Lower Sacramento River Report 04-20-2007

Sacramento River - CA


by The Fly Shop
4-20-2007
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Lower Sacramento River Water Conditions: ??(USE LINK AT TOP OF PAGE FOR REAL TIME FLOWS) Flows are at 7,500 cfs, and the fishing has been good on good weather days and fair on rainy, windy days. There have been some good hatches of #14 PMDs, some little yellow stones, and even a few big salmonflies have also been seen buzzing around and crawling out on the bridges. We haven't seen as much dry fly action as we had in March, but the nymphing remains good most days. Also, the summer hydropsyche caddis have already begun to hatch, providing some good action on tan caddis poopahs in the afternoon and some rising trout right at dusk.

Fishing Conditions & Hatches: ??We are seeing a few summertime caddis already starting to hatch in the evenings. Some PMDs, little yellow stones, Skwala stones, and even some Salmonflies are starting to crawl out on the bridge pilings.

Flies: ??Top flies lately: #12 Micro Spawn (Oregon Cheese) #16 Bead Head Amber Wing Prince Nymph #14-16 tan/cinnamon Fox's Poopah (beaded and non-beaded #16 King Prince #16-18 Micro Mayfly (Black, Brown) #14-16 Iron Sally #14-16 Mercer's Poxyback PMD.

The Fly Shop's Tips: ??Our guides have fished this river for years...decades actually. We're on this river EVERY DAY that it is fishable, from 35,000 cfs to 3,500 cfs, from rain, snow and sleet to 115 degrees. The Fly Shop's guides wrote the book on nymph fishing the Lower Sacramento River. We've been fishing this section of river for over 25 years now!! During that time, we've found that the best technique, by far, is slack-line nymphing with a strike indicator. Long, natural, drag-free drifts are essential. Please take special care not to fish on or around spawning trout. A great rule of thumb for the Lower Sac is if you can see them you shouldn't be fishing for them. At least for the spring. Common courtesy at times is the only vehicle for education. Be a good ambassador for the river and set an example of politeness.