Lower Sacramento River Fish Report 10-27-07

Sacramento River - CA


by The Fly Shop
10-27-2007
Website

General Information: Flows are down to 5800 cfs out of Keswick, and the fishing has been quite good. There are decent numbers of Chinooks spawning in the upper stretches of the river (in spite of low numbers at the Coleman Fish Hatchery), and guides are hooking a few steelhead in the lower part of the river. The trout fishing has been good throughout the system.

Fishing Conditions & Hatches: The most productive methods have been indicator nymphing the deeper runs and dropoffs, and especially behind the salmon in redds. Egg patterns are working well where salmon are spawning, with small mayfly nymphs in the morning and caddis pupae in the afternoon.

Flies:
?Ģ Bead Head Amber Wing Prince Nymph #16
?Ģ Tan Fox's Poopah (beaded and non-beaded #14-16
?Ģ Drifting Flashback P.T.#16-18
?Ģ Micro Mayfly (Black, Brown, or Olive) #16-18
?Ģ Superfloss Rubberleg (Brown)

The Fly Shop's Tips: ??Our guides have fished this river for years...decades actually. We're on this river EVERY DAY that it is fishable, from 35,000 cfs to 3,500 cfs, from rain, snow and sleet to 115 degrees. The Fly Shop's guides wrote the book on nymph fishing the Lower Sacramento River. We've been fishing this section of river for over 25 years now!! During that time, we've found that the best technique, by far, is slack-line nymphing with a strike indicator. Long, natural, drag-free drifts are essential. Please take special care not to fish on or around spawning trout. A great rule of thumb for the Lower Sac is if you can see them you shouldn't be fishing for them. At least for the spring. Common courtesy at times is the only vehicle for education. Be a good ambassador for the river and set an example of politeness.