Straddling the Cascade divide between Four Mile Lake and Crater Lake, the Sky Lakes Wilderness encompasses 113,590 acres. Six miles wide and twenty-seven miles long, the lake basins provide almost 200 lakes, although most are shallow and do not support fish. Some of the lakes are more aptly described as shallow ponds, and the average size lake is between 30 and 40 acres. The largest lake is Fourmile Lake, which exceeds 900 acres and can be driven to from Highway 140. It is not surprising than that I would pack into this wilderness on two occasions with my two pack donkeys, Harley and Lately, and get skunked because I didn't do my homework.

To check on stocking programs for the area, I learned from Dan Van Dyke at ODFW that a number of lakes are stocked with fingerlings every other year from helicopter. Of the Blue Canyon Group, Blue Canyon Lake, Carey Lake, and Horseshoe Lake are stocked. In the Seven Lakes Group, Alta Lake, Cliff Lake, Grass Lake, Ivern Lake and Middle Lake are also stocked every other year. Van Dyke went on to say that the growth of the fingerlings are slow, but it is not uncommon to catch rainbows and brooks up to seventeen inches with a string of moderate winters.

Statistics on the Lakes

Blue Canyon Group
Blue Canyon Lake - 2.5 acres; 18-feet depth; elevation 6,340
Carey Lake - 5 acres; 31-feet depth; elevation 6,020
Horseshoe Lake - 20 acres; 18-feet depth; elevation 5,230

Seven Lakes Group
Alta Lake - 32 acres; 13-feet depth; elevation 6,850
Cliff Lake - 10-acres; 15-feet depth; elevation 6,340
Grass Lake - 25 acres; 8-feet depth; elevation 6,040
Middle Lake - 20 acres; 12-feet depth; elevation 6,120

Van Dyke commented that Grass Lake typically held the largest fish, but they are known to be picky. Middle Lake took second place for fish size. Cliff Lake usually holds the smallest average sized fish, and the survival numbers go to Alta and Ivor Lakes. I also spoke to Jeff Von Kienast, wildlife biologist at the Prospect Ranger District. In years past both men have had good fishing in Grass Lake and Middle Lake. Jeff said that he had success fishing Middle Lake on the far side of the lake, and that a number of years ago he did very well at Grass Lake. Dan said that he took a number of Medford fly anglers into Grass Lake a few years ago and that anglers with float tubes did well while the shore anglers really struggled.

My first trip into the wilderness was from the trailhead at Fourmile Lake in early October, 2008. Our destination was Long Lake. We passed the first lake, and I noted that the shoreline was very shallow, and there was no way I could reach deeper water casting from shore. It was a harbinger of what was yet to come. Long Lake is beautiful, and we had a wonderful camping spot. From every elevated vantage point, I could see the shallow bottom for thirty yards and more. I never spotted a cruising fish. For two days and two evenings, I never spotted a rising fish. On October 25 I packed up the donkeys and headed into the Seven Lakes Basin.

This trip started out badly when I discovered the perverse machinations of the Forest Service. The Sevenmile Creek trailhead is two-fold - one for equestrian users and one for hikers. "No trailers beyond this point" read the sign, so I pulled into the equestrian trailhead parking lot. Towering above me was a steep mountain. Up and up we went traversing the switch backs to the crest. My mantra, taken from the children's book, The Little Engine that Could, began, "I think I can, I think I can, " and ended with sighs, coughs and grunts. Up over the ridge we went and spiraled down slope until I could see a sparkling spot of blue peeking through the dark forest. I was puzzled because I had only been hiking for fifty minutes, and my map showed no lake this early in the hike. Trudging down the trail, the forest thinned enough for me to see a dark blue Ford truck. Fifty-five minutes of hiking over a mountain top, and I had arrived at the hiker's trailhead!

Further in I met a hiker carrying a spinning outfit. He said that he had no luck at Grass Lake or Middle Lake, although he said that he had caught a few skinny fish at Cliff Lake. I camped at Grass Lake late that afternoon. From the hiker's trailhead, I made it to the lake in three hours, which included a 15 to 20 minute lunch break. The sign at Grass Lake pointed to the trailhead at 6.5 miles. Too pooped to fish, thanks to my extra hour of hiking, I studied the shoreline of Grass Lake and Middle Lake. Like Long Lake, the shoreline was very shallow, and I could see mud for thirty to forty yards. I never saw a rising fish that evening. The next morning I fished Middle Lake casting as far as I could, but I had no luck. The fact that I could not spot a single fish nagged me until I wondered if the severe winter of 2008 killed off a lot of fingerlings.


