| Equipment Checklist for
your Upper Sacramento River Guided trip
- 5 or 6 weight fly rods,
8 1⁄2 - 9 1⁄2 feet long
We spend a lot of time high-stick nymphing the pocket water and
deeper pools of the Upper Sac, oftentimes casting heavily weighted
flies or split shot weights, making 5 or 6 weight fly rods ideal.
4 weight rods work great for casting dries during an evening hatch,
but don’t quite get the job done when nymphing, while 5-6
weight rods offer the flexibility to cast both nymphs and dries,
and handle big trout in heavy freestone currents.
- Reels should have a good
drag system and be equipped with a floating fly line. Trout
on the Upper Sacramento average 10-12 inches, but fish from 18-22
inches are not uncommon. Even the smaller trout are wild and powerful,
but the bigger fish can be real tackle busters.
- Every angler needs to have a current California
fishing license.
- Waders are recommended
most of the year; felt or studded boots are a necessity, while
a wading staff is also recommended. The Upper Sac is a rigorous
mountain freestone stream. While it is not as difficult to wade
as the Pit or McCloud Rivers, we do recommend that you come prepared
for the slick boulders and slippery granite slabs of the river,
which make felt or studded wading boots a must. During the hot
summer months, water temperatures are comfortable for wet wading,
but waders are important for fishing during the fall, winter,
and spring. The Fly Shop does not rent waders or boots.
Miscellaneous Tackle Suggestions:
Other items to consider bringing are:
*Hat *Sunscreen *Polarized Sunglasses *Clippers/ Hemostats
*Camera *Wading Staff *Layered clothing system, including rain gear
(seasonal)
Upper Sacramento River Flies:
The most productive flies for
fishing on the Upper Sacramento can change throughout the season,
and sometimes what works one year doesn’t work as well the
next. Listed below are some general fly pattern suggestions, based
on a few of the fly patterns that have worked consistently over
the years. For the most up-to-date fly suggestions, give us a call
at The Fly Shop at 800-669-3474. The guides will also likely recommend
some flies in the morning before your trip, based on what’s
been working for them.
The Upper Sacramento has some
great seasonal opportunities for both dry fly fishing and nymphing.
You should come to the river prepared to fish both styles, with
well-stocked nymph boxes and a handful of different dry fly patterns.
NYMPHS
#14-18 B.H. Prince Nymph (std. or Amber wing)
#8 -14 Mercer’s Poxyback Golden Stone Nymph
#14 -18 Copper John (Red and Original)
#14-16 Z-Wing Caddis Pupa-Green (with and w/out B.H.)
#14 Fox’s Poopah. ( Tan and Olive/with and without B.H.)
#6 Superfloss Rubberlegs (Brown/Black)
#16-18 B.H. Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
#14-18 B.H. Micro Mayfly Nymph (Olive, Brown, Black)
#16-18 Hogan’s S&M Nymph
#14 -16 Bird Nest (with and without B.H)
#18 Black, Olive, or Red Midges
#8-10 October Caddis Pupa or Emergers
DRIES
#16-18 Elk Hair Caddis (Olive & Black)
#16 Cutter’s E/C Caddis Emerger
#16-18 Parachute Adams
#16 BWO Imitations
#8 Golden Stonefly
#6 Salmonfly Dry
#8-14 Stimulators
#16 Yellow Sally Dry
#14-18 Yellow Humpy
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