Middle Fork Feather River Fishing Report 4-17-2026

Middle FOrk Feather River

Fly fishing on the Middle Fork Feather River continues to improve after recent storms increased flows and lowered water temperatures. Good hatches of blue wing olive, March browns and pale morning dun mayflies have fish eating a variety of nymphs, emergers and duns. Streamer fishing is starting to pay off with water temps and more aggressive fish.

Flows are peaking on the Middle Fork Feather River after the latest round of storms at 280 cfs on the Portola gauge. After peaking at 1200cfs below Sloat, the river is a steady 800 cfs and holding. Water temps are ranging from 49 to 53 degrees down a few degrees from last week. The increase in flows and lower water temps will help to lengthen our spring season a bit longer which is great news! More storms are predicted for the next week or so. Gotta love spring in the Lost Sierra!

Fish are being caught in a variety of water types, including shallow riffles during the peak of the afternoon hatches. Most are being caught in 3-4′ deep medium speed runs with good structure.

What’s Working

Nymphs: Jigged pheasant tail (14-18), Electrolyte Baetis (14-18), Plastic Surgeon (14-18), rusty jig (14-18), Czech Bomb olive/yellow, red/black (14-18), zebra may (18), Pat’s Rubberlegs brown, coffee/olive, coffee/black (8-10), jigged bunny leech natural, olive, white (8-10) Dries: March Brown Dun (14), sparkle flag (16-18), parachute Adams (16-18), parachute bwo (16-18), comparadun (14-18), Last Chance cripple (16-18), Film Critic (16-18) Streamers: Sculpzilla olive/white, tan, natural, white (10), Dolly Llama olive/white, natural (10), Feather Duster olive/white (10)

Looking Ahead

This spring has posed some challenges with lower flows and warmer water temps than normal. The good news is the recent and continued stormy weather is giving us a reprieve for now. I expect to have to pull off the Middle Fork Feather River by mid June due to low and warm conditions. At that time I will concentrate efforts on the Truckee system and backcountry lakes. Don’t sleep on our stillwater options as we have a variety of trout to catch on the fly in extremely beautiful mountain lakes. These lake trips are relaxing way to escape the crowds.