Dave Archer

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Agency Lake, November 16, 2007

Photographs courtesy of Don Archer

With the flooding of 2500 acres on Agency Lake (Upper Klamath Lake) by the Nature Conservancy, duck hunters have been probing and exploring the new terrain. Prior to the breaching of the dykes, I met an old duck hunter out on the lake one blue-bird day. We crossed paths on the open water and cut our engines to chat. He is in his mid-seventies, and he has been hunting the lake for over forty years. I candidly admitted that I had been lost in the fog twice that year and was contemplating buying a GPS. He was excited about the upcoming flooding and reclamation of old marsh. “Do you realize,” he said, “that we have the opportunity to study and chart the flight patterns of ducks and geese on uncharted grounds. Get a GPS and keep notes!”

My first hunt was a disaster. I picked a partially submerged dyke with broken willows to back my grassed boat up against. In front of me I had a small body of water about twenty yards wide that followed the old dyke. This sliver of water ended up against a floating mat of straw that stretched for a half a mile. On the other side of this impenetrable tangle of mat, hundreds of birds flew in from the lake, crossed the new open water tracts and landed on the edges of the straw to rest. Six weeks into the season, the birds climbed high over every tree lined dyke. Probing the water I found depths of three to five feet on the edge of the vast swath of floating straw from the fall harvest. The next day I headed over to the Williams River area to find cover.

I positioned my boat in a cluster of willows with shallow water all around me. For the next three hunts, I did very well calling small flights of teal and lone mallards. I watched hunters at mid-day fire up their Mud Buddies and explore the area for back-water mallard water. My mid-November the large flights of teal zig-zagging across the new water seemed to disappear. The birds were not dropping into my stool and almost all of the flying birds were not responding to my calls. Even more frustrating, my boat was not positioned correctly for pass shooting. I watched enviously as some duck hunters fired at birds from their boat out in a maze of floating mat and tulle patches. As if I had eaten sour grapes for lunch, I told Don that they were probably shooting at divers.

Towards the Williamson River a few fields remain uncovered by water but without any cover.

Coming in from my last hunt with one bird in hand, I decided to get as close to the shallows as I could. Earlier I had observed that the eastern edges of this new tract met fallow grounds infested with tall weeds. On my first outings I had not disturbed any large concentrations of birds hiding in the thick maze. But this time my old friend Don Archer and I watched as mallards jumped from the edges as far back as a fifty yards in this weed, congested thicket. I looked for any tell-tale signs of a boat dragged into this cover, but I found no signs. I stood up on the highest position on my boat and yelled Eureka! I spotted a pot-hole in the jungle. Meanwhile, the birds we jumped were already circling back and dropping into the tangled web of brush and weeds. Moving down the shoreline I spotted another pot-hole and some dark silhouettes. “Oh, oh,” I said to Don. “I think I am looking at some decoys.” Just then a guy stood up and lifted both arms in the air in frustration. They had passed up firing on ducks directly overhead not wanting to give their secret location away to us. I gave a friendly gesture back and moved out of the area. At least he had not given me the middle finger salute. I have been very tolerant of exploring duck hunters stumbling onto my spread. After all, the flooding took place almost a month after the season opened. I hope this courtesy continues as duck hunters move in and out of the area trying to find good locations.

Don Archer waits for my lab Buddy to take a leak.

Initially I was worried that too many hunters would pour into the area. So far that has not been the case. Most of the newly flooded land is large tracts of open water adjoining the lake. Many of the local hunters still return to their favorite spots at the mouth of the Williamson River and along the tulle shores of the straits. With the exception of divers, mid season typically slows in the number of puddle ducks that stay in the area. I am just delighted, however, that in these times of high fuel costs, I have a new hunting area only a few miles from my home. It will be interesting to see how the new marsh comes to life with tulles and bulrushes. A spokesman for the Nature Conservancy said that in a test section the tulles came up in two years and in five years the test section had matured. So far I have only found three entrances through the “breached” dykes, although the tract can be accessed from the Williamson River. Any duck hunter worth his salt will find the “secret spots.” If we are tolerant of each other this season and demonstrate good manners in the marsh, all of us are going to have a lot of fun figuring out how to hunt this newly created marsh. Additional marsh will be created east of the Williamson River adjacent to Goose Bay. According to Matt Barry, project manager for the Conservancy, as reported in the Herald and News, November 19, 2007, 2200 additional acres will be flooded surrounding Goose Bay. Barry estimates that the water level will be lower than the other areas, which should attract puddle ducks. Best of luck!

