Trinity River

Big game hunting at it’s finest!  Winter steelheading on the Trinity River is a game not for the faint of heart.

Season: Generally late October to late February.  We concentrate on the upper sections of the Trinity from Lewiston to Pidgeon Point.  Generally, side-drifting flies under an indicator is by far the most productive method to hooking up on Trinity steel in winter.

I can’t really add (or desire to add) any more to the countless volumes of information available on fishing the Trinity River except to say although the fish are magnificent and the river valley beautiful, and for quite a number of reasons…this isn’t a great choice for novice fly fishers.  Far FAR more likely that a novice will succeed hooking and landing an adult steehead on the Klamath River.   The weather in the Trinity valley in winter can be brutal wet and cold and combine that with the realistic expectation of 0-4 grabs/person/day…you should really want to be there.  But wait, don’t overlook that we’re talking GRABS here not hooked, not landed.  What happens after you get the grab is likely entirely up to you.

So, if you don’t quite bring your “A- game” (or even possess an A-game) you’ll most likely leave cold and humbled and hook a lot of trees in the process (which can be fun but the squirrels don’t really fight all that good).  Guide tip: Learn how or improve your roll casting…you’ll need it here.  An accurate roll cast to 40 feet with weighted flies and indicator is NOT that hard if you learn to load that new 7wt properly.  Just like any hand-eye skill you endeavor to pursue, a little practice will serve you well.  If you need help or easy yard practice drills to improve your roll casting…call me!  I can usually get you going over the phone.

Read more at The Fly Shop’s Trinity River page

See the Trinity River photo Gallery!