Craig Nielsen
05-10-2012, 09:22 AM
The weather in the Northstate has turned sunny and warm and the fishing on the Lower Sacramento River has heated up. Spring has sprung with flowers in full bloom and ducks and geese hatching out their young. We have seen many Osprey fishing for their young and spotted bald eagles most everyday. A Pair of Swans have taken up residence on the river in Anderson and are sharing the beauty with their six singlets.
The warm weather has the summer caddis (Hydropsyche) hatching in force and the fish have responded with aggressive feeding starting in the late morning and continuing into early evening. Some Yellow Sallies and Goldenstones have joined the parade with some lingering PMD's, BWO's and spring caddis (Brachycentrus) still marching along. The bite remains best midday with early mornings remaining slower. Flows out of Keswick bumped up twice this week to 9,000 cfs with even greater flows forecast as central valley agricultural demand increases. At current flows wading opportunities are very limited, we recommend you plan a driftboat trip and enjoy these superb conditions while they last!
Our local guides have enjoyed some excellent days recently with guests finding good action, solid numbers to the boat each day and some trophy Rainbows to hand as well. Most fish have been coming while fishing small nymphs under indicators, with PMD patterns (Pheasant Tails, S&M's and Beadhead Poxy PMD's) being replaced recently with summer caddis imitations (Birdsnests and Fox PooPahs). We also found a few fish this week on Yellow Sallie and Golden Stone nymphs.
The upper river is still holding a higher concentration of large fish while the bite on the lower river below Anderson has an earlier more consistent bite. There a still some pods of spawning Rainbows finishing their annual ritual and they should be allowed to do so in peace. The bright sunshine has fish holding in deeper water with the evening caddis dry fly bite yet to take hold. With nothing but more sunshine in the forecast we expect the fishing as well as the catching to remain excellent and suggest you get here now! Drop us a line for the latest on conditions and visit our website for a complete report including pics.
We hope to see you soon!
The warm weather has the summer caddis (Hydropsyche) hatching in force and the fish have responded with aggressive feeding starting in the late morning and continuing into early evening. Some Yellow Sallies and Goldenstones have joined the parade with some lingering PMD's, BWO's and spring caddis (Brachycentrus) still marching along. The bite remains best midday with early mornings remaining slower. Flows out of Keswick bumped up twice this week to 9,000 cfs with even greater flows forecast as central valley agricultural demand increases. At current flows wading opportunities are very limited, we recommend you plan a driftboat trip and enjoy these superb conditions while they last!
Our local guides have enjoyed some excellent days recently with guests finding good action, solid numbers to the boat each day and some trophy Rainbows to hand as well. Most fish have been coming while fishing small nymphs under indicators, with PMD patterns (Pheasant Tails, S&M's and Beadhead Poxy PMD's) being replaced recently with summer caddis imitations (Birdsnests and Fox PooPahs). We also found a few fish this week on Yellow Sallie and Golden Stone nymphs.
The upper river is still holding a higher concentration of large fish while the bite on the lower river below Anderson has an earlier more consistent bite. There a still some pods of spawning Rainbows finishing their annual ritual and they should be allowed to do so in peace. The bright sunshine has fish holding in deeper water with the evening caddis dry fly bite yet to take hold. With nothing but more sunshine in the forecast we expect the fishing as well as the catching to remain excellent and suggest you get here now! Drop us a line for the latest on conditions and visit our website for a complete report including pics.
We hope to see you soon!