Winter Fish Forecast

Lower Sacramento River

The trout have been feasting on salmon eggs and are plump, strong, and ready for the next course. As the peak egg bite tapers, we’ll still see some late salmon backfilling the redds — perfect for a few more bead grabs in shallow water for a few more weeks. 

What we’re really excited about, though, is that bug life. Caddis and BWOs are back, and the next couple of months bring some of the best shallow-water and surface hatch fishing of the year. This is a whole different side of the Lower Sac — and it’s our jam.

Steelhead Season Is On

Time to dust off those 7- and 8-weights, both single-hand and Spey, and chase our favorite ocean run fish. 

Steelhead fishing has its highs and lows — that’s why we’re here. We share in the obsession. We watch the weather, track flows, and stay dialed on where the fish are moving. The Trinity River kicked off 2025 strong, and the next couple of months are shaping up to be epic. Whether you want an indicator trip or a full-on swing adventure, our guides will help you dial in your game, your gear, and help you shake hands with these amazing fish.

Bass Fishing

Winter spotted bass fishing on Lake Oroville and other foothill reservoirs offers some of the most consistent action of the season. While rivers rise and fall, these lakes stay in shape all winter long. The float-and-fly technique shines now — perfect for beginners and pros alike.

Winter striped bass fishing, on the other hand, is for the diehards. As the water cools, these big fish feed less often — but when they do, it’s on big bait. If you’re willing to grind, you just might hook the fish of a lifetime. This is a quality-over-quantity game, and some of our biggest stripers of the year come now.

Waterfowl: Life on the River 

Our own Adam Andreini knows the Sacramento River like the back of his hand — he grew up on it. From guiding fly trips from his drift boat and big groups on his 26’ jet boat to running next-level flooded timber duck hunts, Adam does it all at the highest level.

For the 2025/26 season, climb aboard his custom 18’ duck boat before sunrise and cruise into flooded timber where ducks pour in over century-old oaks and cottonwoods. Adam has been hunting these hidden holes long before OnX was a thing — and it’s an experience few hunters ever get to see.

Hands down, some of the coolest duck hunting anywhere.