The Upper Sacramento River has been a popular destination for recreation in California since the 1800s, and is still one of our favorite local fisheries.

Current River Conditions: Within about 40 minutes of Redding, the Upper Sacramento is fishing! Yes! It's spring! Good fishing is in the cards. The snow run-off has the river high. Be careful and use a wading staff. We advise that you don't consider crossing on foot, but no big deal because productive fly fishing is found along the edges of the river. Safest conditions are found no where. Expect swift water. Best flies seem to be the #12 GB Bird's Nest, #6 Brown Rubber Legs and #14-18 Gordon's Princes. Now go catch some fish!

The Fly Shop's ? Tips: When nymphing on the Upper Sacramento River, always use double the amount of shot in order to get the flies down to the fish in the faster, bubbly water. If a run calls for one SSG, put on two. If you're not ticking the bottom from time to time (yes, this means losing a few flies), you're probably not getting down to where the fish are feeding. Use stronger tippet like 2X-3X for bigger flies in the #6-10 range, 4X for smaller #16-18. Keep your first fly within 6-8 inches of your split shot. Stronger tippet means fewer flies will be left on the bottom of the river. Sink tip lines with streamers attached are a good plan when there is room to cast.

River Fact: On the evening of July 14, 1991, a derailment on a horseshoe curve known as the "Cantara Loop" on the railroad north of Dunsmuir resulted in the release of approximately 19,000 gallons of metham sodium spilled into the Sacramento River. The biocide killed every living thing in the river for a distance of some 38 miles, devastating a popular fly fishing area - one of the most severe toxic spills in U.S. history. The Upper Sacramento River is now largely recovered from the spill.

Water Flows:
• Upper Sacramento River Flows

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:
• Parachute Adams - #14-16
• Yellow Humpy
• Carnage Drakes March Brown #14
• Royal Wulf - #10-14
• Elk Hair Caddis - #16-18
• Adams - #16-18

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Zack's Thurmanator Dark Stone
• Sexy Souka #6
• Mercer's GB Dark Stone #8
• Pat's Rubber Legs - Brown #6-8
• BH Helgrammite
• Bitch Creek
• Dark Lords - #14-16
• Bottom Roller - Psycho Rycho #14
• GB Birds Nest - #12-14
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince #12-16
• Poxyback Golden Stone - #8-14
• Micro Mayfly - #14-18

Streamers/Leeches:
• Sheila Sculpin
• Woolly Buggers
• Muddler Minnows - #10

Fly Fishing Gear:
• The Fly Shop's ? Tapered Nylon Leaders
• The Fly Shop's ? Tough Nylon Tippet
• Simms ? Dry Creek™ Chest Pack
• Patagonia's ? Double Haul
• C&F S Series Waterproof Fly Boxes