Lower Sacramento River Guide Trip Reports & Klamath Flows

Fly fishing on the Lower Sacramento River was spectacular for several anglers this past week. The weather was phenomenal with day time temps in the upper 60's and lower 70's. The spring like weather got the spring caddis hatching weeks before we usually see fishable numbers and big trophy 'bows were finding them. While the number of fish to hand for most anglers has not reached epic proportions, a few anglers this past week caught their best trout ever.

The first storm system in several weeks blew in on Monday and the forecast is showing that it will be around for a while. On days it isn't too windy the weather could also get some Blue Wing Olives and early PMD mayflies hatching to supplement the spring caddis. The cloud cover will cause trout to be less wary and looking up, so we will also be looking for opportunities to dry fly fish on the Lower Sac.

The Klamath and Trinity could perhaps use a little wet weather as well, the fish and catching have gone stale. Diehard steelheaders who are still finding a fish or two hope the storms will move some fish and get them back on the grab. The Klamath also experienced a rapid flow increase last week from 1300 cfs to 5500 cfs from Irongate Dam. The flows were designed to move fine sediments that were fostering parasites harmful to salmonids.

The public was given less than 24 hours notice of the flow change by the Bureau of Reclamation and several friends and guests had to cancel Klamath trips. Initial reports were that flows would be returned to normal within 48 hours. This turned out to be inaccurate as flows have been dropping about 300 cfs per day and as of today are at 2100, which is fishable and at the median for this time of year. The latest word is that flows will continue to drop at the current rate and will be stabilized at 1300 on February 19th through the end of the month. Typically steelhead fishing holds up well through March on the Klamath so we are hopeful that these flows have moved some fish and got them back on the grab?

For a complete report including some pics of this week's fish, check out the Shasta Trout website. Feel free to drop a line if you are seeking guide service or not, we are always happy to share all we can.