Fly Fishing in Redding, CA
Guided trips
ON THE LOWER SAC, MCCLOUD, TRINITY, AND A DOZEN MORE WATERS WITHIN AN HOUR OF TOWN.
Redding sits at the center of one of the most concentrated stretches of trout water in the country. The Lower Sacramento runs right through downtown. The McCloud, Upper Sac, Pit, Fall, and Hat Creek are all inside an hour. The Trinity holds steelhead through fall and winter. Few places in the West give you this many rivers within this short a drive, and even fewer have a year-round tailwater the caliber of the Lower Sac running through their backyard. AC Fly Fishing has been guiding these waters for more than a decade. Our shop sits on Bechelli Lane, just a few minutes from the river. We run more than 10,000 guided trips to date, and most of our guests are anglers who keep coming back season after season.
Why Redding Is a Fly Fishing Destination
Three things make Redding stand out:
A world-class tailwater in town.
The Lower Sacramento below Keswick Dam runs cold and clear year-round, fed by deep releases from Shasta Lake. Wild rainbow trout average 16 to 17 inches with 20-inch fish common. The river fishes well 365 days a year, which is rare for trout water at this latitude.
Multiple river systems within an hour.
Most fly fishing destinations give you one river. Redding gives you the Lower Sac, Upper Sac, McCloud, Pit, Fall, Hat Creek, and the Trinity within a short drive, plus the Eel and Klamath a little further out. That means we can put you on the right water for the conditions, the season, and what you want to catch.
Year-round fishing with real variety.
Spring caddis hatches on the Lower Sac. Summer evenings on the McCloud and Fall. Fall salmon eggs and steelhead. Winter blue-winged olives and big trout feeding hard. There is no off-season here.
RIVERS WE FISH FROM REDDING
Each of these is a short drive from our shop on Bechelli Lane. Click through for full river details, seasonal info, and what to expect.
The home water. Tailwater fishing for wild rainbows, year-round, often without leaving the city limits. Trophy fish, big hatches, drift boat access.
A spring-fed freestone winding through forest country east of town. The redband strain of rainbow trout on the McCloud has its own genetic lineage. One of the prettiest rivers in California.
About an hour west of Redding. Wild and hatchery steelhead from late summer through winter, plus resident trout. Our most popular destination for swinging flies.
Freestone trout water from Lake Shasta up toward Dunsmuir. Classic pocket water, wading and walking, great for anglers who want to cover ground.
A spring creek northeast of town, drift boat only, with selective trout that test even experienced anglers. Technical and rewarding.
Trophy spotted bass and smallmouth on the fly, May through October. A nice change of pace from the rivers.
Coastal steelhead water about two hours west. Winter-run fish, big and aggressive when conditions line up.
We keep it simple. Two trip lengths, two anglers per boat, all gear provided.
Four to five hours on the water. One or two anglers per boat. Beverages, terminal tackle, rods and reels included. A good option for first-timers, families with kids, or anglers fitting fishing into a travel day.
($650 in October; Trinity year-round $650; Coastal Steelhead $750) Seven to eight hours on the water. One or two anglers per boat. Lunch, snacks, beverages, terminal tackle, rods and reels included. The standard trip for serious days on the river.
All trips include a licensed, full-time professional guide. We provide premium rods (Sage, Scott, Winston), reels, flies, and tippet. You bring sunglasses, a hat, layers, sunscreen, and a California fishing license.
When to Fish?
A classic freestone stream in Mt. Shasta's shadow, offering pristine waters and acrobatic wild trout. Perfect for wade fishing enthusiasts seeking mountain scenery.
Spring (Mar–May)
Lower Sac, Upper Sac
Caddis hatches, March browns, PMDs. Dry fly opportunities. Wadable flows.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
McCloud, Fall, Upper Sac
Hydropsyche caddis hatches on the Lower Sac in evenings. Cool freestones during the day.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
Lower Sac, Trinity
King salmon spawn triggers the "egg drop." Trophy trout in shallow water. Trinity steelhead arrive.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Lower Sac, Trinity
BWO hatches on overcast days. Low pressure on the river. Steelhead through January.
Every season fishes well here. The question is what you want to catch and how you want to fish for it.
Who We ARE
AC Fly Fishing is owned by Anthony Carruesco and based in Redding. Our team of twelve full-time guides has decades of combined experience on these waters. We are not a multi-state outfit running through here on a circuit. We live here, fish here, and run trips here every day of the season.
What our guests come back for:
- Personalized instruction matched to your skill level
- Long-term guide relationships, not just one-off day trips
- All gear provided, including premium rods and reels
- A shop you can walk into to plan trips and grab flies
- Lodging partnerships with the Sheraton Redding at the Sundial Bridge
Plan Your Trip
The best Redding fly fishing trips start with a phone call. Conditions change week to week and the right river for your day depends on flows, hatches, water temps, and what you want to catch. Our team handles the planning so you show up ready to fish.
Call us at
1-800-201-5047 or fill out the form below. We will get back to you the same day with current conditions, available dates, and a recommendation on which water makes sense for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is AC Fly Fishing located?
Our shop is at 3402 Bechelli Lane, Suite G, in Redding, California, just off Highway 44 and a few minutes from the Lower Sacramento River.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. California requires a valid fishing license for everyone 16 and older. You can buy one online through the CDFW website before your trip. A one-day license is the simplest option for visiting anglers.
Do I need my own gear?
No. We provide premium rods, reels, flies, leaders, and tippet at no extra cost. Bring polarized sunglasses, a hat, layered clothing, sunscreen, and your license.
What's the best time of year to fly fish in Redding?
Every season fishes well. Spring (March to May) brings strong hatches and dry fly action on the Lower Sac. Fall (September to November) is the trophy trout window thanks to the salmon egg drop. Winter offers low pressure and big fish for anglers who don't mind cooler weather. Summer is best on the McCloud, Fall River, and Upper Sac.
Can beginners book a trip?
Yes. A large share of our trips include first-time fly fishers. Our guides teach casting, knots, reading water, and fly selection as part of the day.
What if the weather is bad?
We fish in most conditions. Trips are only cancelled when the river is unsafe or unfishable. Rain and cold do not cancel a trip. If your guide does cancel for safety, we reschedule at no charge.
How many people per boat?
Two anglers maximum, plus your guide. This keeps the experience personal and gives you more fishing time.
How many people per boat?
We partner with the Sheraton Redding at the Sundial Bridge, on the Sacramento River. Lodging packages include club lounge access, breakfast, and evening wine and appetizers.
