Lower Sacramento River Fly Fishing Report

Anthony Carruesco Reports on 7.21.2016

We are in the middle of what many folks consider the “Dog Days” of summer, where not much is happening on the water.. Well, that could not be further from the truth when it comes to the Lower Sacramento River. It’s getting to be the time of year when the Freestone streams slow down a bit and I focus my efforts on the big river. I have been spending pretty much all of my time on the Lower Sac and it’s been EN FUEGO. The river has been a ghost town most days. The most common question from my sports recently; “Why in the hell isn’t anyone else out here fishing!?”

The “Big River” is currently flowing at 10,500 cfs and is glacial green. Not much has changed from the last report.. the fish are still happy and chowing our flies. The most productive times of the day have been mid-late morning and then again in the late evening. Hydropsyche Caddis hatches have been driving the fishing later in the day. Very few Mayflies around right now so a lot of caddis variations are fooling the fish. Expect the summer bonanza to continue through September.

A few highlights from the last couple weeks of trips: I’ve had the opportunity to take quite a few father/son duos out on the Sac. It’s amazing how quick these youngsters get it down. I always love introducing kids to the sport. 

As many of you know, Fall is one of the more popular seasons of the year for Fly Fishing here in Northern California. The Highlights of our Fall fishing usually include: Egg bite on the Lower Sac, Klamath River Steelhead, Trinity River Steelhead. Our calendars are slowly starting to fill in, so if you plan on getting on the water and having a quality guided experience, you might want to grab some dates soon!

I am very happy to have Lee Kuepper heading back down this Fall from Alaska to help out with Lower Sac and Klamath River trips. Lee is one of the best Fly casting instructors and hardest working guides you will meet. Absolutely stoked to have him back on the water with me this coming Fall.

Fall on the Lower Sac usually gives us the opportunity to get after some abnormally large trout feeding in shallow water behind spawning Salmon. See below: