Sacramento River - Lower Fish Report for 4-30-2025
The BoR has raised the river to 11,000 CFS yesterday
Sacramento River - Lower - Redding, CA (Shasta County)

by The Fly Shop
4-30-2025
Website
The BoR has raised the river to 11,000 CFS yesterday and will ramp it down beginning on Saturday to 8,500 CFS over the weekend. The egg bite has waned, but fish are chowing on something and the Rubberlegs bite on some days is great through the morning at least. We are seeing some early PMD hatches and some good Caddis as well. With a bunch of sunshine and south breezes, the river will be coming alive over the next few weeks. Current flies are the dark brown or black Rubberlegs in #8 ^& 6, Olive Hotspot, the Jigged Bird's Nest, Ginger Snap, Peaches n' Cream, and BP Weiss Nymphs.
We've got some great weather in store this week! To get a day on the books with one of our guides this spring, give Bryan 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 Wednesday, April 30th
Fall River: Good numbers of fish are in the upper reaches in and around the Spring Creek bridge and Zug Bug
Hat Creek: Overall the Powerhouse 2 Riffle is fishing well
The Fly Shop Reports
for Thursday, April 24th
Sacramento River - Lower: The bump in flows is over and the river is now a steady 6,000 CFS
McCloud River: The river is looking good on the low end at the lake, although still a little high
Pit River: Big flows continue throughout the system
Sacramento River - Upper: We're keeping an eye on it, the river is dropping, but still high at 2,200 CFS
Baum Lake: Some Callibaetis are beginning to come off and Damsels and Dragonflies are as well
Shasta Lake: Spots, Smallies and some Crappie are hitting the net consistently on Shasta
Manzanita Lake: The lake is ice free and you can get in to fish it

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