Dave Archer
dave@glaciertoyellowstone.com

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One of California's Best Freestone Streams

About 35 years ago while I was attending Sonoma State College and residing in Santa Rosa, I picked up the San Francisco Chronicle and read Jim Freeman’s outdoor column. He had just returned from a fishing trip on the Upper Sacramento River, and he outlined his success on the river fishing with Ted Fay, a Dunsmuir angler and fly tier who had gained a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable anglers on the Upper Sac. Black and brown weighted Woolly Worms and Woolly Buggers in tandem dabbed and dropped along the sides of boulders both submerged and rising above the water column were tactics that produced then and will produce today. The next weekend I rushed up to the Upper Sacramento River to Dunsmuir and located Ted Fay’s home. Ted was on the river fishing, but his wife invited me inside. I asked if I could buy a few of Ted’s flies. The small living room was cluttered with fly tying equipment and supplies. In the center of the living room was an “Archie Bunker” chair with a table and vise which faced the television.
“Do you know what pattern, size, color that you want?” his wife asked.
“No,” I replied. “I only know how to fish with dry flies. I’ll just take whatever you recommend.”
“Well, I would recommend whatever he has left next to his vise. That’s what he will be using today. When I returned home, I immediately ordered a Thompson vise and supplies from a Herter’s catalogue, and along with a book on fly patterns began copying my few remaining Ted Fay flies. With the river’s recovery after the infamous chemical spill by the railroad in 1991, I could find little change. What I did find was beautiful stretches of a small, freestone stream that stretches almost thirty-five miles from Lake Siskiyou to Lake Shasta. The only difference I experienced was my own difficulty in wading and scrambling down embankments. When I see men in their 70’s out in the middle of a rocky-bedded stream, I sigh with resignation uncertain if I will be able to do the same in ten years.

Although I trekked up and down the river in November and managed to catch a late afternoon caddis hatch and some lone giant October Caddis which put the little fish on the bite, most authorities recommend waiting for spring run-off to subside, noting that late May and June are the early summer kick-off months for fishing the Upper Sacs riffles, runs and beautiful pocket water. Considering the vagaries of snow melt and arrival of insects, anglers in the early summer months are typically greeted by hungry trout and plentiful hatches of stoneflies, caddis and mayflies. Wading in November, my cold, numb feet reminded me that the river is a tailwater, freestone river, and the water that comes out of the lake and drops down into the dark canyon remains cold, in spite of the balmy 70-degree air temperatures. The river also gains more volume of water from tributaries before it meets the lake.

With the help of the Shasta /Trinity Forest Service website, and the StreamTime map, Upper Sacramento River Access, I was able to discover numerous good access points right off Interstate 5. The Forest Service website also offers a hatch chart with suggested patterns courtesy of The Fly Shop. Almost every exit off the interstate leads to good fishing waters. I have included most of these exits. The fishing map can be purchased at Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir or The Fly Shop in Redding. Ted Fay Fly Shop’s new address is 5732 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir, CA 96025, or they may be reached at (530) 235-2969. www.tedfay.com.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/recreation/st-main/st-fishing/rivers/upper-sacramento.shtml

Access Points Northbound on Interstate 5 from Lakehead to Box Canyon Dam above Dunsmuir

Note: Much of the phrasing for directions is taken directly from the forest service website, which is not copyrighted.

1. Dog Creek: Traveling I-5 Northbound, take the Vollmers exit #707. Turn left on Dog Creek Road/Delta Road, and go under the freeway. Travel 0.3 miles and turn left on Fender Ferry Road. Travel approximately one mile down Fender Ferry Road under the freeway bridges, cross railroad tracks and cross a one-lane bridge over the Sacramento River. Park along road after crossing bridge. Walk down the dirt road to the right for river access. You will find some long runs and slow pools during low water.

2. McCardle Flat: Take Vollmers exit 707. Turn left onto Dog Creek Road/Delta Road. Turn right on Delta Road, then turn left onto McCardle Flat Road. Travel 1.0 mile down McCardle Flat Road and turn right onto a gravel road. Go approximately 0.4 miles down the graveled road and park in widened area near railroad tracks, or you may take the dirt road to the right that leads to a parking area downstream with a turn-around and a primitive spot for camping. (The railroad track is very close for those of you who are light sleepers or have sleep disorders!)

