Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3814 June 21- July 5 2019 | Page 18

16 June 21 - July 5, 2019 GONE FISHING and abundant insects attract fly anglers from all over the world. The short stretch of river from the Scarlett Way Bridge to the County Bridge at Sweetbriar is the only section of the river planted with catchable trout and it’s this area where standard regula- tions are in effect. This means that you can keep five trout in the area and you can employ both bait and barbed hooks. This is the stretch that attracts most of the anglers armed with spinning gear, since they generally like to harvest a few fish for the table. Annually this stretch of the river is stocked with trout ranging up to 8 pounds, so you always run the chance of hooking into a jumbo rainbow. Away from the town of Dunsmuir, wild rainbows average 12 to 20 inches in length and have a well-earned reputa- tion for putting on impressive airborne displays when hooked. FRESHWATER VOL.38 • ISS. 14 continued from page 1 In the spring and early summer the top tactic is drifting either mayfly or stonefly nymphs. Some anglers score well while drifting two nymph leaders under an indicator. Depending on the conditions it’s not uncommon to see some afternoon surface activity in the spring and early summer. Caddis flies and bluewing olives will likely show on warm days and by June hatches of golden stones typically kick into gear. the upper section. The Sacramento River from the town of Redding down- stream for a distance of 30 plus miles is one of the west’s The Lower Sacramento premier The upper reaches of the lower Sacra- tailwater mento River below Shasta Dam is much trout different than the upper river above the fisheries Above Lake Shasta, the Sacramento River is a free stone fishery that lake. Not only is this section of river boasting big features big bug hatches and incredible rainbow trout fishing. Photo courtesy of THE FLY SHOP, Redding. much larger, having combined with the broad shoul- waters of the McCloud River and Pit dered wild River, it also boasts more and larger rainbows that average 14 to 16 inches and range up to 24 inches or more. trout Despite the outstanding trout fishing than the Sacramento provides the river has maintained a sleeper status, with a distinct Trout ~ Kokanee ~ Salmon ~ Shad minority of the trout fishing community being aware of the river’s prowess as a producer of trophy rainbows. OFFICIAL SPONSOR Since the Sacramento is one of the state’s largest rivers, combined with the fact that most trout anglers have a real zest for 18 Proven 240 different size/ Kokanee/Trout Dodgers! colorful wild rainbows, particularly wild color combinations! ‘bows that grow large, it’s legitimate to ask why the lower river remains under the radar of so many trout anglers. After all, the upper river is widely known for the excellent fishing it offers? A factor that maintains the river’s “sleeper status” is that the incredible trout 4 All Natural fishing the lower river offers is a fairly Scents... new development. 82 YEARS of Catching Kokanee, TROUT & KOKANEE With Sacramento River salmon numbers Trout, Salmon & Shad 100% Made in the USA declining in the ‘90’s the DFW took action. Believing that salmon production would be Without a DICK NITE... better if the water in the Sacramento below The rainbows that reside in the upper reaches of the Lower Sacramento offer You’re Not Fishin’ Right! excellent action for both fly and conventional tackle anglers. Shasta Dam was colder and more consis- www.dicknite.com • [email protected] Photo courtesy of MIKE BOGUE’S GUIDE SERVICE, Redding. tent in temperature, a temperature control device was installed at Shasta Dam. The Powered by Clean, Quiet, Dependable Honda 4 Stoke result is that the river below the dam now Outboards. Now available in 2 hp. to 250 hp. 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Most anglers utilize fly gear when fishing the lower Sacramento, but spinning tackle can be used too. GREGOR 15’ & 17’ TALON Trade-Ins Are GREGOR 17’ & 20’ OSPREY Since the river’s wild rainbows spend Welcomed. Call most of their time gobbling aquatic nymphs and salmon eggs, fly guys spend Now For Details. their time drifting multiple fly leaders sporting both nymphs and egg imitations beneath strike indicators. The spin fishing fraternity tempts reaction strikes from the trout with both small plugs and spoons, but the WE MAKE IT WORTH THE DRIVE WE MAKE IT WORTH THE DRIVE best action is had by anglers dead drifting with glow bug flies, For optimum performance and safety, salmon eggs and chunks of read the Owner’s Manual before operating your Honda Marine Product. salmon roe. 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