April and May are good months. Because of our drought the river should be lower than normal for this time of year. Good luck!

Jarhead is right on. The rainbow trout fishery from Redding to Red Bluff is probably the best in California. The fish are heavy and beautiful! Drift boat fly fishing or side drifting with bait are the tickets. This time of year trout are by far your best bet. You need to get a guide to fish this part of the river effectively. Check in with the Fly Shop in Redding. Their phone # is 800-699-3474, on 4140 Churn Creek Road, Redding.

I love these historic pictures. Thanks for sharing Yaker!

I don't know anything about local ponds, but as Fishing fool says There is great fishing in your area. The Pitt River arm of Shasta lake used to be great for large and Small Mouth Bass as well as catfish but I haven't fished there for some time. The lower Sacramento River from Redding to Red Bluff has some of the best Rainbow Trout fishing in California! Fat and Beautiful! Get a guide and drift boat and give it a try. Both side drifting and fly fishing are great. You need to be aware that this section of the river is catch and release for trout. The upper Sacramento around Dunsmuir is also good for all kinds of Trout fishing.

Nice fish Caliman! I look forward to this kind of catch with you in our area one of these days!! Kyle

I totally agree with you!

Very nice Yoda! I've never caught a Bluefin. I can tell from the pics that it is a ton of fun!!

Thanks Spinnerman!

Salmon !!!

Hi 4hunter4- I have fished the Smith and Chetco for over 40 years but have never been able to time the Salmon runs. It seems that they are there briefly and gone way upriver with the first storm. I live in Sacramento so it generally takes me a few days to get up your way after a good report. I have also fished the Cal/Or steelhead derby for over 20 years and loved it! I would really like a way to keep in touch. I'm not on face book but my son is. How can we find a way to hook up for reports (Steelhead and Salmon) and maybe get together for a fishing trip?

I agree with Spirit. Also try a Kwik fish with a crawdad wrap for salmon. Not as popular, but works good. It's a little late for Salmon in the Freeport area.

I agree with Saw. If you were fishing the Sacto. River and you were pretty accurate on the weight of the fish, it was almost certainly NOT a Steelhead. Most likely a fresh run Salmon. Where on the Sacto. were you fishing and what were you using? As I recall the Calif. State record for Steelhead is 27lb.4 ounces. Caught on the Smith River.

If you mean bait and not lures and by freshwater you mean rivers, I think the best and most consistent bait is cured Salmon roe. Use a "slinky" for weight and and a 3 to 4 foot leader with a loop knot to secure your bait. Make sure your bouncing the bottom. You'll get em!

So true Spirit! Thanks for making a great point!!

Snagging is snagging. Whether legal or not!