Lower Sacramento River Fishing Report

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


by The Fly Shop
7-21-2023
Website

Report: Targeted releases from Keswick are 10,750 CFS, actual flows on the gage are 11,000 CFS. The river is in really good shape from the top down to Bend at least.

We are really looking forward to August 1st when the top opens again. There are some very large Rainbows holding in those waters and this stretch will fish great. Right now with the heat the fish are keying on Caddis. Zack's Jigged Bird's Nest, Cinnamon Poopahs, and amber Bubbleback Caddis are great flies for now. Fish deep in the good runs, but keep an eye on the shallow riffles as some fish will get way up in them to chase Caddis coming off. Swing a Bird's Nest or Soft Hackle in the evenings when you see the bugs hatching. A dark Missing Link in #14 would be good to have too. Summer is here and the Lower Sac is a great river to be on in summer! 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

The Fly Shop Reports
for Friday, July 21st, 2023
Fall River: Fall River Fishing Report
Hat Creek: With summer here Hat is fishing well on the bookends