Current River Conditions: No big changes this week. Same report as last week: Fishing has been tough the past few days according to pro guide Mike Parker. Mike's explanation for the less than stellar results are the result of cold water and increasing snow run-off. You see, as the day warms up approaching noon, tributary volume increases, injecting the main stem with colder water. Fish hate these conditions. River flows are around 1,000 cfs down near Delta.

Look for better fishing higher in the system, around Dunsmuir.

The Fly Shop's?? Tips: You might consider fishing buggers this time of year. There's some seriously big rainbows in this river during the winter. Steelhead like. They love to chow on stuff that swims.

Fish small #16-18 dark colored nymphs in addition to copper johns for best results. Have a few #16 Parachute Adams handy. Pat's rubber legs is another good fly to have in your fly box. The rainbows of the Upper Sacramento river eat flies that are served up deep, in the rocks. Sometimes the indicator gets in the way of detecting strikes. These fish are really good at sampling a pattern, then spitting it out. Try fishing using the "high-stick" and "short line" technique.

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.

Water Flows:
• Upper Sacramento River Flows

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:
• Parachute Adams - #14-16
• Adams - #16-18
• The Quigley Cripple - Callibaetis

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Zack's Pseudo May - Black #16-18
• Zack's Thermanator Dark Stone #6
• Mercer's GB Dark Stone #8
• Mercer's Dark Stone #6
• Pat's Rubber Legs - Brown #6-8
• GB Birds Nest - #12-14
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince #12-18
• Swink's BTS
• Red Copper John #14-16
• Micro Mayfly - #14-16

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
• Dr. Slick/TFS Quick Release Forceps