Middle Fork Feather River Guided Fly Fishing Trips with Jon Baiocchi of Baiocchi’s Troutfitters

About Fly Fishing The Middle Fork Feather River

The Middle Fork Feather River is California’s first adopted Wild & Scenic River in 1968 and a jewel of Plumas County and the Northern Sierra. The river is managed by the United States Forest Service and there are three separate zones, the Recreational, the Scenic, and the Wild. The river is owned by the people of the United States and there is no private water from the headwaters down to Lake Oroville as mandated by the Wild & Scenic Rivers act of congress in 1967. Early season fly fishing offers streamer tactics and your best shot at the larger trout in the watershed. Northern California Tight Line Nymphing gets the job done and is the most productive fly fishing technique, but the last hours of light in late spring and early summer brings trout to the surface for profuse caddis and mayfly hatches, and some incredible dry fly fishing. The fall season is another highlight on the Middle Fork Feather River, terrestrials, blue wing olive mayfly spinner falls, and the October caddis entice the wild trout to the surface to fatten up for the long winter months.

Note: Before booking with any fly fishing guide service, make sure they hold an official US Forest Service Special Use Permit from the Beckwourth Ranger District to legally operate on Plumas National Forest and the Middle Fork Feather River. Using non-permitted Fly Fishing guide operations can potentially shut down the fun for everyone.

Baiocchi’s Troutfitters operates under Special Use Permits in partnership with Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District, Lassen National Forest, and Plumas National Forest, Beckwourth Ranger District since 1997

The challenging game of sight fishing for carp is also an added venue for those fly anglers that are interested in testing their skills. It helps to be proficient at casting and experienced with fighting large fish. You’ll be hunting the flat water and looking for active feeding fish rooting on the bottom substrate, and it’s not easy. June through September is prime time for sight fishing to the golden ghost in the uppermost part of the river near the town of Portola. Carp range from 4 to 8 pounds and are incredibly explosive when first hooked, often taking an angler into their backing with long runs. Check out this video that showcases stalking Carp on the Middle Fork Feather River below, produced by Ken Hanley of Pacific Extremes

 

The Middle Fork Feather River offers unbound beauty, good fishing, and more often than not, complete solitude. There are numerous access areas in the Recreational Zone from the town of Clio down to Nelson Creek. Further downstream the Middle Fork Feather River enters the canyon section and access here is very limited and not permitted for commercial usage.

Jon focuses on the recreational zone where he is permitted by the US Forest Service to legally guide. He has been fly fishing the Middle Fork Feather River for over 4 decades and is currently the “go to” guide on the river with 25 years guiding experience under his belt. Not a part time guide, Jon’s entire life revolves around sharing and teaching fly fishing that was passed down by his father, a 1999 Fly Fishing Hall of Fame inductee. Experience the beauty of a cherished designated Wild & Scenic river, and explore the Lost Sierra with me!

Check out my Resources page for places to stay, eat and play during your Plumas County area fly fishing trips.

Middle Fork Feather River Fishing Reports

Visit my blog for frequently updated fishing reports on Lake Davis, Frenchman Lake, the North Fork Yuba River, the Middle Fork Feather River, the Lower Yuba River, and the Truckee River area.

Kudos

“My time with Jon on the Middle Fork of the Feather River was extremely enjoyable. He put me on to wild trout that were very picky, but his fly selection did the trick. I’m looking forward to my next trip to Graeagle and spending more time with Jon.”

-Dick Seevers, Rocklin CA

My day on the Middle Fork Feather River with Jon was one of the best I’ve experienced. Prime water, solitude, and many wild trout to hand. His knowledge of the area, and aquatic insects were second to none. I plan on fishing with Jon again this summer”
-Chris Fukuchi, Denver CO