Fishing Conditions
The last several weeks the fishing has been outstanding with several fish in the teens and a few over 20" to hand. We have seen dry fly fishing with March Browns and Brown Drakes that we usually only dream about. Flows are amazingly low for this time of year, making it very wadeable and fishable, particularly as anglers work upstream. This spring looks to be similar to last season which was our best in many years as conditions will allow us to fish during the biggest hatches of the season.


Hatches appear to be unfolding early this year as we've already seen the beginning of the Salmonfly, Goldenstones and March Browns this week, with the peak of the hatches and the big Mayflies of spring soon to follow. We'll also be seeing an abundance of smaller bugs, including PMD's and spring caddis in the coming weeks. The bite has been best on small caddis and mayflies nymphs with light midday hatches of March Browns and Brown Drakes getting the fish looking up. Big nymphs in sizes 4 to 10 have been productive particularly for the larger fish, though typically more fish come on the smaller offerings.


There are spawning wild Rainbows this time of year. If you spot fish in shallow water in groups or pairs enjoy the show but please avoid spooking or fishing to them as they are exceptionally vulnerable in the low water we are seeing this season.


Consider this your invitation to get here now and fish it soon and often this spring.Shasta Trout's local guides are intimate with the river as we spend more time on the Upper Sac each season individually than all our competitor's guides combined, just drop us a line so we might help you to enjoy the bounty!


Water Conditions
Flows bumped up to 900 cfs earlier this week but dropped back down to just above 400 cfs, with daily fluctuations related to air temps and passing storms. The norm for this time of year is 2,000 cfs and we typically don't see flows this low and fishable until the end of June for most seasons. Water clarity is outstanding and with water temps in the mid to upper forties expect fish to be taking well. With a snow pack well below the average and warm weather in the forecast we expect these great conditions to continue into the coming weeks when our biggest hatches of the year will peak.


Flies
Small nymphs produce more fish on average than the larger ones but the trophy fish have been taking the bigger flies. Fish Copper Johns, Micromays, Pheasant Tails, Iron Sallies and small caddis patterns in 14-18's in runs, slots, slicks and pocket water. Rubberlegs, Prince Nymphs, dark and golden stone imitations are increasingly finding fish. Expect to see improving hatches of the big bugs and increasing top water action in the weeks to come.