3. LaMoine: Take the LaMoine exit. Travel 0.5 mile and turn left at first dirt road (across street from school bus sign on right). Dirt road forks, take right over bridge (Slate Creek). Travel approximately 0.2 miles on dirt road and park along road at top of hill. Walk down the dirt road to the left and head east to the river.

I watched this angler catch two small trout in less than ten minutes on a small dry fly.

4. Pollard Gulch: Take Pollard Flat exit. Turn right at the stop sign. Turn left on Eagle Roost Road. Take an immediate right and follow to a parking area for seven vehicles (Note: No parking spaces for large RVs or trailers). This is a USFS picnic and day use site.

5. Gibson: Take the Gibson exit #714. Follow the road as it circles over the freeway heading south; the road parallels the freeway heading south, then goes east under the freeway, and then parallels river. Park along Gibson Road and walk to river. The further the road heads south, the higher the road is from the river. If you continue, it will meet up with the Pollard Gulch access.

Sims Footbridge, a Civilian Conservation Corp project

6. Sims: Take Sims exit #718. Turn right on Sims Road. Cross railroad tracks and bridge over Sacramento River to a parking lot near a pedestrian bridge. The Sims USFS campground is beautiful and right on the river. The cost per night is $12, but the daily fee will rise to $15 for the 2008 season. The campground closes on the last day of the general fishing season, November 16. I really liked this old campground, but just at the base of the hill is a dirt road that leads back to some railroad land and a primitive camping area with shade. Hey, when you are retired, these are the spots I look for to camp. Right across the tracks is a mini rock gorge, and above it is some nice riffle and run water. (I had some smaller trout torment me here.)

7. Flume Creek Exit: Just before Flume Creek Exit #720, is a large pull-out just off Interstate-5. Follow the open gated road down the hill and downstream along the railroad tracks to Flume Creek. This area offers some great fly fishing water downstream, but I never checked upstream.

8. Conant: Take Conant Road exit 721. Turn right on Conant Road. Turn right at first dirt road. Park on the west side of railroad tracks. Walk east to the river.

9. Sweetbriar: Take exit 723. Trailers and RV’s are not advised on this paved road. Do not cross the one-lane bridge. Park before the bridge. Here is a community that is open to sharing their section of water as noted on a sign. Personally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable fishing with someone peering down at me from a deck as I muffed a cast or slipped on a rock.

10. Castle Crags State Park: Take the Castella / Castle Crag exit #724. (Chevron gas station) The state run campground is open year-around on a self-register payment system of $15 per night and $6 for day use parking. It has sites that will accommodate 27’ RV’s and 24-foot trailers, as well as tent camping. During the summer it can be filled up. For reservations call 1-800-444-7275. The park also has a picnic site across the river. Late in the fall there is not much water here, but in the summer it supposedly fishes very well. Fork up the six bucks because there is no other parking at the picnic site.

11. Soda Creek: Take the Soda Creek exit #726, about 2.5 miles below Dunsmuir. I had two friendly residents of the area direct me to Soda Creek. This was especially heart felt since I had a local give me the “Kiss-my-ass” gesture when I was exiting Scarlet Way! Since I was stopped, I was puzzled by his animosity. Was it the Oregon plates? Well, there are assholes everywhere that don’t want to share. I will remember the two people who gave me unsolicited fishing tips – thank you, guys. Park in the dirt pull-out just before the bridge. Walk downstream past the chained fence and follow the path to a curve in the river that offers a big pool up against a cliff at the base of a riffle.

12. Dunsmuir City Park: Traveling I-5 Northbound, take Central Dunsmuir exit. Turn left onto Dunsmuir Avenue. Travel 0.5 miles and turn left at "Dunsmuir City Park" sign. Follow the road down to the park. Note: The town of Dunsmuir offers numerous access points to the river such as the I-5 Pool and the access at Financial Avenue. Tauhindauli Park is in central Dunsmuir and a paved road leads down to the water. No RV’s, buses or semi-trucks allowed. (This is close to Ted Fay Fly Shop.)

13. Scarlet Way, Dunsmuir: Take Central Dunsmuir exit. Turn left onto Dunsmuir Avenue. Travel 0.8 miles and turn left on Scarlet Way. The road sign is easily missed, but you will see the brass metal sign for Shasta Retreat that arches over the road. Turn right on Cave Avenue. Cross river and railroad tracks, turn left after tracks to dirt parking area. The road here is narrow and winds through a neighborhood.

14. Prospect Avenue, Dunsmuir: From the northbound lane of I-5, take the Dunsmuir Avenue exit #732. Turn left at the stop sign. Travel 0.3 miles and turn right on Prospect Avenue. (Look for the Prospect Avenue Fishing Access sign.) Turn right when the road forks and proceed to the bridge and the parking area. (Narrow road.)

