Hamilton Branchon Lake Almanor
Cooler
- 01Cooler, overcast weather is driving a strong fall bite.
- 02Trout are actively transitioning to pond smelt as their primary forage.
- 03Early mornings are seeing surface activity on floating smelt imitations.
- 04Subsurface techniques with intermediate lines are productive later in the morning.
- 05Focus on areas with cold water ingress and along the shoreline for aggressive feeders.
What to tie on at Hamilton Branch
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Floating Pond Smelt
Trout are actively keying into floating pond smelt in the early mornings as water temperatures drop, a primary fall food source.
Sinking Pond Smelt
Brown and Rainbow Trout are actively feeding on pond smelt subsurface; intermediate lines are effective for getting this pattern to depth.
Milt's Pond Smelt
Trout are actively feeding on pond smelt, which is the primary food source in Lake Almanor during the fall.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
This versatile streamer imitates leeches and baitfish, a reliable food source for aggressive trout in colder fall waters.
Damsel Nymph (Olive)
Damsel nymphs are a substantial food source for cruising trout along weed lines and submerged structures in Lake Almanor.
Egg Sucking Leech
Excellent for Chinook Salmon and opportunistic trout keying into eggs during fall spawning activity.
Buy at AmazonBalanced Leech
Leeches are a consistent year-round food source in stillwaters like Lake Almanor, effective subsurface as trout feed aggressively in fall.
Buy at AmazonChironomid Pupa
Chironomids remain a consistent food source in stillwaters, effective subsurface with indicator nymphing for opportunistic trout.
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.