Trinity River

Guided Float Trips

$650 for 1-2 anglers including hotel pickup and shuttle

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, Colin Coogan, Andreas Fuhrmann and Drew Griffith. Gino Bernero, Andreas Fuhrmann and Drew Griffith exclusively fish Spey Techniques on the Trinity.

Recent Trinity River Fishing Reports

February 3, 2025

Trinity River Report by Mat Squillante

All the guys have been on the Trinity the past few weeks, with plenty of nice fish to show for their efforts. With flows still at 1500cfs, the fishing remains fast. Anglers able to put the flies where they need to be, when they need to be there, have the most success. The current storm will push flows beyond what's fishable for about a week. When it comes back into shape, fishing is likely to be good, maybe very good.

January 6, 2025

Trinity River Report by Andrew Harris

Trinity Lake is a little bit too full at the moment so the powers that be are releasing a lot of water into the Trinity River. The release from Lewiston Dam is 1,500cfs, which is five times the typical mid-winter 300cfs minimum flow. I initially thought the river would be unfishable at these flows, but I was wrong! The river is high and fast and crystal clear, but there are still plenty of good spots for fish to hold and for us to fish. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad it's not always like this! - but it is kind of fun to fish a favorite river in a new way. If you book a trip, be prepared for a lot of switching between left side and right side. Bring your A-Game because it really helps if you can identify the productive water types in time to make a cast! There is a healthy mix of trout-sized fish and adult fish in the river right now. Boat traffic is moderate to heavy because the only place to fish is the top 20 miles of river. However, with the speed of the current, the boats spread out really well and the boat traffic doesn't seem to be much of a factor when it comes to fishing success.

December 18, 2024

Trinity River Report by Andrew Harris

I spent a really nice day on the Trinity River with some of my regular guests from the Mother Lode area of California. The river is in great shape and there are some quality steelhead around! Flows are elevated but the water is clear and the fish are fairly grabby. Book a trip soon for a chance at a fish over five pounds!

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.