The punishing heat here in Shasta County continues to be relentless, making for some very uncomfortable conditions on the water. Early mornings continue to be the best time to get out on the water to pursue your favorite fish. Recent trout fishing trips on the Sacramento River in Redding, Ca. have proven to be the only escape from the heat and the fishing has been pretty good too.

The Sacramento River here in Redding is running a cool 52 degrees which brings down the air temps within close proximity to somewhat comfortable levels on the river until about 10:00 am. Once the sun comes up and eliminates most of the shaded sections of the river, it really starts to heat up on the water.

I've been launching at the Posse Grounds boat launch and running down river below the SR 44 bridge where the river is open to trout fishing. I like to drift fish small Dick Nite spoons from my jet boat and have found this technique to be very effective for catching Sac River rainbows. Using ultra light spin gear like a G.Loomis STR 1141S rod and a Sahara 2500 reel is my recommended set up and provides a superior platform for fishing the side drift and boon dogging techniques.

I start at the top of a drift with the bow of my boat facing up stream. Once the current grabs my boat and I begin to drift downstream, I'll use my kicker motor to control the positioning of my boat and also to maintain my drifting speed. I like to have my clients cast upstream and at about a 45 degree angle away from the boat. As the boat drifts down through holding water, my Dick Nite spoons will flutter gently off to the side the boat in front of holding rainbow trout.

The grab is somewhat subtle, but is easily felt fishing the G.Loomis STR 1141S rods. These long, sensitive rods have the length to pick up slack line and enough backbone to provide a soft yet effective hook set. Once the rainbows are hooked, you are well equipped to enjoy the awesome fight these rainbows will provide while you do battle to the net.

If you would like to experience catching these magnificent Sacramento River rainbows first hand, feel free to contact me anytime to set up your full day rainbow trout fishing trip between now and the end of October. This is a phenomenal fishery which provides steady action and a chance of catching numerous trout in the 12"-25" size range.

Jeff Goodwin is a full time Northern California fishing guide.  He guides year round for salmon, trout, steelhead, Kokanee, and bass on Northern California rivers and lakes. He fishes many bodies of water in the Redding area, but also guides the Sacramento River and Feather River during certain times of the year. Jeff can also be found on the California coast chasing ocean fresh King salmon and steelhead each year. To learn more about the fishing trips Jeff has to offer, please visit Jeff Goodwin's Guide Service.  You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or please feel free to call him anytime at (707) 616-1905.