Fly Fishing Beautiful Northern California - Free Form Fly Fisher

[@allendks45]

New respect for California fly fishing. Had absolutely no idea of the beauty or the healthy trout. With Wyoming, Montana and Idaho as my backyard was no reason to. This content has made me want to venture further west and give it a shot.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

We are lucky to have tons of great trout fishing streams here. If you're into exploring new waters, California won't disappoint. I think any fly anglers goal is to visit your area for sure. It's definitely on my list of places to fish. I'm glad you found the video and hopefully you'll be able to make it out some time.

[@fishingparadisecalifornia7764]

California is chalk full of beautiful streams creeks rivers and lakes. If you want a little in depth guide look up Fishing in California by Tom steinstra loads of locations you can look up and determine where you would start. Tight lines

[@reddog40]

​@@fishingparadisecalifornia7764thanks for the video and the info on places.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@illsellthat8445 that's what I'm on the hunt for. Ima have to do my homework haha.

[@lizzapaolia959]

Beautiful scenery, my family and I have fished in Trinity, CA. Great times in God's country. Hopefully we can visit the area again soon. Thank you for sharing your videos. God bless 🙏

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

It is absolutely gorgeous up there. I'm glad you like the videos. Thanks for watching 🙏🏾.

[@waikarimoana]

Great river, nice spot and good fishing too, tight lines and thumbs up from Down Under,, Tony.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

How goes it Tony? Thanks for stopping by to check out the video. Tight lines 🤙🏾

[@purpledrakefishing]

Loved watching those large rainbows fight in the clear water!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Hey PD thanks for checking out the video. I agree, it is pretty cool to be able to see it. You might be interested in getting a polarized lens for the GoPro if you haven’t already. Helps a ton with glare. Tight lines my friend.

[@purpledrakefishing]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher I did get a polarized lens for the GoPro recently and love it so far. Really cuts down on the glare.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@@purpledrakefishing right on. I think the camera catches way more details than I do with polarized glasses haha. Looking forward to your future adventures 🤙🏾

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Indee! Northern California it´s truly beautiful. Would like to fish it one day. All the best.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Gracias. If you ever make your way up here, let me know. I'd be more than happy to have a session, or a few with you.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher thanks!

[@jp410]

"Look at that, heck yeah..." Love that feeling. I was parked there at the 16-min mark spot earlier this week. Flows high, hard to wade, no luck. Love your stuff.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Hey there, I apologize. Sometimes I don't receive a notification for comment.I'm just now seeing your. I appreciate your comment and you stopping by to check out the video. I can imagine 4 months ago when you were there, the flows had to be well over 1k CFS, and that probably a low guess. Raging.

[@what...5926]

So nice to see another young person of color fly fishing 🎣 rock out man. You now have another follower 🤙

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Thank you Thank you. Do you fly fish as well?

[@what...5926]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher I do! I'm actually going to fish the little kern in September. Flying out from pa!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@@what...5926 sweet. I've seen a few KZbin videos of trout fly fishing in PA. Did you used to live in Cali?

[@what...5926]

@FreeFormFlyFisher pa has some alright spots (yellow breaches, letort, kettle creek, pine creek, cedar run, slate run, fishing creek). Lived in central pa my whole life. I'd trade ya though! Cali fishing looks amazing! Bows, lahontans (among other cutthroats), goldens!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@what...5926 haha yea, I would imagine the mountains in the West provide ideal habitat for trout. I always say trout live in the most beautiful places. Couldn't imagine living in a place without mountains and trout. I grew up in Colorado. I'm pretty sure that's why I love the mountains so much.

[@Beardedfurflinger]

Stumbled on your channel while scrolling & miss Cali such a beautiful & diverse fishery,from big rivers to small ponds & diverse fish species,1 never lacks for a place to fly fish & travel,beautiful scenery & water,tight lines 🤙

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Couldn't agree more. Thank you for watching and commenting. Tight lines 🤙

[@jdemartini9807]

Very nice. Looks like the upper sac. Perhaps McCloud.

[@ryangoesoutside]

Oooo that river is pretty! I've hit it up a few times but not that location. Gorgeous water!

[@bucksnboils]

Awesome looking spot to fish!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

It’s absolutely gorgeous up there and definitely high on the favorites list for fly fishing. Thanks for stopping by to check out the video

[@gregoryk.tanaka4285]

Fantastic day, thank you!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Thank you Gregory. I appreciate the comment.

