Lower Sac report

[TroutHunter10]

Fished the lower Sac this weekend. Floated from Bonnyview to Balls Ferry. Caught around 15 on caddis pupa, birdsnest, and rubber legs.

The day started off slow, picked up in the mid-morning, and slowed in the afternoon as the temps rose to 100+

[MThompson]

So about how long did that float take and what type of craft were you in? I assume at those flows you're fishing from the boat? Just trying to get a feel for the conditions and logistics as I don't have a ton of experience in that river. Thanks for the report.

[TroutHunter10]

So about how long did that float take and what type of craft were you in? I assume at those flows you're fishing from the boat? Just trying to get a feel for the conditions and logistics as I don't have a ton of experience in that river. Thanks for the report.

It took about 8 hrs, maybe a bit more since we back rowed a couple spots. We have a drift boat.

[MThompson]

Ok great. Thanks for the response.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The Lower Sac from Redding down stream to roughly Red Bluff is a tremendous wild trout fishery.

It is fished almost year round for drift boats mostly.

Locals do some wade fishing.

They get some good Steelhead in there behind the spawning salmon.

April/May is caddis time and October is Mike Mercer's favorite month.


There are probably 100 guides that work that river?

Many big wild Rainbow trout from 12 to over 20 inches.


Fishing report from Kiene's Fly Shop:

https://www.reports.kienesflyshop.com/lowersacramentoriver

[Ron B]

Mike

I floated the lower Sac in mid May with a guide for the first time. It was a lot of fun. Flows were about 8K when we went, I think they're about 11K now.

We did the same float that TroutHunter mentioned. For the most part, we fished the inside seam of almost every riffle and drop off and stayed in the main channel of the river. We simply blew through long stretches of featureless water on our way to the next riffle.

As far as handling the shuttle, I've used Uber and it works great.

Ron

[TroutHunter10]

Mike

I floated the lower Sac in mid May with a guide for the first time. It was a lot of fun. Flows were about 8K when we went, I think they're about 11K now.

We did the same float that TroutHunter mentioned. For the most part, we fished the inside seam of almost every riffle and drop off and stayed in the main channel of the river. We simply blew through long stretches of featureless water on our way to the next riffle.

As far as handling the shuttle, I've used Uber and it works great.

Ron

I fished it for the first time with a guide a couple weeks ago and it made a huge difference in understanding the nuance of the river. Prior, I had floated it 4-5 times with moderate success. The lower sac is a huge river and surprisingly technical. So understanding how to fish certain sections that are seemingly featureless to the naked eye, learning the micro hatches, and how the flows affect the fish is something only a guide who is on the water everyday can provide. Most guides are more than willing to answer your questions.

Re: shuttles, there's a women, Kim, who does shuttles. Her info is posted on The Fly Shops fishing report section. Uber/lyft works well too.