A variety of hatches are occurring

Sacramento River - Lower - Redding, CA (Shasta County)


by The Fly Shop
9-8-2022
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The weather will cool somewhat this weekend and after that we will see some great temps for fishing on the Sac. The river continues to fish terrific with very large fish being netted above Bonnyview. A variety of hatches are occurring with lots of midges emerging in the early mornings, Blue Wing Olives in the afternoon, and Caddis in the evenings. Black and brown X-Mays, Zebra Midges, Olive Hot Spots, Black Perdigons and other small, dark flies are all working well. Some days Bird's Nests, Bubbleback Caddis or the Cinnamon Poopah will be good to have on, so make sure you are covered there. Look for fish to move into the shallower water when Caddis are coming off mainly towards dark. Some salmon, probably Springers, are showing up to spawn. Keep an eye on the water temps if you fish below Balls Ferry. Our guides' calendars are beginning to fill up in October and November, give Bryan or Chris a call in Outfitters if you would like to get on the river during the egg bite!

The Fly Shop does not offer a shuttle service. Kim at Sac River Shuttle can get your shuttle done seven days a week. You can reach her at (530)782-9090

Access To the Lower Sacramento
The Lower Sacramento has many publicly accessible areas with good wading opportunities when the flows are below 7,500 CFS. Stop by the shop and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction.

Fishing Large Rivers Can be Frustrating
There are many great places you can get in and wade this blue ribbon tail water. Having said that, the absolute best method to fish the Sac is from a drift boat. Aside from being able to access all of the water, you can fish the long runs on a dead, perfect drift which is deadly on these legendary wild rainbows. And who would be a better oarsman than one of our Professional Guides? They know every nook and cranny of the river, what insects are and will be hatching, and the setups and methods that will get you onto the fish of a lifetime.

Recommended Equipment & Setups
Most of our fishing, whether from a drift boat, or wading when the releases are low enough, is done dead drifting nymphs. The Fly Shop's Signature Indicator Rod is nine and a half feet of indicator nymph fishing perfection designed by our professional staff right here on the Lower Sac. Teamed up with a 6 or 7 weight Scientific Anglers Amplitude Anadro Floating Fly Line or a Rio Intouch Xtreme Indicator Fly Line it will put a center pin rig to shame.

Hot Flies: 
Dry Flies:
Mercer's Missing Link, #18 Dark
Mayfly Cripple - Limestone #18
Norman's Loopwing - BWO

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
CB Birds Nest - #14
Mercer's Micro May - #14-16 Brown
Mercer's Poxy Back PMD - #16
Bubbleback Caddis, - Olive #16
Pat's Rubber Legs - #4-8

Eggs:
Micro Spawn - Peachy King, Shrimp Pink
Boles Bazookas - Shrimp Pink, Peachy King