What is your go to LowerSac Indicator Rig?

[Ben J]

It's time for a new dedicated indicator setup. Plan to mostly use on the Lower Sac and NFF, maybe some on the Trinity. What is your go to Lower Sac indicator rod/line combo?

[FlyFisher007]

Hey Ben, haven't fished the Trinity yet, but on NFF I use 9ft 6 weight with weight forward floating line, 9 ft tapered leader 3X or 4X depending on water condition and size of first fly. Couple split shot above tippet knot, then two flies. Second fly off bend of hook and smaller fly smaller tippet then up above. I like air lock indicators.

On Lower Sac out of drift boat do it different. Don't mean to name drop, but I bought a Redington Vice 9 1/2 ft. 6 weight, less than $200 and works great. Floating line weight forward and 3 or 4 foot of mono line from end of fly line to a thingamabobbber tied on with a loop knot. A guide up there explained that Flouro is not only somewhat invisible, but cuts thru the water better for less drag and more natural drift. So use about six feet of 8 or 10lb flouro with a loop knot from indicator to a small swivel with SSG egg shot above swivel then 12 to 15 inches of 3X flouro tippet to a rubber legs, then go 4X to a caddis or mayfly nymph depending on the bite. Sometimes will have both patterns under the rubber legs to search for the Hot pattern. The two loop knots to the indicator gives it a 90 degree rig. There are lots of quality fish on the Sac, but they can be picky.

I am not a guide by any means and I'm sure you will hear about different and better rigs, but that is my two cents. Good Luck with however you fish.

[Fishtopher]

10' 6 or 7 wt. 7 wt if I'm fishing with a longer leader due to higher flows or fishing around salmon. I usually fish my 6 weight in the winter and spring before the flows come up. I fished my 6 weight earlier this week but may switch to the 7 since flows are approaching 10k.

[JohnR]

From a boat, 9’6” 6wt. that I set up specifically for bobber fishing with the Rio Xtreme Indicator line. Water loads a heavy rig like a dream.

If I am wading I choose the old standby 9’ WF 5wt.

Hoping the shelter in place is lifted soon so I can chase those football-shaped rainbows on the lower Sac.

John

[Mr T]

9.5 ft 6 wt, set up with a WF7 floater. works like a charm and the extra length makes for easier mending and drifts.

[TroutHunter10]

9.5 ft 6 wt, set up with a WF7 floater. works like a charm and the extra length makes for easier mending and drifts.

10ft 5wt TFO BVK and 10ft 5wt Radian with SA GPX 6wt line.

I use 2ft of 30lb braid to a tiny swivel ( the braid does not kink but can tangle if you try to throw tight loops. Then 6-7ft of 8lb flouro, another swivel, 18in to first fly. I fish three flies on the Lower Sac

[Mr T]

10ft 5wt TFO BVK and 10ft 5wt Radian with SA GPX 6wt line.

I use 2ft of 30lb braid to a tiny swivel ( the braid does not kink but can tangle if you try to throw tight loops. Then 6-7ft of 8lb flouro, another swivel, 18in to first fly. I fish three flies on the Lower Sac

Swivels are a must imo esp. if you run braid. Tried both and have landed with rio two tone indicator for a couple feet, then swivel. 4x from there to first fly. Kudos for running three flies, two flies and shot is enough trouble for me to handle.

[TroutHunter10]

Swivels are a must imo esp. if you run braid. Tried both and have landed with rio two tone indicator for a couple feet, then swivel. 4x from there to first fly. Kudos for running three flies, two flies and shot is enough trouble for me to handle.

A 10ft rod and good boat positioning helps. I'm by no means an expert oarsmen

Agreed, swivels, although ugly, are necessary. Three flies helps when trying to figure out what they are eating. With that said, more times than not, what they are eating in the first half of the day on the top end of your float is not what they are eating during the second half. You need to pay attention to the micro hatches on the lower sac because those fish will key in and not touch anything else.

[Brian Clemens]

When I'm personally fishing or guiding on those waters here is what I fish with...

Lower Sac 10ft 6wt with 7wt Rio trout/steelhead nymph line I also fish this on the Feather out of Oroville, early season on the Trinity as well as early season on the American. Also a great single handed swing rod if properly lined with a Trout Skagit, great streamer rod too.

Trinity 9.5ft 7wt with 8wt Rio Trout/steelhead nymph line. This is my go to for bigger fish (winter steelhead or bigger flows on the Lower Sac) and it makes for a great single handed swing rod too. You can also striper fish and shad fish with it as well. I am not a big fan of 10ft 7wts as they are typically much stiffer than a 9.5ft 7wt and definitely heavier. Its like that added a foot onto a 9ft 8wt to make a 10ft 7wt.

NFF 10ft 5wt with 6wt Rio Trout/steelhead nymph line for indicators and 9ft 5wt with 5wt Rio Gold to throw dries. My go to rods for Yuba, Putah, LT, Truckee, upper sac, mccloud and so on.

A 5wt on the lower sac is like taking a butter knife to a gun fight. Not only are you fighting big burly bows but the flows they live in too. With a 5wt you will over play the fish and could kill them in the long run cuz you fought the fish for way to long.

Hope this helps.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Most new 9' #5 line fly rods in 4 piece are like a 6 weight rod for power so they are usually strong enough for most trout.


In my lifetime I have noticed that the best fly fishermen I know, like Hal Janssen, Chris Pasley, Bob Giannoni, Fred Gordon and Mike

McCune use a fly rod that is one or ever 2 line size smaller that what is generally recommended.

That given, they know how to fight a fish.

These guy use the smallest line size that will still deliver their fly.


I would recommend heavier rods to most beginners and intermediates though because they just don't have the casting skills yet to

cast a smaller line size.


I fished that past 40 years in the salt water and for Steelhead so it is hard to relate to need a rod heavier than a fast action #5 weight

to land a trout?

Actually the mass/weight that you are 'chucking' should determine your line size, but sometimes that is a #12 line.