Lower Sacramento Updates

Sacramento River - CA


by The Fly Shop
7-15-2025
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The river above the Highway 44 bridge will open in a couple of weeks, and there are a lot of Salmon spawning above the Sundial bridge with large Rainbows right behind them. The flows have been steady at 14,000 CFS for a while, the BoR made an adjustment to the release temps from Keswick three weeks ago to cool the river for the spawning Salmon and the water has been consistently cool since. We are seeing good Caddis, Yellow Sally and PMD hatches. Fish up top are definitely podded up, if you venture below Anderson you will find more fish and a few Steelhead have sown up. Current flies are the dark brown or black Rubberlegs in #8 & 6, Olive Hotspot, the Jigged Bird's Nest, UV Sally, Ginger Snap, and Peaches n' Cream. You can swing soft hackles for big fish in the evenings or throw a dark Missing Link. 

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 Tuesday, July 15th

Fall River: The Hex hatch is on the wane
Hat Creek: Hat Creek Updates
Klamath River - Middle: Definitely worth fishing!

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