Each and every Trinity spring season is special & one never tires of the flourishing beauty. Early Red-bud highlighting Trinity River “Fly Only” waters.
Getting slammed this past March was truly a blessing and above average rainfall and snow brought much needed relief from the drought. Most all local fisheries survived the heavy runoff, with minimal impacts/turbidity, and surprisingly remained fishable. Currently, other than persistent north winds and the barometer bouncing all over the place, weather has simmered down, at least for a while, into a more traditional spring pattern and lake levels are rising, water clarity improving and most all waters providing some exciting early spring options.
Trinity Lake is primarily recognized a a premier smallie fishery. Local Bass veteran, Jim French, reveals other treasures; two major buckets
Trinity Lake – All local reports indicate pre-spawn bass fishing on TL has been solid (Nice to see the spiny ray recovery from TL’s low levels). Conventional anglers scrubbing the flats and points with plastics and cranks are scoring on both small and large-mouth bass up to 6 lbs.. Fly Fishers would increase their odds by taking advantage of the heat of the day, stationary high pressure systems that heat up rocky points and shallow tapering flats and attract pre-spawn fish. Clear camo and or intermediate lines and, first choice flies, leech/eel patterns (Black-brown-grey colors supporting lots of life, mimicking freshwater lampreys) compliment early pre-spawn waters.
If multiple days of warm weather and water temps persist, break out the floaters to cover skinny waters and for jaw-dropping top water activity. Cedar Stock Flats, Airport, and East side, Hayward points have all been firing off. Early mornings, before winds pick up, is favored. Typical of the spring season, rising TL levels absorbing shoreline flotsam, can challenge boaters; use extreme caution and eyes wide open for dangerous surface -subsurface floating debris. The big bug-a-boo this year is access to Trinity Lake. HWY 3 is closed and currently under construction, possibly through mid-June, so access, auto and boat launching, is limited to lengthy detours. (Check Cal Trans for detailed info). To date, Fairview- Trinity Dam is the only boat launch available. 4X4 is recommended, especially for larger boats during inclement weather. With a solid 80% plus snow pack and delayed runoff quality TL pre-post bass fishing should last well into late June this year.
Trinity Lake tributary trout are often elusive, well fed and develop an attitude when hooked.
Upper Trinity River & Trinity Lake Tributaries – Upper TR is open (YEAR-ROUND) while all other tributaries are currently closed until the general trout opener (last Sat. (April 30th). Upper TR is flowing high and unfishable due to a healthy snow pack and spring runoff; current weather will dictate runoff duration. When flows subside these waters warrant aggressive attention for lake-run fish stocks. Primary TL tributary river mouths, (Anglers able to fish “level of the lake” confluence), have been yielding some nice trout for boating and pontoon conventional and fly fishermen. Post runoff, these waters become more predictable and accessible; possibly by the General Trout Opener the end of the month.
Lewiston Lake – Slowly settling, clearing and fishable. Flows have been drastically reduced; work on Trinity Dam, as well as temporary lack of commercial agriculture-power demands diversions. Conventional bait-hardware anglers currently have the edge and are scoring a few fish while targeting the springs and slow trolling the lower deep water channels. Unseasonably warm temperatures have triggered the first generations of Callibaetis, Midge hatches as well as the first burp of Aquatic Wasps throughout the lower flats. Lewiston waters are still turbid, 2-4 ft. depths are fishable, such as lower lake flats and shallows below Pine Cove, and overall angling pressure is very light. Fishing and water qualities should greatly improve when diversion flows increase and have a chance to purge the entire tailwater system. Look for this rich and fertile tailwater to be a solid late bloomer.
Grass Valley Lake is a 40 acre gem.
Grass Valley Lake – Happening NOW and well worth the hike. Just a 10 minute blast up HWY299E from Trinity Fly Shop; access trail prior Buckhorn summit. Requires a float tube and is roughly a 45 minute moderate hike. True wilderness setting, unlimited wildlife and supports a healthy population of both resident rainbows and land-locked steelhead averaging 10-14”; oftentimes quite eager. Sink multi-tips and full intermediate sink lines are standard approach and very effective when stripping or trolling most any colored leech/buggers, as long as they are BLACK.
Float tubing Grass Valley Lake is a hoot.
Also wise to include a floating line as small Callibaetis and aquatic wasp hatches can activate surface feeding activity around shoreline weed beds, small oyster bays and shallows around the small island crown by the dam. This is a very unique and rewarding fishery that is oddly passed up by the greater majority of anglers in route to other local Trinity fisheries. Grass Valley is an excellent spring fishery, action slows during the heat of summer, and reboots with the cooling trends of fall. Need a fun fly fishing semi wilderness fix?
Seldom a numbers gig–Occasionally the Trinity throws out a heart stopper when you least expect it. Andrew Prior was will prepared.
Trinity River – (300 cfs) Yes-water clarity is improving; almost clear. Yes, for those in question, hatchery juveniles were released weeks ago and many have been flushed down river with higher flows. No, to date, the Bureau of Reclamation has not determined or revealed a 2016 TR flow release forecast. Yes, to those confused, the “Fly Only” waters (Old Lewiston Br. Up to 300 ft. below Lewiston Dam) reopened April 1. Yes, the opener was, as expected crowded yet fun and although fishing was a bit slow some beautiful late winter steelhead, 3-5 lbs. and residual trout were caught/released. No, to those inquiring, there were zero brown trout reported during the opener. Yes, to those concerned, electro-shocking occurred this past February in the upper reach TR. No, we do not know if anymore Brown trout electro-shocking in scheduled. Yes, to those who shied away from the opener, crowds have thinned out and there is plenty of open water available. OK-enough yes/no/no yes-BS. I don’t know what I was thinking and why it came out this way; blame it on age and a dry run.
A few bright late winter steelhead, down runners and residual trout are providing some fun action throughout the upper reach, Douglas City to Lewiston. Pressure is light to non-existent, river supporting a healthy flow (tributary influence) and simply a great time of year to experience the flourishing beauty and abundant bird and wildlife. Heightening the attraction and thrill, cloudy overcast days have been activating brief Callibaetis and a few Green Drake hatches formulating exciting dry fly opportunities.
On the down low, won’t be long before the lead edge of spring Chinook-steelhead begin filtering into the system. Ca Dept. Fish & Wildlife 2016 predictions for the Klamath-Trinity are well below average returns. Regardless of their low predictions it isn’t all about numbers; tight-line success happens to those willing to accept whatever is served up and targeting the right place at the right time. An above average snow pack is refueling Trinity Lake levels, secondary tributaries are flowing and more rains forecasted for the spring season, the TR is very healthy and should fish well though the summer and early fall.
While the spring season may not be recognized as one of the more popular times to target Trinity waters, it certainly is one of the most colorful, refreshing and inviting times of year for everyone to engage, see, smell, fish, camp, appreciate and enjoy; which is a hell of a lot more fun than sitting around or laboring spring cleaning chores. No Brainer- Get Out There!
It isn’t all about fish on the Trinity–Spring courtship.
