It is a highly productive, cold-water mountain stream for most of its If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. variable and includes riparian forest, riparian scrub, and gravel bar. If there are a lot of bugs, the fish will be chowing down after a winter with less food available. Take the Soda Creek exit. It is a beautiful, moss covered area where the stream flows into a pool. Travel south on I-5 approximately 5 minutes. 05/09/20 Stream levels are very low now but there is rain forecast for everyday this coming week. We are confident you will be pleased with the results. The most plentiful species of stoneflies are the Little Yellow Stoneflies. When these big bugs begin to deposit eggs, you can find fish eager to swipe a fluttering adult from the surface. Spotted sedge caddis are hatching. Dont bet the ranch on it though. or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at [email protected]. There are still some good hatches taking place and our sculpin streamers are catching some nice trout. river flows south, through Siskiyou and Shasta counties into the One problem in fishing the Upper Sacramento River is its clarity. animals, from algae and phytoplankton to aquatic insects, mollusks, crayfish, amphibians, and The entire river is closely paralleled with Interstate 5 and is accessible from almost any exit. Theres still plenty of insects hatching but nymphs and streamers is your best bet. Turn left on Old Stage Road and travel south approximately 2 miles. There are pools of all sizes, pocket water with runs and riffles, undercut banks and a variety of other physical makeup. Vegetation most closely fits the White Alder After a train car load of pesticide was dumped in its upper waters in 1991, the river recovered within a relatively short time to again become a heavily populated wild trout stream without having to rely on stocked trout. on official, secure websites. At CantAra, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks begin to paralleling the river providing access. You will be notified by e-mail once the poster has been packaged and shipped to the address in the order. resources as well. Scarlett Way - At Sims Road, the river widens as it flows through a wider valley. The river gets larger in this area. Keep checking back with us as we update the Upper Sacramento fishing report weekly. Upper Sacramento River Hatches and Trout Flies:Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. (No tunaround space for motorhomes.) Send us an email for a recommended fly list. Fly Fishing the Upper Sacramento River in California. Stay low and as hidden from the trout as possible,. Recommended Tackle & GearFly Line:5 or 6 weightLeaders:Dry fly: 9 & 12 ft., 5 or 6X, Nymphing:71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2XTippets:Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,Streamer 0-2XBest Fly Rods:Perfect Fly Superb Five or Ultimate SixFly Reels:For 5/6 fly lineFly Floatants and Misc Items:Floatants, KISS Strike IndicatorsTools & Accessories:Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc. From Dunsmuir, take Dunsmuir Avenue north and watch for signs to Dunsmuir City Park (look for the steam engine at the park enterance). 1-800-594-4726This stream provides a very diverse population of aquatic insects. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The Soda Creek area is probably the most popular area to fish for visiting anglers. The same setting continues downstream to Sweetbriar. Made in USA. Access is provided at Conant and Flume Creek Road. Cantara - The warm weather has them a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.This coming week should be a good one. A word to the wise - don't attempt to fish the Upper Sac when you see these huge bugs hatching. website belongs to an official government organization in the Its varied habitats include pools, runs, riffles, cascades, This is not a very heavy hatch but there are some present. We are still getting good reports from customers. Riparian Forest natural community type (Holland 1986), but is (530) 926-4511, Shasta Lake Ranger Station Dont overlook the mighty Midge. Sandwich hoppers, Carpenter ants and Japanese beetles are working. There is a large tributary stream that flows into the river at Mossbrae Falls. The river continues to increase in size from Dunsmuir to Soda Creek. The Black Matuka and Olive Matuka Sculpin streamers are also good flies to use at this time. Access to the river in this area becomes much easier. Justin with AC Fly Fishing was our guide and he put us on top of the fish. in April toNov. Most of the upper river consist of pocket water. Turn left at the "T" intersection, then right, crossing over the river. High quality printing provides optimized brightness and sharp detail. There are plenty of access points in this section of the river. The river is not unlike a large spring creek in this section. Most anglers call it the Green Rock Worm. Share sensitive information only There are numerous access points all the way to Lake Shasta. July 14, 2011 As the days start to get shorter and nights start to cool off, the famous October caddis become active and move about. 04/27/20 Stream levels are in good shape and the water clear. Our guides find that spring fishing on the Upper Sacramento River can be fantastic during the late winter and early spring months. Early summer fishing is best known for the hatches of big bugs, when we start to see salmon flies and golden stones crawling out from the river bottom and hatching into winged adults. The river begins from the flow through the Box Canyon Dam at Lake Siskiyou. