Hat Creek · Powerhouse 2 to Lake Britton · Fall
Hat Creek Fishing Report – BWOs, Midges and Frosty Mornings
Compiled from the regional sources listed below (gauges, CDFW, weather and shop reports) and reviewed by Travis.
Current conditions in brief
As of October 22, 2026: Water: About 45–48°F at the same gauge. Working: Dry-dropper; Small dries; Browns. Best bet: A small dry with a size 18 or smaller BWO nymph or midge under it. Hat Creek is quiet this week.
Updated · Always-current Hat Creek report
Hat Creek is quiet this week. The latest shop report (10/20) points to good BWO and midge hatches in the flats and around the Powerhouse 2 riffle, with October Caddis expected soon in the riffles above the Highway 299 bridge. Beyond that, there's not much new first-hand news, so the rest of this report is seasonal guidance.
Current Conditions
- Flow: About 120 CFS, steady at 110–120 all week. That's the USGS gauge on upper Hat Creek, well above the wild trout water, so treat it as a trend, not a Powerhouse 2 number.
- Water temp: About 45–48°F at the same gauge.
- Bugs: BWOs and midges, with October Caddis coming soon.
What's Working
- Dry-dropper: A small dry with a size 18 or smaller BWO nymph or midge under it.
- Small dries: Adams and Baetis patterns in sizes 18–22 for rising fish in the flats.
- Browns: Olive streamers along the weed beds and undercut banks early and late.
Quick Rigging Tips
Use a long, fine leader for dries in the flats, and step up to heavier tippet for streamers. Watch a fish's feeding lane before you cast.
Access & Wading
The wild trout section runs from the Powerhouse 2 riffle down past the Highway 299 bridge to Lake Britton. Wade slowly in the flats, and stay off the weed beds and spawning gravel.
Weather & What to Wear
Showers and a chance of thunderstorms Thursday, then sunny days through Monday. Expect hard frost every morning, with lows in the low to mid 20s and highs in the upper 50s to upper 60s. The best bug activity will be late morning through the afternoon.
Season & Regulations
- Hat Creek from Lake Britton up to Baum Lake (not including the concrete Hat No. 2 intake canal) is open all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks, catch-and-release (0 trout).
- Check current CDFW regs before you go.
Ready to book? Call or text me at (530) 722-8331.
Hat Creek questions this week
Is the Hat Creek fishing well right now?
As of October 22, 2026: Hat Creek is quiet this week. The latest shop report (10/20) points to good BWO and midge hatches in the flats and around the Powerhouse 2 riffle, with October Caddis expected soon in the riffles above the Highway 299 bridge. Beyond that, there's not much new first-hand news, so the rest of this…
What flies are working on the Hat Creek right now?
As of October 22, 2026: Dry-dropper: A small dry with a size 18 or smaller BWO nymph or midge under it. Small dries: Adams and Baetis patterns in sizes 18–22 for rising fish in the flats. Browns: Olive streamers along the weed beds and undercut banks early and late.
Ready to book a trip?
Call or text Travis at (530) 722-8331 for a quick, same-day response, or book through The Fly Shop at 1-800-669-3474.
Sources
Gauge readings are provisional. Dates show when each source was published or read.
- USGS 11355500 Hat Creek near Hat Creek (10/22)
- The Fly Shop (10/20)
- Father & Son Fly Fishing, Hat Creek fall hatch guide (9/7)
- CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (updated 7/10/26), §7.50(b)(55) "Hat Creek"
- NWS forecast, Hat Creek / Powerhouse 2 area (10/22)
More reports from October 22, 2026
- Lower Sac Fishing Report – Salmon Pile In, Eggs Still Rule
- Trinity River Fishing Report – Winter Flows Meet Fall Rain
- Upper Sac Fishing Report – October Caddis Building
- McCloud River Report – Spawning Browns, October Caddis
- Pit River Fishing Report – Steady Flows, Few New Reports
- Fall River Fishing Report – Midday Hatches, Cold Mornings