Highway 128 Bridge (Putah Creek)on Putah Creek
River flow last 30 days
Putah Creek flows at an incredibly low and clear 14
- 01Putah Creek flows at an incredibly low and clear 14.3 cfs, offering excellent wading conditions.
- 02Expect consistent subsurface activity from midge larvae and pupae.
- 03Intermittent hatches of Blue-Winged Olives (BWO) and late-season Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) may provide dry fly opportunities.
- 04Trout are concentrated in deeper runs, slow pools, and seams behind current breaks.
- 05A stealthy approach with long leaders, fine tippets (6x or 7x fluorocarbon), and minimal split shot is crucial.
What to tie on at Highway 128 Bridge (Putah Creek)
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
TJ Hooker
Explicitly mentioned as a "go-to fly" in the recent Putah Creek report, effective as a general attractor nymph, which is consistent with active subsurface feeding in low, clear summer flows.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a consistent year-round food source in tailwaters like Putah Creek, and the recent report highlighted "anything small and black" as effective in low, clear water.
Buy at AmazonCaddis Larva (Green Rockworm)
Imitates the "Caddis green puppa" mentioned in the recent Putah Creek report as a go-to fly, a staple food source in low, clear summer conditions.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
An essential general searching nymph, mimicking various small mayfly nymphs that are always present and active, particularly effective in low, clear summer flows.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph for early spring, mimicking various mayfly nymphs that are active year-round and particularly as BWOs begin to emerge.
Iced Out Midge Pupa
Aligns with reports of fish keying into 'anything small and black' and is specifically effective for subsurface midge activity in colder, clear spring tailwater conditions.
Buy at AmazonHydropsyche Caddis Pupa
Represents the 'Caddis green puppa' mentioned in recent reports; caddis pupae are actively emerging in spring and are a vital food source.
Pale Morning Dun Sparkle Dun
With sparse mayfly activity mentioned in the recent report, this emerger effectively imitates PMDs in the surface film, targeting selective trout looking up in low light.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Matches sparse mayfly activity reported and is a classic imitation for actively hatching Blue-Winged Olives in spring, especially on overcast days or in softer water.
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.