Encouraging Reports from the Lower Sacramento River

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


by The Fly Shop
8-2-2024
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The river is now open to fish from Keswick downstream, reports from yesterday were encouraging with some really nice fish caught above the 44 bridge. Flows will be dropping a little over the next week, the fishing in the late evening is still good right at sunset. Mid afternoon PMDs and the evening Caddis are what's happening on the Lower Sac these days. The HDA Variant, Jigged Bird's Nest, and Cinnamon Fox Poopah in #12 or 14 are working well. For the PMDs thrown on a good 'ol Peaches 'N Cream or any of the other light colored jigged PMD nymphs. Yellow Sallies continue to emerge daily and you can't go wrong with a UV Sally. Good numbers of fish can be had below Anderson although the average size is smaller. The evening Caddis bite is on right now, we are seeing the last few weeks of it. Swinging Bird's Nests, soft hackles, and feeding or skating Elk Hair Caddis or a dark Missing Link is working and super fun! The river is a solid option right now. To get a day out on the river with one of our guides, give Bryan or Chris a call in Outfitters at 800-669-3474

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, Dark
• Spotlight Caddis Emerger - Spotlight Caddis Emerger
• Comparadun - BWO, PMD

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Jigged Birds Nest - Natural, Hot Spot #14-16
• Fox's Poopah - #12-14
• Bubbleback Caddis, - Amber #14
• Olive Hot Spot, - #18
• Weiss Nymph, -
• Peaches n' Green, -
• Peaches n' Cream, -
• Ginger Snap, -
• Pat's Rubber Legs - #4-8

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






The Fly Shop Reports
for Saturday, July 27th
Sacramento River - Garcia Bend: Lots of Activities on the Lower Sacramento River
Keswick Reservoir: The reservoir is fishing well
Lewiston Lake: The Lake is a Good Option
McCloud Reservoir: Target the Inlet when at McCloud
Pyramid Lake, CA: The season has closed at Pyramid