[@driftstone]

Hell yeah, great video man! That first first was setting the bar high!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

How am I just now seeing this?! KZbin is weird with notifications sometimes. I'll look back at older videos and there will be a few comments that I never got notifications for. Any how, funny you say that because in the original footage I said something along the lines of "when your first fish is a good size, the rest of the day will be dinkers" lol. Many thanks for checking out the video brother 🙏

[@JO-kp6lk]

Great video. You always do a good job. I enjoy the 'Traveling Music' at the beginning. I have always wondered about that isolated 'Island Mountain Range' in the middle of all the flat country. It always looked like a kind of geological anomaly. Beautiful fish. Beautiful country.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Yes, me too haha. I'm always taking time to look at those mountains, especially in the mornings on the way north. I'd like to stop by to check them out one day. Thank you for watching the videos and for the comment 🙏🏾. I'll keep the music in mind for future videos.

[@JO-kp6lk]

​@FreeFormFlyFisher Great, the Driving Music adds the flavor of anticipation to the quest. Regarding the mts., I have noticed them for years and they puzzled me. There are so many things to discover. It's a strange and interesting world ! I assume you were on the upper Sacramento R. There a place north of Shasta Lake you should try, if you have not already. It is the Sims Rd. Exit. If you go downstream from the bridge on the West side, you will eventually find yourself right next to a place where the river courses over a ledge, immediately dropping off into deeper water. I lost a wonderful Rainbow of at least 3 LB. because of my 'Lightning' reflexes. Wasn't to proud of them that day. But, as they say, "Once a good Trout Lie, always a good Trout Lie". It's been many years but I'd bet on you hooking into a dandy. Thanks again !

[@portermeeka863]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher There are some great flyover videos of the Buttes. FYI

[@CraigsNews]

Awesome video dude. And the end cracked me up. Been there 😂

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Thank you. Glad you got a laugh 😂😂😂

[@fishingparadisecalifornia7764]

Great content 🎣

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Hey I appreciate it 🙏

[@daveschlom4033]

Looks like you had a great day. My only request to not just you is to keep fish in the water. Especially during this drought with its attendant warmer waters. That quibble aside, I loved seeing your obvious love of fly fishing.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I appreciate the feedback. I agree 100% with what you're saying and I will work on that. Thank you for watching and commenting. Tight lines.

[@chuckstranahan5600]

Overall, this man does a much better job of careful netting, careful trout handling, followed by revive and gentle release than most. I was about to write a kudos-style post before I read yours, and find that I just did! I took one guy to task for yanking the fish out of the water and netting them out of air - like it wasn't a trout, but a butterfly! I've also taken others to task for uning a popular release tool, playing fish to exhaustion, wiggle the exhausted trout off the hook with the releaser and watching them supposedly swim off, quite likely to cramp up from lactic acid buildup, and die. True, the trout were held in the water and never touched by human hands, but they weren't revived before release and that can kill those large, healthy, and quite valuable spawners.

[@daveschlom4033]

@@chuckstranahan5600 I really appreciate your take on this. The "release" part of catch and release is actually hard sometimes when you are so excited. My favorite Sacramento River guide has my fish (my little buddies, his little business partners) back in the water immediately and we are back to fishing! I do request an in the net pic once in awhile but that seems kinda silly now. Even anglers don't care that much about seeing your fish. Just theirs lol!

[@jaykaneshige6251]

Mannnn, Free Form... you really get on fish! Good for you!

[@jaykaneshige6251]

BTW, what streamer were you using, FF? When the lakers come up, streamers do really well. I use my big articulated sculpin patterns. And those blackberries up there are amazing, aren't they?.... another great vid.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@@jaykaneshige6251 thank you Jay. I appreciate you watching and commenting. The streamer I used was a black sculpzilla. Probably my favorite streamer to use. And yes, those blackberries are so good. My mouth waters just thinking about them lol.

[@pgfishing9925]

You went fly fishing and the little fish went flying 😂 great video !

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I'm sure it won't be the last time that happens 🤣. Thank you PG

[@vitaliivitalii3818]

have you ever met a bear on your way? Great video 📹 👍

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I've ran into 2 bears while fishing and 1 mama with 2 big cubs while hiking. The outcome was always good haha. Thanks for watching 🤙🏾

[@pianomoverr]

Nice my next of the woods.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

The Mammoth and Shasta areas are definitely the best areas for fly fishing in my opinion. You are blessed haha. Thanks for watching and tight lines.

