Redding California

Information
Nestled in the north end of the Sacramento Valley, Shasta County and its three Cities - Redding, Anderson, and Shasta Lake - are 545 miles north of Los Angeles; 162 miles north of Sacramento; 433 miles south of Portland, Oregon; and 592 miles south of Seattle, Washington.
 
In 2004, as an effort to increase tourism in the area, the Sundial Bridge, designed by world-renowned architectural designer Santiago Calatrava, was completed. The Sundial Bridge casts its gnomon shadow upon a dial to the north of the bridge accurately once a year during the Summer Solstice. With the objective of providing pedestrian access to the north and south of Turtle Bay Exploration Park, the Sundial Bridge has not only lived up to its purpose but has also become an icon for the City of Redding in the present day.
 
Redding is one of the best places to launch for Trophy Rainbow Trout & Trophy Steelhead Fishing in Northern California. A number of  great rivers are within an easy drive and local guides can on any given day help you figure out where the fishing is great.
 
The Klamath river, Sacaramento river, Trinity River and the Feather river are all being frequented by local guides and fly fisher.
 
Trips
  • Expert Guide
  • Streamside Lunch for all day trips
  • Snacks and Beverages
  • All essential equipment needed for the day
This fishing trip would be done on the Feather, Yuba, American Rivers and lakes within 1.5hrs of Sacramento Ca. These trips would be fished out of a 18'x54" Super Drifter Power Drifter ... morejet boat chasing salmon, stripers, shad, steelhead and more. This boat allows us to put in and take out at the same location as well as travel in some water that no other boat can, meaning when this boat is on plan, it will travel in as much as 3" of water. This boat also allows use to fish lower in a river while other boats are fishing higher up on the same stretch of river, and after they start floating down, we then motor up and fish the water they recently left. Some days you may not even see a boat at all, depending on where we are fishing.

For more information about the Rivers listed please click on the approprate rivers listed in my Fishing Trips.

This boat is only used on the Feather, Yuba, American Rivers and within 1.5hrs of Sacramento Ca. This boat will never be used on the Trinity, and currently not used on the Lower Sac.

Additional anglers are available with this boat. Adding an additional angler will be dependent on the river, we are fishing, fishing techinique as well as experience of all the anglers. 3 anglers max in the boat. There is an additional charge for a 3rd angler. For more details please ask.
  • Expert guide
  • Flies, tippet, and leader
Our guided fly-fishing trips include 8 hours or more spent pursuing steelhead. Your leaders and Fly's are included in the price of the trip. You are welcome to bring your own tackle ... moreif you prefer.

Fishing the rivers of the North Coast we utilize several different methodologies to pursue steelhead. The most poplar and most widely practiced is utilizing one of many fly's such as a Copper John or similar type offering with a dropper and a glo bug. We utilize 4-6 weight rods.
Destination:
  • Expert guide
  • Flies, tippet, and leader
The Klamath River is very scenic and abundant with wildlife including black bears, otters, deer, eagles and other birds of prey. During the fishing season it's not uncommon to encounter ... moreone or all of these animals during your trip. The Klamath sports two separate runs of king salmon. Springer's which enter the river from mid-May through mid-July, and the fall run which begins in early August and continues through late October. These salmon average 8 to 15 pounds but can reach weights in excess of 40 pounds.

Steelhead begin showing up in the river in July and average 5 to 8 pounds with some reaching the mid-teens. There are also an abundant of 12-18 inch steelhead called half-pounders during the salmon season which can make for quite a fun filled day of fishing for beginners and seasoned anglers alike.

Our guided fly-fishing trips include 8 hours or more spent pursuing steelhead. Your leaders and Fly's are included in the price of the trip. You are welcome to bring your own tackle if you prefer.