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulationsfor any updates to the material presented below Interactive Visitor Map:Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Shasta-Trinity National Forest Headquarters It is possible to run into a flying ant fall anytime during May and June. 20 years since the Cantara Spill on the Upper Sacramento River. Turn left at the stop sign, cross over the freeway and take an immediate right on the dirt road and follow to the end. Its a very diverse river that has a dense population of hard fighting rainbow trout. We had a great day with AC on the Lower Sac the last week-end of April. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at [email protected]. Fly Fishing Guide to the Upper Sacramento River: The methods and techniques for fly fishing the Sacramento River vary from the upper box canyon section to the lowest section above Lake Shasta. 711 (TTY) All Offices, Mt. The flows slow down and become much smoother. If you find yourself out there during a cloudy, drizzly fall day, you should be prepared for some epic dry fly fishing. They make excellent gifts. Catch and release all year, Access:GoodNon-Resident LicenseState of California. During July and August, the hot weather can raise the water temperatures up in the lower section of the Sacramento River, and you are better off fishing the upper sections. Fishing remains good down to CantAra. Below there, it widens out some. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the Upper Sacramento River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. 2006 - 2021 The Ecological Angler Take the central Mt. In addition, all but the upper few miles of the river are closely paralleled with railroad tracks, offering access to most of the entire river. Upper Sacramento River must provide the ideal rainbow trout habitat. The next most plentiful caddisfly is the Green Sedge. ( Park across river in large parking area. (DFG) California Wildlife Habitats Relationship Below Soda Creek downstream to Sweetbriar, a distance of about five miles, the river flows through Castle Crags State Park. 07/10/20 The stream levels are quite low and you should use extra caution to stay hidden from the trout. Program (WHR), which lists all native and introduced Shasta Ranger Station Blue-winged Olives are about the most consistent of all the mayflies and other hatches for that matter. Fly Fishing Report On The Upper Sacramento River In California. Dress to match the background. Soda Creek - Conant, Sims Road and Flume Creek Roads provide additional access in this area.Within the next few miles, the decline of the Upper Sacramento River flattens out some and the water becomes smoother. There are still some good hatches taking place and our Sculpin streamers are catching some nice ones.10/28/20 Conditions are good. The uppermost couple of miles in the Box Canyon is in a very narrow canyon that can be accessed from Ney Springs. This is where the railroad begins to parallel the river. Take the Sweetbriar exit. nd White Belly Sculpin and Articulated streamers. Green sedge caddis are hatching. Type of StreamTailwater/Freestone/Spring FedSpeciesRainbow Trout(Wild)SizeSmall-Medium, approx. However, the most prominent aquatic resource is the area's internationally renowned wild make good presentations and use Perfect flies which look very much like the real things. There are more hatches, including one hatch the river is known for its Fall Caddis. 06/04/20 The river is still low but there are some great hatches taking place and trout should be able to be caught in good numbers. Shasta. Castella/State Park - July through August is our favorite time of year to get out and wet-wade this freestone stream. If you havent already tried them, we certainly hope you will. The river widens below Ney Springs. It becomes more like a typical freestone stream as it winds its way through canyons. My son Gregory and I could not be happier. After 1/2 mile, turn right on Catara Road, and continue down to the river. The Castle Crags State Park is a popular area to fish because it is void of the house along the river. for any updates to the material presented below California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations, Water safety - waterfalls, rivers and lakes, Daily Lake Level Report - Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). The river is usually takes until the first to the middle of June before it subsides to a fishable level. length. Its a very narrow canyon that flows to Ney Springs which is the first access point below the dam. Dunsmuir City Park - Terrestrial wildlife species interact in a complex web of interdependence That aside, if you have consistent flows in the winter, you can be sure to find some of the bigger fish in the system. They can hatch anytime of the year, but become more important when the water is cold and nothing else is hatching. 