The PRETTIEST River?! | Fly Fishing the Upper Sacramento by Castle Crags in California

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  • Опубліковано 8 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 124

  • @rodbillings54
    @rodbillings54 2 роки тому +5

    First time seeing this. I don’t think most people understand the amount of time it takes to lay down this cinematography on your own. Really enjoyed it.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому

      Thanks Rod and youre right. It is soo much work. I've got it down to a pretty good system now, but it's still slows the fishing down a ton.

  • @Jcozz
    @Jcozz Місяць тому

    Oh my gosh I was fishing this spot in July this year. You definitely captured the beauty of the area. Thank you!

  • @Dr0ctagonapus5
    @Dr0ctagonapus5 2 роки тому

    I love the good practice you use by getting your hand wet before handling the fish. ❤

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому +1

      I'm not perfect, but I try to do my best.

  • @AnotherFishingAdventure
    @AnotherFishingAdventure 3 роки тому +3

    Awesome video, beautiful country. Those fish are so colorful!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +2

      It really is super pretty with Castle Crags in the background and the clean Aspen trees. ONe thing that always frustrates me, is how I wish the fish looked as good on camera as they do to my eyes.

  • @blackflycreations
    @blackflycreations 3 роки тому +3

    Wow Eric you've got serious talent in producing a video! Capturing that many angles and then syncing it all is not easy. Awesome nymphing and beautiful scenery👍👍👍Tight lines, Steve from Black fly.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      I have a few tricks for syncing it all back up in post. It would in fact be a TON of work to sync it all by hand though. Thanks Steve.

  • @DoubleBogeyBass
    @DoubleBogeyBass 3 роки тому +1

    What an absolutely beautiful area, not another soul in sight! And so many beautiful natives!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      Yeah man, it was one heck of a morning! I saw you mentioned Burney Falls in one of your videos. I assume you're in the area?

    • @DoubleBogeyBass
      @DoubleBogeyBass 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone we vacationed at Burney Falls and I fished up above the falls, below the falls, and on Lake Britton, but only caught 2 small trout at the base of the falls.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      That's cool, I have yet to try and fish around the falls. Pit river though, that's a fantastic trib if you're ever in the area again.

    • @jesse75
      @jesse75 10 місяців тому +1

      I don't know if they are native or not.
      I live in Shasta lake and I fish that area a lot.
      The stretches of river above Dunsmuir are better. But expect to go on a hike. .
      And very few people fish it.

  • @MuddyBootsOutdoors
    @MuddyBootsOutdoors 2 роки тому

    Beautiful scenery and stream!

  • @hubsurf1
    @hubsurf1 2 роки тому

    Eric, thanks for taking us along with you. My dad lives in Redding and I’ve been trying my luck on the upper sac for a few years now. It was great to see your technique and get a better understanding of how I should approach the water there. Thanks so much. Looking forward to trying again next year.
    Cheers

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому

      Thanks for coming along and if you ever have any question do ask. There are also a bunch of knowledgeable locals in the Discord too!

  • @echohunter4199
    @echohunter4199 6 місяців тому

    Wow, this is interesting! I’ve stood at the same spot you’re fishing at back in 1974 when I was 9 years old and we lived in Dunsmuir. Those rocks get pretty slippery and we used those bugs that make a shell and attaches themselves to the rocks as bait. It’s always a calming experience out there. Then a couple years later we lived near the fish hatchery in Mt Shasta City over by the CHP office/facility next to I-5, during the summer I’d ride my bike to the hatchery and feed the fish. You could buy fish food from an old gum ball machine for 25 cents. Life for a kid back then was a lot different than today I’m afraid, very sad what we’ve lost.
    Thanks for the nice video sir.

  • @scottpiggott7600
    @scottpiggott7600 3 роки тому

    I’ll be there next week. Can’t wait. I love the trains.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      Oh awesome, it should really be fishing well with the cooler weather we've been having!

  • @nothingbuttrains9241
    @nothingbuttrains9241 3 роки тому +1

    Love that spot at the bridge always on my list on upper sac trips, love the hole downstream as well, I got my first fish on a streamer there. At 3:46, don't ignore the spot right behind you, it looks low but there are some nice fish that chill back there. Awesome vid as always!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      DANG IT, I did completely ignore and I'm kicking myself for it. I was looking at it thinking it would probably be better fished with an indicator and I was too lazy to put it on and try. I broke my #1 rule, Don't be lazy!
      I was looking on the drone footage and there is a cool set of runs just downstream from here that I'd like to hit next. I love this river and how much there is to explore.

    • @nothingbuttrains9241
      @nothingbuttrains9241 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone Can't wait for that video! Maybe I'll see ya out there one day!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      @@nothingbuttrains9241 Thanks and one day we might cross. If you see me, say hi!

