The river is in good shape with steady flows

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

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Fly Shop

by The Fly Shop
9-25-2021
Website

Just as I posted on the air quality, we had another fire kick off to our north. The good news is the winds are predominantly out of the south for the next 10 days and we have a small storm heading our way on Monday.

The river is in good shape with steady flows at 6,800 CFS. We have reports of a lot of salmon showing up to spawn in up top. Egg patterns are working well. Trout are still in the normal runs, so don't pass them up. Besides egg patterns, Rubberlegs and Baetis nymphs are working well. Some evenings you will have some good Caddis hatches, Bird's Nests in #14 & #16 can work well. Further down the river we are seeing a lot of Fall Run salmon rolling and they will be getting onto spawning beds soon. Steelhead are also showing up in force in and around Jellys Ferry downstream through Red Bluff. Now would be a great time to come and fish the mighty Lower Sac.

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, September 21st, 2021
Fall River: We've got clear skies!
Hat Creek: The fishing has remained very good
Klamath River - Middle: We have had solid reports of fish below Weitchpec.

The Fly Shop Reports
for Wednesday, September 15th, 2021
Pit River: River Continues To Fish Well
Sacramento River - Upper: Upper Sacramento River Fishing Report