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Trinity River

Guide Dax Messett with a huge Trinity River steelhead
Guided Float Trips
$650 for 1-2 Anglers
  • Year-round
  • Drift Boat Trips

The Trinity River is one of the most popular steelhead destinations in California. One reason for this status is that the Trinity rarely "blows out" due to high water. High flows from winter storms are absorbed by Trinity Lake, so even during large storms it's common for the uppermost floats to remain fishable. For the majority of the steelhead season, flows remain stable and conducive to wading and drift boat fishing. The Trinity River is also popular with anglers due to its proximity to highways and easy access. Highway 299 runs right along much of the river and side roads provide access to other areas. The river has excellent public access for wade fishing and plenty of put-ins for fishing from rafts and drift boats. The biggest reason that the Trinity River is held in high esteem by fly anglers is the numbers of fish. Every year thousands of steelhead return to the Trinity River. It is not at all uncommon for a single angler to hook multiple adult steelhead in a day of fishing on the Trinity. Most steelhead on the Trinity River are 4-10 pounds.

Fishing for adult steelhead can be very good as early as mid-September and as late as mid-April. The early fall is known for hot acrobatic fish. The fish typically aren't spread out in every hole, but when you find one it's common to find several more in the same spot. Prime-time on the Trinity River is November, December and January. November is the favorite month for anglers that want a great shot at good numbers of fish AND nicer weather. December and January are more likely to be cold and rainy (or even snowy!), but there are typically more fish in the river at this point. February, March and April are interesting months on the Trinity. We sometimes see greater numbers of fresh "winter-run" fish at this time. It's also common to hook some "down-streamers" that have already spawned and are headed back to the ocean. The river also sees hatches of march browns and green drakes that can get brown trout and the occasional adult steelhead to come to the surface.

Trinity River Guide Team

Our Trinity River guide team includes Andrew Harris, Gino Bernero, Brian Kohlman, Kevin Kay, Peter Santley, Luke Geraty, Mike Wright, Tom Mahan, Josh James, Colin Coogan, Andreas Fuhrmann and Drew Griffith. Gino Bernero, Andreas Fuhrmann, Josh James, Tom Mahan and Drew Griffith exclusively fish Spey Techniques on the Trinity.

Recent Trinity River Fishing Reports

Trinity River Fishing Image
March 31, 2023
Trinity River Report by DJ Spivey

Today was a special day all around! From blue skies in the afternoon to multiple great steelhead today was a true spring day! With high flows from the dam and the tributaries running strong we were pleasantly surprised with how good the bite was today on both stonefly and egg imitations!

Trinity River Fishing Image
February 20, 2023
Trinity River Report by DJ Spivey

With a bump in the flows and two full of energy clients, Aubrey Bre and I set out excited for a great day! Fishing various stone fly patterns and smaller nymphs we came in contact with a few half pounders right off the bat which was very exciting for Bre being it was her first time ever fly fishing! The runs were beautiful at the higher flow and the sun came peaking over the mountain tops mid morning making it a picturesque day. We ended up hooking a few beautiful adult steelhead that put the cherry on an awesome day. If your looking to experience one of my favorite rivers and have a shot at steelhead I wouod love to get out on the water with you!

Trinity River Fishing Image
February 13, 2023
Trinity River Report by Luke Geraty

Dar and I hit the Trinity on a cold Monday morning in search of Trinity steelhead, but the fishing was TOUGH. Dar is one of the best anglers that I have guided, so it wasn't a matter of being able to get good drifts. The fishing was just your typical steelheading, but we've been so spoiled lately it felt agonizing! Throughout the day we hooked two halfies and one adult that came unbottoned pretty quickly. But we kept at it. It wasn't until the LAST spot, at the LAST SECOND, that we found a small adult. Phew. While the fishing was slow, it was really fun talking with Dar about various fly fishing techniques and doing some different things throughout the day... like attempting to euro dork a juicy run. 

Trinity River Hatch Chart

Mayflies
Green Drakes
March Browns
Callibaetis
PMD
Baetis
Isonychia
Caddisflies
Glossosoma
Rhyacophila
Hydropsyche
October Caddis
Stoneflies
Golden Stones
Giant Stoneflies
Little Yellow Stones
Terrestrials
Grasshoppers
Other
Salmon Eggs
Steelhead Eggs
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
 
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
 
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
 
                                               
                                               
                                               
 
                                               
 
                                               
                                               

Lodging Recommendations

Weaverville and Lewiston are the closest options for anglers fishing the Trinity River. Please visit our Weaverville/Lewiston Info Page for ideas on lodging, logistics, and other activities in the area. Many of our guests also base their Trinity River trip out of Redding.

Trinity River Photo Gallery

A happy angler with a nice wild Trinity River steelhead
A large Trinity River steelhead
A colorful Trinity River steelhead
Wade fishing the Trinity River
A large steelhead from the Trinity River
Fishing some slower water on the Trinity River
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