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The Lower Sacramento River (Lower Sac) boasts an impressive average size wild trout in the 17" range. No other large river in California can say that. 
The river originates from the depths of Shasta Lake, where the colder water is released to assist in 'bringing back the salmon'. 
That consistant cold water release hasn't done much for the salmon, but it sure has helped the trout grow big, strong and scrappy.  It also helps their food source.  Caddis, stoneflies, midges, and mayflies continue to be the main food source for these fish. Just about every rock on the bottom of this river is covered with midges, mayflies, stones, snails or caddis larvae. Because of this, nymphing under strike indicators is, by far, the most productive way to fish the river.
I've been doing just that, on this river, for 15 years. 

-Winter is big fish time-

Lower Sac Trout rarely eat dry flies. We throw big indicators, split shot, and double-fly rigs, set deep. Casting our 'deep nymphing rig' can be a downright pain in the butt. I can make it easy. Over the past decade, I've developed a way of teaching that is easily understandable for beginners and experienced anglers alike. 
When conditions are right, wade fishing or anchoring up on a big riffle is very productive. (Very few other guides fish their clients this way.) During specific 'hatch' times, it's common to hook into multiple fish this way - without moving the boat. Learning to fish this way will make you a better caster, better at line control, and more efficient at feeding line out to obtain that important natural presentation many fish around the world demand. I use my anchor to fish great riffles, and I love to wade with my clients when conditions are right. Fish the Lower Sac this way, and you'll come out of the day a much better angler every time.
 
**Call me old school but I don't use a motor on my "drift" boat to fish the same stretch of river all day. I prefer no loud motors, no gas fumes, and no musical chairs.   We'll quietly float down a beautiful and peaceful stretch of river enjoying wildlife and fishing along the way.  We might anchor up in the good riffles, and maybe wade if the season is right.  We'll fish a bunch of different types of water. Which in the end, will make you a much better angler.

For more pix, go to the Photo Page

Maybe the most beautiful place to chase trout in the North State, the "Mac" is a challenge to fish but often kicks out nice rewards.  Besides the great foilage, ferns, redwoods, classic trout water bordered by moss covered rocks, the Mac has strong, wild rainbows.  Known as "Salmo Shasta" everywhere else, the McCloud River Rainbow trout was used to populate much of the worlds trout streams before many of us were born.

The Mac gets great hatches of all kinds in the Spring and the Fall.  It sees the migration of huge brown trout out of Shasta Lake in Sept/Oct/Nov and it also hosts a fair population of resident browns. It's one of the few streams in the area that has a decent brown trout population.

I guide the on the private "Bollibokka" section whenever possible - it's a special place.

For a change, some days I'll find myself on the Upper McCloud.  A great stream for the beginner, the Upper Mac has plenty of willing and eager fish that will often take a dry fly. This is a great place to take a younger angler just starting out. Catching fish usually isn't too tough.  Not super big in size, they're big in heart and will put a bend in your 3 or 4 weight.

                                                 Season runs from the last Sat. in April thru Nov. 15

  
-SalmonFly-
This challenging and popular fishery runs cold and clear, located about an hour east of Redding. Spring and early Summer will see some great hatches on this beautiful Spring Creek.  Many types of mayflies (PMD, Drakes, BWO) small and really small caddis, and stones (Salmonflies, Goldens, Lil' Yellows) have their time in May and June. 

Some parts of the creek get crowded but other parts rarely see an angler. Of course, I choose to fish the latter.  We'll hike, we'll wade, we'll put our flies in pockets that rarely see a fly. Test your skills at Hat Creek ! 
Season runs from the last Saturday in April thru Nov. 15.

After years of guiding the "T", I've chosen to focus my attention on one single destination during the Winter, so I no longer take reservations for the Trinity. It's a beautiful river and the steelheading can be fun, especially when you find fish that aren't hatchery stock.  But I had to hang up my hat on this one.
Fly fishing is supposed to be a solitary activity. 
There are over 90 guides working the Trinity during the winter.
A busy day on the Lower Sac during winter - is 4 boats.    

The Lower Sac fishes well all Winter long. On average, hook-ups per day/per rod are MUCH higher on the Lower Sac than any other river.  It's closer to home for everybody.  It's much warmer.  It's much quieter, with very few other anglers on the water and very, very little, if any, competition for fishing space.  Plus, I see the biggest trout of the year on the Lower Sac during the Winter months of Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb.