December 29, 2011 – 11:00 pm 
One could make a case that winter is the most interesting season to fly fish the Upper Sacramento River. This season has been especially so. Flows have been exceptionally low and clear, less than half the norm, much like one might expect at the end of a very dry summer. The clear cold weather also has offered little in insect activity, the Blue Wing Olives we hope for this time of year have been particularly absent. Catch rates as a result have not been high. On the other hand this is the time of year when the largest fish of the season find their way into our nets.
In any season a wild fish over twenty inches on the Upper Sac is a true prize. We have some years where from spring through fall we find few if any. This summer and fall we luckily found some, while in winter they show up with some regularity, so skilled local anglers fishing a few days a week can come to expect a couple each winter.
Just yesterday on an afternoon foray, I spotted the largest Rainbow I’ve seen all year, about two feet long, and as I began to prepare to cast to it, another even larger fish moved alongside. Often a few casts are all I might get before spooking these wary creatures and luckily I hooked one of them on my first cast. Unfortunately my excitement couldn’t be contained and I broke it off almost immediately. This happens on occasion, once is always one time too many, so I try to avoid it. I checked the tippet and the 5X was broken a few inches up from where the size 18 fly was missing, which eased my worry that a faulty knot was the cause.
The current storm front that is moving through will hopefully create some bug activity, color up the water and ease the game without unduly disrupting the flows. I hope so, because these fish could provide some interesting fishing in the coming weeks.
December 22, 2011 – 4:38 pm 
20% Discount on Holiday Gift Certificates, 2012 Guide dates for only $315
Happy Holidays! We would like to thank you for helping to make 2011 far and away our most successful season ever, particularly during these challenging times. As a token of our appreciation we are offering a holiday special. Gift certificates can be purchased for a 20% discount.
We hope this might be the perfect gift this holiday for you, a family member or fly fishing friend. Guide rates for 2012 are $395 so this holiday special means a savings of $80. This offer includes available dates in 2012 for float adventures on the Lower Sac, Klamath, Trinity or Fall Rivers along with walk and wade trips on the McCloud, Upper Sac, Pit Rivers or Hat Creek.
This special offer ends December 31st so drop us a line or simply use the Pay Pal link below to charge a gift on your credit card.
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December 22, 2011 – 4:32 pm 
December 2011
Steelhead fly fishing on the Klamath River this month continues to be exceptional with fair weather in Northern California and perfect water conditions. Fresh fish continue to trickle in sparking the bite, despite the lack of weather. All of our guests have enjoyed multiple fish days, including several adult fish showing in the net each day. Fishing pressure has been very light, including many days when we’ve had the place to ourselves. While the grab has been best for the typical small adults in the 16-22 inch range, a few larger fish are most often hooked each day if not always landed. Trout sized half-pounders continue to provide nearly constant action in between bouts with their larger relatives.
While those committed to swinging flies continue to enjoy some success, water temps in the upper 30′s and lower 40′s means nymphing has out produced swinging by a noticeable margin. Swinging small leeches and dark classic wets slowly on sinking lines on a warm sunny day can be relaxing and truly enjoyable when the grabs come. The fish have tended to be podded up, so where we find one, we often find it worthwhile to make another pass.
Nymphing anglers are finding fish on most every fly imaginable. Rubberlegs and eggs continue to produce as well as a host of nymphs including Prince Nymphs, Copper Johns, Birdsnests, Fox Poopahs, Pheasant Tails and Micromays in sizes large to small. Be sure to fish heavy wire hooks as the occasional brute will often open the bend on trout sized irons.
The National Weather Service Forecast is calling for more sunshine with a slight chance of showers and rain next week which hopefully will get even more fish on the grab! Flows below Irongate Dam dropped from 1280 to 1040 cfs on December 17th, further concentrating the steelies making them easier to target. It is best to be familiar with a drift at these flows as this is about the lowest optimum flow for fishing, but can leave unsuspecting boaters stranded in the shallows or perched on rocks midstream.
