Is anybody not catching fish on Redding area waters right now? If you're not, you better get out there because some of the year's best fishing is going on right now! I've had a busy summer and it seems all of the trips I'm booking are on different bodies of water here in Shasta County. Trust me, I'm not complaining, I'm loving it! I'm fishing Shasta and Whiskeytown Lakes, and the Sacramento River in Redding, and my clients are seeing some great fishing this week. I've been after the salmon on the Sacramento River this week as well, and although fishing for salmon is still slow, there are some fresh salmon available for those who put in the time.

Shasta Lake is fishing very good for rainbow trout and landlocked King salmon. I've been fishing the main body of the lake around Bridge Bay and also up into the McCloud arm. I'm finding the best bite to be over deep water in 80'-90'. I'm trolling 1.5-2.0 mph and have been doing best with "blue" PLine 2.5" Sunrise Squid trailed behind a white or chrome dodger with some UV tape attached. White squid are also drawing bites from hungry salmon and trout that are feeding on small Shad.

Whiskeytown Lake is still fishing very well and it's still "limit" style fishing that is easily accomplished if you follow the tips I've laid out in previous reports. The Kokanee are mostly 14" plus with some now going over 16". They are still in very good shape, although some have just begun to take on their pre spawning features. I'm still trolling at 1.1-1.5 mph at about 55'-65' deep and trolling pink or orange baits behind Dick Nite UV dodgers. I've been finding concentrations of Kokanee at the 299 bridge and also at the cold water curtain.

The Sacramento River rainbow trout fishing has remained quite good, but is seeing a decline in the bites per outing since the upper section of the river in Redding opened on August 1st. With flows dropping and the amount of aquatic vegetation floating downstream, its no wonder. Over all, the fishing is still good and fish are eating Dick Nite spoons and taking back trolled diving plugs like the Mag Lip 3.0's when properly presented. I myself do not fly fish much, but I have noticed the drift boat fly guides are doing well on the river and are catching some rainbows as well. Boat traffic has been fairly heavy in the morning, but once all the drift boats disperse throughout the river, access to holding water is once again, restored.

So once again, we are experiencing some great fishing and some great weather right now making it even better to fish here in the Redding area. Make sure you take the time to treat yourself to a guided fishing trip with me for some of the finest fishing our north state has to offer, or venture out on your own and take advantage of this special time of year on the Sacramento River and area lakes. Tight lines everyone!