UPDATE: 10-31-23
The river has been fishing well all fall. Water temps are now in the low to mid 40’s and flows are stable. Fishing remains excellent with fish being caught on small pt’s, raindrop perdigons, Baetis nymphs and zebra midges. Fishing is best in the afternoons as water temps come up and fish become more active. We have about another month before the fishing shuts down for the coldest winter months.
The Wild and Scenic Middle Feather River begins in the Sierra Valley where head water streams gather. From here it flows unimpeded to Oroville Reservoir. Designated a Wild and Scenic river in 1967, the Middle Feather is unrivaled in its scenic beauty. Tumbling through rugged canyons, the river is home to wild rainbow trout as well as a few brown trout eager to eat a well presented fly. Abundant hatches and lack of pressure make the Middle Feather Fly Fishing a great destination.
The section of river that I guide is from Clio to the Red Bridge near Quincy. Good access to the river is available in Graeagle as well as Two Rivers and Camp Layman. A couple of forest roads provide access between Sloat and Red Bridge. All fly fishing here is done while walk/wading and it is not uncommon to do a bit of hiking between spots.
Early season fishing can be good to great depending on the water year. Streamers account for the largest trout caught in the spring. Prolific hatches mark early summer season with dry fly fishing at its finest. By mid July in most years, the river warms up to the point that we can no longer safely practice catch and release. When this occurs I stop fishing here until water temps drop in the fall. Cool crisp mornings and brilliant colors await the fly fisherman in the fall.
Lodging options:
Quincy: https://plumascounty.org/Places-To-Stay-Quincy
Graeagle: https://plumascounty.org/Places-To-Stay-Graeagle-Cromberg
