Lower Sac Rainbow
Fly fishing on the Lower Sac at 20,000 cfs can be excellent, but here’s the deal, we have to catch it at 20k. I have a good chance at producing some good fishing in the next few days, so please read on. The Lower Sac has been flooded with water resulting in poor fishing conditions and a massive rescheduling of fishing trips for me and the rest of my buddies at The Fly Shop. Releases yesterday were at 50,000 Cubic Feet Second (CFS). Today, releases are down to 40,000 cfs and dropping to 20,000 cfs by 4:00 AM on Thursday March 24 (Tomorrow). This is good news! I know some of you out there can go fishing on a last minute notice and you asked if I would let you know when the fishing is “hot”.
Here’s the last minute notice: Tomorrow would be an excellent day to fish the Sac except the winds out of the south will produce gusts up to 50mph. Friday and Saturday look good with light rain in the forecast. Sunday weather is excellent. If you can’t get me on the calendar, go with one of the other guides on The Fly Shop staff. If the winds die down tomorrow afternoon and the flows are okay, I will fish it myself. The fishing should be excellent after high water. The down side is they, the dam operators, might raise the flows back up on Saturday, or Friday. Maybe monday. We do not know. If the flows go beyond 35k, I would cancel the trip. We might have good water all next week, but I doubt it. I hope the flows stay at 20k for a few days. As the flows drop, numerous runs that normally are are un-fishable at low water, are in excellent shape between 20-35k. There are really big fish in the Sac that never see a fly because they are too deep or in obscure locations. They get big! The high water tends to move them into the edges of the river where we can find them when the flows are just right and before they migrate back to safe water. These conditions are unique and rarely experienced. Looking forward to taking you fishing!
Another option I have is Luk Lake down near Rolling Hills Casino. It’s a private water that was added to The Fly Shops portfolio of waters late last year. Luk has a bunch of nice, high quality rainbows in it that eat dry flies. Bass are in there too! For those who want to dial in their dry fly game, catch some nice chunky rainbows, Luk Lake is a great choice that offers a great time. We can always catch them on streamers and nymphs. Luk Lake can be booked through The Fly Shop. Luk Lake is easy to fish, offering a classic still water experience. If any of you have fished McCumber, Iron Canyon, Lewiston Lake with me, you will enjoy Luk Lake. Read more by clicking here: Luk Lake
Contact me or call The Fly Shop to book. 800-669-3474. I will work with you closely on this one since the flows could change anytime. If you get it at 20k-35k, you will be glad! I have good fishing if you want it.
-Chris
Copied from an email by Michael Caranci, Outfitters Department, The Fly Shop
Received today March,24 2011: Talked to Larry Ball at Shasta Dam. River’s dropping to 20,000 today for flood control, back up to 50K by the weekend and into early next week, then down to 20-25K by sometime mid-week. For now…”