Updated October 15, 2026

    Silver Creek (Sierra Nevada)Fishing report · spring creek in California

    Managed for wild trout, this pristine creek offers technical fishing in a beautiful, natural setting.

    Conditions right now

    No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.

    Weather now
    58°F
    Clear Sky, wind 2 mph E
    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    Mayfly activity (BWOs

    1. 01Mayfly activity (BWOs, PMDs) remains strong, especially during warmer afternoons.
    2. 02October Caddis are making an appearance, leading to aggressive surface takes.
    3. 03Midge hatches (black and cream) will be a consistent food source throughout the day.
    4. 04Egg patterns are crucial with fall being a spawning period for some trout.
    5. 05Streamers imitating leeches and baitfish are effective for larger, aggressive trout.

    What to tie on

    Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.

    dry

    PMD Comparadun

    #16#18

    Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in the fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic feeders like Rainbow and Brown Trout. This pattern effectively imitates PMD adults.

    streamer

    Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)

    #14#16

    Small leech patterns like this effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic Rainbow and Brown Trout in the fall.

    dry

    October Caddis (Dry)

    October Caddis (Dicosmoecus) adult
    #6#8#10

    The October Caddis hatch is one of the largest caddis hatches of the year in many western rivers during the fall. This larger dry fly is perfect for enticing aggressive strikes from trout looking for a substantial meal.

    Buy at Amazon
    nymph

    Micro Egg

    Fish Egg
    #14#16#18

    Fall is a key spawning period for some trout species, and egg patterns are crucial for enticing opportunistic Rainbow and Brown Trout positioned downstream of spawning beds, where eggs are available in the drift.

    Buy at Amazon
    nymph

    Zebra Midge

    Midge pupa (Chironomidae)
    #18#20#22#24

    Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, especially in spring creeks and tailwaters. This weighted nymph effectively imitates midge pupae and gets into the strike zone for subsurface feeding Rainbow and Brown Trout.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun

    #18#20#22

    Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching in early spring and continue into fall, especially on overcast days. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective Rainbow and Brown Trout feeding on emergers and adults in the spring creek's flat, clear water.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer

    Woolly Bugger

    Leech/baitfish
    #2#4#6#8#10#12

    This versatile streamer is a go-to pattern year-round for enticing aggressive strikes from larger Rainbow and Brown Trout. In fall, it effectively imitates leeches and baitfish, which are active in colder water.

    Buy at Amazon

    Where to fish and who to ask

    Ted Fay Fly Shop · Dunsmuir1Highway 299 CrossingHighway 299 Crossing2Loop Road AccessLoop Road Access3Private Access (some public points)Private Access (some public points)
    AccessFly shop
    1

    Highway 299 Crossing

    Roadside access near the highway with good water for prospecting.

    41.000°N 121.750°WDirections
    2

    Loop Road Access

    Public access points along the scenic loop road.

    41.040°N 121.700°WDirections
    3

    Private Access (some public points)

    While much is private, some public easements exist, requiring careful identification.

    41.020°N 121.720°WDirections

    Fly shops within 40 miles

    33mi

    Ted Fay Fly Shop

    Dunsmuir, CA

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    California season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Quick answers

    Common questions about Silver Creek (Sierra Nevada).

    What flies work best on Silver Creek (Sierra Nevada)?

    Our top scored fly patterns for Silver Creek (Sierra Nevada) right now are PMD Comparadun (80% confidence), Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive) (80% confidence), October Caddis (Dry) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.

    What fish species are in Silver Creek (Sierra Nevada)?

    Silver Creek (Sierra Nevada) holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.

    Is Silver Creek (Sierra Nevada) fishing well right now?

    We publish a fresh bite report for Silver Creek (Sierra Nevada) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.