The PRETTIEST River?! | Fly Fishing the Upper Sacramento by Castle Crags in California
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ธ.ค. 2020
- Today I'm continuing my journey of discovery on the Upper Sacramento River. It's a long stretch of fishable water, so I'm still learning where I like to go and how to best fish it. Today I started at the Soda Creek Access. It's where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the river and the Interstate. With the misty waters and the crazy views of Castle Crags, it's probably the prettiest place I've fished yet.
The second half the day was spent at Ney Springs. The fishing wasn't as good or I was just getting tired. Getting into Box Canyon is both daunting, but really enticing. I'll need to go back when I'm fresh.
I was fishing with a #14 Sexy Walt's Worm on the point with a #18 Perdigon on the dropper. I caught fish equally on both.
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First time seeing this. I don’t think most people understand the amount of time it takes to lay down this cinematography on your own. Really enjoyed it.
Thanks Rod and youre right. It is soo much work. I've got it down to a pretty good system now, but it's still slows the fishing down a ton.
Wow Eric you've got serious talent in producing a video! Capturing that many angles and then syncing it all is not easy. Awesome nymphing and beautiful scenery👍👍👍Tight lines, Steve from Black fly.
I have a few tricks for syncing it all back up in post. It would in fact be a TON of work to sync it all by hand though. Thanks Steve.
Awesome video, beautiful country. Those fish are so colorful!
It really is super pretty with Castle Crags in the background and the clean Aspen trees. ONe thing that always frustrates me, is how I wish the fish looked as good on camera as they do to my eyes.
Wow, this is interesting! I’ve stood at the same spot you’re fishing at back in 1974 when I was 9 years old and we lived in Dunsmuir. Those rocks get pretty slippery and we used those bugs that make a shell and attaches themselves to the rocks as bait. It’s always a calming experience out there. Then a couple years later we lived near the fish hatchery in Mt Shasta City over by the CHP office/facility next to I-5, during the summer I’d ride my bike to the hatchery and feed the fish. You could buy fish food from an old gum ball machine for 25 cents. Life for a kid back then was a lot different than today I’m afraid, very sad what we’ve lost.
Thanks for the nice video sir.
Eric, thanks for taking us along with you. My dad lives in Redding and I’ve been trying my luck on the upper sac for a few years now. It was great to see your technique and get a better understanding of how I should approach the water there. Thanks so much. Looking forward to trying again next year.
Cheers
Thanks for coming along and if you ever have any question do ask. There are also a bunch of knowledgeable locals in the Discord too!
Beautiful scenery and stream!
I love the good practice you use by getting your hand wet before handling the fish. ❤
I'm not perfect, but I try to do my best.
What an absolutely beautiful area, not another soul in sight! And so many beautiful natives!
Yeah man, it was one heck of a morning! I saw you mentioned Burney Falls in one of your videos. I assume you're in the area?
@@driftstone we vacationed at Burney Falls and I fished up above the falls, below the falls, and on Lake Britton, but only caught 2 small trout at the base of the falls.
That's cool, I have yet to try and fish around the falls. Pit river though, that's a fantastic trib if you're ever in the area again.
I don't know if they are native or not.
I live in Shasta lake and I fish that area a lot.
The stretches of river above Dunsmuir are better. But expect to go on a hike. .
And very few people fish it.
Beautiful area been there often. Was there yesterday phone for fishing setting out and have a picnic Dunnsmere California is a Beautiful Area.
Love that river! I haven't fished that section before. Looked amazing.
I love it too, it's definitely worth it. It has super easy access.
Really pretty river and love your videography! Great job on catching those fish. Hopefully I can get up into that area of NorCal!
It's totally worth it. I'm already thinking about my next trip :D
Another great video man.
Thanks Caleb, I appreciate you
your videos are so well produced! I really enjoy watching these, and like your end of day recaps, keep it going!
Thanks Eric, I sometimes get temped to skip shooting the recap, but I know people like to see what I'm using to fish with and hear about the water for their own adventures.
@@driftstone By the way, I am from the central/ southern Sierra region and if you are ever needing info on fishing spots let me know!