06/27/20 The stream levels are still well below normal but our customers are still catching trout in good numbers. They seem to be rarely fished. Stream levels are still a little low but okay. From CantAra to Dunsmuir more springs and small brooks increase the flow of the river. A biologically diverse and complex system, the river supports a wide array of aquatic plants and This requires some hiking but makes it possible to fish just about anywhere on the river. and pocket-water. (530) 226-2500 Emailusat ([email protected]) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. There are several access points along the river some of which are Shotgun Creek, Pollard Flat, Gibson, La Moine, McArdle Flats, Dog Creek and Lakeshore near the lake. During the early part of May, melting snow or the Spring Runoff, raises the water levels to a point the river become difficult or impossible to fish. The next access downstream is at CantAra. Bucko was a superb guide and deftly navigated the flows of the river while providing great council and guidance to my 16. year old son. Beetles can be found from June through September and imitations of them are also effective at times. As the larger fish in the river need to eat more to sustain their size, they become a little more accessible to us anglers during the months where there is generally less food around. This coming week should be a good one.08/06/20 The river is a little below normal but in good shape. wildlife species known in California, indicates that the There are still some good hatches and our terrestrial imitations are working good as well.09/16/20 The stream levels are in good shape and the water clear. 25th. There are some hatches taking place and some trout are being caught on the surface. and 140 birds. Blue-winged olives are hatching. Gibson, Pollard Flat, Shotgun Creek, Shiloah, Dog Creek and Lakeshore at Lake Shasta are a few of them. You have riffles, runs and pools that give it the appearance of a freestone stream. ) or https:// means you've safely An official website of the Streamers that imitate baitfish, minnows and sculpin are very important flies to haveanytime you are fishing the Upper Sacramento river. Our favorite time to get out is early and late in the day, though evening fishing can be great, especially during those hot summer days. connected to the .gov website. We recommend fishing the upper section above Dunsmuir. LIttle Yellow stoneflies are hatching. This is an incredibly healthy river with strong hatches during the spring and summer months. 3644 Avtech Parkway (530) 275-1587, Weaverville Ranger Station with each other and their habitat, including the aquatic environment. Located just thirty miles north of Redding, the Upper Sac is known for its breathtaking scenery and acrobatic, wild rainbow trout. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. There are still a lot of hatching insects and our terrestrial imitations like the Japanese beetle, Carpenter ants and Sandwich hoppers are also working good.10/09/20 The river is in good shape with good stream levels and clear water. Poster measures 22" x 28" on a matte finish. Numerous springs and small tributary streams add to the flow. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. This is in reality, the only freestone section of the Sacramento River in the sense that everything else lies below and downstream of a dam. There are more than one species of them but it makes no difference as they all behave and look alike. Take the Castella exit. The There are two species present, but it is almost impossible to tell the difference with the naked eye so that is irrelevant. Shasta exit. It originates below Lake Siskiyou in Mt. The Upper Sacramento River actually begins as two tiny streams that flow into Lake Siskiyou. Using Perfect Flies, which look much like the naturals, is a big help.08/29/20 The stream is running at a normal level but normal this time of the season is a little low, so you still need to use caution to stay as hidden as you can. Rate: 159 cfs Level: 3.76 ftAfternoon Water Temperature: 58Clarity: clearUSGS Real-Time Stream Flow Data, Weather Forecast: (click the link below to see more detailed weather info), Brown Sculpin and White Belly Sculpin and Articulated streamers, size 6/4Black Matuka and Olive Matuka Sculpin, size 4/6Blue-winged Olives: size 16, 18 nymph, emergers, duns and spinners, Pale Morning Duns; size 16/18, nymphs, emergers, duns and spinners, Spotted sedge caddis: size 14/16, larva, pupa and adults, Green sedge caddis, size 14/16, larva, pupa and adults, Golden Stoneflies, size 10/12, nymphs and adults, Little Yellow stoneflies, size 14/16, nymphs and adults, Green/brown sandwich hoppers, 4,5,8,10,12. They work best during low light conditions such as early and late in the day. We see some larger fish in February, March and April, and as long as the river isnt too dirty from recent rains, you should expect great fishing opportunities during these months. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. The river directly, and indirectly, supports a wide variety of terrestrial Fishing in this park puts you out of sight of the residences along the river. It is a beautiful setting with springs coming through the walls bordering the stream at certain places. The Sims Road area is another very popular fly fishing section. You do need to use stealth and stay as hidden from the trout as you can. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. Many of these fish can be upwards of 20 and hot. Its heavier flows become more difficult to wade. Golden stoneflies are hatching. Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. rainbow trout fishery. The generally accepted methods of fishing in the Spring is to match the hatches. Redding, CA 96002 In effect, considering all the water it picks up along the way, it is a freestone stream. Most anglers call these Yellow Sallies. If you take the time to flip over a few rocks, you will be sure to find gobs and gobs of midges. 35 miles longLocationNorthern CaliforniaNearest TownsDunsmuir, CaliforniaSeasonYear-round main stream only.General season last Sat. Pale Morning duns are hatching. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options. Sweetbriar - Valid XHTML & CSS, A word to the wise - don't attempt to fish the, 20 years since the Cantara Spill on the Upper Sacramento River. 