The Rivers

The Fall River of California

The Fall River is 70 miles east of Redding, CA on Highway 299, about 80 minutes driving time from Redding or 5 hours north of San Francisco. The trout season begins the last Saturday in April and ends on November 15th. All seasons all offer opportunities to land big trout. The Fall River is primarily flat water that slowly courses its way through tule marshes and pastures. Mountains frame the valley on all sides. Mount Shasta dominates the western side of the valley with snow visible on the Hotlum and Wintun Glaciers that ramp up the eastern side of the 14,162 ft peak of Shasta.

The fishing is done from a 14 ft pram outfitted with a 4-stroke outboard motor and an electric trolling motor. The fishing is usually downstream and primarily to visible rising trout. We employ the Fall River "twitch" the Glenburn "Drift" and sometimes go head hunting up in Ahjumawi Springs for big rainbows that very definitely has the feel of stalking bonefish in the Bahamas.

We recommend 9-foot rods. On any given day, we will have a 4 weight rod set up with a dry fly, another rod in either 4 or 5 weight with a emerger/cripple and still another 5 weight rod with a floating line for nymphing. We also recommend having a 6-weight rod lined with a sinking or intermediate line to fish streamers or large nymphs. The game can change fast on Fall River and having rods all set up and ready to go may make the difference in being able to give a big rainbow a headache.

Days: 8:00 AM — 2:00 PM

All tackle and flies provided
Cost: $250 for one or $325 for Two Anglers
BYO beverages and snacks
May — October

Evenings: 7:00 — 10:00 PM

All tackle and flies provided
Cost: $200 for 1 or 2 Anglers
BYO beverages and snacks
June 15 — July 15

"Two a Days"

The Fall River Guides offer "two a days"; 8 AM — 2 PM and 7 PM to 10 PM guide trips from mid June through July. Eat a big breakfast early, bring a snack for lunch and plan to eat an early dinner because we are staying out late, first for trout rising to #14 and #16 tan and black caddis and then for trout crashing the surface for #6 hexagenia mayflies.

When and where we fish

Most fishing days begin at 8 AM. We leave from our dock just above the Glenburn Bridge. Depending on where the fish are concentrated we may fish several miles up river or begin fishing as soon as we cast off. In the morning we may fish several different fly patterns and life cycle stages as there is almost a continuous progression of mayfly, midge and caddis hatches and other wild card offerings such as flying ants, waterboatmen, or damsels that demand the trout's attention. In the summer, the afternoon breeze usually begins to build around 1:30 or 2 PM and the hatches tail off. It's a good idea to head back in and rest up for the evening rise from 7 PM until dark.

How to get there

The Fall River is approximately 300 miles north of San Francisco. From the SF Bay Area take I-80 East to Vacaville, I-505 North to Dunnigan and I-5 North to Redding, CA. In Redding, take US Highway 299 East towards Alturas for approximately 75 miles. After you pass over Hat Creek and then the Pit River, you will go up the long grade that takes you into the Fall River Valley. Take the first road on your left past the Fall River Golf Course, which is Glenburn Road. Take this road 3 miles to the T intersection. Turn right at the T and then left just before the Glenburn Church onto McArthur Road. Take the first driveway on the right (over a cattle guard onto a long straight driveway) and you are at the home of the Glenburn Drifters and the Fall River Guides. There is also a small county airport with a long runway (Non IFR) at Fall River Mills for those with private aircraft.

(driving directions)

What to bring

Tackle: We recommend 9-foot rods. On any given day, we will have a 4 weight rod set up with a dry fly, another rod in either 4 or 5 weight with a emerger/cripple and still another 5 weight rod with a floating line to nymph with by either swinging, stripping or to be used with an indicator. Last but not least, we recommend having a 6-weight rod lined with a sinking or intermediate line to fish streamers or large nymphs. The game can change fast on Fall River and having rods all set up and ready to go may make the difference in being able to give a big rainbow a headache.

Leaders and tippet: 12' — 6 X leaders and tippet, 9' — 3 X, 4 X and 5 X leaders and tippet will cover all the bases. (See fly list for recommendations)

Other Stuff: Camera. Boat bag. Sun protection is important, polarized sunglasses, sun block, long sleeves, good hat, etc. Layer up in a fleece and windproof/waterproof jacket, wear deck shoes and have rain pants handy in season. We supply bottled water. You bring whatever snacks, lunch, beverages that you want to bring. We have a cooler and ice to put it in.