Thanks man, I will definitely be wanting to head down there next season.
Amazing video. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Smuggler, digging deep into the archives :D
Great video, really enjoyed it! We've been talking about making an episode up there, might have to give it a go after watching this! Love that release shot at 13:36 you nailed it!
That would be awesome! I'd love to see what your creative take on a fishing trip up here!
I’ll be there next week. Can’t wait. I love the trains.
Oh awesome, it should really be fishing well with the cooler weather we've been having!
Super entertaining and well worth the wait! =) Always nice finding one of those seams or pockets with multiple fish lined up in em.
I'm not sure I've ever pulled 3 fish out of one exact spot like that. It's extremely satisfying that I even got it on tape explaining what I was doing and then got one more!
@@driftstone that was awesome! I started to comment when I saw that happen.
Thanks Daniel 💯
Thanks for sharing
That definitely looks like some beautiful water to fish.
That sunrise in the river mist was amazing! Thanks for stopping by
Awesome video - just discovered your channel and was up there this past weekend! Keep up the great content, top notch stuff!!
Thanks Andy! How'd you do? I was up there last Monday and was skunked.
@@driftstone Wasn't great but got 2 to go...lost a huge one Sunday morning in some fast stuff and hooked it wayyyy downstream at basically the end of my drift. Saw it's tail and it was thick but snapped me off on 5x...not going to lie, still thinking about that fish this week haha
Oh man, I have a few fish like that that I still think about. Either we're both completely normal or have some kind of shared psychosis.
@@driftstone I think a little of both :) Keep up the great stuff, really enjoying watching your videos!
Love that spot at the bridge always on my list on upper sac trips, love the hole downstream as well, I got my first fish on a streamer there. At 3:46, don't ignore the spot right behind you, it looks low but there are some nice fish that chill back there. Awesome vid as always!
DANG IT, I did completely ignore and I'm kicking myself for it. I was looking at it thinking it would probably be better fished with an indicator and I was too lazy to put it on and try. I broke my #1 rule, Don't be lazy!
I was looking on the drone footage and there is a cool set of runs just downstream from here that I'd like to hit next. I love this river and how much there is to explore.
@@driftstone Can't wait for that video! Maybe I'll see ya out there one day!
@@nothingbuttrains9241 Thanks and one day we might cross. If you see me, say hi!
Very well filmed!
Thanks!
great video. for a gorgeous river, the Roaring Fork in CO is hard to beat. it's free stone and the rocks and are remarkable colors. the Rocky Mountains are not too bad either.
Oh I LOVE streams that have colorful rocks. Choosing a prettiest river is kind of like choosing your favorite child, they're all favorite.
Fantastic video Eric, great timing :)
Watched with my wife this morning to show her what I'm not capable of and really admire lol
Consider me humbled. I'm just a guy who loves fishing and making videos :D
We totally need to fish on some river together one day!
@@driftstone haha, same, just without videography skill :)
My wife and I are Disney fans so maybe some day if we can get back to California for a Disney vacation she would let me get away for a day of fishing lol
@@RosinFlyFishing I think you're being a little too hard on yourself. Your vids remind me a lot of Huge Fly Fisherman's channel. You're way funnier than I am.
Sadly Disney is a solid 12hr drive from me, that's probably a big ask from the wifey
Nice Moonshine rod!!!
My favorite thing about them is the spare tip you get out of the box.
wow. this is a great vid.
It's an oldie but a goodie. Thanks!
Yo great video dude.
Thanks 💯
Hey Eric once again a great job! Even though I broke my ankle on the Upper the last time I fished it I can't wait to get back on it and get my Euro rod back in play. Are you doing any tying yet? Looks like you you bought a Peak. Good choice. Tight lines!
Thank man, I'm sure it feels like an eternity waiting for it to heal, but it will!
I did get a Peak and I enjoy it. I've learned and bought supplies for just one pattern. A Sexy Walt's Worm and I've been catching a lot of fish on it, so I haven't been too motivated to learn my next one. I'm starting to get interested in it.
Very nice video. Your fishing has improved a lot, too. Thanks for taking us with you. How do you like Resolve?
