July 5th Lower Sacramento River Trout Report

Lower Sacramento River Fishing Report – Summer Trout Fly Fishing

The Lower Sacramento River continued to fish well overall last week, with a few standout days that reminded us why summer is one of our favorite times for Lower Sacramento River fly fishing. The Bureau of Reclamation increased flows to 13,000 cfs, but they did so with their usual series of flow bumps and drops, which threw the insect hatches off a bit. Even so, the Sacramento River trout stayed active, and we enjoyed a steady bite from sunup to sundown, with plenty of quality rainbow trout finding the net.

This week, we downsized our flies and moved away from being overly hatch-specific with our fly selection. One day, we committed to fishing shallow water from start to finish and were rewarded with some outstanding fish while putting our casting skills to the test—reach casts, aerial mends, and lift-and-sweep mends. It's an incredibly fun style of California trout fly fishing and a great reminder that precise presentations still matter, even on one of the West's most productive tailwaters.

We also had the opportunity to visit with several fisheries biologists on the river, and they're still seeing winter-run Chinook salmon on the redds. That's encouraging news for the health of the river and a great sign for what should be an excellent fall season. If you haven't booked your Lower Sacramento River fall fly fishing trip yet, now is the time. We'd hate for you to miss one of the best egg bites of the year.

If you're looking to experience some of the best summer trout fishing in Northern California, our July and August summer special is the perfect opportunity. The river is fishing well, the weather is beautiful, and we're seeing some of the biggest trout we've landed in the past two years. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to guided fly fishing on the Lower Sacramento River, we'd love to get you on the water.