Lower Sac Fly Fishing Report 8/21

Flows have been on the slow step downward the last few weeks - currently around 7,800 cfs out of Keswick. Water conditions are great right now, cold, clean and clear. The trout I’ve netted this week have been plump, fat, and feisty, with more than a few break us off before we even seemed to get tight!

Best time to be on the water has been 10 - 4pm, with a few opportunistic fish to be caught earlier and later. As for flies, all the usual suspects from the last few weeks report are still earning tugs! Caddis remain the mainstay in the afternoons while venerable (tiny) pmd and other random mayflies are seen throughout the late morning. Don’t forget your small rubber legs as well.

Last night, I hit the river at sunset with a new 6126 switch rod I’ve been just itching to cast. Evenings have been quite pleasant once the sun gets low, a noticeably different vibe on the water than mid-day. Several nice fish surprised me and jumped all over a black marabou leech pattern I pitched out there a few times! Like shooting a few clays before opening day, casting a switch rod for a change felt great. It might be worth mixing it up a bit and work on the Spey casts.  Steelhead will be lurking before we know it…

The days are shorter each week, and the mornings seem to be getting a little bit crisper. Dare I say it, but Fall Season… is in the air.