Thanks Flow, I appreciate the compliment on the fishing. Since this video, I just dropped the weight of my euro leader from 20lb to 12lb mono in hopes for more reach and greater sensitivity. I'm anxious to try that out.
I'm completely sold on Resolve. I don't see myself using Premiere ever again.
Video was nicely done! Difficult being your own camera guy. Loved fishing the upper Sac, caught beaucoup nice fish. One time comes to mind before the "Big Spill" train crash, was fishing the Castle section, using huge October Caddis nymphs and getting my fair share on the huge things, and about 6:00 an October Caddis hatch came off and it was like being inside a snow globe. Astounding amount of flying bio mass. Quickly changed the nymph for a giant orange dry fly and could not see my fly traveling downstream because of the amount of live dippers. Trout were rising and gorging all around me, and I wound up skunked in a blizzard hatch. Laughed my ass off all the way to the truck. That memory still makes me grin to this day. I have fished many "Blue Ribbon" waters in my life, including the"holy" ones, but for a fine, fun, productive, easily accessible day, no river or stream beats the Upper Sac
That sounds amazing. I've heard many a tale like that. I seems like when the Oct Caddis are in the air, the fish aren't really keyed into them on the surface. I've never seen it that thick, cool memories.
@@driftstone Yep, in 15 years of wading the Sac, that was the one and only October Caddis blizzard I experienced. The fish were definitely keyed on the adults hitting the water, there were trout coming all the way out of the water to get them. With all of the fat tasty live ones, they paid 0 attention to my presentation. After a while I just stood there and marveled at the sight
Thanks!
Thanks Bobby, you're awesome!
Caught my first trout there at Dunsmuir City Park ....in 1968 June. Haven't been there in about 20 years. Will start going back up there soon.
Wow that's awesome! Where do you get to fish these days?
@@driftstone I have not fly fished in a while. I did the Truckee in the 80s while handling accounts in Sacramento and Reno. Took my late Father inn 1999 to Lower Falls on the McCloud for our last trip up there. A couple of trips to Dunsmuir in the early 2000s. Fly fished the Fraser River in Colorado for a while near our regional HQ in Colorado. Then stopped fishing because too busy with work and rental properties. Kayak fishing for bass to avoid long drives. Will head to Dunsmuir in 2024 I think. Maybe stay at the motel where the Ted Fay fly fishing shop is (if it is still there). They used to do tightlining with 7.5 foot rods, 6 weight line with the Ted Fay Bomber patterns. Equipment sure has changed over the years.
Like the box canyon , very beautiful water, tried it but water never showed a lot fish , great to see you have broken the no fish idea.
Yeah, that's been my experience too. Super pretty, not many fish.
Might be heading that way soon , Dunsmuir Area will let you know. I parked at bottom cantera loop road but will try Ney springs road next trip.
Good luck up there!
As someone in the bay area, I'm so jealous of you guys up in NorCal :) but we have striper down here so it's all good
Ha, you're not wrong. I've never tried to go after Stripers that come up the sac. I need to make a friend that has a boat :) If you ever come up this way, let me know if you have any questions!
@@driftstone Yea a boat is a must out there on the Sac. We can get away with wading in the Bay 😂 but I gotta warn ya - once you catch a good striper, you're gonna be addicted. It's true what they say: the tug is the drug
@@davidfeng6120 Duely noted 😂😂
Amazing that you do all
That videography while fishing haha what weight is the rod? Thanks for the vid
It was super tough in the beginning trying to learn the fish and make videos ta the same time. I believe at the time of this video I was fishing a 10' 5wt exclusively. I now use a 3wt euro rod for tight lining
By the way the video is awesome on this, what camera and lens did you use to film this?
Thanks so much ED, I'm not sure if I had my new ultra wide lens in this video, but I have a full gear list including my video gear found here: driftstone.co/blog/erics-gear-list
I’ve recently found your channel. Great videos. I have two questions: Your list of gear doesn’t mention the wading boots/shoes. They look both comfortable and good for rock hopping. What brand/model are they? Second: You have a lot of sag between your reel and stripping guide. What is your reasoning for not keeping the line under your trigger finger during the drift?
