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Lower Sac

An angler with a wild trout caught near the Sundial Bridge
Guided Float Trips
$600 for 1-2 Anglers
  • Year-round
  • Drift Boat Trips

The Lower Sacramento River between Redding and Red Bluff is California´s premier wild trout fishery. It is one of the few destinations where anglers can expect to hook into 18+" fish on a regular basis. Clear, cold, consistent flows coming out of Lake Shasta provide excellent conditions for the aquatic insects that trout eat. The Lower Sac is open to fishing year round. The Confluence Outfitters guide team can get you hooked up with quality wild trout on the Lower Sac at any time of year!

Lower Sac guide trips usually start between 7am and 9am depending on arrangements made with your guide. Most of our Lower Sac guide trips are drift boat trips, although we also do a lot of jet boat trips for folks who want to use Trout Spey techniques. Most of our guests opt for the shuttle-included rate, which means your guide can pick you up at your hotel and then drop you off again at the end of the day. If you opt to not include a shuttle, then plan on following your guide to the river in your own vehicle and assisting with shuttling the guide's vehicle to the take-out. You can hop into the boat in regular street clothes most days - waders are only necessary in inclement weather. Our guides can put more fish in the net by keeping their guests in the boat all day, but will definitely accommodate you if you want to do some wade fishing. Most days we fish nymphs and indicators all day long. Lunch is served on the river and trips usually wrap up by 5:30pm. On any given day you could be on one of six full-day floats - well over 60 miles of river. If fishing is red-hot in one area, our guides will sometimes do the same short float twice in one day.

Dry fly fishing can be very good almost any time of year. Our guides are always on the lookout for splashy rises in shallow riffles and stealthy risers in the flats. The best time for dry fly fishing is usually after lunch when water temperatures are warmer and there is more bug activity. If you have an interest in dry fly fishing please let your guide know so he can plan the day accordingly. The fish don't rise everywhere - you really have to be in the right place at the right time.

Lower Sac Guide Team

Our Lower Sac guide team includes Andrew Harris, Brian Kohlman, Kevin Kay, Luke Geraty, Ben Thompson, Peter Santley, Colin Coogan, Mike Wright, DJ Spivey, and Andreas Fuhrmann.

Recent Lower Sac Fishing Reports

Lower Sac Fishing Image
September 17, 2023
Lower Sac Report by Kevin Kay

Jason and Anne made a quick trip up from the Bay Area to fish the Lower Sac.  They wanted to do a half day so we decided to fish from around 3 until dark.  We had pretty steady action throughout the drift thanks to some big caddis hatches.  We've been catching more smallish fish lately, maybe the big boys are waiting for the salmon to show up so they can gorge themselves on eggs.  Keep an eye on our reports so you'll know when the salmon (hopefully!) arrive.  

Lower Sac Fishing Image
September 16, 2023
Lower Sac Report by Kevin Kay

Project Healing Waters is a nationwide organization with many local chapters that focuses on exposing our veterans to the world of fly fishing.  We had the San Francisco chapter out on the Lower Sac for two days of fun.  We had seven boats and 14 anglers fishing the river on three different drifts, all the way from the Posse Grounds to Jellys Ferry.  Everyone caught some beautiful native Lower Sac rainbows while constantly needling each other and the guides. We have the capability to run large group trips, great for families, businesses, schools, whatever!  We'll make it happen.  And check out Project Healing Waters, they're a great bunch and worthy of a donation if you are so inclined.

Lower Sac Fishing Image
September 6, 2023
Lower Sac Report by DJ Spivey

This past evening on the lower sac was nothing short of amazing! Lots of large caddis hatching in the late afternoon resulted in great shallow water fishing at the top of riffles and into the skinniest of water in the tailouts. Size 14 nymphs produced some electric grabs and very quality fish. With the great caddis hatch we also observed quite a few mayflies coming off. If your looking for some great evening fishing or even looking to test your dry fly skills a late afternoon is the float for you! 

Lower Sac Hatch Chart

Mayflies
March Browns
Baetis
PMD
Callibaetis
Caddisflies
Brachycentrus
Rhyacophila
Hydropsyche
Stoneflies
Golden Stones
Giant Stoneflies
Little Yellow Stones
Other
Salmon Eggs
Steelhead Present
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Lodging Recommendations

The Lower Sac runs right through Redding and Red Bluff. Please visit our Redding Info Page and Red Bluff Info Page for ideas on lodging, logistics, and other activities in the area.

Lower Sac Photo Gallery

A very large trout on the Lower Sac
Fishing the edges of the current from the drift boat on the Lower Sac
Fishing some interesting water on the Lower Sac
A guest with a great wild rainbow trout from the Lower Sac
Wade fishing can be very productive on the Lower Sac
Guide Andrew Harris lands a Lower Sac rainbow
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