Upper Sacramento River
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.
Soft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
A versatile subsurface fly mimicking caddis pupa and emergers, effective when swung through oxygenated runs.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) 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 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.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A classic streamer for imitating leeches and baitfish, excellent for covering water and provoking aggressive strikes from larger trout in cooling water.
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.
Where 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
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
California season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
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 Stimulator (Yellow) (80% confidence), Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs (80% confidence), Elk Hair Caddis (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.