Northern California Fly Fishing

Riverbend Adventures Guide Service

Pit River Fly Fishing

This rugged and very scenic river is the longest tributary that flows into Lake Shasta. We primarily fish the Pit from PG & E Powerhouse #1, downstream to PG & E Powerhouse #5.

The Pit River "wild" Rainbows reach trophy size proportions and are some of the hardest fighting Trout that you will ever catch. Nymph fishing is the most productive way to catch fish on this river, but casting a streamer in the deeper runs and pools will consistently catch bigger Trout.

Dry fly fishing can be very good, fishing Salmon flies, Golden Stones and Little Yellow Sally imitations early in the season. The caddis and mayfly hatches are happening all season. Terrestrial fishing can be very good during the warmer months of Summer.

Fall fishing on the Pit River is excellent. The days are cooler with good hatches of caddis and mayfies lasting longer. Streamer fishing can be very productive, also.

The changing Fall colors, scenic beauty of the steep canyons and pristine evergreen forest make for a very memorable day of fishing. All fishing on the Pit River is walk-in and wade fishing.

McCloud and Upper Sacramento River Fly Fishing

These classic Freestone Waters are primarily fished with nymphs and streamers in pocket water, riffles, deep runs and pools. Dry fly fishing can be excellent, and is best in the Spring and Fall. Both rivers are very similar in character and aquatic bug life. There is a good variety of stone flies, mayflies and caddis hatches coming off all season with the terrestrial fishing being very good during the warmer Summer months.

The McCloud and Upper Sac are tributaries into Lake Shasta. In the Fall "Big" Browns and Rainbow Trout migrate out of Lake Shasta into these rivers to spawn. The fishing and Fall colors make these rivers a magical place to spend time on the water. All fishing on the MCloud and Upper Sac is walk-in and wade only.

Lower Sacramento River Fly Fishing

The Sacramento River, from Redding downstream to Red Bluff, is recognized as one of the premier tailwater fisheries in the West. Starting early in March with prolific mayfly and caddis hatches, the Sac provides some of the best dry fly and nymph fishing to be experienced anywhere. Nymph fishing is the primary means to catching the hard fighting "wild" Rainbows. Dead drifting nymphs or swinging soft hackles and emerger patterns on sinking lines can be very productive, as well. Late afternoon and evening hatches offer excellent dry fly fishing.

The river fishes well all year with primetimes in the Spring because of prolific hatches, and the Fall when the King Salmon are spawning.

The Lower Sacramento River Rainbows are the hardest fighting Trout you can catch on a flyrod! All fishing is driftboat fishing, primarily and wade fishing, as much as possible, depending on river flows.