Hat Creek · Powerhouse 2 to Lake Britton · Fall
Hat Creek Fishing Report – Quiet Week, Fish Small
Compiled from the regional sources listed below (gauges, CDFW, weather and shop reports) and reviewed by Travis.
Current conditions in brief
As of November 5, 2026: There's still no new shop report for Hat Creek since October 20. The upstream gauge is steady near 110 CFS with 44–47°F water. Expect BWOs and midges in the flats and October Caddis in the riffles. Fish a small dry with a size 18 or smaller nymph dropper, and avoid spawning browns near Powerhouse 2.
Updated · Always-current Hat Creek report
Honestly, there's very little new on Hat Creek. The most recent shop report is still from October 20, so this one is built on the gauge, the forecast, and how Hat usually fishes in early November. Flows and water temps have been rock-steady, and the warm, dry afternoons this week should make for comfortable midday hatches.
Current Conditions
- Flow: About 108–112 CFS all week on the USGS gauge on upper Hat Creek. That gauge sits well above the wild trout water, so read it as a trend, not a Powerhouse 2 number.
- Water temp: About 44–47°F at the same gauge, unchanged from last week.
- Bugs: BWOs and midges in the flats. October Caddis should be in the riffles, but I don't have a fresh report confirming it.
What to Expect This Week
- Dry-dropper: A small dry with a size 18 or smaller BWO nymph, sweet pea-style nymph or zebra midge underneath.
- Small dries: Size 18–22 Adams and Baetis patterns for risers in the flats from late morning into the afternoon.
- Browns: Some browns may be spawning in the Powerhouse riffle. Avoid bare gravel and fish olive streamers along the weed beds and undercuts early and late instead.
Quick Rigging Tips
A long, fine leader for the flats, heavier tippet for streamers. Watch a fish rise two or three times before you cast, so you know its rhythm.
Access & Wading
The wild trout section runs from the Powerhouse 2 riffle down past the Highway 299 bridge to Lake Britton. Wade slowly and stay off the weed beds and spawning gravel.
Weather & What to Wear
Hard frost every morning, with lows in the upper 20s, then sunny afternoons in the low to upper 60s through Monday. Bug activity will be best from late morning through mid-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 November 5, 2026: Honestly, there's very little new on Hat Creek. The most recent shop report is still from October 20, so this one is built on the gauge, the forecast, and how Hat usually fishes in early November. Flows and water temps have been rock-steady, and the warm, dry afternoons this week should make for…
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 (11/5)
- The Fly Shop (10/20)
- California Fly Fishing Reports (10/22)
- CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (updated 7/10/26), §7.50(b)(55) "Hat Creek"
- NWS forecast, Hat Creek / Powerhouse 2 area (11/5)
More reports from November 5, 2026
- Lower Sac Fishing Report – Flows Down, BWOs Up
- Trinity River Fishing Report – Low, Clear, More Steelhead
- Upper Sac Fishing Report – Octobers On, Lake Fish Moving
- McCloud River Report – High Releases, Preserve Ends Nov 15
- Pit River Fishing Report – Pit 3 Back Down, Caddis On
- Fall River Fishing Report – Warm Afternoons, Midday Bugs