Feather River

The Feather River. Quality over quanitity?

by Matt
Feather River Hatchery Steelie

The number of steelhead that have returned to the hatchery this year is less than half of what it was last year in 2014. Here are the numbers from an article from the Fishsniffer website: 677 adults this year (2015) compared to 1472 adults last year (2014). On a good note though these fewer fish are bigger. Three fish that were captured and returned to the hatchery were over 17+ pounds. Amazing.

There are always steelhead in the Feather River system but these bluebird bright sunny days are tough days to fish. It was pretty slow yesterday despite being on a good run that usually produces at sunrise. After not getting a single take I fished near the hatchery and saw a few other anglers hook up but it was also very slow for me.

Disappointed, I and wanted to beat the 2015 steelhead skunk. The following day I was able to hook two fish and land a nice hen a little under 5 pounds. This steelie is probably my new personal best. She was pretty beat up with torn fins, fungus head, copepods
on fins, and has probably made it back to spawn several times in her lifetime. She fought hard and the second before I was able to get her under the net the hook popped out of her mouth. Luckily she was tired enough to where she floated for a second and I was able to net her. It was a awesome fish as my first steelhead for 2015.

Big Feather Hen

The spring-run aren’t in town yet but after a few good storms they should start trickling in. Drought conditions are going to be hitting the lowest of the lows this year and it’s not looking good.
I’ve been reading that the American River is fishing really poorly with very few steelhead returning this year. On paper it looks bad although I haven’t been out there so I can’t really judge.

Feather River

First Feather River Below Hatchery Visit of 2015

by Matt

Apparently there was some spawning bed work near the hatchery last year and I wanted to check it out and try my luck. There has been improvement on spawning habitat below the hatchery outlet to the end of the long run with new holding holes and shallow gravel beds for spawning fish. During my visit is was almost like learning a new section of the river again. The new contours will put the fish in different places.

It was an overcasted Tuesday morning and there were lots of bugs out. I didn’t get there early but as the day progressed more and more anglers started to show up. It went from about two including me to at least eight anglers. The flow was higher than it usually was, enough to flush out the small stuff, and I didn’t see a single salmon fry while I was there. I did see three or four steelhead jump but they weren’t taking anyone’s flies. I also witness one guy hook up only to lose it within a second.
The fish are there but they are under so much pressure that even on a day where the conditions are perfect they won’t bite. I swung flies most of the day and nymphed a little to try to figure the puzzle out but in the end nothing worked.

This section usually produces but with the high pressure, spawning bed construction, and drought conditions, I don’t think the fishing will get better anytime soon. Last years run wasn’t the best steelhead or salmon run either so that doesn’t help.
There are always steelhead in the Feather River so I’m sure if I look I’ll be able to find a few that are willing to play.

There was also some bum that wanted a dollar from me. After I told him I didn’t have any, he waited probably an hour in his car for me to come back up to ask me again. I was packing up to head out and now he is asking for two dollars. I told him I don’t carry cash then he drove off.
If I don’t want to give you a dollar what makes you think I’m going to give you two dollars?
Don’t ask Asians for money for you will get nothing. Stay classy Oroville.

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Keep Calm and Fly Fish™