18 Sept 25, 2020 VOL.39 • ISS. 20
The Lower Sacramento:
Big ‘Bows & Bonus
Steelhead!
By Cal Kellogg
FRESHWATER
Catch & Release Fishing!
Hook More & Bigger Fish With Flies...
Sponsored by Kiene’s Fly Shop
916-483-1222 • www.Kienesflyshop.com 9550 Micron Ave. Suite B • Sacramento, CA
The upper reaches of the lower Sacramento River below Shasta Dam is
much different than the upper river above the lake. Not only is this section
of river much larger, having combined with the waters of the McCloud River
and Pit River, it also boasts more and larger trout than the upper section.
The Sacramento River from the town of Redding downstream for a distance
of 30 plus miles is one of the west’s premier tailwater trout fisheries boasting
big broad shouldered wild rainbows that average 14 to 16 inches and range
up to 24 inches or more.
Despite the outstanding trout fishing the Sacramento provides the river
has maintained a sleeper status, with a distinct minority of the trout fishing
community being aware of the river’s prowess as a producer of trophy
rainbows.
Since the Sacramento is one of the state’s largest rivers, combined with the
fact that most trout anglers have a real zest for colorful wild rainbows, particularly
wild ‘bows that grow large, it’s legitimate to ask why the lower river
remains under the radar of so many trout anglers. After all, the upper river is
widely known for the excellent fishing it offers?
A factor that maintains the river’s “sleeper status” is that the incredible trout
fishing the lower river offers is a fairly new development.
With Sacramento River salmon numbers declining in the ‘90’s the DFW
took action. Believing that salmon production would be better if the water
in the Sacramento below Shasta Dam was colder and more consistent in
temperature, a temperature control device was installed at Shasta Dam. The
result is that the river below the dam now maintains an average temperature
of 56 degrees all year long.
The manipulation of the water temperature helped salmon production, but
also proved to be a boon for both the Sacramento’s trout and the aquatic
insects they feed upon. Current estimates assert that the river bed now
sustains a population of 2,500 insects per square foot.
With the availability of all these insects combined with the roe from
salmon, suckers and other fish it is little wonder that the Sacramento’s trout
are so fat and healthy. The year around temperature consistency of the river is
the so called “icing on the cake” when it comes to the size of the fish.
Most anglers utilize fly gear when fishing the lower Sacramento, but
spinning tackle can be used too.
Since the river’s wild rainbows spend most of their time gobbling aquatic
nymphs and salmon eggs, fly guys spend their time drifting multiple fly
leaders sporting both nymphs and egg imitations beneath strike indicators.
Except in the winter, the flows are generally too high for wade fishing so
drifting in some kind of watercraft is necessary. The river, particularly between
the Posse Grounds (put in) near downtown Redding and the Bonnieview Park
(take out), has so many drift boats competing for the best slots that going it
alone in a personal watercraft is extremely difficult. If you do it without a guide
you pretty much need to float that section in a two-man watercraft so one can
row while the other fishes.
The Lower Sac steelhead runs start in late September and run into February
of the following year. This early run happens for one specific reason, “the egg
drop” that results from spawning Salmon.
Every time you have salmon coming into the system you will usually find
steelhead and resident Rainbow Trout holding just downstream. The summer
run of Salmon and the winter run Salmon are the two largest fish runs seen on
the river. The colder months that range from November through February seem
to be the best for Steelhead and they sometimes outnumber the resident rainbow
trout population. Trying to identify them from the local natives is hard to do
even for the experience guides.
The winter is when big fish, both Steelhead and local Rainbows come out to
play. Salmon on redds draw large groups of hungry fish eager to eat and become
reckless in their feeding habit simply do to the fact they seem to be frantic to eat
as many eggs as possible.
Trout ~ Kokanee ~ Salmon ~ Shad
18 Proven
Kokanee/Trout Dodgers!
3705
OFFICIAL SPONSOR
240 different
size/color
combinations!
82 YEARS of Catching TROUT & KOKANEE
100% Made in the USA
Without a DICK NITE... You’re Not Fishin’ Right!
www.dicknite.com • fs@dicknite.com
FRESHWATER REPORTS:
CONTINUED FROM PG 17
REDDING/RED BLUFF cont.
Robert Weese of Northern California Guide
Service agreed with Bogue.
“The fishing was good today and it’s been really
good for the past 3 weeks or so. We have a slow
day now and then, but even on the slow days we
are getting some good fish,” said Weese.
Bogue has been getting most of his fish on plugs
up in the Redding area.
“I’ve been running wrapped Flatfish mainly,”
said Bogue. “I’ve been doing some trout fishing in
addition to the salmon fishing. The trout action has
been good. I’m running the Yakima Mag Lip 2.5’s
and the rainbows are smacking them.”
If you want to fish the Sacramento River, both
Robert Weese and Mike Bogue are top sticks when
it comes to putting anglers on big bad kings and
wild ‘bows. To book a trip with Weese of Northern
California Guide Service, give him a ring at (530)
755-7196. To arrange a trip with Mike Bogue of Mike
Bogue’s Guide Service reach out to Mike at (530) 246-
8457.
RIO VISTA
Mokelumne Black Bass Cooperate with
Tournament Anglers
RIO VISTA – Stacy Barawed, host of the YouTube
channel, “Stacy Goes Outside,” and her partner, Justin
Gaunt, won third place in the Folsom Bass Team
event out of B&W Resort on the Mokelumne River
on Saturday with a 10.82-pound limit. The limit was
anchored by Barawed’s big fish weighing 3.73 pounds
that she caught on a Z-Man chatterbait.
A mere .02 pounds separated the first and second
CONTINUED ON PG 19