{RPT} Sac River 1/5

First time launching on the river since it flooded, water flow is very low, 3200 cfs, 50% of normal for this time of year, easily pedaled up river.

Didn't notice much on FF until I came upon six bald eagles fishing, they left when I arrived, there was a 14' hole underneath where they were flying, lots of fish stacked up, a couple steelhead jumped, one almost into my kayak. Hadn't seen any water deeper then 6' until I crossed that hole.

Fish were feeding on a small tan caddis/mayfly, got a good look when one landed on my yak, of course I was fishing with nightcrawlers so the trout wanted nothing to do with me.

Did manage to catch one pike minnow, at least I got rid of the skunk, a couple pictures attached, one of the bald eagles came back to check me out.

Might go again tomorrow, after I tie a couple flies.

Nice day on the water!

I'm pretty sure that's a photo of a turkey vulture.  Bald head, but not an eagle I don't think....

Thanks for the report and pictures eastonkayaker.

I'm pretty sure that's a photo of a turkey vulture.  Bald head, but not an eagle I don't think....

Bald eagles, they always show up on this section of Sac River in winter.

Better than a skunk!    I haven't even thought of fishing the river with the clarity so bad.  Shasta is still a filthy brown mess, it's going to take a couple months until we see clean water again.

Get them flies tied up! Im looking forward to seeing you with a nice steelie Good luck and thanks for sharing.

I'm pretty sure that's a photo of a turkey vulture.  Bald head, but not an eagle I don't think....

Looks like a turkey vulture to me, too.

I will try to get some more pictures, I live on the river and get to watch them fish and hear the screech when they are diving for mice/squirrels in the field across the street. In the spring the Osprey are here, big nest about 200 feet from my house on a power pole, they fish the lake and the river.

I could be wrong but the turkey buzzards/vultures hang out year round, sometimes there will be 50 of them hanging out at the fish cleaning station, my dog loves chasing them.

Have also seen 1000's of geese and ducks the last few weeks. On the ranch across the river they start hunting at first light every morning. Believe the eco-system around here is good for birds.

Thanks for the report.  Have you tried swinging spinners in front of the trout?  The one time I fished the lower Sac for trout was in February from a drift boat, and they were feasting on emerging caddis.  We caught several fish on caddis dries, but I HAMMERED them swinging a size 6 gold-blade Panther Martin in front of their faces.  The spinner seemed to get the larger fish too.  I also tried drifting 'crawlers and even roe that day for nada, save for a sucker.

I'm pretty sure that's a photo of a turkey vulture.  Bald head, but not an eagle I don't think....

Looks like a turkey vulture to me, too.

+3

Thanks for the report.  Have you tried swinging spinners in front of the trout?  The one time I fished the lower Sac for trout was in February from a drift boat, and they were feasting on emerging caddis.  We caught several fish on caddis dries, but I HAMMERED them swinging a size 6 gold-blade Panther Martin in front of their faces.  The spinner seemed to get the larger fish too.  I also tried drifting 'crawlers and even roe that day for nada, save for a sucker.

Hey  Clayman, went out again this afternoon, tried roe, crawlers, flies a gold rooster tail spinner, didn't have a panther martin with me, nothing except one take on a crawler but didn't hook it, maybe a couple more taps like they were just nudging it. Part of the problem is the structure/ledges the fish are hanging around, I hung up and broke off several times. Tried bobber at different levels, even bounced on the bottom.

Just got off the water as the sun was setting, fish were working the surface as I was floating in, all about timing I guess, have to be there when they decide to eat.

Did get stopped by DFG today, but they were very nice, asked how long I had been fishing, if I had anything in my possession and my zip code, not sure if it was a survey only or if I had caught something they would have asked more questions. They did stay about 30 feet away, appreciate that they were safe and avoided any kind of waves.

Any time you want to come down and show me how it's done let me know  .

I heard from a neighbor they are catching at the barge hole but it is hard to keep the salmon off the line, which of course they have to release this time of year.

Nice report, try a 1/64 brn minijig below a float, before the hatch, works other places..

Catch a.d release salmon sounds fun, especially on trout gear!

Nice report, try a 1/64 brn minijig below a float, before the hatch, works other places..

Catch a.d release salmon sounds fun, especially on trout gear!

Sounds like a meal ticket to me  , time to gear up.
Did you launch at Lake Cal. and head up ?, or down from Balls Ferry ?, I'm game for a little float / cruise, just thought the water was still too dirty.

T.L. Tim

P.S. posting a hookup in members only for this week

Nice report, try a 1/64 brn minijig below a float, before the hatch, works other places..

Catch a.d release salmon sounds fun, especially on trout gear!

Sounds like a meal ticket to me  , time to gear up.
Did you launch at Lake Cal. and head up ?, or down from Balls Ferry ?, I'm game for a little float / cruise, just thought the water was still too dirty.

T.L. Tim

P.S. posting a hookup in members only for this week

Hey Tim,

Been launching at LC, water flow is so low my Revo makes it upstream fairly easy.