August has been hot… but so has the fishing!

The fly fishing on the Lower Sacramento River has been on fire this month. I have always maintained that late July & August are two of the most underrated months to fish the Lower Sac. In fact, I would dare say that there’s no better time of year to consistently get into the Biggest and Baddest wild rainbow trout this river produces. The trout are well fed, in shape and the caddis hatches we get a this time of year lead to some aggressive feeding.

Yeah, it’s hot out here… but that’s on us… the river conditions for these trout are ideal. If you can handle or even embrace the heat - the solid fishing can more than make up for the slight discomfort. *Pro tip… It’s actually a lot cooler on the river!

The Lower Sac is a mega-large tailwater system fed by many spring-fed creeks and freestone rivers that flow from the mountains above. This river flows out of one of the West’s 8th largest dams on the massive Shasta Lake. With a river water temp around 53-57 degrees (the upper section) floating from a drift boat can be like sitting by a swamp cooler (if there is any breeze). There is always the wet wading strategy to cool off as well… bet you can’t last for more than 15 minutes in this cold water!

Furthermore, I try and promote the Half & Half strategy. Fish an evening half-day on day #1 (like 4-9pm) and a morning half day on day #2 (8-1pm). By focusing our fishing efforts earlier and later in the day we avoid the peak heat temps and often slowest fishing period… which is typically 3-5pm.

The Half & Half is good concept for our summer fishing on the Lower Sac as well as any walk & wade river around here during the summer months (the Pit, USac, McCloud, Hat Creek, etc). The other thing to consider is the rates savings. By booking half days instead of full days you save money (compare it in my rates). That savings can cover your hotel room for the one night you are in town.

Drive up and arrive in the late afternoon - fish the PM session… stay one night… then fish early the next day and you’re on the road home by lunchtime. Give the Half & Half a try next July and August.