NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STEELHEAD

with JUSTIN WHITE 

Steelhead have rightly earned the nickname “fish of a thousand casts,” and when you pursue them by swinging flies on two-handed Spey rods, even that number can seem conservative. 

So why do we travel long distances and wade icy rivers for the chance at a single grab—or, on a good day, two—from these anadromous rainbow trout? The answer is simple: the sudden, startling take, followed by the leaps and runs of a wild native steelhead, makes every effort worthwhile. It’s the Dodger Stadium of fly fishing, minus the great weather. 

Steelhead are rainbow trout that leave their home rivers to spend a year or more in the nearby ocean, where they grow larger and stronger before returning to their spawning grounds. 

They inhabit the coastal rivers of California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada. They can be fished by swinging classic fly patterns or more commonly by two fly nymphing techniques. There are distinct winter and summer runs which are fairly predictable. 

Although British Columbia is considered the mecca for trophy steelhead, Northern California’s rivers have recently delivered excellent returns in both numbers and size.

Our November presenter, JUSTIN WHITE of AC FLY FISHING with stunning images, will take us on a tour of the Trinity, Eel and other NorCal steelhead hot spots. 

READ HIS BIO on our meetings page:



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