Sacramento River - Lower Fish Report for 11-18-2025
The clarity took a slight hit with the recent rains
Sacramento River - Lower - Redding, CA (Shasta County)
by The Fly Shop
11-18-2025
Website
The clarity took a slight hit with the recent rains, the river is still fishable and our guides are getting people onto fish. Current releases from Keswick are at 4,000 CFS which is a great wading flow, please please please stay off of any salmon redds. Fish can be found in the normal places and we have midges in the morning followed by Blue Wing Olives and caddis in the afternoons. Good flies are the BP Weiss Nymphs, Olive Hotspots, Cinnamon Poopahs, Bird's Nests, Amber Bubbleback Caddis, and Rubberlegs. Dry-dropper in the shallower sections will net quite a few fish. Look for the late fall run Chinooks to show up soon.
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, November 18th
Fall River: While the Fall is open to fishing year round, it is probably cold and slow
Hat Creek: Some good days can be had in the flats and lower in the system
The Fly Shop Reports
for Thursday, November 13th
McCloud River: The overall winner was a dark BP Weiss nymph
Pit River: Fall is getting spicy and this can make things a little more unpredictable on the Pit
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