15. Cantara: To locate the Cantera Fishing Access area, exit from I-5 at Central Mt. Shasta. Turn left at the stop sign on Lake Street and proceed over the interstate until it intersects Old Stage Road. Travel 2.5 miles and cross Azalea Road, veering right to continue on Old Stage Road. Travel 0.25 miles and turn right on Cantara Loop Road. Follow the dirt road down some switch-backs to the dirt parking area. (Picnic area) Note: Just as you are descending down the road, you will note a road on the left with an open gate and no restrictive signs. This rough road leads down to the railroad bridge in a picturesque meadow. A commemorative sign acknowledges all the efforts that went into the clean up and restoration of the river after the chemical spill that took place in the vicinity. I found a nice unimproved campsite with no restrictive signs, but don’t tell anyone I said you could “park” for the night. This is a beautiful area, and if you are cautious and wary, you can hike the railroad tracks upstream or downstream to reach less pressured areas of the river. Keep in mind, however, that some of the bridges and narrowing restrictions provide no escape for old farts like me who stumble along watching their feet. When you are my age, you have to hark back to kindergarten warnings: stop, look and listen!

16. Ney Springs: Although the forks of the Upper Sacramento River above Lake Siskiyou offer small fish in small water, for all practicality the Upper Sacramento River is considered to be the outlet of Lake Siskiyou as it plunges out of the lake and down into the steep Box Canyon. The basalt gorge is, practically speaking, impassable. A couple miles down this twisting 100-foot steep walls of rock is the first access to the river. Ney Springs, with its cold water pulled from the bottom of the lake and its infusion of cold spring water, offers a prolonged mayfly hatch during the summer. Conversely, in the fall more optimum water temperatures may be found below the town of Dunsmuir. To locate the Ney Springs access area, exit from I-5 at Central Mt. Shasta. Turn left at the stop sign on Lake Street and proceed over the interstate until it intersects Old Stage Road. (Directly ahead is a fish hatchery.) Turn left on Old Stage Road and then veer right on W.A. Barr Road and cross over Box Canyon Dam. In less than two-tenths of a mile, turn left on Castle Lake Road. Take the first available left turn on a dirt road and travel 1.25 miles, and then turn left at sign that reads Cantara / Ney Springs Wildlife Area. The dirt road is narrow and leads down through a series of switch-backs. (No camping restriction)

General Fishing Regulations 2007:
Open last Saturday in April to November 15
Zone 1: Dam to Scarlet Way in Dunsmuir; zero trout, artificial lures, barb less hooks
Zone 2: Scarlet Way to Sweetbriar – 5 trout, no special gear
Zone 3: Sweetbriar to Lake Shasta – 2 fish, artificial lures, barb less hooks

Zone 2 and 3 are open during the winter with zero limits, artificial lures only and barb less hooks.
Please read current regulations for any changes or restrictions.

Hey! Yes, you! I’m writing all this stuff and wondering if anyone actually reads it. I’d love to get some feedback on any of my articles. Email dave@glaciertoyellowstone.com. Thanks!

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www.techvest.biz

I recently purchased a high tech fishing vest that may be the organizational design that I have needed for over forty years of fly fishing. Designed by Les Zuck, a Montana native and ardent fly fisher, his Tech Vest accommodates all the gear you commonly need in a highly engineered compact vest. I especially like the rod holder and the custom designed tool box in the center with four retractors for tools such as nipper and clamps.

I hope you will visit the Tech Vest site. You will note that on all three of my web sites I do not have product sponsors, and all the products that I endorse I paid cash for the product and enthusiastically endorse. I have been waiting for a cloth vest to wear out for over fifteen years, but I couldn’t wait more years – I bought the Tech Vest. Check out all the well thought out features.

www.techvest.biz

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Duck hunters, start your engines...
October 30, 2007

Mark Stern, Klamath Area Conservation Director for the Nature Conservancy, remarked that making a marsh was easy, “Just add water.” That and ten years of planning and engineering, 10 million in construction costs and 200,000 pounds of explosive reversed sixty years of farming practices to add 2,500 acres of new marshland to Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lake. For thousands of year, the Williamson River deposited sediments across a vast delta where the river enters Upper Klamath Lake. However, in the 1950’s 22 miles of dikes were constructed around the delta and along the river to convert rich bottomland wetland soils into farmland. These barriers channeled the lower Williamson River directly into the lake, which eliminated extensive critical habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as a degradation of the lake’s water quality.