[@joshunknown6203]

Look at that football maybe not a football lol health yes in deed. Man I need to introduce you to my uncle, he's fishing every day somewhere and he knows the " where " he's up in northern California Gridley

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I really wanted it to be a football 🤣🤣. When you visit him don't for get to invite me haha 🤙🏾

[@gregoryk.tanaka4285]

The metal beaded fly you asked about might be a “Copper John” or something in that family.

[@chuckstranahan5600]

Nice try, but Copper Johns have very distinct copper wire abdomens and usually a dubbed thorax with a pull-over wingcade and sharply defined stiff feather (called biot) legs. As there are more mini-jig and Perdigon variations such as this is one than can be named, and with every change of material there is a new one, I won't hazard a guess at any of them from a hand-held fly in a video. They all work because the jig headgets them down - from there, it's trout's choice.

[@joeyallenoutdoors9086]

That spot looks so cool. Streamer bites are always so strong when I get one, I like to try throwing streamers on my way back to the car if I used nymphs the whole way haha. And that last clip with the berries was funny af

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Lol thanks. I've never came across ripe blackberries before. So good They were everywhere haha. I love streamer takes. Like you said, they hit strong. I'd like to get my streamer game more dialed in for sure.

[@joeyallenoutdoors9086]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher that's sick, fresh snacks while you're on the river haha. Man I just need to get my whole fly fishing more dialed. I just got a 9 foot 4 weight cause I broke my 8'6 and that's helped my mending but my shit still looks so bad compared to you. This shits still pretty new to me but I've figured out a lot this year

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@@joeyallenoutdoors9086 it’s good that you’re out there getting the experience. I think that’s where people learn the most. I am mediocre at best haha. I’ve learned a few things in the last month. I just need to get out there and practice. It always sucks when breaking a rod cause they ain’t cheap haha but congrats on getting a new one. The extra length will definitely help with mending and high sticking.

[@joeyallenoutdoors9086]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher I agree, spending time on the water has helped me more than anything else. And yeah it sucked breaking my fly rod but I got the new rod on sale and it was already on the cheaper end and re used the old reel and line cause they're both 4 weights. I didn't realize how important fly fishing is to me now until I broke that rod haha

[@craighamley3669]

Good job on your fish handling and release techniques - I see so many people who are so concerned about the perfect shot for their content that the fish get all beat up before being let go. Couple very nice rainbows and beautiful scenery, along with trainspotting!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@craighamley3669 thank you. I dont want to stress the fish out anymore than it already is. I would like people to simply keep the fish in the water after they net it. So many people hold them in the air for some reason. I don't understand it. Thanks for watching.

[@nesslessman6379]

If that is upper sac the huge lake trout will run up it sometimes? I’ve caught bombers in that spot just below the fire area. Good stuff!🤘🏻

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I'll have to try it out sometime. Spring or fall? I'm surprised I never hear of big browns moving up and being caught during fall.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@illsellthat8445 I know where I'll be fishing next fall haha. Thanks

[@chuckstranahan5600]

Don't know about lake tout in Shasta Lake, ever, but hope they weren't inr troduced. Dolly Varden, or n bull trout as we can ll them in Montana, are native to the McCloud River in California and are notorious nomads. It wouldn't surprise me if they made their way via Shasta Lake into the upper Sac - or if a remnant population wasn't native there. They are difficult to target and seldom caught.

[@jacoblaurain8911]

@@chuckstranahan5600Bull trout are completely extinct in that whole watershed. Think the last one was sighted in the 80s or so

[@Mrwia12]

I like that hookset at 10:19. Its like u caught a flying fish. 😂

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

That's what happens when your anticipating a 20 incher lol all bad 🤣

[@djregius]

I feel you on that blackberry plant. I would have stripped it clean.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

🤣🤣🤣 they were so sweet. That and I was hungry lol.

[@hectatusbreakfastus6106]

Lol that fish at 10:18 went on an adventure.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Lmao yea it did. If you turn up the volume, you can hear it yelling "weeeeeee" 🤣. Thank you for watching 🤙🏾

[@robdogj]

Looks like you found a nice hole there.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I'd say there's a few on that river haha. Beautiful up there.

[@colbymyers6278]

That fly is a “Czech Bomb”. The second spot you where at is really good all the way down. You cant go wrong with a caddis nymph or stone fly’s up there

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Right on. I need more of those flies. I tend to have good luck with green/olive nymphs. Thank you. I fished down stream about 2 weeks after this video was shot with my buddy and we caught some really good ones. He slayed it with the euro nymph. Lots of smallies in there too. I fished Hamilton branch last week. Was able to land a really good one. Bunch of medium and smaller fish. That place is so much fun.

