The upper Sacramento River from Redding to Anderson is
one of the most incredible wild Rainbow Trout fisheries
in the West. The cold water empties from the base of
Shasta and Keswick dams creating the perfect water for
trophy Rainbows .It's common to have 10 to 15 hookups
per day with rainbows averaging around 16 inches, and
commonly reaching 3 to 5 pounds.
The river is open
for trout year-round. Highest flows are in summer, when water
is discharged from Shasta Lake for irrigation and hydroelectric
power. Caddis and salmon eggs are the trout's main diet.
From March through September caddis hatches can be large
with the high point being in April - May when the hatches
can be so incredible that they cover large portions of the
river surface. In between hatches, nymphing the riffles are
very productive. In fall and winter, trout gorge on the eggs
of spawning salmon.
A # 5 or # 6 weight
rod is recommended with floating line. We usually run indicators
when we are drifting, and we swing the riffles.
Drift fishing
the upper Sacrament River Is a must if you are fishing
Northern California. Don't miss it.
