HTC tours are already booked. The tours are always held during the time of year that the fishing is traditionally good. In June we have a Hex Hatch Tour June 29, 2024, it has 3 spots left and on July 25, 2024, there is a Manzanita Lake Tour that has 2 spots left. Lots of tours on great fisheries. These tours will teach you the skills and give you the confidence to fish these great venues on your own.

Workshop

Our LGC’s Workshops are a great way to get introduced to a new skill. These on the water workshop will give the fly fisher a new skill. In February we have the Streamer Workshop on February 17 with 2 spots open. In April we have a new Nymph Workshop that is open. The date is April 21, 2024, with On May 20, 2024, we have a Midge Workshop with all 3 spots open. The workshops are scheduled with 1 spot open. the venue is fishing well just like the tours. These workshops will give you skills that you can carry in your toolbox to other fishing venues.

LGC's Online Store

The store has more than 7000 products in stock, flies, leaders, fly kits and more. The LGC’s Online Store is packed full of the products that we use in our everyday fly-fishing and guided trips. Check it out!!





Product of the Month

This month we have the “Simm’s Fleece Mid Layer Bib”. These bids are worn underneath your waders. They are easy to put on and wear during fishing and they keep you warm. The bib fits easier underneath your waders if they are snug to your body.

Fly of the Month

February fly is Jon Baiocchi’s Skwala Unit. This fly was developed for the Yuba River by the late Jon Baiocchi. It’s a simple fly, floats great and gives the perfect silhouette of the natural Skwala adult. I fish these on a long 15 – foot leader tapered to 4X tippet. 

Hook – Firehole 718 Size 12

Thread – Danville Flymaster 6/0 Thread Light Olive #61

Body – Golden Olive Antron Yarn

Wing – Black 2mm Foam and Moose Body Hair

Legs – Medium Rubber Brown

Head - Danville Flymaster 6/0 Thread Light Olive #61 and Moose Body hair tied Bullet Style

Hot Spot – Fluorescent Red Antron Yarn