August seems to be the ugly duckling of fly fishing months. But you won’t be able to tell Greg Thomson that (pictured left)! He, his wife and kids experienced the impressive fishing the Lower Sacramento offers in August not far from the famous Sun Dial Bridge just a couple days ago. It’s easy to discount fishing prospects in and around Redding, CA during August. Here’s why: It’s hot and dry in late summer. It’s common knowledge that various streams across our country are low, warm and harboring few fish that will chase a fly as summer season peaks. Insect hatches can be sparse, even non-existent. The fish we find can be stressed due to the strapped and paltry August conditions. Definitely not a good time to fish, right? So, when anglers ask me “Whens a good time to come over to N. California and fish?” I answer AUGUST!
I’m not kidding in anyway! Here in N. California, most of our streams and lakes have cold water! Rainbow trout thrive when water temps stay between 55-65 F and our rivers and lakes easily sustain those temperatures through warm California summers. The Upper Sacramento River, Pit River and McCloud River, near Redding, CA. run through steep canyons respectively, fed by snow melt and artesian springs. Steep canyons provide shade and insulation from the mid-day sun and hot daytime temperatures. Each river is lined with forests of pine and oak, offering shade for us, the river and it’s creatures. In addition our rivers are energized with dissolved oxygen due in part to the cold water, but also thanks to the long rocky riffles that are a signature feature of Northern California rivers. Oxygen = food (stoneflies, mayflies, caddis) and in the watery world of trout, well, you get it. Prospects are very good on N. California trout waters!
Currently, the Upper Sacramento River has been fishing great. The McCloud River is also fishing well. Hat Creek has been more on the tough side. The Pit River will have some great fishing in store as the Isonychia nymph becomes active through late August into mid September. I use #10-12 black AP’s, #6-8 brown rubber legs, #16-18 brown, green, black Micro Mayflies, #18 Gordon Prince as basic nymphs on hand. Try a #18 red copper john suspended under a #10 Royal Wulff or stimulator. Anglers fishing nymphs under an indicator, or using high-stick and short line techniques will catch fish.
The Lower Sacramento river in Redding, CA. has been fishing extremely well. Mid to late August offers some incredible, if not the best fishing of the year. Over the past week, big rainbow trout have been eating #14-16 poopahs, #18 pheasant tail nymphs. The Lower Sac fishes well all year, but if you have not tried this river in late August, you need to. It’s still a great time to come out and fish with me on the Lower Sacramento River or “Sac”. I expect great fishing all the way through September on the Lower Sac. October provides a change with the arrival of King Salmon and weather changes. October, if you don’t already know, is the busiest month of the year. More fly fishing guides work the Sac in October than any other month. The answer is YES. It fishes wonderfully!
My favorite rainbow trout stream, Fall River, has been tough as of late, but then it depends on who you talk to. I want to say it’s fishing great. But, I have to compare Fall River with the Lower Sac, and honestly they can’t be compared. It’s like comparing ice cream flavors! That said, my guests seem to lean more towards fish on the end of the rod, and Fall has been less amazing than it can be and will be. August can be just incredible on Fall River. For now, I find it to be fair/poor fishing on Fall. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone has an amazing day there today, tomorrow…just don’t discount Fall River. There’s a million rainbow trout in that river, right now, that are over 16”. And they do eat dry flies! September will bring cooler evening temperatures, more hatches and better fishing on Fall River.
The Trinity River has Chinook and Coho salmon in the house! Now is a good time to start planning for your fall/winter steelhead dates on the Trinity River out of Junction City, Weaverville and Lewiston CA. If you want to find out what I have in store on the Trinity, subscribe to my newsletter! click here
To book me for a guided day on any river: Call The Fly Shop 800-669-3474 or contact me
Chris – great picture, thanks for the post and the awesome weekend on the lower Sac. We must have landed 30 or more fat, beautiful wild rainbows in the 17-21″ range over the two days, with the biggest at 22″! No better way to keep the family entertained and “hooked” on fly-fishing — we’re still talking about it. Thanks again – we’ll definitely be back!
Greg Thomson