While mornings and evenings have been cool, afternoons have been unseasonably warm and comfortable, requiring a second application of sunscreen. No need to get an early start as the action picks up as the sun hits the water and slows as the sun disappears over the horizon. Not often that we enjoy sunburns with steelhead this time of year, we recommend you get here now. Drop us a line for the latest conditions or if you are seeking guide service schedule one of our fine local guides who spend more time individually on the Klamath River than our competitor’s guides spend collectively.
December 15, 2011 – 11:13 pm 
Klamath River
December 9, 2011
Three good friends, Sean, Riaz & Thad took a whirlwind guided steelhead tour, traveling from the Bay Area and fishing the Trinity, Rogue and Klamath over a long weekend getaway. They opted to enjoy each other’s company in one boat with guide Craig Nielsen, and managed it exceptionally well. They all caught fish and Thad came up big on the Klamath landing a chunky colorful buck on the afternoon of their last day. The fish put up a spirited battle but Thad was up to the challenge and landed the heavy brute after a lengthy chase downriver. The fish had considerable length but the girth really set it apart as a Shasta Trout “Hawg of Fame” entry.
December 13, 2011 – 10:31 pm 
Lower Sacramento River
December 13, 2011
On his first visit with Shasta Trout on a guided trip with Craig, Larry decided to skip a second day of steelheading on the Klamath for a warm sunny day on the Lower Sacramento River chasing trophy trout. It also conveniently put him closer to his home for the drive back to the Bay Area. He asked how the river had been fishing and Craig said we’ve not seen a lot of numbers but we’ve found some nice fish lately. It turned out to be a very good decision as Larry landed a fish of a lifetime in the very first run of the day. Yesterday’s fishing report that mentioned, “This is the place and time of year when a trophy can find it’s way into your net,” came true for Larry, as this was easily his largest trout ever, and gained him entry into Shasta Trout’s “Hawg of Fame!”
December 11, 2011 – 11:05 pm 
Great local guides, Gabe Duran, George Durand, Kevin Price and Anthony Carruesco, featured by Shasta Trout, have hosted a number of guests recently on the Lower Sacramento River.
Guides report that the Lower Sac is fishing well, depending on where you are. Most guides have been targeting the lower floats from Anderson to Jelly’s Ferry recently and the bite down there has been consistently good from early morning until late afternoon. The grab has been turning off later in the afternoon and evening. Multiple hookups on these lower drifts have been common as of late. The trout down there are a generally smaller (10″-16″) on average than up river but we usually find a few trophy Rainbows over 18″, along with an occasional steelhead or two.
Rubberlegs and various mayflies have been the featured items on the menu while a few fish are still coming on eggs. When the wind has laid down in the afternoon, and particularly when there has been some cloud cover, we have enjoyed some action on the flats with fish up top eating Blue Wing Olive dries. Several guests have experienced outstanding fishing and though this can be a rewarding experience, it sometimes can be technical and challenging.
The upper floats from Redding to Anderson have been slower, particularly in the morning. We’ve found a few on Rubberlegs and eggs until the afternoon when the hatches get going and the fishing has been picking up. Most fish have come on smaller nymphs including Birdsnets and Fox Poopahs along with small and tiny mayfly patterns. Flows out of Keswick have dropped to 5,000 cfs which concentrates the holding water. This is the place and time of year when a trophy can find it’s way into your net.
This is also one of the warmest winter venues in the Northstate and the weather forecast is calling for more fair weather with a small squall and a chance of showers midweek. The forecast is also calling for calm to light winds. We hope you enjoy Anthony’s pictures from some of his recent trips contained in this report. More trip pics can be found on the Shasta Trout Flickr site by simply clicking here or on any picture in this post. We recommend you take a break from your holiday shopping and treat yourself to an enjoyable day drifting the Lower Sac with one of our fantastic local guides. Drop us a line to schedule a relaxing adventure.
December 11, 2011 – 12:30 pm 
Click here to read CalTrout’s North Coast manager Darren Mierau’s insightful piece on the Trinity’s recent history and (maybe) comeback.
The Trinity River is enjoying a renaissance with California’s steelhead fishermen, and while steelhead populations seem to be prospering, salmon populations remain a bigger question.
Cal Trout Trinity River photo of our good friend Shanan Rosenberg casting, courtesy of Craig Nielsen, Shasta Trout.