Putah Creek 3/9-3/10
Putah Creek 3/9/2024-3/10/2024
Growing up in Vacaville, CA, I grew up fishing Putah Creek. It was where I first saw someone fly fishing, and I was in awe from the first cast. He took some time to show me his setup—rod, reel, vest, and all those fly boxes. And the flies. Wow, the flies. I sure wish I knew who that man was so I could thank him. By the time I was old enough to drive, I was there weekly, year-round. Alone or with friends, I was allowed, and often encouraged, to go explore and fish the creek. A 30-minute drive from the house, and I was on the water fishing. I guided my first day as a fly fishing guide there in December of 1994. I’ve watched the creek change from a put-and-take fishery, being planted all summer long with rainbow trout, and then later on, brown trout. The bridge at Lake Solano would be lined up with spinning rods and bells. Puffs of powerbait would be drifting in the current downstream after being flung off during the cast. While there was some great fly fishing during the heat of the summer, Putah Creek was more of a winter fishery amongst fly anglers. The lower winter flows made it easy to navigate the creek's mossy boulders and tough wading. The trout plants were over, and the fly anglers had the creek to themselves.
I still fish my home waters annually. Anywhere from 2-4 days a year depending on trips back to the area to visit family and friends. I get excited to see the changes, and the familiarity. Every year I get asked by clients that fish with me on other waters about Putah Creek. It usually starts with a story of them going there many times with no success. I feel that pain and understand the frustrations. Putah Creek is a challenging piece of water. It’s the closest trophy trout fishery to the Bay Area and Sacramento. The fish are pressured, and they act like it. When I agree to guide it, it’s under the understanding that the fishing will be what the fish is and that we will focus on rigging, technique, and access.
I just got back from guiding two days on Putah Creek. I was excited driving down to do the days, and I’m already excited to get back. The creek was flowing 62 cfs which is very low. The minimum flow for the creek is 60 cfs. The water looked great and was clear. The creek continues to suffer from heavy silt along the edges. The region has had a few large fires over the past decade, and all you have to do is look up in the hills to see the dirt scars from where the hills are giving way during the heavy rains the past two years. We are all praying for the glory hole to spill over and to give the creek a proper flush. Typical of the creek, the fishing was decent/slow. Saturday was better than Sunday, and we earned every bite. It’s a place where you can fish great, and the fish don't care. We saw a few BWO’s, caddis, and a couple sallies, but that was it. No hatches yet. Let’s hope next week's weather changes for all you hardcore Putah Creek anglers.
