LGC's January Newsletter 2023

It’s 2024 and I am already running behind.

Sorry that this newsletter is one of them. I was in Fresno and Bakersfield last week doing back-to-back presentations. I had a great time at the clubs and with the club members at dinner before each meeting. I love to see folks volunteering and promoting fly fishing, especially fly fishing for kids. Keep up the great work.

I will be in Sacramento in February at the CFFU fly club and then at the Fly Fishing Show. I haven’t got the schedule yet for the Fly Fishing Show. When I do, I will make sure you folks know ASAP.

Kirsten and I are always working behind the scenes in trying to improve our small mom and pop operation. I am happy to inform you folks that we have cut half of our paper waste when it comes to the Confirmation Package that we send to folks. By adding real plates, utensils and cloth napkins to our guiding we have totally eliminated the use of disposal eating ware.

If you haven’t yet gone fishing – you need too!! Get out there and fish!!

Rivers

The Lower Sac has been fishing better in the last week. The flows are still at 5100cfs. There is restoration work being done by a coalition of organizations at the Girven Riffle. The work is to make and assist salmon with better spawning areas. Please avoid this area. The restoration work has been completed at the Lapusta site. That area is safe to access and fish now. The fishing is best in the late morning into the afternoon hours. Caddis hatches have been happening during this time with mayflies and midges hatching early in the morning. Top flies Fox’s Poopah Caddis Cinnamon Size 14, Fox’s Poopah Caddis Bead Head Cinnamon Size 16, Thurman’s Jigged Bird’s Nest Natural Size 16 and Lance’s X-Midge Hot Spot Black Size 18 or 20. The Feather River has slowed down quickly in the last month. We are between the fall run and the spring run. Fish are being picked up. Swinging Salmon Fry’s and fishing small mayfly nymphs and worms after storms have been producing fish. Top flies Lance’s X-May Jigged Olive Size 18, Lance’s Fireworm Earthworm Size 14 and Simmon’s Salmon Fry Size 6. The Low Flow flows are 700cfs and the High Flow flows are 1760cfs. If you folks are looking for updated intel, call this recorded number 1-530-534-2307. 

Lakes

Manzanita Lake is frozen and has snow on it, which is normal this time of year. 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 1-9 open for the Pond Smelt hatch.

Tours

Our LGC’s Tours are rolling along and we have a brand new tour – The Heritage Trout Challenge Tours. We are dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on it. As for the rest of the tours, we have always stressed that the tours are held during the time of year that the fishing is traditionally good. Our first tour coming up is the Feather River Tour on March 2, 2024 with 1 spot left in it. The Putah Creek Tour slated for March 9, 2024 is booked and the April 1, 2024 Putah Creek Tour has 1 spot left. 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 filling up quickly. There are still openings to join us for a half day and learn or hone a new skill. In February we have two workshops, the Dry Fly Workshop on February 10, 2024 with 1 opening and the Streamer Workshop on February 17 with 2 spots open. On May 20, 2024 we have a Midge Workshop with all 3 spots open. The workshops are scheduled when the venue is fishing well just like the tours. These workshops will give you skills that you can carry in your tool box 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

This months “Fly of the Month” is Simmon’s Salmon Fry. This fly was developed by the late Dave Simmins for the valley fisheries. The hardest portion of this fly is the eyes. These eyes are painted. Eyes are important for this fly – the steelhead and trout in the rivers will focus on movement but will eat when it sees the eyes. I fish this on a long 9-foot 3X leader and swing it or underneath an indicator and dead drift it. Best fished at the tailouts of a riffle or run.



Hook – Mustad 3908C or The Fly Shop 7423 Size 6

Thread – Danville Flymaster 6/0 Thread Gray #31

Tail – Marabou Gun Metal Gray

Body – Holographic Silver Medium Tinsel

Wing – Marabou Gun Metal Gray over Mirage Pearl Flashabou

Egg Sack – Hot Orange Antron Yarn

Head - Danville Flymaster 6/0 Thread Gray #31

Eye – Pearl Metallic paint with black paint pupil