Upper Sacramento River · Dunsmuir to Lakehead · Fall
Upper Sac Fishing Report – October Caddis Building
Compiled from the regional sources listed below (gauges, CDFW, weather and shop reports) and reviewed by Travis.
Current conditions in brief
As of October 22, 2026: Flows: About 210 CFS at Delta. Working: October Caddis pupae; Evening egg-laying flights; Daytime nymphing. Best bet: Dead-drift them or let them swing up at the end of the drift. The October Caddis are getting thicker around Dunsmuir, and the colder weather is pulling more rainbows up out of Shasta Lake.
The October Caddis are getting thicker around Dunsmuir, and the colder weather is pulling more rainbows up out of Shasta Lake. The latest shop report (10/20) says both. Flows are still low and easy to wade, so this is a good week to fish the Upper Sac.
Current Conditions
- Flows: About 210 CFS at Delta. That's been steady for weeks, and Thursday's rain hasn't moved it so far.
- Bugs: October Caddis around Dunsmuir, plus midges, small mayflies and small caddis. Local shops say the fish really start keying on October Caddis in November.
- Fish: Resident rainbows and browns throughout, plus lake-run fish moving into the lower river.
What's Working
- October Caddis pupae: Dead-drift them or let them swing up at the end of the drift.
- Evening egg-laying flights: When the big caddis come down in the evening, fish a big orange dry or a Stimulator and give it a small twitch.
- Daytime nymphing: Perdigons, rubber legs, zebra midges, Bird's Nests and small mayfly nymphs in the riffles and pocket water.
- Lake-run fish: Sculpin and shad-style streamers in the lower river. They'll eat nymphs too.
Where to Go
For lake-run fish, use the lower canyon access points: Simms, Gibson, Pollard Flat, Lamoine, and McCardle Flat. For October Caddis, go upriver around Dunsmuir, Box Canyon and Cantara.
Weather & What to Wear
Light rain Thursday, then sunny through Monday. Highs will be in the high 50s to mid 60s, with lows in the mid 30s to low 40s. Bring warm layers for the morning, and wear studded boots, since the rocks are slick.
Regs: Check current CDFW regulations for the stretch you plan to fish.
Ready to book? Call or text me at (530) 722-8331.
Upper Sac questions this week
Is the Upper Sac fishing well right now?
As of October 22, 2026: The October Caddis are getting thicker around Dunsmuir, and the colder weather is pulling more rainbows up out of Shasta Lake. The latest shop report (10/20) says both. Flows are still low and easy to wade, so this is a good week to fish the Upper Sac.
What flies are working on the Upper Sacramento River right now?
As of October 22, 2026: October Caddis pupae: Dead-drift them or let them swing up at the end of the drift. Evening egg-laying flights: When the big caddis come down in the evening, fish a big orange dry or a Stimulator and give it a small twitch. Daytime nymphing: Perdigons, rubber legs, zebra midges, Bird's Nests and small mayfly nymphs in the riffles and pocket water. Lake-run fish: Sculpin and shad-style streamers in the lower river. They'll eat nymphs too.
What are the Upper Sacramento River flows right now?
As of October 22, 2026: About 210 CFS at Delta. That's been steady for weeks, and Thursday's rain hasn't moved it so far. Gauge readings are provisional; see the sources listed in the report.
Ready to book a trip?
Call or text Travis at (530) 722-8331 for a quick, same-day response, or book through The Fly Shop at 1-800-669-3474.
Sources
Gauge readings are provisional. Dates show when each source was published or read.
- USGS 11342000 Sacramento R. at Delta (10/22)
- The Fly Shop (10/20)
- California Fly Fishing Reports, relaying Ted Fay Fly Shop (10/13)
- Ted Fay Fly Shop Guide Notes (10/1)
- NWS forecast, Dunsmuir (10/22)
More reports from October 22, 2026
- Lower Sac Fishing Report – Salmon Pile In, Eggs Still Rule
- Trinity River Fishing Report – Winter Flows Meet Fall Rain
- McCloud River Report – Spawning Browns, October Caddis
- Pit River Fishing Report – Steady Flows, Few New Reports
- Hat Creek Fishing Report – BWOs, Midges and Frosty Mornings
- Fall River Fishing Report – Midday Hatches, Cold Mornings
Upper Sacramento River guide info and seasons →
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