Lower Sacramento River Fly Fishing

The section of the “Lower Sac” that we typically fish stretches from Redding to Red Bluff and offers some of the best trout fishing in the country. This year ’round fishery provides fly anglers the chance to hook over 25 fish per day with regularity. We target Sacramento River trout by fly fishing out of our 17′ drift boat.

New to fly fishing on the Lower Sacramento River? No problem! Our patient guides are more than happy to provide lessons and instructions to those new to fly fishing. Most folks can pick up the techniques within an hour or so.

The most popular times to hit the river for trout tend to be in the spring when the bug activity is at its peak, and in the Fall when spawning salmon create an egg feeding frenzy among the trout.

Summer fishing is incredibly productive and fun, especially in the canyon above Red Bluff we refer to as the “other” Lower Sacramento River. This stretch of river is very remote, mostly unpopulated, and receives VERY LITTLE angling pressure!

With a new 4 month fishing closure in Redding above Hwy 44 which spans from April 1st to July 31st, the trout in that stretch have the opportunity to bulk up and forget what a fake fly looks like. From Aug 1st to Aug 15th or so, the fishing is usually very, very good until the trout get reeducated. These dates can book months in advance. Don’t wait too long to reserve one of these dates for Lower Sacramento River fly fishing.

Although there are occasional opportunities to catch trout on the surface, we are very successful using nymphing techniques to fool these fish that spend most of their lives making a good living with their bellies near the river bottom. A floating line on a 5-6wt 10′ rod is our standard. A strike indicator leading to a double, or triple, nymphing rig with split shot rounds things out. Feel free to bring your own equipment, or use one of our set ups. All of the flies and related equipment are provided.

Our full day trips often take us through 6-12 miles of water and average about 8 hours. For a unique drift trip, check out the floats we do in the scenic lava rock canyons just upriver from Red Bluff on the “other” Lower Sacramento River. This section holds bonus steelhead nearly all year; even in the summer! If you have ever fished in Redding where homes line the banks of the river, this may be a welcome change as this stretch is surrounded by BLM land and ranches with much less fishing pressure.

We offer very competitive pricing and strive to offer our clients the best bang for the buck. We always include gear, flies, and a BBQ shore lunch in the rates; there are no hidden additional costs!