Nor Cal Fly Guides
The Feather River
Nor Cal Fly Guides
The Feather River is a Classic steelhead and salmon river with diverse structure
The Feather River hosts some of the largest steelhead and salmon runs in the entire state of California. It’s powerful, dynamic, unpredictable, and absolutely loaded with opportunity. Come join us on one of our favorite rivers to guide in California and prepare yourself for a fish that will make you earn every inch of that photo finish.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Feather River Fly Fishing
Oroville to Gridley, California
The Feather River is one of Northern California’s most diverse and exciting fly fishing destinations, offering a year-round steelhead fishery and opportunities for salmon, stripers, and shad. Flowing from Oroville Dam south to the Sacramento River at Verona, this productive tailwater is often misunderstood and overlooked—making it one of California’s best-kept fly fishing secrets.
We highly recommend booking well in advance for prime-season Feather River fly fishing. Our guides pride themselves on their deep, local knowledge of this river, and having an experienced Feather River Fly Fishing Guide not only makes for a fantastic day on the water—it dramatically increases your chances of success.
The Feather River supports both hatchery and wild fish year-round and is one of the only rivers in the valley that produces four distinct steelhead runs along with two strong Chinook salmon runs every year. It truly is an all-around, year-round fly fishery.
Come join us on one of our favorite rivers to guide in California and prepare yourself for a fish that will make you earn every inch of that photo finish.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Feather River Salmon Fly Fishing
The Fall Run of Chinook salmon is the primary salmon event of the year, with fish arriving as early as August and continuing well into October, while the Spring Run enters the system in late April and early May and lasts through July in smaller numbers. Although salmon can be effectively targeted on the fly, it is challenging due to the heavy presence of boats and anglers on the water. When we do pursue them, our focus is typically from July through September, using 9-weight rods, sinking lines, bright Clouser patterns, and techniques similar to striped bass fishing. Landing a 20–30 lb salmon on the fly is not uncommon, but anglers should be prepared for a long, physical battle that will leave you both smiling and sore, as few experiences compare to watching a 30-pound salmon eat a fly.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Rugged Feather River scenery, iconic steelhead moments
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Feather River Steelhead Fishing
If you’ve ever chased steelhead, you already understand their power.
The Feather River is a true steelhead factory, producing fish throughout every season of the year.
Spring Run (March – May) This run consists primarily of hot, wild steelhead that behave more like oversized trout than steelhead when it comes to their eating habits. These fish will eat nymphs and even dries and average 3–6 pounds, with fish pushing 8 pounds not uncommon. These fish will absolutely test your drag.
Summer Run (Half-Pounders) The summer run is comprised mostly of half-pounder steelhead, fast, aggressive fish that are smaller in size but full of attitude. These fish offer nonstop fun and fantastic swing opportunities.
Fall Run (August – November) – The Legendary “Egg Bite” The most famous Feather River run. These steelhead follow the salmon upstream and gorge themselves on eggs, eggs, and more eggs. By October and November, the river turns into what we affectionately call the Post Traumatic Egg Disorder (PTED) zone—fish are stuffed with eggs and insanely aggressive for more.
Last but not least: Winter Run (Nov-Feb) Don’t need to say much more than that. These Winter run steelhead, while the lowest numbers of returning steelhead on the Feather, are some of the biggest you will hook all season long. If you are lucky enough to hook into one of these winter toads, be ready to see Moby Dick on the end of your line. These fish average 6-8lbs but fish hooked and landed up to 12lbs happen each and every year. Just remember, it’s not bottom until you know its bottom.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Low Flow Section & Special Access
Every New Year, the low-flow section above the Highway 70 bridge opens, and accessing this stretch by boat is extremely difficult, making a knowledgeable Feather River guide invaluable. Whether you are looking for drift boat trips, walk-and-wade trips, or dedicated swing trips for steelhead, we can position you in the most productive water based on current conditions and the season to maximize your success.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
An All-Around, Year-Round Fishery
It is a place where the seasons never slow, the action never fades, and the river continues to give, month after month. It’s a fishery that thrives in every weather pattern and water condition, offering opportunities to beginners, seasoned anglers, and trophy hunters alike. No matter what you want to target, the Feather River has it all, including steelhead, Chinook salmon, striped bass, and American shad. It is one of the most versatile fisheries in California and remains productive every single month of the year.
Book Your Feather River Fly Fishing Trip with Nor Cal Fly Guides
Whether your goal is to learn fly fishing, improve your spey casting, chase steelhead, or explore new Northern California waters, Nor Cal Fly Guides is here to help you grow as an angler while having an incredible time on the water.