Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the Lower Sacramento River
California
The Lower Sacramento River is considered the section
below Keswick Dam located three miles north of the city
of Redding, downstream. The river flows through the
city. It has some very large rainbow trout averaging
close to fifteen inches and up to twenty inches. There's
lots of food for the trout including a huge population of
aquatic insects.
Some consider this the best rainbow trout fishing water
the state of California has to offer but there's also many
that would disagree. One reason is the continuing
changing water levels of Keswick Reservoir and its
varying discharges of water through the dam that is the
Lower Sacramento River. The discharges are mostly
dependant on the agricultural needs of the Central
Valley.
Just nine miles above the Keswick Dam is another dam
that forms giant Lake Shasta which receives not only the
water from the Upper Sacramento River but also the
McCloud River, Pitt River and Squaw Creek. The results
is there's a lot of variables that affect the discharges of
water into the Lower Sacramento River and
consequently, constantly changing fishing conditions.
Seasons:
Excellent fishing is provided throughout the entire year.
Spring:
Spring is the best time for dry fly fishing due to the
hatches of mayflies and caddisflies.
Summer:
Summertime can be on the warm side but the fishing
remains fairly good due to the constant cold water
releases.
Fall:
Fall is the time the Chinook Salmon and Steelhead
arrive in the Lower Sac.
Winter:
It is possible to catch trout anytime during the winter but
it is best when the weather cooperates. Steelhead
fishing continues into the Winter.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Lower Sacramento River:
Fly fishing the Lower Sacramento River depends highly
on keeping up with the changing water and weather
conditions. (Click Here to Continue)
California
The Lower Sacramento River is considered the section
below Keswick Dam located three miles north of the city
of Redding, downstream. The river flows through the
city. It has some very large rainbow trout averaging
close to fifteen inches and up to twenty inches. There's
lots of food for the trout including a huge population of
aquatic insects.
Some consider this the best rainbow trout fishing water
the state of California has to offer but there's also many
that would disagree. One reason is the continuing
changing water levels of Keswick Reservoir and its
varying discharges of water through the dam that is the
Lower Sacramento River. The discharges are mostly
dependant on the agricultural needs of the Central
Valley.
Just nine miles above the Keswick Dam is another dam
that forms giant Lake Shasta which receives not only the
water from the Upper Sacramento River but also the
McCloud River, Pitt River and Squaw Creek. The results
is there's a lot of variables that affect the discharges of
water into the Lower Sacramento River and
consequently, constantly changing fishing conditions.
Seasons:
Excellent fishing is provided throughout the entire year.
Spring:
Spring is the best time for dry fly fishing due to the
hatches of mayflies and caddisflies.
Summer:
Summertime can be on the warm side but the fishing
remains fairly good due to the constant cold water
releases.
Fall:
Fall is the time the Chinook Salmon and Steelhead
arrive in the Lower Sac.
Winter:
It is possible to catch trout anytime during the winter but
it is best when the weather cooperates. Steelhead
fishing continues into the Winter.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Lower Sacramento River:
Fly fishing the Lower Sacramento River depends highly
on keeping up with the changing water and weather
conditions. (Click Here to Continue)
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Rainbow Trout Chinook Salmon King Salmon Steelhead Size Large Location Northern California Nearest Towns Redding, California Season Year-round Access: Good Special Regulations Salmon/Steelhead - See Current Non-Resident License State of California Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear USGS Stream Flows: RA Keswick |
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Lower
Sacramento
River
California
Sacramento
River
California
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
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