The quality of fishing on the Lower Sac is at its peak right now

Sacramento River - CA


by The Fly Shop
2-2-2013
Website

Current River Conditions: Sunny skies and unseasonably warm weather makes for perfectly comfortable fishing conditions on the biggest rainbow trout filled river in California. How's the fishing? Great! Water conditions are perfect with only 5 feet of visibility. The big hogs will have a difficult time detecting your presence thanks to the seasoned water conditions. Big rainbows, some going over 25" have found their way into anglers nets this past week. Can't promise a big 'ol crazy bow for every angler, but 16"-18" rainbows happen daily. They eat rubber legs, princes and eggs.

This river rarely disappoints from February through March. We are always dumbfounded at the shear quality of the fishing and obvious lack of interest in fishing on the Sac at this time of year. We know you are planning a springtime fishing trip, but really, consider spending just one extra, preliminary day on the Sac in the next few weeks and discover what could become an annual fly fishing occasion for you yours.

Best flies have been the old reliable Pat's Rubber Legs, #14-16 Amber Wing Princes, Zack's Zalvins, Mercer's Sac Fry and various orange or pink egg patterns. A few angles say #14 brown Micro Mayflies are the hot fly below Anderson.

The Fly Shop's?? Tips: Fish deep! Your leader's length should be between 7.5 - 8.5' to the split shot. Use an SSG to get down fast.

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" (ask Cory) 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".

Water Flows:Lower Sacramento Flows

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:

Nothing happening on top yet.

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• RK Flatulator BWO or Baetis
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince #14-16
• Zack's Zalvin
• Mercer's Sac Fry
• Lightening Bugs Copper or Silver
• Zack's Pseudo May #16-18
• Mercer's Brown or Olive Micro Mayfly #14-18
• Pat's Rubberlegs - #6-8
• CB Birds Nest - #12-16
• GB Half Flashback PT #14-16

Eggs:
• Boles Bazookas- SHD Orange
• M.C. Redd Reaper peachy & champagne
• Micro Spawn - Salmon Egg
• Clown Eggs
• Boles Bazookas - Peachy King

Fly Fishing Gear:
• The Fly Shop's?? Signature H2O Indicator Rod
• Rio?? Fly Line Perfect For The "Sac"
• Simms?? Solar Shirt/TFS Logo
• Dr. Slick/TFS Scissor/Hemostat
• An indicator that suspends heavy split shot!