Middle Fork Feather River Fly Fishing Report 3-18-2026

Middle Fork Feather River

Dropping flows and rising water temperatures are helping kick the spring fly fishing season on the Middle Fork Feather River into high gear. As of this writing , the Northern Sierra is in the grips of a long term and unusual March heat wave as air temps hit 80 degrees on the river yesterday. Man, it was hot but the 55 degree water temps sure felt good! Flows on the Portola gauge continue to drop and around 370 cfs, while I estimate the flows in Gargle to be around 500cfs. What does this mean? For starters, wading can still be challenging and crossing the river mostly impossible, but there are plenty of safe places to fish.

I’m finding fish in a variety of water types including faster riffles with most dry fly action taking place in slower “frog water”. Nymphing is best with a variety of mayfly patterns catching fish, but streamer and afternoon dry fly action is improving. I’ve started seeing March Browns this week to supplement the daily blue wing olive hatch. There are still plenty of midges hatching, a few winter stones and a few small skwalas in the mix to make things exciting.

What’s Working

Nymphs: Electrolyte Baetis (14-18), jigged PT (16-18), Raindrop perdigon (16), Plastic Surgeon (16), Rusty Jig (14-16), Pat’s rubberleg brown, black, coffee/green, coffee/black (8-10), Jigged bunny leech natural, olive, tan (8-10) Dries: Parachute Adams (14-18), Last Chance Cripple BWO (18), Film Critic BWO (18), BWO Pullover (16-18), March Brown dun (14) Sparkle Flag (18-20) Streamers: Wooly Bugger black (10-12), Feather Duster (8), Dolly Llama olive/white, natural (8)