Fishing is fair to good at Keswick Reservoir and there is little pressure

Keswick Reservoir - Redding, CA (Shasta County)


by The Fly Shop
5-2-2012
Website

Keswick Reservoir is essentially the Lower Sacramento River... before it becomes the Lower Sacramento River.

Current Reservoir Conditions: Fishing fair to good. Little if any pressure on this head water section of the Lower Sacramento. The fly fishing is at it's liveliest around 1:30 PM and lasts through 5:00 PM and then slowly fades. Perfect time to head over to the Lower Sacramento for an evening session. Ask Pro guide Greg Dean about this fishery. He knows these waters like a seasoned veteran should.

The Fly Shop's ? Tips: A motorized boat is a must for gaining access to the part of this reservoir that holds concentrated numbers of rainbow trout. Look for slow water, near boulders. Swing, suspend, strip nymphs, leeches. Dry fly fishing happens late in the summer, near sunset. There are big brown trout here....waiting.

Reservoir Fact: Iron Mountain Mine is located just to the west of Keswick Reservoir. The site was mined for copper, zinc, iron, silver, gold, pyrite from the 1860s to 1963. Today, the mine is a source of extremely acidic drainage that runs into several creeks, all leading to Spring Creek Reservoir, which drains into Keswick Reservoir, a major source of drinking water for Redding, CA. The drainage water from Iron Mountain Mine is classified as the most acidic water naturally found on earth. One of America's most toxic waste sites, it has been listed as a federal Superfund site since 1983. Thankfully, a water treatment plant is in place, and any releases from Spring Creek Reservoir are easily diluted.

Suggested Flies:

Dry Flies:

• Mercer's Missing Link #16-18
• Elk Hair Caddis - Tan #10-16
• Yellow Stimulators - #14-16
• Adams #14-16
• Mercer's Parachute Profile Spinners #16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Pseudo May - #16-18
• GB San Juan Worm - #12
• Glo Bubble Caddis - Tan #14
• Chironomid Bomber - Any color #12
• Marlee Zebra Midge - #12
• Micro Mayfly - Brown #16
• Pat's Rubberlegs - Brown #6-8
• Fox's Poopah - Cinnamon #12-14
• CB Birds Nest - #10-14

Streamers/Leeches:
• Freshwater Clousers - #6
• Double Bunny - #2
• Zonkers - Natural #4
• BH Halebopp Leech - Olive/Dark Olive #8

Fly Fishing Gear:
• Boles Float Rite Yarn Indicators
• Mucilin Fly Line Silicone
• MayFly™ Troutfisher Lanyard
• Cablz
• William Joseph Squall Jacket
• Fly-Mate ? Floatable Foam Fly Boxes