Current River Conditions: Afternoons have offered a few hook-ups but call it "slow-fishing". The fishing on the Upper Sacramento will only improve as water temperatures come up and the flows drop. Spring run-off is still happening! Expect to contend with high, fast water through out the entire 35 mile stretch.
The Fly Shop's?? Tips: 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.

Fish woolly buggers!

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:
• Brooks Headlite Sally
• Mercer's Flush Floater Golden & Salmonfly
• Thing From Uranus Golden & Salmonfly
• Parachute Adams - #14-16
• Adams - #16-18

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Zebra Midge #18-20
• Mercer's Glass Bead Micro May #22
• Zack's Pseudo May - Black #16-18
• Zack's Thermanator Dark Stone #6
• Mercer's GB Dark Stone #8
• Sylvie's TB Rock Worm
• 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
• 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