Upper Sac Fishing Report – Oct 18, 2026

The Upper Sac is easy, comfortable wading right now, and the October Caddis are starting to show. Dunsmuir anglers have seen the first adults in the Box Canyon and Cantara areas, and folks are catching a surprising number of browns.

Current Conditions

Flows: About 210 CFS at Delta, steady all month. That's low and very wadeable.
Bugs: Midges and small mayflies during the day, with small caddis toward evening. October Caddis adults are around, but the local shop says the fish don't really key on them until November.
Fish: Rainbows throughout the river, more browns than usual, and lake-run rainbows working up from Shasta.

What's Working

Daytime: Small nymphs in the riffles and pocket water. Perdigons, Baetis-style nymphs, midges, and a tungsten pheasant tail are all producing. Euro or a small indicator both work.
Browns: Fish them deep. Try swinging a nymph out the tail of a deep hole.
Evenings: Small dries for risers. When the big caddis show, go to a dry or dry-dropper and give the fly a little twitch.
Lake fish: Streamers and stonefly nymphs in the lower river.

Where to Go

For lake-run fish, try the lower canyon access points: Simms, Gibson, Pollard Flat, Lamoine, and McCardle Flat. For October Caddis, look upriver around Box Canyon and Cantara.

Rain Watch

There's a chance of rain from Tuesday night through Thursday, with a tenth to a quarter inch possible Wednesday night. Fall rains are what usually push more lake fish up the river, so the end of the week could be worth watching.

What to Wear

Highs will be in the high 50s to low 60s, with lows in the high 30s to mid 40s. Bring layers, a rain shell, and studded boots, since the rocks get slick.

Regs: Check current CDFW regulations for the stretch you plan to fish.

Upper Sac questions this week

Is the Upper Sac fishing well right now?

As of October 18, 2026: The Upper Sac is easy, comfortable wading right now, and the October Caddis are starting to show. Dunsmuir anglers have seen the first adults in the Box Canyon and Cantara areas, and folks are catching a surprising number of browns.

What flies are working on the Upper Sacramento River right now?

As of October 18, 2026: Daytime: Small nymphs in the riffles and pocket water. Perdigons, Baetis-style nymphs, midges, and a tungsten pheasant tail are all producing. Euro or a small indicator both work. Browns: Fish them deep. Try swinging a nymph out the tail of a deep hole. Evenings: Small dries for risers. When the big caddis show, go to a dry or dry-dropper and give the fly a little twitch. Lake fish: Streamers and stonefly nymphs in the lower river.

What are the Upper Sacramento River flows right now?

As of October 18, 2026: About 210 CFS at Delta, steady all month. That's low and very wadeable. Gauge readings are provisional; see the sources listed in the report.

Upper Sacramento River Fishing Report – October Caddis Season Is Starting

Current conditions in brief