Fishing Reports

Lower Feather River Fly Fishing Report – Spring Steelhead 2026

Spring is shaping up nicely for Lower Feather River spring steelhead, and fishing has been steadily improving over the past couple of weeks. As water temperatures slowly rise and weather patterns stabilize, anglers should continue to see increasing activity and consistent opportunities for steelhead on the fly.

Spring Steelhead Fishing on the Lower Feather River

Current reports from the Low Flow section of the Lower Feather River indicate that spring steelhead fishing is productive and trending upward. Fish are actively feeding and responding well to a variety of proven patterns.

Right now, the most effective flies have been:

• Egg patterns

• San Juan Worms

• Caddis pupae

• Bird’s Nests

• S&M nymphs

These flies have been producing steady action over the past week as fish key in on both drifting food sources and increasing insect activity.

Increasing Bug Activity

As we move further into spring, anglers are beginning to notice more insect activity on the Lower Feather River. Early caddis hatches are starting to show, and warmer temperatures in the forecast should help push these hatches even further.

When these bugs begin to “pop off” in greater numbers, steelhead will often become more aggressive and predictable in their feeding behavior. This typically leads to excellent nymph fishing and occasional opportunities when fish move into feeding lanes during active hatches.

What to Expect in the Coming Weeks

With warm spring weather ahead, the Lower Feather River should see:

• Increasing caddis activity

• More consistent steelhead feeding patterns

• Strong nymph fishing conditions

Spring is one of the most underrated times to target steelhead on the Lower Feather River, with fewer crowds and fish that are often willing to eat well-presented flies.

Book a Lower Feather River Steelhead Trip

If you’re looking to experience spring steelhead fly fishing on the Lower Feather River, the coming weeks should provide excellent opportunities as hatches increase and fish remain active.

Prime spring dates fill quickly, so booking early ensures access to some of the best steelhead fishing of the season.

Recent trips over the past week have produced some great fish, and we’ve included a few photos from the last several days on the water.