October is the Best Month to Fish the Sacramento!

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


by The Fly Shop
10-1-2024
Website

It is difficult to believe, but we are in October which is arguably the best month to fish the Sac and it is fishing well. The flows are being slowly reduced and this morning the release from Keswick is sitting at 7,000 CFS. We are seeing great Blue Wing Olive hatches mainly beginning in mid-day through the evenings, some late-season PMDs as well. The BP Weiss nymph, Zebra Midges in #16 & 18, #18 Olive Hotspots and other small, black flies will hook fish. We are seeing increasing numbers of salmon in the river, no real egg bite...yet! Rubberlegs are another producer from time to time, it is always a good idea to start with one tied on. And make sure you are fishing the shallow water. ;) And we would like to stress, yet again, the river below Anderson is fishing well, so if you would like some peace and solitude, those waters are well worth your attention. 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





More Reports

The Fly Shop Reports
for Tuesday, October 1st

Fall River: Fall River Updates
Hat Creek: Keeping Our Eyes on Hat as Fall Approaches
Klamath River - Middle: Klamath is Very Turbid