Upper Sac Fishing Report – Oct 29, 2026

The October Caddis are the story on the Upper Sac. Ted Fay Fly Shop (via the 10/22 regional report) says the hatch is coming off strong up around Cantara and should work its way down to Dunsmuir quickly with this cold weather, and BWOs are picking up too. The Fly Shop's 10/27 report adds that more lake-run fish are moving up from Shasta, and that the dry fly fishing should keep getting better over the next couple of weeks.

Current Conditions

Flows: About 210 CFS at Delta. It bumped to about 245 with last week's rain and dropped right back.
Water temp: Cooler after last week's storm. The shops say the drop has the river fishing well.
Bugs: October Caddis (strongest up high near Cantara), BWOs, midges and small mayflies.
Fish: Resident rainbows and browns throughout, plus lake-run rainbows in the lower river.

What's Working

October Caddis pupae: Dead-drift them through the riffles and let them swing up at the end.
Evening egg-layers: When the big caddis come down at dusk, a big orange dry, a Stimulator or a skater with a little twitch.
Daytime nymphing: Tiny nymphs in the fast water are the best daytime bet: zebra midges in size 18 or smaller, small black mayfly nymphs, perdigons, rubber legs and Bird's Nests.
Lake-run fish: Sculpin and shad-style streamers in the lower canyon. They'll take nymphs too.

Where to Go

For October Caddis dries, start up high around Cantara and Box Canyon, then work down toward Dunsmuir as the hatch moves. For lake-run fish, try the lower canyon access at Simms, Gibson, Pollard Flat, Lamoine and McCardle Flat.

Weather & What to Wear

Partly sunny through Friday, then rain showers likely Saturday and Saturday night, and sunny Sunday and Monday. Highs will be in the upper 40s to upper 50s, with lows in the mid 30s. Saturday's rain may bump the flows a little. Bring warm layers and rain gear, and wear studded boots.

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 29, 2026: The October Caddis are the story on the Upper Sac. Ted Fay Fly Shop (via the 10/22 regional report) says the hatch is coming off strong up around Cantara and should work its way down to Dunsmuir quickly with this cold weather, and BWOs are picking up too. The Fly Shop's 10/27 report adds that more…

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

As of October 29, 2026: October Caddis pupae: Dead-drift them through the riffles and let them swing up at the end. Evening egg-layers: When the big caddis come down at dusk, a big orange dry, a Stimulator or a skater with a little twitch. Daytime nymphing: Tiny nymphs in the fast water are the best daytime bet: zebra midges in size 18 or smaller, small black mayfly nymphs, perdigons, rubber legs and Bird's Nests. Lake-run fish: Sculpin and shad-style streamers in the lower canyon. They'll take nymphs too.

What are the Upper Sacramento River flows right now?

As of October 29, 2026: About 210 CFS at Delta. It bumped to about 245 with last week's rain and dropped right back. Water temperature: Cooler after last week's storm. The shops say the drop has the river fishing well. Gauge readings are provisional; see the sources listed in the report.

Upper Sac Fishing Report – October Caddis Moving Downriver

Current conditions in brief