FISHABLE
Friendly flows around 600 CFS with excellent clarity. Big rainbows being landed. Predominantly a nymphing game but hatches happening on mild afternoons.Upper Sacramento River
Current Hatch Activity
Midges in the morning transitioning to BWOs (#18-20) and early small stones on mild afternoons. Some caddis and March Browns starting to appear. Predominantly a nymphing game—Zebra Midges (#18-20), Red Copper John (#16-18), and Rubber Legs (#6-8) producing well. Rainbows beginning to spawn; watch for and avoid redds.
FISHABLE
Nymph rig: Pat's Rubber Legs (#6-8) with Zebra Midge (#18-20) or Red Copper John (#16-18) dropper. BWO dries (#18) on sunny afternoons.
Quick Reference
200-500 CFS ideal for wade fishing. Above 2,000 CFS becomes difficult. Spring runoff can push flows to 7,000+ CFS and make river unfishable.
48-60°F optimal. Spring-fed tributaries keep water cold. Wild rainbows thrive in these temperatures.
Mix of tailwater, freestone, and spring-fed characteristics over 35 miles near Dunsmuir. Spring runoff can blow it out, but typically clears faster than pure freestones.
Exceptional clarity in low-flow periods. Excellent visibility at 300 CFS or below. Runoff brings turbidity but clears relatively quickly.
What "Fishable" Means Here
Wild rainbow trout fishery supporting quality fish in cold, clean water. Fishable when flows drop below 2,000 CFS with reasonable visibility. The stretch around Dunsmuir is particularly productive.
Seasonal Patterns
spring
March through May can see high flows from snowmelt. When fishable, stonefly hatches provide excellent action. Check flows carefully before planning trips.
summer
June through September is prime time. Caddis, PMDs, and Golden Stones produce well. The river clears and stabilizes. Fish early and late to avoid afternoon heat.
fall
October through November offers excellent fishing with low, clear water. October caddis and BWOs provide consistent hatches. Less crowded than summer.
winter
December through February features low, wadeable flows around 400-600 CFS. Midges and small BWOs on sunny afternoons. Wild rainbows remain active and some big fish are landed. Pressure is light. Watch for spawning redds in February-March.
Alerts
Alternative Waters
McCloud River
Nearby spring creek with exceptional wild trout fishingLower Sacramento River
Larger water downstream when upper is blown outRiver Intel Weekly
Weekly flow updates and fishing intel.
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