Middle Fork Feather River Fishing Report 4-30-2026

Middle Fork Feather River

April has been a rollercoaster of weather, flows and water temps on the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Feather River in the Lost Sierra region of California. The fishing over the since my last report has been mostly tough as water temps dropped back into the upper 40’s to low 50’s, but that seemed to change today as water temps were 53-57 degrees. Flows are 105 cfs in Portola and just over 400 cfs at Sloat allowing access to some other water. Fishing pressure has increased this past week but there is plenty of solitude to be had if you know where to look.

Lots of bugs hatching right now providing the fish with plenty to eat. March Browns start around 10:30 am with PMD’s following around noon. Blue Wing Olives are hatch also and their spinner fall is happening around 1 pm. Little Yellow Sallies showed up to the party today and were ovipositing mid day. I didn’t see any fish on them, but it’s only a matter of time. There is also a big yellow mayfly hatching in Clio that I have never seen before. It’s not a hexagenia but may be a yellow phase of a green drake. Of this I am uncertain. The fish didn’t seem to be interested in them that I could tell.

Today was the best streamer fishing I have had in a minute. The warmer water temps had the fish on the hunt and aggressively slamming the swung fly. From fast riffles to slower deeper frog water the fish were found in all water types.

What’s Working:

Nymphs: Jigged pheasant tail (14-16), Plastic Surgeon (14-18), Electrolyte Baetis (EB) (14-18), Walt’s Worm (14-18), Pat’s Rubberleg (8-10) Dries: Sparkle Flag BWO, PMD (16-18), Last Chance Cripple (18), Film Critic (16-18), Parachute Adams (16-18), March Brown Dun (14-16), Chubby Chernobyl orange, pink, black/purple (8-10) Streamers: Dolly Llama olive/white, natural (8), Feather Duster olive/white (8), Sculpzilla white, olive, tan, natural (8-10)