  • @kimmuri2580
    @kimmuri2580 Рік тому

    Beautiful area been there often. Was there yesterday phone for fishing setting out and have a picnic Dunnsmere California is a Beautiful Area.

  • @oldsmugglerflyfishing
    @oldsmugglerflyfishing 2 роки тому

    Amazing video. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому

      Thanks Smuggler, digging deep into the archives :D

  • @andywang259
    @andywang259 3 роки тому +1

    Awesome video - just discovered your channel and was up there this past weekend! Keep up the great content, top notch stuff!!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Thanks Andy! How'd you do? I was up there last Monday and was skunked.

    • @andywang259
      @andywang259 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone Wasn't great but got 2 to go...lost a huge one Sunday morning in some fast stuff and hooked it wayyyy downstream at basically the end of my drift. Saw it's tail and it was thick but snapped me off on 5x...not going to lie, still thinking about that fish this week haha

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Oh man, I have a few fish like that that I still think about. Either we're both completely normal or have some kind of shared psychosis.

    • @andywang259
      @andywang259 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone I think a little of both :) Keep up the great stuff, really enjoying watching your videos!

  • @loganrock133
    @loganrock133 3 роки тому +1

    Nice Moonshine rod!!!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      My favorite thing about them is the spare tip you get out of the box.

  • @familyflyties3913
    @familyflyties3913 3 роки тому

    That definitely looks like some beautiful water to fish.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      That sunrise in the river mist was amazing! Thanks for stopping by

  • @nesslessman6379
    @nesslessman6379 Рік тому

    Very well filmed!

  • @garybergantino2314
    @garybergantino2314 2 роки тому

    Thanks for sharing

  • @RosinFlyFishing
    @RosinFlyFishing 3 роки тому

    Fantastic video Eric, great timing :)
    Watched with my wife this morning to show her what I'm not capable of and really admire lol

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Consider me humbled. I'm just a guy who loves fishing and making videos :D
      We totally need to fish on some river together one day!

    • @RosinFlyFishing
      @RosinFlyFishing 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone haha, same, just without videography skill :)
      My wife and I are Disney fans so maybe some day if we can get back to California for a Disney vacation she would let me get away for a day of fishing lol

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      @@RosinFlyFishing I think you're being a little too hard on yourself. Your vids remind me a lot of Huge Fly Fisherman's channel. You're way funnier than I am.
      Sadly Disney is a solid 12hr drive from me, that's probably a big ask from the wifey

  • @docjoe1
    @docjoe1 3 роки тому

    Really pretty river and love your videography! Great job on catching those fish. Hopefully I can get up into that area of NorCal!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      It's totally worth it. I'm already thinking about my next trip :D

  • @ericmolina3566
    @ericmolina3566 3 роки тому

    your videos are so well produced! I really enjoy watching these, and like your end of day recaps, keep it going!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Thanks Eric, I sometimes get temped to skip shooting the recap, but I know people like to see what I'm using to fish with and hear about the water for their own adventures.

    • @ericmolina3566
      @ericmolina3566 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone By the way, I am from the central/ southern Sierra region and if you are ever needing info on fishing spots let me know!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Thanks man, I will definitely be wanting to head down there next season.

  • @Gbow17
    @Gbow17 3 роки тому +2

    Hey Eric once again a great job! Even though I broke my ankle on the Upper the last time I fished it I can't wait to get back on it and get my Euro rod back in play. Are you doing any tying yet? Looks like you you bought a Peak. Good choice. Tight lines!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      Thank man, I'm sure it feels like an eternity waiting for it to heal, but it will!
      I did get a Peak and I enjoy it. I've learned and bought supplies for just one pattern. A Sexy Walt's Worm and I've been catching a lot of fish on it, so I haven't been too motivated to learn my next one. I'm starting to get interested in it.

  • @purpledrakefishing
    @purpledrakefishing 3 роки тому

    Love that river! I haven't fished that section before. Looked amazing.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      I love it too, it's definitely worth it. It has super easy access.

  • @flywheel986
    @flywheel986 Рік тому

    Video was nicely done! Difficult being your own camera guy. Loved fishing the upper Sac, caught beaucoup nice fish. One time comes to mind before the "Big Spill" train crash, was fishing the Castle section, using huge October Caddis nymphs and getting my fair share on the huge things, and about 6:00 an October Caddis hatch came off and it was like being inside a snow globe. Astounding amount of flying bio mass. Quickly changed the nymph for a giant orange dry fly and could not see my fly traveling downstream because of the amount of live dippers. Trout were rising and gorging all around me, and I wound up skunked in a blizzard hatch. Laughed my ass off all the way to the truck. That memory still makes me grin to this day. I have fished many "Blue Ribbon" waters in my life, including the"holy" ones, but for a fine, fun, productive, easily accessible day, no river or stream beats the Upper Sac

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  Рік тому

      That sounds amazing. I've heard many a tale like that. I seems like when the Oct Caddis are in the air, the fish aren't really keyed into them on the surface. I've never seen it that thick, cool memories.

