The Sacramento River below Shasta Dam - known as the Lower Sacramento, or "Lower Sac" - has to be rated as among the best tailwater fisheries in the country.

Current River Conditions: Flows are at 12,400 CFS. The flow will increase to 14,500 by Sunday. Fishing has been good one day, fair the next. It's tough to get consistent fishing out of the Lower Sacramento as long as the flows are fluctuating. Look for a better report next week!

If you stick around until after dark, you might find some good dry fly fishing.

A little inside info: When the Sac goes through these flow fluctuations like it has over the past couple weeks, it's usually about the middle of July, the bite starts to pick up, and the August fishing is excellent. Coming or not?

The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
The "Sac" rainbows are eating #14 cinnamon-poophas because they are poopahlicious! Furthermore, it's summertime and the Fox's Cinnamon Poopah becomes the bread and butter fly for the next few months...at least. #12-16 Bird's Nests should be included. The Bird's Nest is a perfect Hydropsyche imitation.

When it comes to trout fishing on the Lower Sacramento around Redding, CA., nymphing is by far the most productive fly fishing method. We fish deep on this river. Although a tapered leader will work when nymphing this river, we recommend constructing your leader out of 2X, 3X and 4X tippet or level fluorocarbon. Basically, tie in your 2X tippet at the indicator and pull off about 7.5-8.5 feet. Now grab your 3X and tie it in using a double surgeon knot to a length of 18"-24". Go ahead and tie in your first fly. The second fly drops off of the hook bend of the first fly. Use your 4X tippet to tie in the second, smaller fly. We like to use "BIG" 1 1/4" indicators. SSG split shot also known as "Goose Shot" (ask Cory) will get the flies down to the fish. If you are wading the river and not in a drift boat, add another AAA or even a second SSG to your rig. The sooner the flies get to the bottom of the river, the more time you spend "fishing".

River Fact:
How did the Sacramento River get it's name? In 1808, Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga, on a journey to find suitable sites for the construction of missions, became the first foreigner to see the river clearly. Judging its huge breadth and power he named it Rio de good Sacramentos, or "River of the Blessed Sacrament".

Water Flows: • Lower Sacramento Flows

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:
• Air Flow Cut Wing #14-16
• CDC Hackle Stacker/Pink Cahill
• Light Cahill #14
• Mayfly Cripple #16
• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-16
• D&D Cripples - Any!

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Mercer's Red Micro Mayfly #14
• BH Cinnamon Poopah #12
• Fox's Poopah Cinnamon #12
• RK Flatulator March Brown #12
• Pat's Rubberlegs - #4-8
• CB Birds Nest - #12-16
• Hogan's S&M Nymph - (Any Color) #16-18
• Pseudo May - Olive #18
• Micro Mayfly - Red #16-18
• Skip Nymph - #16

Eggs:
• Micro Spawn - Oregon Cheese

Fly Fishing Gear:
• The Fly Shop's ? Signature H2O Indicator Rod
• Rio ? Fly Line Perfect For The "Sac"
• Simms ? Solar Shirt/TFS Logo
• Dr. Slick/TFS Scissor/Hemostat
• An indicator that suspends heavy split shot!