Being that I decided to create the Fly Fishing Traditions blog this November, I have decided that I will periodically post stories about past trips to various destinations. Hope you will find them interesting.
I have booked a trip with Mike Hibbard of Redding, California for my birthday for I believe the last 5 or 6 years. This is what you do when you buy a drift boat and spent a lot of time rowing instead of fishing. You hook up once in a while with a guide who in my case becomes a buddy friend and get a fishing fix.
Mike Hibbard is a quality guide and person. He knows the Lower Sacramento and the Trinity River intimately. He is a independent guide and if you want to fish either of these rivers I would highly recommend that you contact him. His phone number is 530-247-3970 and his cell phone is 530-526-5535. You won't be sorry. In fact call me and I'll split the guide fee with you!
Mike had fished the river the day before and found that a small BWO nymph was working. The fly was a Mercer's Glass Bead mayfly in black. It was a size 20 or maybe a 22. There were lots of the small mayflies coming off the riffles. I know when I fish the river that I just don't go that small for the robust fish of the Lower Sacramento. But on this day it was the ticket.
Mike's typical rig is setup with a tapered 3x or 2x 9ft leader. He used to use a "Boles" indicator in blue or green but like many of us has changed to using a thing-a-ma-bobber. He sets the indicator about 18" to 24" below the end of the flyline. The shot is set at a rods length down from the indicator, usually about 9 feet. from there he goes with 3x fluorocarbon to the first fly, 4x fluorocarbon to the 2nd fly and then 5x fluorocarbon to the last fly. This is a rule of thumb for the Lower Sac.
On this day I was rigged with a size 14 King Prince, to a size 14 birds nest and then to the size 20 black glass bead baetis.
Zack was rigged up with a #14 cinnamon Fox Pupa, to a Sloans' Mighty May and then to a size 18 Hogan's S&M nymph.
Mike will typically start off with six different flies as he says on the Lower Sac each day the fish may want something a little different. By giving the fish multiple choices you can then focus on what they want to eat on any given day.
The fish seemed to want the smallest bug on this morning and we then had to figure out how to keep a hot Lower Sac rainbow on a small size 20 bug. Its not easy.
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Zack and I hooked up with a double and we were able to net both of them at once.
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This is the famous "Posse Ground" riffle.
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Zack hooked this fish at the top of the riffle and fought all the way down to the soft water to land it. Probably 200 yards. That's a smile for you!
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This is the willow in the concrete bunker at the end of the "Posse Ground Riffle" Always a good spot!
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I guess this is my "karmic" reward for sharing the rivers with my friends and family from the view of my rowers seat.
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This is the "Sundial Bridge". If you are in the Redding area fishing or just traveling through stop and take a stroll on the bridge. It's worth it.
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Zack with another chunky Lower Sac rainbow.
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If you live in Northern California you have to spend some time on the Lower Sacramento River. It is a world class fishery and is only 2 1/2 hours from Grass Valley and Nevada City. Give Mike Hibbard a call and he will hook you up.
Make a "Tradition"
Clay
Contact Mike Hibbard
* Cell 530-526-5535
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Have any Questions or Comments? Let me know, Clay.