The Sacramento River below Shasta Dam - known as the Lower Sacramento, or "Lower Sac" - has to be rated as among the best tailwater fisheries in the country.

Current River Conditions: Expect to work for the hook-ups at times, but also expect to find rainbow trout to photograph. River flows are at 6,000 CFS. At no other time of year does local-knowledge pay off. Since all the rainbows are spawning, the fishing can be tough. In other words, all the fish are thinking about other fish and not eating poophas, rubber legs, micro mays...etc.

KEEP IN MIND that at this time of year, lasting through much of May, the wild rainbow trout of the Lower Sac start to spawn, literally ensuring the future of the fishery. Sometimes it can be difficult to spot spawning beds. As a rule, if you can see the fish holding stubbornly in shallow water, they are spawning. There is plenty of good fishing to be found in the deeper runs of the Sac. Please, support the future of our fishery by simply avoiding the redds entirely. But, if you must, please go easy on them.

The Fly Shop's ? Tips: When it comes to trout fishing on the Lower Sacramento around Redding, CA., nymphing is by far the most productive fly fishing method. We fish deep on this river. Although a tapered leader will work when nymphing this river, we recommend constructing your leader out of 2X, 3X and 4X tippet or level fluorocarbon. Basically, tie in your 2X tippet at the indicator and pull off about 7.5-8.5 feet. Now grab your 3X and tie it in using a double surgeon knot to a length of 18"-24". Go ahead and tie in your first fly. The second fly drops off of the hook bend of the first fly. Use your 4X tippet to tie in the second, smaller fly. We like to use "BIG" 1 1/4" indicators. SSG split shot also known as "Goose 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".

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".

Water Flows: • Lower Sacramento Flows

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:
• Air Flow Cut Wing #14-16
• CDC Hackle Stacker/Pink Cahill
• Light Cahill #14
• Mayfly Cripple #16
• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-16
• D&D Cripples - Any!

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Dark Lord #16
• RK Flatulator March Brown #12
• Drifting Flashback - #18
• Mercer's Gidgets - #18
• Pat's Rubberlegs - #4-8
• CB Birds Nest - #12-16
• Hogan's S&M Nymph - (Any Color) #16-18
• Pseudo May - Olive #18
• Micro Mayfly - Red #16-18
• Skip Nymph - #16

Eggs:
• Micro Spawn - Oregon Cheese

Fly Fishing Gear: • The Fly Shop's ? Signature H2O Indicator Rod
• Rio ? Fly Line Perfect For The "Sac"
• Simms ? Solar Shirt/TFS Logo