Current River Conditions:
Mysteriously, the Lower Sacramento River has dropped! To be exact, the "flows" have dropped. What does this mean to you? Nothing. The fishing has been great. Some wet windy weather this week put a damper on the fun, and wind in the forecast for today could make conditions less than ideal, but when conditions are ideal, the fishing is rarely at it's best. A little adversity goes a long way in producing great fishing and the month of March always serves up enough weather diversity to keep us guessing and the fish eating!

Click here for up to date Lower Sacramento flow

If you have heard, it is true! The dry fly fishing has been fabulous up to this point. Will it last? It could last through April. We will see. Let me say that simply walking down to the edge of the river and discovering hordes of rising rainbows isn't going to happen along the banks of the Lower Sacramento. Anglers must look along the shallow slides and glides in the afternoon hours. Nymphing the middle of the river will produce hook ups, but only at the expense of more than a few chances at casting dry flies to surface feeding rainbows!

Hot Bugs:
LaFountain's Sparkle Pupa, #16 Silvey's Beaded Black Pupa, Springtime Fox Poopah, #16 Fred Gordon's Prince Nymph, #16 Mercer's Missing Link, olive or black bodied Elk Hair Caddis-trimmed flush, Black Foam Caddis and Silvey's Edible Caddis Emerger! Enjoy! Fish dries on a 9' 4X tapered leader, tapered to 5X tippet.

If you plan on wading the Lower Sacramento here in Redding, CA., consider purchasing a PFD and a wading staff!

The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
Fishing a long, 9' leader tapered to 3x (the second fly can be attached using 4X) with a big indicator and an SSG split shot will get the flies down to the fish. If you are wading the river and not in a drift boat, add another AAA or even a second SSG to your rig. The sooner the flies get to the bottom of the river, the more time you spend "fishing". At this time of year, look for hatches of Baetis, BWOs and midges. The "egg" bite is slowing down and mostly done.

River Fact:
How did the Sacramento River get it's name? In 1808, Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga, on a journey to find suitable sites for the construction of missions, became the first foreigner to see the river clearly. Judging its huge breadth and power he named it Rio de good Sacramentos, or "River of the Blessed Sacrament".

Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:
• Black Elk Hair Caddis #16
• Olive Elk Hair Caddis #16
• Mercer's Missing Link #14-16
• Silvey's Edible Caddis

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Black Zaddis #16
• Gordon's Prince #16
• Silvey's Black Pupa
• Springtime Fox Poopah
• LaFountain's Sparkle Pupa
• RK Flatulator BWO
• Pat's Rubberlegs #4-8
• S&M #16-18 (Any Color)
• Pseudo May #16-18

Streamers/Leeches:
• Muddler Minnow #10
• Freshwater Clouser Olive/White
• Spruce Matuka

Eggs:
• Yellow Micro Spawn

Fly Fishing Gear:
Our Recommendations:
• Simms Waterproof Tech Pouch
• William Joseph Current Chest Pack
• Simms Dry Creek Chest Pack
• Sage Indicator/Nymph Rods 6-7 wt.
• TFS Indicator Rod
• TFS Waders
• Simms G4 Wader
• Patagonia's RIO Gallegos