Fishing the rivers of the North Coast we utilize several different methodologies to pursue steelhead. The most poplar and most widely practiced is utilizing one of many fly's such as a Copper John or similar type offering with a dropper and a glo bug. We utilize 4-6 weight rods.
Destination:
  • Expert Guide
  • Lunch
  • Beverages and snacks
  • Flies and tackle
The Klamath River is in prime shape for fly fishing in September and October. We fish the Klamath from a jet boat, which allows us to sample many productive runs in a single day. We ... morecan also ferry our guests in to Rivers West Lodge and use that as a home base. The Klamath River is a classic swing fishery and is best fished with a spey rod. We typically catch a mix of adult fish and half-pounders.
Destination:
  • Expert Guide
  • Lunch
  • Beverages and snacks
  • Flies and tackle
We fish the Lower Sac year-round for trout. We fish the river from drift boats, typically floating from 6 to 15 miles in a day. Although the nymph grab is good all year, the best times ... morefor consistent mid-day dry fly fishing are March-May and September-November. We also do a lot of swinging flies with lightweight spey rods. This is a great way to fish the shallow riffles.
  • Expert guide
  • Lunch
  • Beverages and snacks
  • Flies and tackle
The Trinity River is California's most productive steelhead river. It's steelhead season is also the longest. We catch adult fish from September through March. During the early season ... morewe fish near Willow Creek. We follow the fish up the river through the Del Loma, Junction City, Douglas City, and Lewiston areas. We primarily swing flies with spey rods and switch rods, but we are not above catching these fish with nymphs and indicators if that's what you prefer. We use rafts and drift boats on the Trinity.
Destination:
  • Expert Guide
  • Streamside lunch for all day trips
  • Snacks and beverages
  • All essential equipment needed for the day
The Yuba River is one of the most popular known fly fishing rivers in Northern California, and that is why it’s one of the most sought after rivers for fly fishing enthusiasts. This ... moreriver is one that can yield 20 fish one day and leave you scratching your head the next, that's why having a knowledgeable Yuba River Fly Fishing Guide is so important. The abundance of aquatic insects on this river is why it is so sought after, it's one of the few rivers in California that you can effectively fish dries year round. While the river plays host to a number of species, including steelhead and king salmon at times, the resident wild rainbows are the most sought after species throughout the year. They can be picky at times, but once you get in tune with their feeding habits you're bound to have a blast. The fishing on the Yuba is top-notch and I haven't found a river yet that is this much fun to fish. This river produces year-round spunky wild rainbow trout that can reach over 20".

Pound for pound the Yuba River trout is a species of its own. They are the toughest, hardest fighting trout you will ever hook into. If you've never had an 16" fish take you into your backing within seconds, then it’s time that you fish the Yuba River. In the fall, it is also home to a native/wild King Salmon run with some pushing 50lbs and big enough to devour any Yuba trout in its path. Nonetheless, it's the Yuba's steelhead that really puts the icing on the cake. Though not huge like the American river winter run steelhead (Yuba River steelhead range from 2-6 lbs), these half-pint steelhead are among the hardest fighting and the most beautiful fish you will ever have the pleasure of encountering. The Yuba gets a shot of them midsummer, then again from November to April. Not only is there year round fishing, but there is also an abundance of bug life as well ranging from BWO's, PMD's, Midges, Caddis, Skwalas, Golden Stones, March Browns, Hoppers and every so often a Salmon Fly, that will have these fish feeding no matter the time of year. There is even an egg bite on t he Yuba too, this happens during the salmon spawn in October, also during this time of year there is something special that happens on the river that I will show you too. Something you never thought possible and it will be our little secret. Even after all that the Yuba does, however, have something else to offer. As an added bonus from the fishing, there are a lot of wild critters roaming its banks as well, big bucks, strutting toms, beavers, otters, ducks, geese and even black bears. All that and great fishing, what more could you ask for.

-Brian
Fishing Waters:
  • Expert guide
  • Streamside lunch for full day trips
  • Snacks and beverages
  • All essential equipment needed for the day
Fly Fishing the American River in Northern Califronia will leave even the most advanced fly fisherman wanting more. That is why a knowledgable American River Fly Fishing Guide will ... morenot only educate you on the river sytem and its species, but show you the ins and outs, when, where, why, how and with what. Whether you are swinging for steelhead on the Lower American River or dry fly fishing the South Fork American River, you will be pleasantly pleased with the results.

