Water Conditions: Flows are at 9,500 cfs. The fishing has been very good, especially on days when the wind isn't blowing. We did have some tough fishing on Wednesday, May 3 because they bumped the flows up to 13,000cfs and there were 20 mph winds, but yesterday the river fished well in spit of flows dropping throughout the day. There have been some good hatches of #14 PMDs, some little yellow stones, and even a few big salmonflies have also been seen buzzing around and crawling out on the bridges. We haven't seen as much dry fly action as we had in March, but the nymphing remains good most days. Also, the summer hydropsyche caddis have already begun to hatch, providing some good action on tan caddis poopahs in the afternoon and some rising trout right at dusk.

Fishing Conditions & Hatches: ??We are seeing a few summertime caddis already starting to hatch in the evenings. Some PMDs, little yellow stones, Skwala stones, and even some Salmonflies are starting to crawl out on the bridge pilings. Our guides have even been catching fish on big rubberlegs stoneflies!

Flies: ??Top flies lately: #12 Micro Spawn (Oregon Cheese) #16 Bead Head Amber Wing Prince Nymph #14-16 tan/cinnamon Fox's Poopah (beaded and non-beaded #16 King Prince #16-18 Micro Mayfly (Black, Brown) #14-16 Iron Sally #14-16 Mercer's Poxyback PMD.#8 Rubberlegs Stonefly

The Fly Shop's Tips: ??Our guides have fished this river for years...decades actually. We're on this river EVERY DAY that it is fishable, from 35,000 cfs to 3,500 cfs, from rain, snow and sleet to 115 degrees. The Fly Shop's guides wrote the book on nymph fishing the Lower Sacramento River. We've been fishing this section of river for over 25 years now!! During that time, we've found that the best technique, by far, is slack-line nymphing with a strike indicator. Long, natural, drag-free drifts are essential. Please take special care not to fish on or around spawning trout. A great rule of thumb for the Lower Sac is if you can see them you shouldn't be fishing for them. At least for the spring. Common courtesy at times is the only vehicle for education. Be a good ambassador for the river and set an example of politeness.