Upper Sacramento River

Fishing the Upper Sacramento River

Between 30 minutes to an hour drive north of Redding, the Upper Sacramento River begins below Lake Siskiyou on the south/west side of mighty Mt. Shasta, a 14,000 ft volcano and part of the southern Cascade Range. This freestone river flows south through the town of Dunsmuir and along I-5 and Union Pacific Rail Road until it spills into massive Shasta Lake about 35 miles downriver from its headwaters.

The Upper Sac is one of the best rivers in this region for escaping crowds while hiking into remote sections of the Shasta-Trinity Forest to fish for wild rainbow trout and occasional big wild browns. The Upper Sac is open to fishing all year long (C & R) and can be a great walk & wade river option during the winter and early spring, especially in mild winters.

The river boasts lots of fishy water: deep pools, moderate wadeable runs, riffles and it’s known for abundant pocket water sections. It’s very similar to the McCloud River in the upper reaches with giant green elephant ears overgrowing the banks and shady ferns along with stands of pine, fir, various oaks and cedar along the canyon walls.

The Upper Sac is known for the same deep nymphing techniques that are often utilized on the nearby McCloud River and Pit River. The river will also provide great dry fly fishing opportunities especially in the early summer months when the salmonfly, golden stones, little yellow stones, and mayflies such as pmd’s & drakes get active. If I carried two rods while fishing the U Sac one would be a dry/dropper rod (versatile) and the other would be set up for tight-line indicatorless fishing.

The water on the Upper Sac is much clearer compared to the McCloud and Pit Rivers; we often spot monster trout lurking from high perches or while walking along trails above the river… a team approach with a spot & stalk can be a lot of fun.

For more information on fishing the Upper Sac and accommodations please email or call me. I recommend visitors support one of the local motels, cabin/home rentals along the river or B&B’s in the Towns of Dunsmuir (closest), Mt Shasta or McCloud. Local fly shop is the Ted Fay Fly Shop in downtown Dunsmuir. We regularly drive up from Redding to fish the Upper Sac for the day; driving time is between 30-60 minutes depending on where we fish.