Bob Norman's Riverbend Adventures
Hat Creek Fly Fishing
The term "selective" trout probably originated here. The "wild" trout section offers some of the most challenging trout fishing you will ever encounter. The heavy hatches of mayflies, caddis and stone flies are remarkable to experience and observe.
Hat Creek is the ideal stream for learning the art of fly fishing, as it requires close attention to fly selection, delicate casting and constant line management to achieve the drift needed to catch these trout.
All fishing on Hat Creek is done from the banks and wading only.
Fall River Valley Fly Fishing
The Fall River Valley consists of several connected rivers and lakes, and is ranked as one of the largest spring fed systems in the world, offering some of the finest spring creek and still water fly fishing for "wild" trout in the USA. The Fall River Valley is a remarkable watershed with endless fly fishing opportunities for trophy size Rainbows and Brown Trout.
For the avid dry fly fisherman, the Fall River offers a variety of prolific mayfly hatches, from the smallest Caenis species to the largest of large, Hexegenia libata. The prolific mayfly hatches provide "spinner falls" that last for hours, so heavy on sections of the river...it's like snow!
The caddis hatches on the Fall River can be very heavy on warm summer and fall evenings, providing some of the best fishing of the day. The nymph and streamer fishing is always happening and will produce the trophy size trout throughout the season. Streamer fishing the lakes and lower Fall River has produced many fish of a lifetime for several anglers!
The Fall River Valley is a very special place, offering excellent fly fishing, breath taking scenery, abundant wildlife viewing, peace of mind, and memories to last a lifetime. All fishing in the Fall River Valley is boat fishing only.
Bob - David and I, really want to thank you for the epic day, yesterday. Not sure how I got lucky enough to tag along, but that is a day we will remember the rest of our lives. We were as giddy as kids on Christmas morning, the whole drive home. Thank you, John - CA
Bob - Thanks for guiding us on Friday. It was a pleasure spending the day with you. Mark and I learned alot and enjoyed a great day with you. If you can, send me a photo you took of my fish, I will be very grateful. Looking forward to fishing with you again. Jim - CA
Dear Bob, Just a quick note to thank you for a really great trip on the Fall River, this past week… not
only did I learn more about the “Art” of Flyfishing and how to deal with 20’ leaders ,… But I don’t think I have laughed so much in a very long time !! it was truly a fun day … and getting an 181/2” (!) Trout in the net did not spoil the enjoyment either!. NO Flattery - you are an amazing Teacher & I hope to catch up with you on other trips in the Future !!
Kindest Regards,
Terry CA.
Hi Bob - Yes indeed, as I've let that day settle in, I think it was the best day of trout fishing, ever! Thanks so much! David - CA
Lake Fly Fishing
There are so many lakes in Northern California that support good populations of trout.
Baum Lake is a good winter and spring-time fishery for trophy size Brown and Rainbow Trout.
Lewiston Lake is another excellent spring and summer-time fishery for trophy size trout.
Keswick Reservoir, located directly below the Shasta Lake Dam produces trophy size trout and a fun experience.
Iron Canyon Reservoir is another good fishery for Brown and Rainbow Trout in winter, and spring-time.
We fish from boats only on the bigger lakes. We use boats and wading on the smaller lakes for trophy size Brown and Rainbow Trout.
At times, there is excellent dry fly fishing, but primarily nymphing and streamer fishing are the game.
These lake fly fishing trips are great times for small groups to enjoy a fresh fly fishing outing, and many more times than not, great fishing!
Fall River Valley Fly Fishing
The Fall River Valley consists of several rivers and lakes and is ranked as one of the largest spring fed systems in the world, offering some of the finest spring creek and still water fly fishing for "wild" trout in the USA. The Fall River Valley is a remarkable watershed with endless fly fishing opportunities for trophy size Rainbows and Brown Trout.
The Fall River Valley is a very special place, offering excellent fly fishing, breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife viewing, peace of mind, and memories to last a lifetime. All fishing in the Fall River Valley is boat fishing only.
Dear Bob - I really enjoyed you as a guide and fellow on the river. Your expertise and patience are great. Your teaching skills abviously helped out a lot also, being that I caught more fish than all of my group combined. We have to work on not losing the fish, though. On Saturday, I had 30 on the hook. Still, 14 in the boat is nothing to sneeze at, and I appreciate all you did to make our day a wonderful one. Best wishes, Claude - CA
Hi Bob - I just wanted to shoot you an e-mail to let you know that I can't wait to fish the Fall River with you again. Travis and I still think you're the best guide we've ever had, so thank you for teaching us what you taught us. I've used your long leader nymphing technique on some of the stillwaters here in AZ, and had some bonanza days. I love the feel of the take while swimming a mayfly emerger or midge pupa just under the surface. I hope all is well with you and business is good. Take care, and as soon as I can, I'll be headed your way for Trinity Steelhead, or Fall River Rainbows. Thanks again. Kent - AZ
Pit River Fly Fishing
This rugged and very scenic river is the longest tributary that flows into Lake Shasta.
The Pit River "wild" Rainbows reach trophy size and are some of the hardest fighting trout that you will ever catch. Nymph fishing is the most productive way to catch fish on this river, but casting a streamer in the deeper runs and pools will consistently catch bigger trout.
Dry fly fishing can be very good, fishing stone flies, cadis, and mayflies. The caddis and mayfly hatches are happening all season. Terrestrial fishing can be very good during the warmer months of Summer.
All fishing on the Pit River is unforgettable.
McCloud and Upper Sacramento River Fly Fishing
These classic Freestone Waters are primarily fished with nymphs and streamers in pocket water, riffles, deep runs and pools. Dry fly fishing is best in the Spring and Fall. Both rivers are very similar in character and aquatic bug life. There is a good hatch of stone flies, mayflies and caddis coming off all season makes the terrestrial fishing excellent during the warmer summer months.
The McCloud and Upper Sac are tributaries into Lake Shasta. In the Fall "Big" Browns and Rainbow Trout migrate out of Lake Shasta into these rivers to spawn. The fishing and fall colors make these rivers a magical place to spend time on the water. All fishing on the MCloud and Upper Sac is walk-in and wade only.
Lower Sacramento River Fly Fishing
The Sacramento River, from Redding downstream to Red Bluff, is recognized as one of the premier tailwater fisheries in the West. Starting early in March with prolific mayfly and caddis hatches. Nymph fishing is the primary means to catching the hard fighting "wild" Rainbows. Dead drifting nymphs or swinging soft hackles and emerger patterns can be very productive as well. Late afternoon and evening hatches offer excellent dry fly fishing. The river fishes well all year with prime times in the spring because of prolific hatches, and the fall when the King Salmon are spawning.