Stern described the shortnose and Lost River suckers, which are native fish only to the Klamath Basin, as the counterpart to the canaries in the mind shaft. Since the early 1990’s, fish and wildlife experts, including those from the National Academy of Sciences, have identified the restoration of the wetlands at the Williamson River Delta as one of the highest priorities for recovery of these two endangered fish, along with other fish and wildlife. Although the channel between Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lake has always been a natural connection, The Williamson River prior to the 1940’s provided many side channels and marsh that connected the lake, which in turn provided sanctuary for larval fish fry to gradually move towards the lake as they migrated down river from their spawning beds upstream.

Photographs courtesy of Tom Templeton, copyright 2007

Matt Barry, Williamson River Delta Preserve Director for the Nature Conservancy, has managed the 6,800-acre wetlands project since 2005. In order to get the most bang for their bucks, Matt coordinated with the Bureau of Land Reclamation to create a computer model on the best spots to breach the existing levies. “We were looking for the best flow spots into the designated flooding area, and we had to assess fish movement, which meant we had to remove many interior levies prior to today’s explosive breaching of over two miles of existing levies.” Each of the four detonated areas ran for almost a half mile. Three thousand holes were dug twelve feet deep on alternating grids ten feet apart. Each hole was packed with 70 pounds of explosives along with boosters.

Adding 17,000 acre feet of water to Agency Lake, the newly flooded lands will offer anglers and waterfowl hunters new water to explore and map. The estimated depth of the newly flooded land is between two and five feet at full pool. Some areas have sunk over the past fifty years due to compressed peat moss and will provide some depressions 6 to 11 feet deep. Although there was some talk about anglers and hunters not being able to drop anchor and technically be trespassing, I talked to two officials who assured me that the issue was deemed by the Nature Conservancy as not being enforceable, although they will consider anyone leaving a boat and entering on private lands as trespassing. When I asked one official how long it would be before a duck hunter was hunting a flooded field, he looked at his watch and said, "Probably now." Gentlemen, I'll see you on the "new marsh."

Dave Archer

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Redding, California - Oct. 25, 2007
The Sacramento River from Redding to Red Bluff

So where does a former Montana fly fishing guide residing in Chiloquin, Oregon get his float fishing river fix. Perhaps the nearby Williamson River, maybe the Rogue or the Klamath or even the Trinity, but my choice will probably be the broad, big muscled lower Sacramento River. Flowing from the Keswick dam at the outlet of Lake Shasta, the lower Sacramento River flows through the town of Redding on its way to the San Francisco Bay. Miles of prime trout habitat line both sides of the river all the way down to Red Bluff. Offering four separate salmon runs, along with steelhead, the trout are healthy and fat. According to Michael Caranci, director of outfitters for The Fly Shop in Redding, California, when the dam operators were required to control flows and water temperatures to protect salmon runs and salmon fry, the trout benefited, and the fishing gets better year after year. I met with Michael at The Fly Shop, which may be seen from I-5 just north of the Churn Creek Exit. With October being their busiest month, Michael estimated they would finish the month with close to 400 trips. In spite of the hectic flow of anglers asking to book if there were any cancellations and the phone ringing constantly, Michael took the time to describe and promote the lower Sacramento River. I was impressed, but then maybe that is the reason The Fly Shop was voted the “Top Shop” by the fly fishing industry in 2003.

Two of the most productive months of the year are April and October. March and April basically kick off the season with prolific hydropsyche caddis hatches. The “Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch” bursts on the scene blanketing the air with millions of bugs on warm, sunny days. Michael said, “The trout gorge themselves and eat, eat, eat, but the problem sometime becomes too many of the real thing surrounding an imitation.” The caddis continue to hatch throughout the season and into the summer during the last hour of the day, which provides some good dry fly fishing. Many guides, in spite of the hatches, continue to fish under the surface with sparkle pupas, peeking caddis, Bird’s Nest or bead-head nymphs in size 12 to 14, along with smaller emerger patterns. In May sporadic “hatches” of salmonflies appear through out the system but not on a predictable basis. Each year the salmonflies presence in the river grows.

