Fall River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
FALL RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Northern California — Fall River (Upper Sections)
Report Date: January 4, 2026 | Next Update: January 11, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter routine on the Fall River: spring‑fed flows are low and steady, visibility is generally very clear but short in deep winter light—fish are holding in seams, eddies and pocket water. Expect prime nymph and streamer windows; a few afternoon emergers and midges can trigger selective rises.
Flows & Clarity
Flow Character: Spring‑fed, low and steady (fishable year‑round above the falls).
Water Clarity: Very clear; pick seams, foam lines, and soft tails where trout feel secure.
Flow Character: Spring‑fed, low and steady (fishable year‑round above the falls).
Water Clarity: Very clear; pick seams, foam lines, and soft tails where trout feel secure.
Water Temperature
Typical early‑January: in the low 40s °F (water is cold and fish are less aggressive — slow, accurate presentations win).
Typical early‑January: in the low 40s °F (water is cold and fish are less aggressive — slow, accurate presentations win).
Weather & Wind
Forecast (short term): chilly mornings, afternoons milder with sunshine breaks; light to moderate winds at times. Dress warm and layer.
Forecast (short term): chilly mornings, afternoons milder with sunshine breaks; light to moderate winds at times. Dress warm and layer.
Access & Regulations
Upper Fall River (above the falls) remains open and is best this time of year. Note: sections below Fall River Falls have seasonal restrictions/closures into spring — check state pages before heading out. Always carry 2026 license, follow posted rules, and use barbless hooks where required.
Upper Fall River (above the falls) remains open and is best this time of year. Note: sections below Fall River Falls have seasonal restrictions/closures into spring — check state pages before heading out. Always carry 2026 license, follow posted rules, and use barbless hooks where required.
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity (early Jan)
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (all sizes) | #18–24 | Heavy — main winter food | All day (pick calm pockets) |
| Blue‑winged olives (BWO) | #18–22 | Light‑moderate (afternoon) | Midday to afternoon |
| PMDs | #16–20 | Occasional | Afternoon |
| Caddis | #16–20 (small) | Low — evening pockets | Late day to dusk |
| Stoneflies / Salmonflies | #4–10 | Absent to very low (winter) | Not expected |
| Terrestrials (ants/beetles) | #10–16 | Low—spotty (warm days) | Warm afternoons |
Recommended Flies & Patterns (practical picks)
Below are the best choices right now on the Fall River. I grouped them by method so you can build a focused four‑box that covers the day. Each pattern includes a direct link so you can check size options and pick up extras before you go.
Dry Flies & Emergers (for selective moments)
- Corn‑fed Caddis (CDC) — Tan — excellent small caddis presentation for late day pockets.
- Corn‑fed Caddis (CDC) — Peacock — high‑float CDC option for slicks and slow seams.
- Parachute — Blue Wing Olive — go‑to for light BWO activity.
- Stealth Link Mercer — PMD — great emerger/cripple presentation when fish key on PMD profiles.
Nymphs (the workhorse winter arsenal)
- Egan's Poacher — Olive — versatile anchor / euro style nymph for seams and pockets.
- Egan's Poacher — Black — darker contrast option that fishes well under film and in shadow.
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive — ideal as a jigged point fly for tight, high‑velocity seams.
- Tungsten Dart — Red — compact tungsten dart for deep, precise takes and indicator rigs.
Split/Beadhead Nymphs & Emerger Nymphs
- Tungsten Split Case Nymph — PMD — sinks fast, perfect under an indicator or tight euro set‑up.
- Split Case — PMD — classic emerger imitation for picky fish.
- Bead Head Barr Emerger — PMD — bead‑head emerger for slow‑current dead drifts.
- Bead Head Barr Emerger — BWO — small emergers for tight takes during BWO windows.
Streamers & Baitfish Imitations
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin — a top choice for meatier pulls on slow deep tails and undercut banks.
- Sculpzilla — Olive — articulated sculpin for big water hits.
- Sculpzilla — Black — high‑contrast sculpin profile for low light or stained water pockets.
- Galloup's Slick Willy — Whitefish — baitfish imitate for aggressive takes on long strips.
Terrestrials & Hopper/Ant Options (warm afternoons)
- Bionic Ant 2.0 — Black — ultra‑durable ant pattern that fishes in pockets and along foam lines.
- Bionic Ant 2.0 — Brown — slightly larger, natural ant profile for calm warm spells.
- Bionic Hopper — Tan — for the occasional winter hopper bump or as a searching attractor.
- Deer Hair Ant — fast to tie on and fishable in rough water and foam seams.
Midges & Tiny Winter Patterns
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — winter staple under an indicator.
- Black Mirage Zebra Midge — thin, realistic profile for sippers.
- Tungsten Zebra Midge Thin — Black — when you need the extra sink on an indicator rig.
- Jujubee Midge — Zebra — fine diameter for tight drifts.
Stonefly / Big Nymph Options (if you locate big stonefly pockets)
- Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs — Tan & Brown — heavy, realistic stonefly nymph.
- Olsen's Straggle Stone — Brown (barbless) — classic stonefly profile in a barbless hook.
- 20 Incher Tungsten — larger stone/salmonfly nymph imitation for big fish lies.
- Deep Cleaner Stonefly Nymph — Golden — heavy stonefly for fast currents and deep seams.
Tactics & Quick Tips
Start with nymphs. Winter Fall River fish want subsurface offerings—rig a tungsten point fly or a jigged Frenchie at the business end and a slimmer attractor upstream. Euro or indicator nymphing are both highly effective.
Midge strategy: when chips of midge life are obvious, downsize to a thin zebra midge or micro peridgon and fish slow, tight drifts near the bank or behind rocks.
Streamer windows: use dead‑slow, weighted streamers along deep tails, undercuts, and near structure. Long pauses and short strips often trigger the hit in cold water.
Dry fly opportunities: afternoons with sun and calm water bring selective risers (BWO/PMD). Fish small, realistic emerger/dun patterns and keep tippet fine (6x–7x where legal).
Presentation & rigging: keep leaders short and light for dries; use tungsten beads and dropper lengths of 8–12" for deep runs. Match depth with bead weight and keep a couple of split‑shot rigs for slower seams.
Etiquette & safety: winter water is cold — wade cautiously, fish with a buddy when possible, and respect private property and other anglers. Park considerately and pack out everything you bring in.
Midge strategy: when chips of midge life are obvious, downsize to a thin zebra midge or micro peridgon and fish slow, tight drifts near the bank or behind rocks.
Streamer windows: use dead‑slow, weighted streamers along deep tails, undercuts, and near structure. Long pauses and short strips often trigger the hit in cold water.
Dry fly opportunities: afternoons with sun and calm water bring selective risers (BWO/PMD). Fish small, realistic emerger/dun patterns and keep tippet fine (6x–7x where legal).
Presentation & rigging: keep leaders short and light for dries; use tungsten beads and dropper lengths of 8–12" for deep runs. Match depth with bead weight and keep a couple of split‑shot rigs for slower seams.
Etiquette & safety: winter water is cold — wade cautiously, fish with a buddy when possible, and respect private property and other anglers. Park considerately and pack out everything you bring in.
Local Notes & Final Advice
Reports heading into early January show steady, clear conditions and reliable nymphing on the Fall River. Crowds usually thin after the holidays — a weekday morning gives the best solitude. If you plan to fish below the falls or targeted regulated reaches, double‑check the state fisheries page before you leave: seasonal closures and barbless/hook rules can change with management orders.
