Clear Creek Gorgeon Clear Creek (Shasta County - below Whiskeytown Dam)
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Typical stable and moderate fall flows on Clear Creek
- 01Typical stable and moderate fall flows on Clear Creek, despite warmer-than-average early October temperatures.
- 02Strong Baetis and prominent October Caddis hatches are expected, especially on overcast afternoons.
- 03Midges remain a consistent subsurface food source, active throughout the day.
- 04Steelhead are beginning their migratory push, with resident Rainbow and Brown Trout actively feeding.
- 05Focus on nymphs and egg patterns in shaded, deeper pockets early, then transition to dry flies during afternoon hatches.
What to tie on at Clear Creek Gorge
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are a prominent hatch in fall, providing a significant food source for Steelhead and trout.
Buy at AmazonDeep Sparkle Pupa
October Caddis are emerging, and fish will be keying on the pupae drifting in the current.
Buy at AmazonBaetis Nymph
Baetis hatches are excellent in the fall on Clear Creek, and nymphs are a primary food source for all trout species.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (BWO)
Fall Baetis hatches are prolific, and this low-profile dry fly effectively imitates the adult mayflies.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a consistent subsurface food source in tailwaters like Clear Creek, active year-round and particularly important in fall.
Buy at AmazonGlo Bug
Fall is egg season, and Steelhead and resident trout will readily take egg patterns below spawning fish.
Buy at AmazonIntruder (Steelhead)
Large attractor streamers are highly effective for aggressive Steelhead in fall, especially when swung through deeper runs.
Buy at AmazonSoft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
As caddis are active through fall, swinging a soft hackle can imitate emerging pupae or drowned adults, drawing strikes from all trout species.
Buy at AmazonCalifornia season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.