1–2 minutes

California’s Fly Fishermen Facing Snow/Water Pack 253% of Normal For This Date

California’s fly fishermen are facing a record snowpack and unseasonably cold spring weather — and a sizable spring runoff even that might render a lot of streams and rivers unfishable well into July. In fact, in the Northern Sierra region — which…

California’s fly fishermen are facing a record snowpack and unseasonably cold spring weather — and a sizable spring runoff even that might render a lot of streams and rivers unfishable well into July.

In fact, in the Northern Sierra region — which saw a snowpack of 170% of normal on April 1 — the snowpack/waterpack rating is 253% of normal for this time of the year.

State snowpack/waterpack ratings:

California snowpack map

During this year’s extended runoff period, anglers will look to reservoirs, tailwaters and other locations featuring easily fishable, controlled flows.

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