Keswick Reservoir Fish Report - Redding, CA (Shasta County)

Fishing at Keswick Reservoir will be tough for the next month or so

Keswick Reservoir - Redding, CA (Shasta County)

by The Fly Shop
5-14-2012
Website

Keswick Reservoir is essentially the Lower Sacramento River... before it becomes the Lower Sacramento River.

Current Reservoir Conditions:
The flows are expected to swing up and down on Keswick without any warning or pattern through the month at least. Fishing is going to be tough.

The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
A motorized boat is a must for gaining access to the part of this reservoir that holds concentrated numbers of rainbow trout. Motor up towards Shasta Dam, look for slow water and big eddies near boulders. Swing, suspend, strip nymphs, leeches. Dry fly fishing happens late in the summer, near sunset. There are big brown trout here....waiting.

Reservoir Fact:
Iron Mountain Mine is located just to the west of Keswick Reservoir. The site was mined for copper, zinc, iron, silver, gold, pyrite from the 1860s to 1963. Today, the mine is a source of extremely acidic drainage that runs into several creeks, all leading to Spring Creek Reservoir, which drains into Keswick Reservoir, a major source of drinking water for Redding, CA. The drainage water from Iron Mountain Mine is classified as the most acidic water naturally found on earth. One of America's most toxic waste sites, it has been listed as a federal Superfund site since 1983. Thankfully, a water treatment plant is in place, and any releases from Spring Creek Reservoir are easily diluted.

Suggested Flies:

Dry Flies:
• Mercer's Missing Link #16-18
• Elk Hair Caddis - Tan #10-16
• Yellow Stimulators - #14-16
• Adams #14-16
• Mercer's Parachute Profile Spinners #16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Pseudo May - #16-18
• GB San Juan Worm - #12
• Glo Bubble Caddis - Tan #14
• Chironomid Bomber - Any color #12
• Marlee Zebra Midge - #12
• Micro Mayfly - Brown #16
• Pats Rubberlegs - Brown #6-8
• Fox's Poopah - Cinnamon #12-14
• CB Birds Nest - #10-14

Streamers/Leeches: • Freshwater Clousers - #6
• Double Bunny - #2
• Zonkers - Natural #4
• BH Halebopp Leech - Olive/Dark Olive #8

Fly Fishing Gear:
• Boles Float Rite Yarn Indicators
• Mucilin Fly Line Silicone
• MayFly™ Troutfisher Lanyard
• Cablz
• William Joseph Squall Jacket
• Fly-Mate ? Floatable Foam Fly Boxes

More Reports

The Fly Shop Reports

for Monday, May 14th, 2012

Fall River: The fishing on Fall River is improving
Hat Creek: The fishing is best on Hat Creek early in the morning and near sunset
Klamath River - Upper - CA: It's early for any great reports on the Klamath, but by the end of the month it could be happening!
Sacramento River: The Lower Sacramento is fishing great
McCloud River: The McCloud has good flow & good color, she is fiishing great and dry flies are productive
Pit River: If you want to fish with a bent pole, the Pit River is where you want to be
Trinity River: You can't say there aren't any Steelhead in the Trinity River now, there just aren't as many
Sacramento River: Water conditions on the Upper Sacare manageable but still high at 1,800 CFS. Fishing has been good.
Baum Lake: Fishing is fair to good on Baum Lake
Iron Canyon Reservoir: The lake level at Iron Mountain is a little high for fly fishermen

The Fly Shop Reports

for Monday, May 7th, 2012

Klamath River - Upper - CA: Fishing on the Klamath is slow for now. Typical for early May.
Sacramento River: No springtime fly fishing trip is complete without a day on the Lower Sac. Conditions are perfect