The flow today is right around 6,100 CFS

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


by The Fly Shop
11-1-2023
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We are seeing the Bureau of Reclamation begin to draw the releases over the next several days on the river for a target of 5,100 CFS on the 6th. The flow today is right around 6,100 CFS. The predominant menu item for the rainbows continues to be an afternoon Caddis hatch. Cinnamon Poopahs, Bird's Nests, amber Bubblebacks will be the go-to fly for you. In the mornings nothing can beat your favorite dark, small fly. Choose one. Black Micro Mays, the dark BP Weiss Nymph, black Zebra Midges, and Zack's Lil' Bit Midge would be a lot of the guide's first choice up until you see skittering and fluttering. Fish can be found in a lot of places, deep and shallow, so probe all of the water to make sure you aren't missing out on hooking up. The river is definitely worth wading, and there are hatchery steelhead in the system below Jellys Ferry for sure, a Trout Spey with your favorite swing fly can be a lot of fun for the next three months. We have a few open spots for guided trips over the next couple of weeks. 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