Sacramento River - Lower Fish Report for 12-16-2025
The river has become gin clear, and with flows at 4,000 CFS it has been stable for a while
Sacramento River - Lower - Redding, CA (Shasta County)
by The Fly Shop
12-16-2025
Website
The river has become gin clear, and with flows at 4,000 CFS it has been stable for a while. On cloudy / foggy days we have seen some massive Blue Wing Olive hatches and a lot of midges in the mornings. With the storm on the way we will see the tributaries add color to the river and it will swell below Anderson for sure. Good flies are the BP Weiss Nymphs, Olive Hotspots, black Zebra Midges, Cinnamon Poopahs, Bird's Nests, Amber Bubbleback Caddis, and Rubberlegs. We'll keep an eye on what this santa storm brings and post updates here.
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, December 3rd
Sacramento River - Lower: The river's clarity is very good and the releases have been stable
McCloud River: The river is in good shape again up top below Lake McCloud
Trinity River: Fishing remains solid and the river is getting bonier up top
Sacramento River - Upper: The river has dropped a little and is now in very good shape from the top down to Shasta Lake
Baum Lake: Baum is fishing very well and will continue to through the winter
Shasta Lake: Still stellar fishing going on up on the lake!
Lewiston Lake: The lake is a good option if you are in the area, with intermittent releases from Trinity Lake
Pyramid Lake: It is windy and cold, and that means the ancient lake is fishing well
The Fly Shop Reports
for Tuesday, November 25th
Sacramento River - Lower: Target releases remain steady at 4,000 CFS which is great
McCloud River: The river is in good shape again up top below Lake McCloud
Trinity River: The river is in good shape from Lewiston down to Cedar Flat
Sacramento River - Upper: The gage at the lake shows just under 500 CFS
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