Drift Boat Fly Fishing
Salmon King Lodge of Red Bluff proudly announces its partnership with master fly fishing guide Jason Thatcher of AllRiverFishing.com

Jason has years of experience fly fishing trout and steelhead rivers across Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and the Alaska Peninsula. A devout student of the game he is intimately familiar with the local fishes life-cycle, habits, habitat, defining traits, and proven, as well as, experimental methods of take.

Jason makes a living throughout the year as a full-time guide in Northern CA and Alaska with most of his trips dedicated to guiding fly fishers. He has the skills, tools, and knowledge, to put guests in the best possible situation for having a successful, comfortable, safe, and entertaining river fishing adventure. Never fly fished before? Get the one on one, personal instruction needed with a patient instructor who specializes in introducing novices and experienced anglers alike to the art of river fly fishing. This is a great trip for any beginner to fly fishing! No experience is necessary.

Sacramento River Trout
You will be fishing for wild Sacramento River rainbow trout. Averaging 14-20+ inches these light tackle titans will test even the most capable angler's fish-fighting skills with sizzling runs and Olympic style midair acrobatics. These trout are absolutely a handful on a light fly rod! There is always the opportunity here to hook into the "fish of a lifetime" with the occasional trout going 24"+ and built like shipping containers. During the Fall when the king salmon are spawning, the Sacramento River trout have nothing but eggs on their minds as they line up behind the salmon redds to take part in the buffet line. This feeding frenzy provides us with the closest thing to Alaska style trout fishing in the Lower 48. Spring time here on the Sac. brings a whole new smorgasbord to our wild trout in the form of prolific caddis and mayfly hatches. It's all about big trout on small bugs!

This section of the Sacramento River has a trout population measured in thousands of trout per mile, providing legitimate opportunities for hooking in excess of 25 fish per day. Our trout are some of the most brilliantly decorated fish in the West boasting a full spectrum of brilliant colors. No two fish will look alike.

Your Experience
Waking after a relaxing night in our comfortable lodge, we start out the day with a hearty breakfast and drive to the launch site. On a typical day, we launch after sunrise and fish 7-8 hours. Our lodge guests are provided with lunch on the River, snacks and soft drinks. All rods, reels, flies, and leaders are included. We provide 10' G-Loomis GLX rods along with matching reels, but you are always welcome to bring your own favorite rod. We generally recommend #6WT rods 9-10' length with floating line. The primary technique used here on the Sacramento River is slack line (dead-drifting) nymphing with strike indicators. Most of the trout here prefer to eat their meals when the bugs are "on their way up". We will also fish dries or streamers when conditions are optimal.

While fishing with us you will be riding "cadillac style" in one of our custom built Fishcraft drift boats. Our 18'X60" low profile drifter was tailor made with the Sacramento River in mind. This incredibly stable boat is loaded with features that are important to flyfishers such as; raised level floors, walk around seating, and comfortable leg braces to list just a few. Fishing from this craft is an absolute pleasure in itself. This is the ultimate layout for a fly fishing boat. Also available is our 17'X54" drift boat that is very similarly equipped, but with high sides and "sports car" handling.

We fish where the hoards of fishermen don't. You will enjoy a relaxing wilderness experience fishing for the "less educated" trout and occasional steelhead inhabiting the Sacramento River between Anderson and Red Bluff. We will generally set up a drift for 8-17 miles depending on the current river conditions. You will be fishing to "new water" all day on your float through the most scenic stretches of the Lower Sac.

This river is managed as primarily a catch and release fishery. Most of the year, anglers can keep 1 trout under 16" or 1 hatchery (adipose fin clipped) steelhead 16" and over.

What to Bring

* California fishing license, steelhead punch card and Bay Delta Enhancement Stamp.

* Clothing appropriate to the season. Layers are recommended. Check out Accuweather for the latest weather forecast.

* Sunscreen and insect repellent. Don't forget your sunglasses!! Polarized lenses are preferred.

* Beer, wine or spirits to enjoy at the lodge. While we don't prohibit alcohol on the boat, we discourage anything that compromises your safety and ability to enjoy your day on the water.

* We provide all fishing equipment and flies or if you prefer, bring your own gear.

Book your fishing experience today - click here to send us an email or call us at (866) 877-8354