Lower Sac Striper Fly Fishing Report

Summer striper fishing on the Lower Sacramento River is off to a great start through the first half of June and should only improve as the summer progresses. Most fish are averaging between 3–5 pounds, and with a strong shad run on the Sacramento River this year, many of the larger fish are focused on chasing and feeding on shad. That said, we have already landed and had follows from a few double-digit fish. Bigger fish should become more active over the next few weeks as the shad numbers begin to thin and king salmon move into the river, pushing stripers out of deeper water and into feeding zones for longer periods of time.

Most fish are being caught on standard Clouser patterns fished on Type 7 or other heavy-sinking shooting heads. Water clarity varies throughout the system depending on rainfall in the mountains and muddy tributary inflows, so adjusting fly size and color based on conditions is important.

Late June and July should be very productive this year with salmon season opening. Strong numbers of salmon, along with increased salmon angler traffic, tend to push stripers toward the banks and keep them in feeding zones longer than they would be without territorial salmon and boat traffic moving through deeper water. All river striper anglers are looking forward to the return of salmon season. It should be a great summer on the river!

Capt. Hogan Brown 

Fly Fishing Guide

Co-Founder of the Cal Bass Union

Owner Alluvial Marketing Collective