Thanks again for the channel.
Hey Gary, glad you found it.
For the shoes, I'm wearing Altra Lone Peak trail running shoes. I hate boots and these are basically a boot lower with a light running shoe upper and a wide toebox. Plus it has all the connection points for gators. I also like the sensitivity I have with the ground. I trip less when I can feel what's underneath.
My euro nymphing has evolved a LOT in the last few months. This is early-ish in my journey. After this video, I went to a long 20lb butt section to keep my fly line in the reel. Much less sag. When the drift is close under my rod, I like to fish on the reel because the drag is smoother than a pinched line on the cork for me.
I've since switched it up more. I'm running a 12' butt section now so I can cast further away with less sag. When I'm doing longer casts, I will use my line hand to strip in slack and pinch the mono on the cork like most people do. But for the close stuff, I still like to fish right off the reel.
Just this week I got an actual 3wt Euro rod replacing my 10' 5wt. The extra sensitivity has been amazing!
Thanks for the reply. I’ve been Euro Nymphing for about 3+ years. Just went to a light weight mono rig. 30’ of 2X indicator mono. A bit of getting used to the casting, but great drift and strike detection.
Wow, 2x is pretty light material. My 12lb mono seems like a good compromise. I'll probably down down lighter again at some point just to see how it feels. I love the technique. You should have it dialed after 3yrs
@@driftstone No one ever has it dialed. I’ve fished with some Team USA guys and they say they are still learning. Fly Fish Food, Tactical Flyfisher, and George Daniel are good resource TH-cam channels, if you haven’t seen them. BTW: How many sizes larger than normal shoe size did you use so the trail shoes fit over waders?
@@garyslade6509 Thanks Gary, I definitely follow all three of those guys. That's awesome that you've had the chance to fish with them. Fishing can be humbling and figuring out the formula for the the season, flows, time of day, hatches, etc can be maddening sometimes. But when it clicks, it's sooo much fun!
For the shoes, I'm wearing a pair I used with normal socks. I took the insole out to make them fit. They're a little tight until I get in the water. I'd say one full size over would be ideal. I wear 11s, so I'd buy a 12 and feel confident they'd fit.
is this on soda creek road?
My father grew up in the 1950s fishing this river.
I love that, I wonder how much it's changed in 70 years!
I notice you don’t keep the line in your fingers when you fish....does that not make detecting takes harder and hook setting a bit of a lottery?
Yep, if you watch some of my more recent videos, my technique has evolved a lot.
In the seconds scene, we’re you euro-nymphing?
I was euro-nymphing the entire time. Never changed my tactics. Sometimes, I'll put an indicator on my euro rig and flow the fly down through runs I can't get close enough to.
Is it catch and release only or can you keep them?
It depends on the time of year and where you are on the river. The best thing to do is read the regs before every trip, that's what I do.
@@driftstone for sure thank you
Ok bro are you using fluorocarbon tippet try 4x fc they can not see it as easy.
Right on, I love FC!
what kind of flies to use for salmon and trout there? heading up there in a month
There aren't any salmon in the upper Sac, but flies most nymphs work well. Walt's Worms and Rubberlegs have been classics for me on this water.
@@driftstone I am going to drive up there, is there a specific address I put in my gps or just Sacramento River ?
Pretty much every exit of the freeway from lakehead to dunsmuir has river access. The dfg has a nice guide if you Google it
@@driftstone ok cool, thanks!
@@driftstone is there any good fishing spots closer to Sacramento
So to do a walk by shot ? Do you walk up the trail put the camera down walk back and then walk past like its not there then walk back and get the camera ?I would feel very pretty funny doing that !
Is loud repitious noise ( music ) a youtube requirement ?
Not so much you, but most , Why do youtubers think people want to look at their mugs yammering instead of seeing what they are yammering about ?
Yup, I shoot the shot have to walk back up to the camera for each shot. I felt weird doing it the first few times too.
I'm with you on people saying what you're doing every step of the way. Stuff like, "Okay, let's release this fish now."