The Lower Sac has remained fishable just about every day

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


by The Fly Shop
3-1-2023
Website

The Lower Sac has remained fishable just about every day the past week with the exception of the windiest ones. The river above Churn Creek has remained clear enough, and down at Balls Ferry it is continuing to clear slowly. Keep an eye on the storms as rain should bump up the larger tributaries and blow everything out below

On cloudy days you will see a big BWO hatch in the mid day through early afternoon. On sunny, warm days the Black Caddis are coming off in droves. The BP Weiss Nymph, Olive Hotspot, #18 Olive S&M and Lance's Jigged X-May in Hotspot dropped below your favorite Rubberlegs is the going setup right now. Some fish are coming to yellow egg patterns. For the days when the Black Caddis are swarming you can fish an Olive Poopah, black Silvey's or a Lower Sac LaFontaine. Any of these bugs swung in the shallow tailouts or riffles can be a lot of fun. If you would like to get a day out on the river with one of our guides, give Bryan or Chris a call in Outfitters. (530)222-3555

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





More Reports

The Fly Shop Reports
for Tuesday, February 14th, 2023

Hat Creek: With warming weather, overall, Hat should begin seeing some bigger hatches
Sacramento River - Lower: Solid reports continue to roll in on the river

The Fly Shop Reports
for Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

Sacramento River - Lower: The river is fishing better day by day
Trinity River: The Trinity is fishing very well from the top down past Pigeon Point