Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Gear and Trout Flies for the Lower Sacramento
River California
When it comes to fly fishing gear for the Lower Sacramento River, you first have to
clarify whether you are fishing for trout or steelhead. We will recommend gear for both.
Fly Line:
If you are fishing for rainbow trout then we suggest a 5 or 6 weight floating fly line. If
you fish streamers and larger nymphs, we recommend a 6 or 7 weight, floating fly
line. You may want to use a sinking, or sinking tip line for the steelhead and rainbows
at certain times when you were fishing deeper water. A 7 weight fly line would be best
for the steelhead and rainbows fishing heavy nymphs and using indicators. Our
choice would be a 7 weight line.
Fly Rod:
For the five weight line, we recommend a 5 weight, nine foot, medium fast action fly
rod. The rod for the 6 weight line should be nine feet long, in a medium fast to fast
action. A stiffer tip comes in handy for nymphs. You would need a seven weight fly rod
between 9 and 10 feet long for the 7 weight fly line. You may also consider a spey rod
for the steelhead.
Fly Reel:
The reels for the 5, 6 and 7 weight lines should all have very good drags. They
should be smooth and adjust to fine increments. Most anglers use a large arbor reel
with lots of backing.
Leaders:
You should probably use at least a 9 foot leader anywhere you fish the Lower
Sacramento River for trout. There could be some situations where you may need to
use a 12 leader. We suggest you have them in sizes ranging from a 0X for streamers,
up to 6X for small dry flies.
You need a hard, stiff leader for the steelhead ranging from ten feet up to fifteen feet
long for the spey rod, if you use one. We recommend heavy, three to four foot long
leaders for the large streamers.
Tippet:
You should have extra tippet material in sizes ranging from 0X to 6X.
Waders:
You will need waders on the Sacramento River. We prefer the breathable type but
you may want to consider neoprene waders during cold weather.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice for wading boots. We are still considering the pros and
cons of rubber soled wading boots.
Wading Staff:
A wading staff would be optional. It certainly doesn't hurt to have one, especially when
the water is flowing fast or you are wading deeper water.
Landing Net:
A larger size landing net would be recommended.
Flies:
We always recommend our "Perfect Fly" Flies. We have specific imitations of
every important insect that hatches on the Sacramento River. Our flies are the
most realistic and most effective imitations you can buy. They have proven effective
on the Sacramento River. Several of our California customers use them and have
been very satisfied with their performance on the large rainbows. If you haven't
already done so, we hope you give them an opportunity to perform for you. You'll be
glad you did.
River California
When it comes to fly fishing gear for the Lower Sacramento River, you first have to
clarify whether you are fishing for trout or steelhead. We will recommend gear for both.
Fly Line:
If you are fishing for rainbow trout then we suggest a 5 or 6 weight floating fly line. If
you fish streamers and larger nymphs, we recommend a 6 or 7 weight, floating fly
line. You may want to use a sinking, or sinking tip line for the steelhead and rainbows
at certain times when you were fishing deeper water. A 7 weight fly line would be best
for the steelhead and rainbows fishing heavy nymphs and using indicators. Our
choice would be a 7 weight line.
Fly Rod:
For the five weight line, we recommend a 5 weight, nine foot, medium fast action fly
rod. The rod for the 6 weight line should be nine feet long, in a medium fast to fast
action. A stiffer tip comes in handy for nymphs. You would need a seven weight fly rod
between 9 and 10 feet long for the 7 weight fly line. You may also consider a spey rod
for the steelhead.
Fly Reel:
The reels for the 5, 6 and 7 weight lines should all have very good drags. They
should be smooth and adjust to fine increments. Most anglers use a large arbor reel
with lots of backing.
Leaders:
You should probably use at least a 9 foot leader anywhere you fish the Lower
Sacramento River for trout. There could be some situations where you may need to
use a 12 leader. We suggest you have them in sizes ranging from a 0X for streamers,
up to 6X for small dry flies.
You need a hard, stiff leader for the steelhead ranging from ten feet up to fifteen feet
long for the spey rod, if you use one. We recommend heavy, three to four foot long
leaders for the large streamers.
Tippet:
You should have extra tippet material in sizes ranging from 0X to 6X.
Waders:
You will need waders on the Sacramento River. We prefer the breathable type but
you may want to consider neoprene waders during cold weather.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice for wading boots. We are still considering the pros and
cons of rubber soled wading boots.
Wading Staff:
A wading staff would be optional. It certainly doesn't hurt to have one, especially when
the water is flowing fast or you are wading deeper water.
Landing Net:
A larger size landing net would be recommended.
Flies:
We always recommend our "Perfect Fly" Flies. We have specific imitations of
every important insect that hatches on the Sacramento River. Our flies are the
most realistic and most effective imitations you can buy. They have proven effective
on the Sacramento River. Several of our California customers use them and have
been very satisfied with their performance on the large rainbows. If you haven't
already done so, we hope you give them an opportunity to perform for you. You'll be
glad you did.
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |