Sacramento River - Lower Fish Report for 9-14-2023
Flows have been lowered and the drops now can affect fishing somewhat
Sacramento River - Lower - Redding, CA (Shasta County)
by The Fly Shop
9-14-2023
Website
Flows have been lowered and the drops now can affect fishing somewhat, coupled with a change in the weather can have you guessing where the fish are and what they are eating. We are on the tail end of the Caddis hatches and you may or may not see a good one in the evening. Keeping a Poopah, Amber Bubbleback, or Bird's Nest will be a good fly to have on your setup regardless. The BP Weiss nymph, the smaller Perdigons especially in olive, and the Olive Hot Spot are good flies to tie on regardless. Fish deep in the good runs, but keep an eye on the shallow riffles as some fish will get way up in them to chase Caddis coming off. We are entering the Baetis season, Blue Wing Olives will dominate the Rainbows' diets in the afternoon, so the BP Weiss Nymphs, S&Ms, Two Bit Hookers, and smaller Perdigons are coming into their own. Afternoons can be dynamite with the right setup with fish stacked in chowing on these small mayfly morsels. It won't be long to see what comes up from the ocean to spawn this fall. Fingers crossed we will see Chinooks on redds by the end of the month. To get a day out on the river with one of our guides, give Bryan or Chris a call in Outfitters. (530)222-3555
The Fly Shop does not offer a shuttle service. Kim at Sac River Shuttle can get your shuttle done seven days a week. You can reach her at (530)782-9090
Access To the Lower Sacramento
The Lower Sacramento has many publicly accessible areas with good wading opportunities when the flows are below 7,500 CFS. Stop by the shop and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction.
Fishing Large Rivers Can be Frustrating
There are many great places you can get in and wade this blue ribbon tail water. Having said that, the absolute best method to fish the Sac is from a drift boat. Aside from being able to access all of the water, you can fish the long runs on a dead, perfect drift which is deadly on these legendary wild rainbows. And who would be a better oarsman than one of our Professional Guides? They know every nook and cranny of the river, what insects are and will be hatching, and the setups and methods that will get you onto the fish of a lifetime.
Recommended Equipment & Setups
Most of our fishing, whether from a drift boat, or wading when the releases are low enough, is done dead drifting nymphs. The Fly Shop's Signature Indicator Rod is nine and a half feet of indicator nymph fishing perfection designed by our professional staff right here on the Lower Sac. Teamed up with a 6 or 7 weight Scientific Anglers Amplitude Anadro Floating Fly Line or a Rio Intouch Xtreme Indicator Fly Line it will put a center pin rig to shame.
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• Mercer's Missing Link, #18 Dark
• Mayfly Cripple - Limestone #18
• Norman's Loopwing - BWO
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• CB Birds Nest - #14
• Mercer's Micro May - #14-16 Brown
• Mercer's Poxy Back PMD - #16
• Bubbleback Caddis, - Olive #16
• Pat's Rubber Legs - #4-8
Eggs:
• Micro Spawn - Peachy King, Shrimp Pink
• Boles Bazookas - Shrimp Pink, Peachy King
More Reports
The Fly Shop Reports
for Thursday, September 14th, 2023Fall River: The weather continues to cool off in the Fall River Valley
Hat Creek: The storms have come and gone and the Hat Creek Valley is cooling of
The Fly Shop Reports
for Thursday, September 7th, 2023Fall River: We are getting some cool nights and will get some rain tomorrow and Saturday morning
Hat Creek - Middle: Hoppers are still around and some fish will come up to eat them if you are stealthy
Klamath River - Middle: The lower river saw some cloudiness and is now clearing up
McCloud River: The river continues to clear on the gage and from what we see on the lower end
Pit River: The river is cooling off and fishing well from Pit 3 down past Big Bend to the JB Black Powerhouse
Trinity River: There are a few fish in the system and the water is in good shape
Sacramento River - Upper: The river is in great shape from the top to the bottom
Baum Lake: The lake has had consistent hatches of Blue Wing Olives lately that have fish looking up
Shasta Lake: You will find Spotted Bass early and late cruising the shoreline
Manzanita Lake: The weather is beginning to cool off and Manzanita is a good option
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