Lower Sacramento

The Sacramento River below Shasta Dam – known as the Lower Sacramento, or “Lower Sac” – has to be rated as among the best tailwater fisheries in the country.

If I ever commit some heinous crime and the judge condemns me to only fish one river the rest of my life…I could happily do it on the Lower Sacramento.  40+ miles of wild rainbow trout-filled tailwater…40 miles!  The different seasons, flow changes, different bug hatches, steelhead in the winter all make for a dynamic and yet reliable fishery like no other I’m aware of.  And, oh by the way, the bows on the Sac average 15″ with 20″ fish a possibility at any moment.  If I could AVERAGE 15″ fish on the Upper Sac, McCloud or Pit…I’d feel like a rock star.  On the Sac, we call them “cookie cutters”.  The river is just polluted with them!

The Fly Shop in Redding was built around and makes it’s reputation on fishing and guiding the Lower Sacramento.  Read much much more on the seasons and fishing the Lower Sacramento at The Fly Shop’s Lower Sac page.

See the Lower Sacramento photo Gallery!