Current Reservoir Conditions: Well folks, I wish I had more to say about Keswick other than you will catch rainbows here. For real? Yes. I'm highly confident, you will, in all likelihood, for the most part, my sources say yes. You just need a boat, with a 25hp motor as a minimum. The fish are up near the dam, but don't get too close. You might get arrested (no fishing within 500'). Expect the best conditions by mid March! And that's a fact!

Expect colored water conditions in the weeks to come. Fishing can be good once the springtime caddis start coming off on the upper section of the reservoir, near Shasta Dam. Any day now if the caddis hatch isn't happening already. Fish the shallow eddies for best results.

The Fly Shop's?? Tips: Suspending Bird's Nests, midge patterns and Pseudo Mays under indicators will work well. Try a Marlee Midge or a #12-14 Bird's Nest suspended under an indicator. Look for the fish in the slower swirls along the edges above Crystal Creek. The key is moving up into the moving water section of Keswick. Fishing the eddies next to the banks, between boulders, where it's shallow can be productive. Stay low Fishing a Deep-7 on a 7-weight fly rod, stripping buggers has been productive.

A motorized boat is a must for gaining access to the part of this reservoir that holds concentrated numbers of rainbow trout. Motor up towards Shasta Dam, look for slow water and big eddies near boulders. Swing, suspend, strip nymphs, leeches. Dry fly fishing happens late in the summer, near sunset. There are big brown trout here....waiting.

Suggested Flies:

Dry Flies:
• Mercer's Missing Link #16-18
• Adams #14-16
• Mercer's Parachute Profile Spinners #16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Chromie #16-18
• Mercer's Gidget
• Pseudo May - #16-18
• GB San Juan Worm - #12
• Chans CB Frostbite Midge #16-18
• Chironomid Bomber - Any color #12
• Marlee Zebra Midge - #12
• Micro Mayfly - Brown #16-18
• Pats Rubberlegs - Brown #6-8
• CB Birds Nest - #10-14

Streamers/Leeches:
• Bead Belly Leeches
• Crystal Buggers
• Beaded Lite Brite Buggers
• Freshwater Clousers - #6
• Double Bunny - #2
• Zonkers - Natural #4
• BH Halebopp Leech - Olive/Dark Olive #8

Fly Fishing Gear:
• Boles Float Rite Yarn Indicators
• Mucilin Fly Line Silicone
• MayFly™ Troutfisher Lanyard
• Cablz
• William Joseph Squall Jacket
• Fly-Mate?? Floatable Foam Fly Boxes