Fall River

About Fall River

Fall River is a massive, slow-moving spring creek that averages about seven feet deep and carries extremely clear, fifty-degree water year-round. The riverbed is composed of soft silt, which supports rich, dense weed beds that rise near the surface. Because of the slow current, the surface of the river remains flat and glassy, offering no broken water to hide your approach. This flat-water character means any disturbance on the water or bank is immediately visible to the fish below. To get on the water, you will need to head to the Cal Trout launch located near the Island Road Bridge, which serves as the primary public access point for small watercraft. Keep in mind that the surrounding riverbanks are entirely private property, making walk-and-wade fishing highly restricted along the river. You will be fishing from a boat or pram to navigate the deep, unwadeable sections and to reach the productive water. The river flows quietly through these private lands, with the main structure consisting of deep spring pools and distinct lanes cut through the thick aquatic vegetation. This system is home to wild rainbow trout, including highly selective, large specimens that hold in the weed-bed lanes and deep spring pools. Food is abundant here, characterized by heavy morning and afternoon Pale Morning Dun hatches and subsequent spinner falls, which are especially thick upstream of the Island Road Bridge. Later in the day, the famous Hexagenia mayfly hatch occurs at dusk, bringing the largest trout of the river out of the deep pools to feed greedily on the surface. Because these fish see constant hatches and clear water, they are highly observant and will reject flies that drag or show a heavy leader. Success on this flat water requires precision dry-fly presentations and a stealthy approach from a small, quiet watercraft. Rig your rod with long, fine leaders to keep your fly line well away from the trout's field of vision. When targeting rising fish, position your pram or boat quietly, avoiding any sudden movements or anchor splashes that could send ripples across the glassy surface. Drift your fly naturally down the narrow lanes between the weed beds, ensuring the fly arrives before the leader passes over the fish's lie.