Expert Fly Fishing Road Trip: California Edition

Expert Fly Fishing Road Trip: California Edition

Expert Fly Fishing Road Trip: California Edition

Duration: 6 Days
Season: Best late May–October (dependent on snowpack)
Focus: Wild trout, technical water, high elevation gems, and fish variety
Start: Redding or Sacramento
End: Bishop (Eastern Sierra)

Day 1: Sacramento to Hat Creek (Spring Creek Precision)

  • Drive Time: ~3.5 hours from Sacramento to Cassel, CA

  • Target Water: Hat Creek Powerhouse Riffle & Wild Trout section

  • Why Here: California’s OG spring creek challenge—flat, clear, and full of picky trout

  • Flies: BWO emergers, PMDs, Trico spinners, Ants, Midges (sz 18–24)

  • Tactics: Long leaders (12–15 ft), 6x–7x tippet, dead drifts only

  • Evening: Fish the spinner fall until dark

  • Stay: Camp at Hat Creek Park or stay in Burney

Day 2: Pit River (Wild, Technical, Powerful)

  • Location: Pit 3 or Pit 4 sections

  • Why Here: Pocket water that will humble you—slippery rocks, strong trout, fast current

  • Flies: Rubber Legs, Tungsten Jig PTs, Caddis Pupae, Stonefly nymphs

  • Gear: Wading staff + studs mandatory

  • Tactics: High-stick nymphing or euro style with 4x–5x

  • Stay: Same base as Day 1 or in Fall River Mills

  • Bonus: Late evening caddis hatch is explosive

Day 3: McCloud River (Mythical Water + Redbands)

  • Drive Time: ~2 hours to McCloud

  • Fish: Upper McCloud near Ah-Di-Na or LCC Property

  • Why Here: Beautiful redband trout in emerald pools, epic canyon setting

  • Flies: October Caddis, PMDs, Golden Stones, Soft Hackles

  • Tactics: Dry-dropper early, switch to tight-line nymphing mid-morning

  • Stay: Primitive camp near Ah-Di-Na or Shasta retreats nearby

Day 4: Upper Sacramento River (Search Water Masterclass)

  • Why Here: Fast access, easy pullouts, and endless wade runs

  • Fish: Near Dunsmuir, specifically Cantara or Mossbrae

  • Flies: Caddis, jigged Frenchies, Perdigons, or black Copper Johns

  • Approach: Cover water fast, target structure and seams

  • Evening: Hit the local brewery + fly shop talk at Ted Fay Fly Shop

  • Stay: Dunsmuir airbnb or riverside cabin

Day 5: Drive to Eastern Sierra – Hot Creek Spring Creek Challenge

  • Drive Time: ~4.5 hours to Mammoth Lakes

  • Fish: Hot Creek Wildlife Area (gated section = less pressure)

  • Why Here: Crystal clear, weed-laced technical spring creek

  • Flies: Midges, Tricos, Baetis, small scuds, WD-40s

  • Gear: 6x–7x tippet, long leader, stealth mode required

  • Bonus: Take a break in Mammoth for fly shop browsing & hot springs

  • Stay: Mammoth or Bishop

Day 6: Golden Trout Wilderness or Lower Owens (Pick Your Final Challenge)

Option 1: Golden Trout Backcountry Mission

  • Drive: 1–2 hours to trailheads near Cottonwood Lakes or Horseshoe Meadow

  • Target: California’s state fish – Golden Trout

  • Gear: Lightweight 3wt, dry fly box (Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis)

  • Stay: Overnight backpack or out-and-back hike

OR

Option 2: Lower Owens Wild Browns on the Drift

  • Why Here: Technical nymphing in pocket water for wild browns

  • Flies: PTs, Zebra Midges, BWO emergers, small SJ worms

  • Approach: Indicator or euro-style; perfect for swing and strip

  • Wrap-Up: Sunset cast with the Sierra as your backdrop

  • Stay: Bishop for final night (great food, fly culture, and gear shops)

🧠 Pro Tips:

  • Licenses: California fishing license required—get multi-day or annual

  • Gear: Bring 3wt–6wt, long leaders, euro setup if you’ve got one

  • Safety: Bears in Sierra, snakes in lowlands, snow in early season—pack accordingly

  • Apps: CalTopo for topo/off-grid nav, FlowGauge, OnX for public land

  • Fly Shops to Hit: The Fly Shop (Redding), Ted Fay (Dunsmuir), Troutfitter (Mammoth), Sierra Trout Magnet (Bishop)

📍 Day 1: Hat Creek (Powerhouse Riffle)

  • Location: Near Cassel, CA

  • Coordinates: 40.8861° N, 121.5575° W

  • Highlights: Spring creek with clear waters and challenging trout.

  • Access Point: Hat Creek Powerhouse Riffle

📍 Day 2: Pit River (Pit 3 Section)

  • Location: Northeast of Redding, CA

  • Coordinates: 40.9380° N, 121.6600° W

  • Highlights: Rugged terrain with powerful currents and wild trout.

  • Access Point: Pit River Pit 3

📍 Day 3: McCloud River (Ah-Di-Na Campground)

  • Location: Near McCloud, CA

  • Coordinates: 41.1690° N, 122.0450° W

  • Highlights: Remote setting with redband trout and pristine waters.

  • Access Point: Ah-Di-Na Campground

📍 Day 4: Upper Sacramento River (Cantara Loop)

  • Location: Near Dunsmuir, CA

  • Coordinates: 41.2083° N, 122.2711° W

  • Highlights: Diverse fishing opportunities with easy access points.

  • Access Point: Cantara Loop

📍 Day 5: Hot Creek (Wildlife Area)

  • Location: Near Mammoth Lakes, CA

  • Coordinates: 37.6483° N, 118.8478° W

  • Highlights: Technical spring creek with abundant aquatic life.

  • Access Point: Hot Creek Wildlife Area

📍 Day 6: Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead

  • Location: Near Lone Pine, CA

  • Coordinates: 36.4534° N, 118.1689° W

  • Highlights: High-altitude lakes with golden trout and stunning vistas.

  • Access Point: Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead

📍 Alternative Day 6: Lower Owens River

  • Location: Near Bishop, CA

  • Coordinates: 37.3635° N, 118.3950° W

  • Highlights: Meandering river with wild browns and diverse habitats.

  • Access Point: Lower Owens River

🧭 Additional Resources


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