Current Lower Sac Fly Fishing Report: 07/01/2024
Fly fishing on the Lower Sacramento has been great! Flows are stable, and should start to come down a little i the coming weeks. Insect hatches of PMDs persist! As always, nymphing from a driftboat is the “go-to” method for the most productive experience. I promise you the fishing will not disappoint. We can expect an action packed day. How will the fishing be through the month and into August? Productive. Expect to find great fishing reports here and on all the websites feature reports on the Lower Sacramento River.
Where is the best fishing through March on the Sac?
Best fishing? Definitely happens in a drift boat at the elevated flows currently existing. As flows drop, more predictable and better consistency will prevail into late summer. Late summer has always been a “key” time on this river where fishing experiences are good to incredible. Jus know that even a “slow” day on the Lower Sac in summer is a great day by any river’s standards. We will find fish, get great photos. The opportunities are available in bulk thanks to higher water.
Water conditions are good. The lower river, below Anderson is in great shape. Try BH Pheasant Tail in #16-18, or any weighted nymph. Look for shallow riffles. Gotta be in a drift-boat for this. You are looking for shallow, gliding water. It’s this time of year where throwing toward the bank where normally we’d be throwing indicators and heavy weight into deeper water is a surprisingly productive game changer.
Hot flies:
- #8 Brown Rubber Legs
- Just about any small nymphs in brown or black. Think #14 ~ 16
- Dark colored Micro Mays in #14 – 16
- #14 ~ 16 Poopahs
- #14 ~ 16 BH Birds Nest
All my Lower Sacramento River reports include the following for your benefit:
Fishing the Lower Sac is a big piece of water to dissect. The riffles look good but when drifting in a boat, as we and other boat associated anglers drop into those riffles, any rainbows holding nose-against the riffle structure will be spooked by the boat. So, throw flies into the deeper water as you drift through, and then get back upstream (back row), anchor and throw into the riffle after fish have had a chance to return. This won’t be an ideal strategy for every riffle, or all river conditions. Many spots are simply to big and deep at high flows, but ideal at low flows.
Respect this river. It is powerful, deep and unforgiving. Wear a flotation device.
