Sacramento River - Lower Fish Report for 3-18-2023
Will take some time to clear
Sacramento River - Lower - Redding, CA (Shasta County)
by The Fly Shop
3-18-2023
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A quick update to note that the river is clearing, although it will take some time to become clear enough to suggest it as a good location to fish. What is coming from Shasta into Keswick still looks good. Yay! We don't know how long it will take, exactly. We would recommend fishing somewhere else right now. We will keep an eye on it and updated you on the clearing progress. When the river clears up the fishing will be dynamite!
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. More and more 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
Hat Creek remains one of the only venues clear enough that it would be a good option to fish
Hat Creek3-18-2023
Hat Creek remains one of the only venues clear enough that it would be a good option to fish.. It...... Read More
The Fly Shop Reports
for Wednesday, March 1st, 2023McCloud River: The McCloud continues to look good on the gages
Trinity River: Flows on the river should remain manageable over the next several weeks
Sacramento River - Upper: Quick update on the Upper
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