Upper Sacramento River

The Upper Sac is where high-sticking was born. This 40-mile freestone canyon from near Mount Eddy down through Dunsmuir to Shasta Lake is the original classroom for the short-line nymphing technique -- weighted flies on a tight line, probing the seams between boulders in pocket water, feeling for the subtle tick of a take. The wild rainbows average 10-14 inches, they're strong and colorful from living in fast water, and there are a lot of them. It's not a trophy fishery. It's a place to catch fish all day using the most engaging technique in fly fishing.

The river's character is classic mountain freestone: cold, clear water tumbling over boulders and through riffles, runs, and emerald pools, framed by steep canyon walls of pine, fir, and cedar. Flows between 500 and 1,200 CFS provide ideal wading conditions. The stonefly hatches in May and June are the highlight -- salmonflies and Golden Stones bring fish to the surface on big dries, and the hatch moves upstream over several weeks. Summer caddis and evening dry fly fishing carry through September, and October Caddis and fall BWOs extend things into November. The river suffered a catastrophic fish kill in 1991 when a Southern Pacific tank car spilled metam sodium at the Cantara Loop, but the recovery has been remarkable -- today's wild trout population is healthy and self-sustaining.

I-5 and the railroad tracks parallel the river, making access easy from dozens of pullouts along the Dunsmuir corridor. That ease of access means weekend pressure, especially during the stonefly hatch. Dunsmuir is a small railroad town with the legendary Ted Fay Fly Shop, good food, and affordable lodging. Redding is an hour south with full services. The volcanic rock is slippery -- felt soles or studs are essential. Watch for the active freight trains when using railroad access points. Open year-round under general regulations with a 5-fish daily limit, though most anglers release everything.