Copyright 2011 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Putah CreekCalifornia
Putah Creek is a unique tailwater fishery that was
created by the construction of Monticello Dam. Before
dams were built on the creek, it was a natural Steelhead
spawning area that the dams and resulting lakes
destroyed. The dam didn't destroy all the fishing
opportunities though. It just created another one that
otherwise would never exist. Like many tailwaters in the
warm southeastern United States, the dam created a
cold, rainbow trout fishery. This one lies in the foothills of
the Sacramento Valley of northern California providing
good fly fishing opportunities for trout within close range
of the Bay Area and Sacramento.
Putah Creek flows from the Coast Range of Northern
California into Lake Berryessa but it's the section of the
creek below Monticello Dam that's offers excellent
year-round trout fishing. The water, which is discharged
from the lower part of the lake, stays cool in the hot
Summer and doesn't freeze in the cold Winter. It has a
good population of aquatic insects and a thriving
population of trout that grow year-round.
Putah Creek is stocked during the Summer. However,
large holdover trout move upstream from Lake Solano,
located downstream of Monticello Dam. Trout up to
twenty inches have been caught. There are also some
large brown trout that migrate upstream during the Fall
from Lake Solano.
Discharges from the dam are based on agricultural
demands. Flows can vary from 60 to 90 cfs during the
cooler months up to 500 cfs and more during the warm
months. Most of the time during late Spring, Summer and
early part of the Fall, large amounts of water is
discharged to assist agricultural needs further
downstream. By the middle of the Fall Season, the flow
usually drop, providing great fly fishing opportunities. Fly
Fishing Putah Creek during late Autumn can be a very
rewarding experience.
Seasons:
The season runs year-round, see special regulation on
your left
Spring:
Early Springtime is usually good provided the discharges
are reasonable
Summer:
You can catch fish during the Summer but wading is
usually out due to the high discharges. Most fishing is
done close to the banks from the banks
Fall:
Fly fishing Putah Creek during the late Fall can be very
productive
Winter:
Fishing is good on all but the very coldest days of the
Winter.
Fly Fishing Guide - Gear, Tackle and Flies
Putah Creek is a unique tailwater fishery that was
created by the construction of Monticello Dam. Before
dams were built on the creek, it was a natural Steelhead
spawning area that the dams and resulting lakes
destroyed. The dam didn't destroy all the fishing
opportunities though. It just created another one that
otherwise would never exist. Like many tailwaters in the
warm southeastern United States, the dam created a
cold, rainbow trout fishery. This one lies in the foothills of
the Sacramento Valley of northern California providing
good fly fishing opportunities for trout within close range
of the Bay Area and Sacramento.
Putah Creek flows from the Coast Range of Northern
California into Lake Berryessa but it's the section of the
creek below Monticello Dam that's offers excellent
year-round trout fishing. The water, which is discharged
from the lower part of the lake, stays cool in the hot
Summer and doesn't freeze in the cold Winter. It has a
good population of aquatic insects and a thriving
population of trout that grow year-round.
Putah Creek is stocked during the Summer. However,
large holdover trout move upstream from Lake Solano,
located downstream of Monticello Dam. Trout up to
twenty inches have been caught. There are also some
large brown trout that migrate upstream during the Fall
from Lake Solano.
Discharges from the dam are based on agricultural
demands. Flows can vary from 60 to 90 cfs during the
cooler months up to 500 cfs and more during the warm
months. Most of the time during late Spring, Summer and
early part of the Fall, large amounts of water is
discharged to assist agricultural needs further
downstream. By the middle of the Fall Season, the flow
usually drop, providing great fly fishing opportunities. Fly
Fishing Putah Creek during late Autumn can be a very
rewarding experience.
Seasons:
The season runs year-round, see special regulation on
your left
Spring:
Early Springtime is usually good provided the discharges
are reasonable
Summer:
You can catch fish during the Summer but wading is
usually out due to the high discharges. Most fishing is
done close to the banks from the banks
Fall:
Fly fishing Putah Creek during the late Fall can be very
productive
Winter:
Fishing is good on all but the very coldest days of the
Winter.
Fly Fishing Guide - Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Rainbow Trout {Wild and Stocked with Holdovers) Brown Trout (Wild and Stocked with holdovers ) Size Medium width, about 4 miles long Location Sacramento Valley Nearest Towns Dixon Winters Season Year-round Special Regulations: Artificial with barbless hooks only - All Catch and Release, Nov 16 - last Sat. in April Access: Easy Non-Resident License State of California Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart (Coming soon) USGS Stream Flow Data Fly Fishing Guide - Gear, Tackle and Flies |
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Photo Courtesy of Stephen Lamb
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Putah
Creek
California
Creek
California
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |