Current release from Keswick is 15,000 CFS

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


by The Fly Shop
1-7-2026
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Fishing conditions:  Fair

Report: Current release from Keswick is 15,000 CFS and will be for a while as they make room in Shasta for additional precipitation and runoff. The river is cloudy now, it should clear up over the next week. The good news is there are no storms over the next week, so as we get sunny weather and the river clears it should fish well. There are still good BWO, PMD and Caddis hatches. We'll have to see how the river fishes over the next few days, it is definitely very blown below Anderson & Cow Creek. The next set of storms will have diminishing impacts on the clarity as everything has been cleaned out. On cloudy / foggy days we have seen some massive Blue Wing Olive hatches and a lot of midges in the mornings. 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

This is the slow season for Hat Creek
Hat Creek

1-7-2026
Fishing conditions:  Fair to Good Report: This is the slow season for Hat Creek and you will see predominantly Blue Wing Olives...... Read More

The Fly Shop Reports
for Monday, January 5th

Sacramento River - Lower: Lower Sacramento River Report
Trinity River: Releases will go back up to 1,500 CFS on Wednesday, January 7th