Upper Sacramento RiverFishing report · river in California
A beautiful pocket-water freestone river with over 35 miles of public access along I-5.
River flow last 30 days
What's working on Upper Sacramento River
- 01The Upper Sacramento River is at a moderate flow of 205 cfs.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are the main hatch, especially on overcast days.
- 03October Caddis are also a significant fall hatch, attracting larger trout.
- 04Midge activity remains consistent subsurface.
- 05Target slower seams, deep pockets, and pool tails.
- 06Consider a dry-dropper rig for selective BWO feeders or streamers for deeper holding fish.
Past reports week by week
8 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Woolly Bugger
A classic streamer for imitating leeches and baitfish, excellent for covering water and provoking aggressive strikes from larger trout in cooling water.
Buy at AmazonSoft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
A versatile subsurface fly mimicking caddis pupa and emergers, effective when swung through oxygenated runs.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is peak egg season for trout below spawning salmon or resident trout, providing an opportunistic and high-protein meal.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
A year-round staple, particularly effective in cooler fall waters as midges remain a primary food source subsurface.
Buy at AmazonTravis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
Crucial for fall BWO hatches when trout are keying in on emergers in the film; the high-visibility post aids in spotting subtle takes.
October Caddis (Dry)
Matches the largest caddis hatch of the year in many western rivers, enticing aggressive strikes from larger trout.
Buy at AmazonBaby Brown Trout (Streamer)
Specifically targets aggressive brown trout, which become more predatory in fall as they prepare for spawning.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Fall BWO hatches are critical, especially on overcast days like today. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout keying on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Castella Access
A beautiful canyon stretch that requires a bit of hiking but rewards anglers with wild trout and fewer crowds.
Dunsmuir City Park
A classic fly fishing park with easy wading and consistent nymphing through several deep pools.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Ted Fay Fly Shop
Get Upper Sacramento River reports by email
Every Thursday: conditions, hatches and what's working across California, with Upper Sacramento River at the top.
California season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Upper Sacramento River.
What flies work best on Upper Sacramento River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Upper Sacramento River right now are Woolly Bugger (80% confidence), Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Upper Sacramento River?
Upper Sacramento River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Upper Sacramento River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Upper Sacramento River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Upper Sacramento River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Upper Sacramento River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.