The American River system is where you can start out fishing the Lower American River for shad, striper or steelhead while wet wading on a summer morning, then go eat lunch, get back on the road shoot up hwy 50 and within 45 minutes, have 30 fish on the South Fork American River fishing drys. Fishing the American River is one that can satisfy any fly fishing crave. The Lower American River is known for its shad, striper, steelhead and salmon runs. Shad start to enter the river in late spring, with some entering as early as April, the fishing starts to pick up in late May and early June, with July being the best. Even though the migration has ended the fishing can be great on those late July summer nights. If you have never fought a shad on a fly rod, I highly suggest it, they don’t call it the poor man’s tarpon for nothing. There are two methods used when shad fishing, one is swinging flys specifically tied for shad, the other is drifting flies under an indicator. Either technique is productive when used properly.

As far as stripers go, there are some resident fish in the river system year round, but can be extremely hard to catch due to the lack of numbers. When the weather warms so does the water as well as the Striper migration. The stripers start entering the river in early April and they are in the river system through September. Your best numbers in the lower part of the river is between April and May. June is a little slower due to the amount of shad that are in the river system and the stripers actively feeding on them, but once the shad are gone the fishing really heats up from late July through August, September and sometimes even October depending on the weather and water conditions. The best technique used for stripers is by stripping or swinging clousers with sink tips, full sinks and shoot head lines.

Now for the Steelhead, half pounders can be year round, but are mostly caught from late summer to spring. They can be caught using many techniques, from swinging to nymphing and even throwing drys. The best months to be on the water for half pounders are August through October along with March April and May. Don’t be discouraged by the word half pounder, this was the original run before the Eel and Mad river strain (winter run steelhead) was introduced in the 70's. These guys can put up a real fight for their size and most half pounders are wild fish ranging from 16-22" some even pushing 5 pounds and they are always full of spunk. The winter run doesn’t start showing up until the beginning of October, this is also peak time for the salmon run. The winter run steelhead that are on the American came from the Eel and Mad River systems, that was introduce by DFG to protect the steelhead population after the dams where e rected. These fish can be caught throughout the length of river from mid October all the way through March, sometimes even April. These fish range anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds. As far as fishing techniques goes, these big boys can be caught with the same techniques used on their half brothers, just scaled up a bit. If you want to get into steelhead and don't want to travel severals hours and possibly get a big goose egg, the American River is where its at. Not only is it our back yard, but we have 30+ years fishing this river system and we know where these fish hold throughout the year. Come enjoy some backyard fishing on a great river like the American river.

-Brian-
  • Expert guide
  • Streamside lunch for full day trips
  • All essential equipment needed for the day
Fly Fishing the Trinity River can be tough and extremely challenging, however, having a professional and knowledgeable Trinity River Fly Fishing Guide, will not only make for an enjoyable ... moreday on the river, but also an unforgettable journey down one of the best steelhead rivers in the state.

The Trinity River is the longest tributary of the Klamath River system at 120+ miles, stretching from Lewiston Dam down to the confluence with the Klamath at Weitchpec. It’s also one of the of the most pristine and scenic river systems in California, and is world famous for its large steelhead runs. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides guide on the upper stretches of the Trinity River, starting at the dam in the Fly Only water down to Burnt Ranch. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides have many access points along the river and have many float options depending on where the fish are and what techniques we may be using.

If you are looking to fly fish for Steelhead, Salmon or huge Brown Trout, the Trinity River is the place. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides not only know where the fish are, but they know how to get that tight line using all facets of fly fishing. Whether chasing them with traditional methods like swinging with two handed rods or indicator fishing with single handed rods, our guides have the knowledge and experience to teach on the water and put you on the fish, or just row you down and let you do your thing.

The steelhead season on most Northern California Rivers, start early September and same goes for the Trinity River. Our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides are on the river as early as August, and guide/fish it on through till April. The Trinity River is known for 3 runs of heart pounding steelhead action, 1) Late Summer/Early Fall, 2) Late Fall/Early Winter and 3) Late Winter/Spring.

