Nor Cal Fly Guides
Lower Sacramento River
Nor Cal Fly Guides
The Lower Sacramento River is a world-class tailwater known for trophy rainbows
The Lower Sacramento River is a huge tailwater fishery, fed by cold, consistent water released from the depths of Shasta Lake. Because of this, water temperatures remain remarkably stable year-round, creating one of the most reliable trout environments on the entire West Coast. This stability fuels one thing above all else—growth
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Lower Sacramento River Fly Fishing
Redding to Verona, California
Wild Rainbow Trout • Steelhead • Salmon • Stripers • Shad
Booking in advance is recommended
If you’ve ever driven over the Lower Sacramento River—or even stood on its banks—you already know how overwhelming it can feel. The river is massive. The flows are powerful. The water seems endless. For many anglers, that sheer size alone makes the Lower Sac intimidating. And that is exactly why having a knowledgeable Lower Sacramento River fly fishing guide makes all the difference.
A great guide doesn’t just put you on fish for the day. A great guide teaches you the river—where you can safely access by foot, where the productive launch sites are for boats, how the insect life shifts throughout the year, which flies to use and when, and most importantly, how to tie all of it together so you can be successful on your own. That’s what turns one great trip into a lifetime fishery.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
A River Built Like No Other
The structure of the Lower Sacramento River is just as impressive as the fish that live in it. It is made up of long, spring-creek-like glides that stretch farther than the eye can see, then suddenly break into islands, deep pools, endless riffles, wide gravel bars, sweeping flats, undulating shelves, and massive bedrock formations carved by relentless flow. Much of this structure becomes even more dramatic during lower flows, revealing hidden seams, shelves, and walking-speed trout water that simply doesn’t exist during high summer releases. Learning how this river changes with the seasons is one of the most rewarding puzzles when fly fishing the Lower Sacramento River.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
How We Fish the Lower Sac – Drift, Wade & Spey
Because of summer snowmelt, the highest flows on the Lower Sacramento occur during the warmest months. During this time, drift boat fishing becomes the safest, most efficient way to cover water and target large numbers of aggressive trout. While walk-and-wade fishing can still be done during higher flows, it is strongly advised to stay close to the banks and wade with extreme caution. The absolute best time of year for walk-and-wade fly fishing on the Lower Sac is fall, winter, and early spring. During these months, snowmelt is minimal and rainfall goes primarily into filling Shasta Lake rather than pushing down the river. This is when the river drops into beautiful, wadable flows and reveals its hidden structure—those deep pools, soft seams, and bucket water that you simply cannot touch in summer. Either way, the Lower Sac demands respect. Please wade with caution at all times.
Public access on the Lower Sac is excellent, with more boat launches than you could count and numerous public parks and access points along the river—especially through the sixteen-mile stretch between Redding and Anderson, where the river flows almost parallel with Interstate 5.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
How We Fish the Lower Sac – Drift, Wade & Spey
Because of summer snowmelt, the highest flows on the Lower Sacramento occur during the warmest months. During this time, drift boat fishing becomes the safest, most efficient way to cover water and target large numbers of aggressive trout. While walk-and-wade fishing can still be done during higher flows, it is strongly advised to stay close to the banks and wade with extreme caution. The absolute best time of year for walk-and-wade fly fishing on the Lower Sac is fall, winter, and early spring. During these months, snowmelt is minimal and rainfall goes primarily into filling Shasta Lake rather than pushing the river. This is when the river drops into beautiful, wadable flows and reveals its hidden structure—those deep pools, soft seams, and bucket water that you simply cannot touch in summer. Either way, the Lower Sac demands respect. Please wade with caution at all times.
Public access on the Lower Sac is excellent, with more boat launches than you could count and numerous public parks and access points along the river—especially through the sixteen-mile stretch between Redding and Anderson, where the river flows almost parallel with Interstate 5.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
A True Year-Round Fly Fishery
The Lower Sacramento River is not a “seasonal” fishery. It is a true year-round fly fishing destination. No matter the month, no matter the hatch, no matter the conditions—there is always something to target here. Massive rainbows feeding with intent. Steelhead pushing upriver. Salmon staging in deep slots. Shad pouring through in early summer. Stripers lurking in the lower reaches. It is one of the only rivers in the West that truly has something happening every single month of the year.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
A True Year-Round Fly Fishery
The Lower Sacramento River is not a “seasonal” fishery. It is a true year-round fly fishing destination. No matter the month, no matter the hatch, no matter the conditions—there is always something to target here. Massive rainbows feeding with intent. Steelhead pushing upriver. Salmon staging in deep slow pools. Shad pouring through in early summer. Stripers lurking in the lower reaches. It is one of the only rivers in the West that truly has something happening every single month of the year.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
More Than Just Trout
As if being one of the best trout fisheries on the West Coast wasn’t enough, the Lower Sacramento River also hosts steelhead and five distinct runs of Chinook salmon—Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Late Fall. Yes, five. The Lower Sac is the only river in the world that can make that claim, and it flows right through the heart of Northern California.
Beyond that, the river also supports:
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American shad
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White sturgeon
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Striped bass
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Largemouth bass
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Smallmouth bass
Spotted Bass
These other species become increasingly abundant the farther downstream you travel from Shasta Lake, giving this river one of the most diverse fish populations in the entire state
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Now Offering Trout Spey, Striper & Shad Trips
As of March 2024, Nor Cal Fly Guides officially expanded our Lower Sacramento River trips to include:
Trout Spey Trips
Striper Trips
Shad Trips
And any adventure that requires the aid of our jet boat
On March 12, 2024, Captain Brian successfully passed the USCG Captain’s License and is now fully licensed to guide legally on all navigable waterways with a motor. This officially opens the Sacramento River system from Keswick Dam all the way to the ocean. While the entire river is now accessible, our primary focus will remain between Redding and Verona, where the core trout, steelhead, striper, and shad opportunities are at their best.
This upgrade dramatically expands what we can offer on the Lower Sac—and unlocks new water that most anglers never get to experience.
Begin Your Adventure today
Book Your Lower Sacramento River Fly Fishing Trip with Nor Cal Fly Guides
If you’re ready to experience one of the most powerful, productive, and iconic trout rivers in the world. Come feel what real West Coast big-water fly fishing is all about the Lower Sacramento is waiting.