With rising temperatures of summer often exceeding 100 in July and August, the pressure of anglers on the river wanes, but the fish continue feeding in water temperatures from 55 to 60 degrees. I met a preacher working on his sermon on his tailgate at the Bonnyview Bridge near the water’s edge. He said he liked fishing from his kick boat during the summer. With his legs submerged in cold water and his torso absorbing the hot rays of summer, he said he experiences heaven and hell in the same moment. He told me to emphasize to readers that sitting this close to the water was actually about ten degrees cooler. He said he keeps himself hydrated with lots of water and very busy with good fishing. Typically, however, the first and last hours are the most productive fishing of the day. By late August the nights are cooling and day time temperatures began dropping to the nineties.

By September the first salmon runs appear. By October the salmon are busy building reds and kicking up debris and dislodging nymphs. The trout move in behind the spawning beds and feast on nymphs and the loose eggs that get washed downstream. Michael described it as “salmon omelets.” Michael advised me to be especially vigilant when wading so as to not disturb or destroy the beds, which are easily identified by the light-colored depressions in the gravel. One successful technique to employ during October is a strike indicator, lead split-shot, a single egg pattern and one or two nymphs.

In spite of the increased pressure during October and November, guides spread themselves out over seventy miles. Michel stated thattypically by Thanksgiving or earlier the rains sweep up the valley and blow the river out below Cow and Cottonwood Creek, but it is rare that the upper stretch will be gone for more than a day or two at a time. That is actually one of the big assets of the Lower Sac, that it remains a viable fishery almost all winter long.". Most anglers wait for spring, but Michael pointed out that late winter on the lower Sacramento River offers good fishing between storm fronts. The latter part of the winter does not have the impact on water flows that November and December experience. Although air temperatures hold in the 50’s and 60’s and the fish slow in their feeding activity, more larger fish in the 18-inch range are caught during this time period with an added bonus of late winter baetis hatches. By early spring trout are gorging themselves on alevin, salmon fry, and gaining up to one pound a month from these tiny fish with the egg sacks still attached. If there is a dry fly period, it is in March and April when the caddis return and a new season is heralded.

To contact Michael and book a trip with The Fly Shop, you may reach him by phone at 1-800-669-3474 or at Michael@theflyshop.com or www.theflyshop.com

Launch Ramps and Access Points: Keep in mind that the time of year and the water levels flowing out of the dam determine whether wading is a viable option. Because the current is so strong, I recommend inflatable suspenders and a wading staff. For a detailed guide to the river, I recommend that you purchase the map, Sacramento River Fishing Access & Accommodations. The map may be purchased at The Fly Shop in Redding or by visiting their web site at www.streamtime.com. I welcome all scrutiny, corrections and advice, as this article will be a work in progress over the next year. Contact David Archer at dave@glaciertoyellowstone.com

2007 Shuttle Fees from The Fly Shop:
Posse Grounds as far as Sacramento RV Park…$25
Posse Grounds to Anderson…$30
As high as Bonnyview to Balls Ferry…$35
As high as SAC RV to the Barge Hole (Balls Ferry road near old mouth of Battle Creek)
…$40
As high as Balls Ferry to Jelly’s…$45
As high as Balls Ferry to Bend Bridge…$50
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1. Posse Park Boat Launch + Wading: From I-5 take Highway 299 West and make a right onto Auditorium Drive (convention center). You may also reach the Posse Grounds from Cypress Street by turning north on Park Marina Drive, which ends at the convention center. This is the first launch past the A.C.I.D. Irrigation Dam a couple of miles below Lake Shasta’s Keswick Dam. The launch site is behind the rodeo grounds near the convention center and provides good parking for all sized rigs and excellent access to Posse Riffle, as well as the numerous riffles and runs down to Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge. During low water periods in the fall, wading anglers have numerous hot spots they may reach in a half mile stretch below the launch. During the summer months the numerous shaded, picnic spots provide welcome relief when temperatures climb to three digits. Turtle Bay Trail, across from the convention center and downstream from the launch, also provides access.

Two of Redding’s bridges are under construction for the next couple of years. The river has restricted passages in two places.

2. Cypress Street Bridge Area: Exiting from I-5 onto Cypress Street in downtown Redding, move to the left lane and turn left on Hartnell at the light just short of crossing the bridge. This is a business section. Make the first right turn onto Henderson. Look for the sign “Road Ends 400 feet ahead.” Turn right here and drive behind the businesses and park. Take the dirt path towards the Cypress Street bridge or turn downstream fifty yards and fish the riffle and pool by the old bridge abutment. This is a popular spot for the float fishing guides before they cross over and fish the western bank of the river. Crossing the bridge, anglers will find some water above and below the bridge.

3. South Bonnyview Road (Bridge) Launch: This is an excellent boat launch and parking area, although it doesn’t provide good water for fly fishing in the near vicinity. From Posse launch to South Bonnyview is a half day float.