Late Summer/Early Fall- August-October starts out with some early season unbelievable numbers of 12-20” chrome bright half pounders with an occasional adult up to 10lbs. This is a great time of year for those just starting out, or those wanting to really put a bend in those light weight rods, as there is a lot of rod bending action. It’s also a great time to dust off those small 2 handed Switch/Spey rods and try out some surface/sub-surface swinging techniques, and to get ready for the up and coming steelhead season. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

Late Fall/Early Winter- October-December starts out with the change of fall colors and then too many more bent rods. With and extremely large number of steelhead averaging 5-8lbs being well distributed throughout the river system, this is definitely the time to be on the Trinity. These fish are very receptive to a variety of fly fishing methods, however, personally I think this is the best time of year to swing up some sweet fish. So bring your medium sized 2 handed rods and be ready. Dont forget about the Egg Bite, end of October to mid November can be epic on this river when the salmon are spawning. This is our most desired and most popular time before the press of winter, so we strongly advise booking in advance.

Late Winter/Spring- December-April this is a very sensitive time of year due to the weather, fishing it is really all up to Mother Nature. However, when the Trinity is not blown out, it can be outrageous, with some of the largest steelhead of the season, some up 15lbs. It is steelhead fishing at its finest and it’s full on steelhead weather, snow, rain, wind, cold temps, cold water and big fish, nothing better than that. Later in the season (Feb, Mar, April) you can catch Steelhead and Brown Trout on dry flies, yes I said dry flies. Mid-day hatches get these fish in a sipping frenzy and will leave the most experience steelheader in awe.

If the conditions are not favorable, we will reschedule. Advanced booking is a great idea.

It doesn’t get any better than that folks. Whether its summer, fall, winter or spring, our Trinity River Fly Fishing Guides, know what it takes to not only find the fish, what flies to use, where to go, but what techniques can be used to make your rods have a bend in them all day long. Come join us on one of the finest steelhead rivers in the state, and enjoy some of the best steelheading on the west coast.

-Brian-
Destination:
  • Expert guide
  • Streamside lunch for full day trips
  • Snacks and beverages
  • All essential equipment needed for the day
If you have ever driven over the Lower Sacramento River or even fished it, you know that due to its shear size and abundance of water, this makes it extremely intimidating. That's ... morewhy having a knowledgable Lower Sacramento River Fly Fishing Guide is so important. A great guide will not only put you on the fish, but will also show you the fishy spots accessable by land, the put ins and pull outs for boats, as well as the bug life, the flies to use and when you go on your own, how to put all that t ogether to be successful. The Lower Sacramento River is a big tailwater fishery and California's biggest trout river, and its rainbows are just as big and powerful as the river they live in. If you want big fish and year-round fishing, this is the river for you. With more food than your local all you can eat buffets (2,500 insects per square foot of river), the average fish grows to a healthy and hard-fighting 16-18", and pigs pushing two feet are not out of the question, so bring some big guns. The fishing season is year-round, and water temperatures remain fairly constant too, as the river comes out of the bottom of Shasta Lake.

This river consists of long, indescribable, spring creek like stretches that are broken up by islands, deep pools, long riffles, gravel bars and undulating shelf’s, many of which are more pronounced during lower flows.

If having one of the best trout fisheries in the state isn’t enough, the Lower Sac also hosts some great runs of Steelhead and Chinook salmon too. It also hosts a variety of other fish, such as, shad, squawfish, stripers, largemouth and smallmouth bass, these populations of fish become higher the farther you get away from Shasta Lake. The highest flows are during the summer months, when snow melt is at its greatest, so a drift boat is highly recommended.

You can walk and wade during the higher flows if you so desire, but staying near the bank will be your safest bet. The best time to walk and wade the Lower Sac is going to be during fall, winter and early spring, there is very little snow melt, and the rain that falls goes to filling up the lake, so the river is low and great for walk and wading. This is the time to get out there and really learn the river's bottom and fish those slots that only come out in lower flows, either way “PLEASE WADE WITH CAUTION”. But due to the river’s size and the amount of private property along its banks, those that prefer to wade have two options. One is to fish from public parks and access points along the 16 miles or river between Redding and Anderson, or, from your boat, getting out at the riffles and fishy slots to make some casts.

