Fishing Report - Middle Fork Feather River

I fished during the day in an area near The 20 Mile House. This historic Inn has been a haven to travelers since 1854, welcoming prospectors, pioneers and adventurers who journeyed on the storied stage coach from the east. The river is low, but that makes it easier to catch the native rainbows as they are concentrated into the deeper runs and pools. The water temp was 62 degrees. A few bugs were active including Sulphur spinners, and couple different Caddis flies. With no rise forms and plenty of hoppers out, I tied on my tan and brown foam hopper. Fishing was excellent! Many rainbows came up for the hopper with takes so slow and confident, you just knew that they had ate them before. I would fish a run, walk back down, and tie on a Baetis nymph dropper in a size 18 and catch more fish. You don't see very many people down here, and for a Saturday there was complete solitude to be had. I caught and released 37 fish 6-14". With that many fish in a short period, I put the rod down and rolled rocks to bug hunt. The highest percentage of bugs is cased Caddis, followed by Golden Stones. The amount of bugs is off the charts and this is a banner year for all species. If you plan on fishing the Middle Fork, fish below where Jamison creek dumps in by Two Rivers. There is cold water here and the trout will navigate the river for miles to find it.