The Lower Sac is off color, however it is known to fish great when the conditions are adverse

Sacramento River - CA


by The Fly Shop
3-30-2012
Website

Current River Conditions:
Rainy weather has the river off color today. Not to worry! The Lower Sacramento can fish great when conditions are adverse. We canceled a couple trips due to the river color because the fishing just wasn't any good. Expect the fishing to improve over the next couple days. It always gets better once the conditions stabilize regardless of water color.

Looking into next week, we should have perfect conditions. The mayfly hatches have been amazing! Best action happens after about 1:30 PM. The fishing has been good all the way past 6:00 PM. Winds will bother us through Saturday. Let's go fishing on Sunday! Contact Us! Or call 800-669-3474.

Click here for up to date Lower Sacramento flow

Hot Bugs:
Definitely fish egg patterns and flies in #6-8 with legs. Brown or black should work. If the wind isn't blowing, look for rising rainbows near the drop-offs and shallow gravel bars just where the river slides off into deeper water.

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:

• D&D Cripple Callibaetis
• Carnage Drake March Brown
• Hackle Winged May #16
• Parachute Profile Spinner #16-18
• Mercer's Missing Link #14-16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Dark Lord #12-16
• Eng Thing #14-16
• RK Flatulator PMD
• GB Half Flashback PT #14-16
• Gordon's Prince #16
• Silvey's Black Pupa
• Springtime Fox Poopah
• LaFountain's Sparkle Pupa
• Pat's Rubberlegs #4-8
• Sexy Girdle
• Pseudo May #16-18

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

Egg Patterns:
• Boles Bazookas
• 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




More Reports


3-23-2012
Current River Conditions: River color is perfect all the way down to Anderson. River conditions are low at 3,360 cubic...... Read More