Public access is fairly easy though on the Lower Sac, there are 6 boat launches, and many public parks and access points along the river that flows almost parallel with interstate 5.

-Brian
Fishing Waters
The Sacramento River is the principal river of Northern California in the United States, and is the largest river in California. Rising in the Klamath Mountains, near Mount Shasta ... more(in Siskiyou county), the river flows south for 445 miles, through the northern section (Sacramento Valley) of the Central Valley, before reaching the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay. It forms a common delta with the San Joaquin River before entering Suisun Bay, the northern arm of San Francisco Bay. The river drains about 27,500 square miles, with an average annual runoff of 22 million acre-feet, in 19 California counties, mostly within a region bounded by the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada known as the Sacramento Valley, but also extending as far as the volcanic plateaus of Northeastern California.
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More than a river, the Klamath is part of a regional watershed that includes three of its principal tributaries – Wooley Creek, Scott River and the Salmon River. It is one of only ... morethree rivers that bisect the Cascade Mountain Range, traversing a wide range of topography from high desert to coastal rain forest. Beginning approximately three-quarters of a mile below the Iron Gate Dam, the river runs through until it reaches the Pacific Ocean. Administration of the river is split. The upper, 127 miles are managed by the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The State of California, in concert with the National Park Service and various Native American tribes, manage the remainder. All of its tributaries, except a small portion of the Scott are under the purview of the US Forest Service.

The most notable characteristic of the Klamath is its variety of androgynous fish, supported by the river throughout most of their in-river life stages. These species include Chinook salmon (spring and fall runs) coho salmon, steelhead trout (summer and winter runs) coastal cutthroat trout, green and white sturgeon and Pacific lamprey. The river is also home to a genetically unique population of rainbow trout that have adapted to river’s high temperatures and acidity.

Considered by ecologists to be important to the area’s bio-diversity, the Southern Oregon and Northern California Coast coho are federally listed as endangered species and the Klamath River is a designated, critical habitat. This habitat also provides a home for other endangered fish including Lost River and short-nose suckers. Despite this designation, the river supports a thriving sports fishing industry as well as myriad other uses including white water rafting, birding, hiking and camping. 
First federally designated “wild and scenic” river – that is the distinction held by the Feather River. Starting near Beckwourth, California, the river flows through to Lake Oroville. ... moreAt the upper end the river is gentle and welcoming. By the time you approach the lower reaches, the waters are cascading through step canyons, complete with white water rapids. Surrounded by large boulders, waterfalls and rigid cliffs, this section is wild and beautiful but can intimidating to the novice hiker or boat’s man. 

Fishermen in search of a truly authentic river experience will enjoy sightings of Bald Eagles, mule deer and beaver. In addition to fishing, the calmer sections of the river play host to kayakers and swimmers.
The Trinity River is the longest tributary of the Klamath River, approximately 165 miles (266 km) long, in northwestern California in the United States. It drains an area of the Coast ... moreRanges, including the southern Klamath Mountains, northwest of the Sacramento Valley. Designated a National Wild and Scenic River, along most of its course the Trinity flows swiftly through tight canyons and mountain meadows.

The river is also known for its runs of salmon and steelhead maintained in part by hatcheries. The king salmon enter the river in mid-July and are there generally through October before fading out in early November. The steelhead arrive in October and typically are in the river through March. In 1981 the United States Congress designated the entire river downstream from the Lewiston Dam to its mouth on the Klamath, as well as portions of the river's tributaries, as the Trinity Wild and Scenic River.

The Trinity is known for its runs of salmon and steelhead; the king salmon are available mid-July through October, when the steelhead arrive and typically stay through March. It's open year round, and the Fly Fishing Only Section (200 feet bwloe Lewiston Dam to the Old Lewiston Bridge) is open April 1-September 15.
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Top Fly Fishing Towns in the US
Rated as one of the top trout fishing towns in the US byBob Mallard, author of 25 Best Towns - Fly Fishing for Trout
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