Spring is Breaking Out All Over: Upper Sacramento Runoff Begins

The Upper Sacramento River’s flows (currently 1800 cfs) are taking on a decidedly “runoff” look (note the daily cycles due to warm days/cold nights), and while the nights are still cool, the days have been gorgeous.

Wayne Eng reconnoitered the river yesterday, and reports the Upper Sac definitely has a “roll” to it, suggesting fly fishers will have to pick their spots.

Last week’s trip to Lake Siskiyou revealed a full lake, so I’d have to guess that a lot of the flows we’re reading at the Delta are coming from high up on the river.

Wade carefully.

Wayne also reported seeing plenty of spawning fish, so at the risk of sounding preachy, consider leaving the spawners alone and watch where you put your damned feet.

He didn’t report any hatches (the Underground’s breath quickens at the mere mention), but the Upper Sacramento is an odd duck; you can see a strong hatch on one stretch and find no bugs at all five minutes up the river.

I’m guessing not much is going on in that dry fly department.

Even though the February storms bolstered the high-altitude snowpack to almost normal levels, low-altitude snow remains relatively sparse, and while this statement is likely a product of spring fever, I’d say this year’s “runoff event” will be a relatively calm one.

The Underground has spoketh.

Spring In Distant Places

That wild gaggle of British fly fishers are starting their seasons, though typically under less-than-optimal conditions.

Alistair (I’m not English!) of the Urban Fly Fisher fished a tributary of his favorite river (the Kelvin), and faced high water.

The North Country Angler found a few fish on his cold, windy opener while Fly Fishing In South Wales found essentially the same conditions. (Is anyone else detecting a pattern?)

We’re still waiting for one of my favorite UK blogs to check in (Tamanawis), but it looks like lots of early season rain and cold in the United Kingdom. Who would have guessed it??

The Northeast

We’re fly fishing here, but in Maine, they’re apparently still ice fishing. Ouch.

The Rocky Mountain West

The Fly Fishing in Yellowstone blog (who we missed during the off season), reports fish working on the Madison, and throws in–absolutely free of charge–a very interesting report that connects wolves to better trout fishing in the park.

Not to be missed.

Tennessee

Meanwhile, Ian Rutter and Rich Margiotta are reporting good conditions in Tennessee, but the hatches are just a bit too light to really get the fish going.

The Trout Underground?

I’m fishing tomorrow, though I have no clear idea where. More as it happens.

See you on the river, Tom Chandler.

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