Sacramento River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
SACRAMENTO RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Lower Sacramento — Redding to Anderson
Report Date: January 4, 2026 | Next Update: January 11, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter patterns are in control: subsurface tactics (nymphs, micro-pt's, midge rigs and jigs) are producing best. Water has settled after recent storms; expect clear to mildly stained winter water depending on local tributary input.
Flows & Clarity
Typical winter flows in the lower reaches are fluctuating around 8,000–10,000 cfs in the mainstem near Redding. Many productive wade sections are most comfortable when releases and local inflows keep the flow under ~7,500 cfs — check current USGS or Corps releases before heading out. Clarity: mostly clear-to-clean in main channel; tributary-fed seams may be off-color after storms.
Typical winter flows in the lower reaches are fluctuating around 8,000–10,000 cfs in the mainstem near Redding. Many productive wade sections are most comfortable when releases and local inflows keep the flow under ~7,500 cfs — check current USGS or Corps releases before heading out. Clarity: mostly clear-to-clean in main channel; tributary-fed seams may be off-color after storms.
Water Temperature
Early January readings are in the low-to-mid 40s°F (roughly 5–8°C) through much of the system. Fish metabolism is slow — target deeper, slower water for nymphs and use slightly heavier tungsten flies to get down quickly.
Early January readings are in the low-to-mid 40s°F (roughly 5–8°C) through much of the system. Fish metabolism is slow — target deeper, slower water for nymphs and use slightly heavier tungsten flies to get down quickly.
Weather
Expect cool, changeable winter weather with intermittent rain in the foothills. Wind can be a factor in open runs; layer for cold mornings and milder afternoons. Plan for low light and short windows of surface activity.
Expect cool, changeable winter weather with intermittent rain in the foothills. Wind can be a factor in open runs; layer for cold mornings and milder afternoons. Plan for low light and short windows of surface activity.
Access & Regulations
Public access points around Redding and Anderson are open but some trails and ramps can be muddy. Winter steelhead regulations and seasonal closures vary — always confirm current CDFW limits and area-specific rules before fishing.
Public access points around Redding and Anderson are open but some trails and ramps can be muddy. Winter steelhead regulations and seasonal closures vary — always confirm current CDFW limits and area-specific rules before fishing.
What’s Biting / Hatches
| Insect / Food | Likely Presentation | Where to Target |
|---|---|---|
| Midges (all sizes) | Subsurface pupa/emerger or tiny drys; tight indicator sighters and micro-buzzers | Slow tails, pocket water, behind boulders & tailouts |
| Baetis / Small PMDs | Small emerger/para-dun & micro nymphs; tungsten baetis variants | Shallower riffles and foam lines at low light |
| Caddis | Low evening activity on mild nights; CDC or foam caddis in small sizes | Bank seams, woody cover |
| Stonefly / Salmonfly (minimal) | Generally not present in early January — save big stonefly rigs for spring | Usually absent; fish deep runs/undercuts for holdovers |
| Baitfish / Streamers | Streamers & articulated sculpin imitations on long slow strips or swings | Deep runs, cut banks, bridge pilings, big structure |
Recommended Flies (winter-focused)
Below are proven winter selections for the Lower Sacramento. Links take you to flies you can order if you want to assemble a focused January box. Each category lists multiple options — try smaller sizes early in the day and slightly larger/higher-contrast patterns in low light.