4. Cascade Park: Exit I-5 west on South Bonnyview Road. Turn left on Market Street or Highway 273 and then left again on Girvan and proceed a short distance to Cascade Park. I did not get far without waders. The park is adjacent to islands, although the channel was very shallow. South of the park is Niles Riffle, but I never made it – another time.

5. Anderson River Park (launch): This is another spot that I missed. The Fly Shop provides maps to local wading spots, and this is one of them. South of Redding on I-5, take the Deschutes Road Exit (Factory Outlet Stores). Go west and turn left (north) on Balls Ferry Road and then right on Dodson Lane to Anderson River Park. Follow the trail down river for good riffles. An improved boat launch is located on Rupert Road, which may be accessed from a loop off Dodson Lane.

6. Deschutes Road Bridge: From I-5 take the Deschutes Road Exit a couple of miles east to the Deschutes Road Bridge.

7. Balls Ferry Bridge (Bridge) Launch: From I-5 take the Gas Point Road Exit and follow Balls Ferry Road until it intersects with Ash Creek (sharp corner). Follow Ash Creek about a mile to the boat launch. (The bar here serves a good burger.) It is five miles to Cottonwood, a quaint little town close to I-5.

8. Reading Island: From I-5 take the Gas Point Road Exit and follow Balls Ferry Road until it intersects with Adobe Road. Turn right and proceed to the parking area less than two miles. Maps are not always accurate; the public campground has been closed by the county, and the launch is only good during high flows onto a side channel, and even then for smaller boats. Now, I did talk to a lady who lived close by and was walking her dog. She said she often sees fly fishermen casting on the main stem a short distance from the parking lot.

9. Old Mouth Battle Creek (Launch and primitive camping): The primitive camping is just that – primitive and rocky! Look for a drop off onto a dirt road. There are a couple of water holes to cross, but they are solid underneath. Nonetheless, after a rain this could be a potential mess without four wheel drive. The beach is hard packed cobblestone, and during October it is a popular spot for local salmon anglers (especially during the weekend). It is also a launch for boaters heading up to the Barge Hole just upstream. This section offers a beautiful riffle that left me frustrated and perplexed. I chalked it up to a full moon – not my skills! I talked to two neighborhood river watchers who said that during the caddis hatches the riffle comes alive with trout just at dark. From I-5 take the Jellys Ferry Road, cross the bridge and continue until you crest a plateau and see the river stretching out below you. From the crest, some anglers hike down to the river and fish Lawrence Riffle. As you drop off the crest down the slope, you will see on your left a long beach with a primitive boat launching spot. Just ahead on the left in the trees is the turn-off to this primitive site.

10. Jellys Ferry Bridge (Launch): From I-5 take the Jellys Ferry Road to the bridge and parking area and boat launch. (No camping.) This is a rough boat ramp; during low water periods you will be launching in wet sand and mud. I would recommend 4x4 vehicles after a rain. The site is run by the Department of Interior, but it does not allow camping.

11. Bend Bridge (Launch): From I-5 take the Jellys Ferry Road Exit. Turn right on Bend Ferry Road by the Bend RV Park (916-527-6289) and store and cross the bridge to a county launch site. Fish the Lower Bend Riffle or take the trail on the north side of the parking lot to riffle water upstream.

RV Camping Parks

JGW RV Park: The JGW RV Park is located on Riverland Drive on the west side of Interstate-5, south of the Knighton Road exit. Exit 673 is approximately five miles south of Redding. (530) 365-7965. Reservations: 1 800-469-5910. www.jgwrvpark.com. Email: jgwrvpark@charter.net. (In the north corner of the park is a 5-strand, barb-wire fence. Go around it at the river’s edge and walk upstream 100 yards to a great riffle, where I met a couple of fat rainbows. The resort provides a rough boat launch.

Sacramento River RV Resort: The Sacramento River RV Resort is located on Riverland Drive on the west side of Interstate-5, south of the Knighton Road exit next to JGW RV. Exit 673 is approximately five miles south of Redding. (530) 365-6402. www.sacramentoriverrvresort.com. Email info@sacramentoriverrvresort.com. Beautifully shaded, the resort offers a concrete boat launch for high water conditions and a dirt launch for low water conditions. Launch fees for non-guests is a bargain $3.

Marina RV Park: The Marina RV Park is located at 2615 Park Marina Drive. Although it is not a park like setting with lots of shade, it is within walking distance to restaurants and movie theaters. The launch fee for non-guests is $22.

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