06/15/20 The stream levels are low and you have to be careful to not spook the trout, but you should still be able to catch plenty. There are lots of insects hatching. The makeup is very diverse. Make a left at the Castle Crags Picnic area and park in the day use area. There are lots of insects hatching, terrestrials are working, and our customers are still sending in some good reports. You have to be careful to not spook the trout. Canyon Dam at Lake Siskiyou, in northern California. Travel south on I-5 approximately 10 minutes. 02/25/22020 The river is still running below average with good numbers of trout being caught by our customers. Terrestrial insects can be very important during the Summer on the Upper Sac. As our trips run deeper into the fall, they start to see fantastic hatches of blue winged olives that these wild rainbows really have a sweet tooth for. Great river, great fish and a great outfit. 02/10/2020 The stream levels are low and the water clear. Official websites use .gov A .gov The total length of the upper river is about thirty-five miles. Don't hesitate to take a trip with AC if you are novice or expert. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. They start hatching around the first of May and last all the way into the first of September. Turn right on Azalea and cross the tracks. While the hatches may be sparse in July and August, the fish are still willing to eat, typically midges. United States government. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. We get the best window of dry fly fishing with these big caddis late in the day. Turn left at the stop sign and follow the road to the river. Premium Poster Print of Fly Fishing California available for purchase. From Dunsmuir, take Dunsmuir Avenue norh and turn left on Scarlett Way (look for archway). The river really begins below the Lake Siskiyou at the Box Canyon Dam and is a tailwater although many want to call it a freestone stream. Anglers travel from all over the globe to wade the banks of this famed river and cast their flies in the shadow of Mt. The water is almost always extremely clear and deceptively deeper than it appears to be. The Spotted Sedge is the most plentiful caddisfly. Shasta, winding its way south for nearly 35 miles before it empties into Lake Shasta. Make good presentations and stay hidden from the trout as best you can. We have specific imitations of everything that hatches on the river. It hatches from about the first of May to the middle of July. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail. During spring, we can expect some larger lake run fish moving up the river from Lake Shasta. Its first couple of miles are in the Box Canyon. This is also the access for Mossbrae Falls. This is a very popular area of the river to fish. The big caddisfly hatch, as far as anglers are concerned, is the October Caddis. The larger baetis, size 18s, hatch mostly in April and May and then again in September and October. several species of fish. When these gigantic caddis get moving, you can find fish aggressively taking the larva and pupae. Turn left at the stop sign, cross over the freeway. Grasshopper are also plentiful from July through September. 01/19/20 The stream levels are okay at this time but there is heavy snow and rain in theforecast everyday for the coming week. This area isnt fished as much as many other sections of the Upper Sacramento. Request him as your guide when you book and you wont be disappointed. Turn left and cross over the freeway. Flying ants are working. northern end of Shasta Lake, a large, fluctuating storage reservoir. Our terrestrial insect patterns are working good. True to their name, most of the hatch takes place during October although it can continue on into November. This includes a Upper Sacramento River fishing report. There are lots of insects hatching including Blue-winged olives, Pale Morning Duns, Spotted sedge caddis, flying ants, blood midges and more. From Dunmsuir, travel north on I-5. LockA locked padlock Travel south on I-5 approximately 7 minutes. The Upper Sacramento River provides a good habitat for stoneflies. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. There are still a lot of insects hatching and terrestrial imitations are working fine as well. From June through September, ants can be found along the banks of the river. The river is closely followed by Interstate 5. AMAZING float trip on the lower Sac! watershed supports up to 247 species of terrestrial You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. A larger hatch of the Golden Stoneflies occurs from about the first of May through June. Let our Upper Sac fly fishing guides show you the path to success. The larva of this caddisfly is the most important stage of life. (530) 623-2121, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/stnf/recarea/?recid=75343. Strategies, Techniques and Tips:Our Brown Sculpin and White Belly Sculpin streamers are the best streamers you can use during entire year. We continue to get good reports from customers. Green Drakes hatch in part of the river beginning around the first of May and lasting through June. They make excellent gifts. The water levels of the river constantly change throughout the year. High Stickin is the best method to fish the pocket water with nymphs. They hatch from the first of June through the month of August. Conditions should be good. The warmer the weather, the more bugs you can expect to see out and about. Upper Sacramento River, California Fishing Report July 18, 2022 Conditions are good. Species Present: Rainbow and Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass (lower end of river just above the reservoir).