Nymphs & Jigs (indicator, Euro & jig rigs)
| Fly | Best Use |
|---|---|
| Egan's Poacher — Olive | Anchor nymph / Euro point — great in faster seams and drop-offs |
| Egan's Poacher — Black | High-contrast anchor fly for stained water or low light |
| Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive | Short jig presentations and Euro pusher rigs; gets down fast |
| Pheasant Tail — Tungsten | Classic mayfly nymph profile in a weighted version — dependable winter choice |
| Tungsten Split Case — PMD | PMD-style split-case for selective takes in clear winter runs |
Midges & Small Winter Patterns
| Fly | Best Use |
|---|---|
| Black Zebra Midge (TBH) | Point fly for indicator and Euro rigs in winter pockets |
| Top Secret Midge | Subtle midge profile for finicky trout |
| Jujubee Midge — Olive | Emerger or wet-dropper companion below an indicator |
| Bling Midge — Black | Micro attractor/point for still, deep pockets and winter midge activity |
Dry Flies (low activity / evening windows)
| Fly | Best Use |
|---|---|
| Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) — Tan | Evening caddis activity and low-light foam-line targets |
| Parachute — Blue Wing Olive | Baetis/PMD situations — parachute offers great visibility for long leaders |
| Stealth Link — PMD | Emerger / soft-dun presentation when fish key on emergers |
| Chubby Chernobyl — Purple | High-visibility attractor for opportunistic rises (use small sizes) |
Streamers & Predator Patterns
| Fly | Best Use |
|---|---|
| Coffey's Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin | Big baitfish/sculpin imitation — swing or strip along deep banks |
| Sculpzilla — Olive | Articulated sculpin style for deep runs and undercut banks |
| Galloup's Slick Willy — Whitefish | Long, heavy strips for winter predators and big rainbows |
| Near Nuff Sculpin — Olive | Classic sculpin profile for holding water and deep ledges |
Eggs, Blobs & Stillwater Options
| Fly | Best Use |
|---|---|
| EZ Egg — Sunburst (barbless) | Suspended fish and steelhead holding near side channels or deep tails |
| Sunny Side Up — Fl. Orange | Attractor egg/point pattern for still water seams and baitfish looks |
| Slush Egg — Apricot | Soft, noisy egg imitation; deadly in winter when trout key on eggs |
| Croston's Tungsten Mini Egg — Baby Pink | Tiny tungsten eggs for deep index rigs and indicator presentations |
Tactics & Tips — What to Do on the Water
Quick plan:
- Morning — concentrate on deep seams and tailouts with tungsten nymphs and anchored rigs. Use longer, stiff leaders for euro rigs; indicators with a trailing split-shot or jig are excellent.
- Midday — if visibility improves and fish move into pockets, downsize your nymph to smaller zebra/baetis patterns. Try a micro-midge under an indicator in slow water.
- Low light / evening — watch for sporadic surface takes; small caddis and BWO patterns can trigger cautious rises. Streamers gain effectiveness during overcast or windy windows.
- Steelhead approach — when present, think heavier: articulated sculpin patterns, heavy streamers, and swung wet flies. Slow, aggressive strips or short sweeps will provoke reaction strikes.
Gear & Setup Suggestions
Rods & Lines
5–7 wt rods for trout; 8–10 wt for larger streamers/stripers or if you plan to swing for steelhead. Floating lines with a short, heavy tip for streamers; weight-forward floating for nymphing.
5–7 wt rods for trout; 8–10 wt for larger streamers/stripers or if you plan to swing for steelhead. Floating lines with a short, heavy tip for streamers; weight-forward floating for nymphing.
Leaders & Tippet
9–12 ft leaders for dry/dropper setups. Use 4–7X tippets for midges/baetis, 2–4X for streamers and large nymphs. Tungsten flies benefit from a stiff short leader or direct connection for hookup control.
9–12 ft leaders for dry/dropper setups. Use 4–7X tippets for midges/baetis, 2–4X for streamers and large nymphs. Tungsten flies benefit from a stiff short leader or direct connection for hookup control.
Rigs
Indicator rigs, two-nymph droppers, and euro/short-line setups are the go-to presentations. Be prepared to switch to a single heavy jig or articulated streamer on a sinking tip when targeting deep-holding fish.
Indicator rigs, two-nymph droppers, and euro/short-line setups are the go-to presentations. Be prepared to switch to a single heavy jig or articulated streamer on a sinking tip when targeting deep-holding fish.
Where to Target Today
Focus on the Redding to Anderson corridor — long runs with deep tails, mid-channel cut banks and the seams behind large rocks are consistent winter holding spots. Public access pools, boat ramps and recognized wading corridors hold fish that feed opportunistically during short warm-ups or in low-light windows.
Final Notes
Winter fishing on the Sacramento rewards patience and being ready to change approach. If nymphing slows down, switch colors/sizes and check depth; if the river drops even a little, fish will often move toward edges and run tails — adjust weight and leader length. Keep an eye on releases, and always check local regulations and closures before you go.