[@colbymyers6278]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher lots of smallies In the feather river canyon also

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@@colbymyers6278 that’s my go-to for smallies. I’ll usually stop by on the way home after fishing HB.

[@markparsons2296]

Thanks

[@707_Challengerr]

AYE I’m the 1000th sub. Also great video

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Hell yea hahaha. Thank you thank you 🙏

[@rawaanglerofficial]

Mantap bro Big size 👍👍👍

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Thank you brother 🙏🏾

[@holejumper6965]

Have me cracking up over here with the blackberry extra footage, 'I feel like a bear'.... Good looking day right there. You day trip it?

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Glad I was able to get that reaction 😂 Usually anything within 3-3.5 hours drive, I'll go for the day. Once in a while I will disperse camp over night.

[@LonnieRiz]

Rad video. The lower stretches have been hitting near 70° just a heads up for next time.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Thabk you. Yea I haven't been up there in over a month. This video was shot beginning of July. Pretty much done with trout until the weather cools down. Thanks for watching 🤙🏾

[@sonnybedez7040]

How far north is this, cause there’s streams like this in Arnold

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@@sonnybedez7040 streams that have this much flow??

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@sonnybedez7040 this particular steam is about 4.5 hours north from Arnold.

[@sonnybedez7040]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher yea in some spots yes. But it’s not easy to get to. It’s all bolder’s but you can still fly fish off it

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@sonnybedez7040 nice. Any browns? Haha I love the browns.

[@sonnybedez7040]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher at times yes but mostly rainbows

[@LymanSheba]

You mentioned a streamer caught your last fish for the day - what fly size 16/18? What type of streamer there are so many?

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Black Sculpzilla. Not sure of the size but if I was to guess, maybe a size 8. Definitely not a small hook.

[@LymanSheba]

Up near Dunsmuir or Downeville?

[@EatShredSleep87]

Do you use a 2x leader to help turn over your indicator rig? Since your using a 4 weight, is that the reasoning?

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

No specific reason why. The 2x is just what I pulled out. I'll use anything from 2x to 4x leaders.

[@shaunarey69]

where is it?

[@nickguzman3809]

Where was this??

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I usually don’t give the names of rivers I fish, however this is in the Shasta area. Anything flowing in or out of Shasta is primo for fishing. Thanks for taking the time to watch 🤙🏾

[@Irideus]

home stretch cheers

[@mikedickinson9730]

I didn’t know they were flying fish in streams!😂

[@markfischer1012]

What exit was this location near , nice land

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I'm not exactly sure. All I know is that it was a dirt pull off right after a guard rail. I don't think i went up as far as Castella but I could be mistaken.

[@markfischer1012]

Thanks , your videos are fishing , action , add what water your at, people will have a great experience like you. Tight lines.

[@markfischer1012]

The fly fishing action videos are great ,

[@chuckstranahan5600]

Don't tell 'em! Let them do their own exploring. Discovering something for yourself is half the fun. Otherwise, it's like buying a ticket for a ride at Disneyland. @@FreeFormFlyFisher

[@isaiahstanley1148]

@@chuckstranahan5600You are the type of person that stops the sport from growing, Yes i agree never tell your secret spots but Giving someone new at fly fishing is at good starting point is never bad to do helping out fellow anglers is part of The fun to man dont be a dickhead

[@johnwhaley3838]

What river is that

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

I usually don’t give the names of rivers I fish, however this is in the Shasta area. Anything flowing in or out of Shasta is primo for fishing. Thanks for taking the time to watch 🤙🏾

[@johnwhaley3838]

@@FreeFormFlyFisher once I started looking at the river, I figured out which one it is. Thanks great video

[@raymondgoodwin951]

Perdigon perhaps, you are right not to tell where you are fishing. You already gave up too much info on that. My two cents, you do you.

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

It's always too much info if the viewer knows where it's at lol

[@donstriepeke8724]

your title claims fly fishing tou are bobber fishing that can be done with gear

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

You win

[@patches152]

your face can be done with gear

[@jp410]

You tell 'em, Don. Ten points for Don.

[@Swordfishpro360]

Be nice if you told everyone where the H the place is!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

@Swordfishpro360 on google maps 😂 that's where I find all the rivers I fish.