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It's the time of the year when the sun is shining and the fish
are biting. As you take time to become enthralled in the view of the Upper
Sacramento River as it flows downstream from Box Canyon Dam to Lake Shasta,
there is little reason to doubt its reputation as one of the premier wild trout
streams in California. The trees that sit along the bank of the Upper
Sacramento River as it flows under the Mt. Shasta captures not only its beauty,
but provides easy access to quality fishing for the avid angler.
Originally only the lower 14 miles of the Upper Sacramento
River were open for catch-and-release wild trout fishing, but since 1994, the
entire river is open to the catch-and-release fishing except for a six mile
area around the town of Dunsmuir. Even for the non-angler, the river is a
remarkable sight with the abundance of rainbow trout and scattering of brown
trout that are there for your fishing pleasure. The wild trout fishing is
tremendous and gives fly anglers some challenges in both nymph fishing and
outstanding hatches.
One of the best Fishing areas
As additional added beauty and significance, the Upper
Sacramento River flows within the boundaries of the Shasta-Trinity national
Forest and has a reputation as one of the best "fisheries" of the West. One
would think that the Upper Sacramento River would be an area of abundant
fishing with its 40 miles of water consisting of over fifteen freeway exits in
addition to railroad tracks that run alongside the entire length of the river,
but strangely enough, even a ten minute walk along any section of the railroad
tracks will allow you to venture upon fishing areas that remain untouched for
most of the year.
Fly Fishing
The Upper Sacramento River has a variety of ripples, runs,
pocket water, small holes, huge pools and undercuts that make it an excellent
candidate for freestone fishing. It is fishing in perfection with its
opportunities that allow anglers to fish dry flies, several types of nymphing
techniques, and even streamers all in one's day's fishing. The Upper Sacramento
River is the trout angler's delight, where rainbows dominate the rippling
waters of the river where they live healthy, wild and native. Don't expect them
to come willing, either; they are packed full of fight and can be seen bounding
quickly into the air at the first prick of a fly in their lip.
Though you might think of visiting to enjoy the sound of
rippling waves and flowing waters, Upper Sacramento River is usually abounding
with water from melting snow until late spring. Although some fishing may be
possible during that time, there really is very little focus on fishing until
late May or early June. Summer will also show early hatches of yellow and gold
stoneflies, a variety of caddis and mayflies, and possibly some March Browns as
well.
You might also enjoy a nice wade into the Upper Sacramento
River during the hot summer months With the appearance of midge flies in mid
summer through the fall, one sees the river as a giant midge fishery. Later one
can see the Caddis and blue-winged olives hatch. As the cold winds of winter
begin to arrive, anglers still fish the river but with dry flies and nymphs.
Guided Tours
For a different turn of events, if you're interested in guided
fishing, The Fly Shop (in Redding) offers guided fishing tours all
year for anglers. You will have eight to ten hours of guided fishing that
includes lunch where you can fish your heart out for plenty of Rainbow and
Brown trout. They use barbless, artificial bait, and there is no limit to the
number of fish you are allow to catch. If you're fishing the Upper Sacramento
River for the first time, you definitely want to invest in one of these
fantastic tours and learn all you can about the area, the fish, and how to
attract the most fish.
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