Upper Sacramento River

Upper Sacramento River Fishing Report: 1/31/2012

Not a great option right now. Recent rains and snow have this river on the high and turbid side of the spectrum. The forecast over the next week calls for dry weather which means the Upper Sacramento will drop back into shape as long as this warm, dry weather sticks around. Once I hear some good reports, I will post them! 

Hot Flies: #14-16 Gordon Prince, #16-18 Pheasant Tail Nymph, Pat’s Brown Rubber Legs, #12-14 Birds Nests, Zack’s TB Brown Pseudo May, #16 Brown Micro Mayfly, #18-20 black or red Zebra Midge, Shafer’s 3-D

ABOUT

January of 2012 will go down as one of the most memorable winter months on the Upper Sacramento. The fly fishing has been excellent! Conditions like we have had this season are rare! Looking ahead, winter storms will bring extra water from rain and snow that will find it’s way into the main-stem of the river. On-stream conditions can be extra fast, dangerous and blown out. Plan ahead and have options in case the Upper Sac isn’t fishable.

35 miles of freestone stream, all of it accessible to the wading angler. Solitude can be found by walking just a little ways downstream or upstream of the occasional angler(s). Sometimes, conditions can be crowded in spots, but don’t worry, just move as I said. Plenty of fishing to go around!

Upper Sacramento River

The upper “Sac” is my favorite trout stream in N. California! Interstate 5 runs along most of it’s entire length.  Less remote than the McCloud or the Pit, I can easily take a break from fishing and enjoy lunch in downtown Mt. Shasta or Dunsmuir.

You will find 100% wild rainbow trout on the upper Sacramento!  DFG does plant trout in Dunsmuir, CA., but these fish typically run their course in a few months time.  Moving up or down stream by foot can be as easy as following the railroad tracks to more remote, uncrowded water that sees few if any anglers all year!  But be careful!!  Union Pacific trains routinely travel up and down the tracks all day!  Be alert!

This river is known for it’s thick golden stone hatches in the spring and October caddis hatches in the Fall.  The rainbows run the gamut for size: small to 25”!  Lake run fish from Shasta move in during late summer and behave like steelhead!  This river offers a great opportunity in December, just before the first major winter storm roles through, to sample some solitary trout fishing.  When everyone is on the Trinity, this river provides a similar fishing experience without all the hype!  The Upper Sacramento offers a scenic experience, wild “shasta strain” rainbow trout and solitude.  Unlike the Lower Sacramento, Trinity river or Fall River,  we will wade this river.  During spring and fall, bring your waders.  Mid to late summer, we can easily wade in shorts, surf trunks and wading boots.  A wading staff can come in handy.

My equipment list for this river looks like this:

• 4/5 WT Rod
• Floating line
• Tapered leaders 7.5′ 3-4X
• 4X & 5X tippet
• Thingamabobbers, medium size.
• #6-8 brown rubber legs, #18 Gordon Prince, #16 brown micro mayfly, Various stimulators, Turks tarantula in mid October.
• SSG split shot.