    • @flywheel986
      @flywheel986 Рік тому

      @@driftstone Yep, in 15 years of wading the Sac, that was the one and only October Caddis blizzard I experienced. The fish were definitely keyed on the adults hitting the water, there were trout coming all the way out of the water to get them. With all of the fat tasty live ones, they paid 0 attention to my presentation. After a while I just stood there and marveled at the sight

  • @calebrowe7591
    @calebrowe7591 3 роки тому

    Another great video man.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Thanks Caleb, I appreciate you

  • @TroutFlies
    @TroutFlies 3 роки тому

    Super entertaining and well worth the wait! =) Always nice finding one of those seams or pockets with multiple fish lined up in em.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +2

      I'm not sure I've ever pulled 3 fish out of one exact spot like that. It's extremely satisfying that I even got it on tape explaining what I was doing and then got one more!

    • @DanielOrr26
      @DanielOrr26 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone that was awesome! I started to comment when I saw that happen.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Thanks Daniel 💯

  • @ronaldmcdonald3965
    @ronaldmcdonald3965 3 роки тому

    Caught my first trout there at Dunsmuir City Park ....in 1968 June. Haven't been there in about 20 years. Will start going back up there soon.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Wow that's awesome! Where do you get to fish these days?

    • @ronaldmcdonald3965
      @ronaldmcdonald3965 Рік тому +1

      @@driftstone I have not fly fished in a while. I did the Truckee in the 80s while handling accounts in Sacramento and Reno. Took my late Father inn 1999 to Lower Falls on the McCloud for our last trip up there. A couple of trips to Dunsmuir in the early 2000s. Fly fished the Fraser River in Colorado for a while near our regional HQ in Colorado. Then stopped fishing because too busy with work and rental properties. Kayak fishing for bass to avoid long drives. Will head to Dunsmuir in 2024 I think. Maybe stay at the motel where the Ted Fay fly fishing shop is (if it is still there). They used to do tightlining with 7.5 foot rods, 6 weight line with the Ted Fay Bomber patterns. Equipment sure has changed over the years.

  • @hungrymon7887
    @hungrymon7887 2 роки тому

    great video. for a gorgeous river, the Roaring Fork in CO is hard to beat. it's free stone and the rocks and are remarkable colors. the Rocky Mountains are not too bad either.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому

      Oh I LOVE streams that have colorful rocks. Choosing a prettiest river is kind of like choosing your favorite child, they're all favorite.

  • @yusencaughtafish4909
    @yusencaughtafish4909 2 роки тому

    wow. this is a great vid.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому

      It's an oldie but a goodie. Thanks!

  • @markfischer1012
    @markfischer1012 3 роки тому

    Like the box canyon , very beautiful water, tried it but water never showed a lot fish , great to see you have broken the no fish idea.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Yeah, that's been my experience too. Super pretty, not many fish.

    • @markfischer1012
      @markfischer1012 3 роки тому

      Might be heading that way soon , Dunsmuir Area will let you know. I parked at bottom cantera loop road but will try Ney springs road next trip.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Good luck up there!

  • @flowflyfishing2131
    @flowflyfishing2131 3 роки тому +1

    Very nice video. Your fishing has improved a lot, too. Thanks for taking us with you. How do you like Resolve?

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks Flow, I appreciate the compliment on the fishing. Since this video, I just dropped the weight of my euro leader from 20lb to 12lb mono in hopes for more reach and greater sensitivity. I'm anxious to try that out.
      I'm completely sold on Resolve. I don't see myself using Premiere ever again.

  • @ReelsandRidges
    @ReelsandRidges 3 роки тому

    Great video, really enjoyed it! We've been talking about making an episode up there, might have to give it a go after watching this! Love that release shot at 13:36 you nailed it!

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      That would be awesome! I'd love to see what your creative take on a fishing trip up here!

  • @bobbyfeldhousen2212
    @bobbyfeldhousen2212 Рік тому

    Thanks!

  • @garyslade6509
    @garyslade6509 3 роки тому +2

    I’ve recently found your channel. Great videos. I have two questions: Your list of gear doesn’t mention the wading boots/shoes. They look both comfortable and good for rock hopping. What brand/model are they? Second: You have a lot of sag between your reel and stripping guide. What is your reasoning for not keeping the line under your trigger finger during the drift?
    Thanks again for the channel.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      Hey Gary, glad you found it.
      For the shoes, I'm wearing Altra Lone Peak trail running shoes. I hate boots and these are basically a boot lower with a light running shoe upper and a wide toebox. Plus it has all the connection points for gators. I also like the sensitivity I have with the ground. I trip less when I can feel what's underneath.
      My euro nymphing has evolved a LOT in the last few months. This is early-ish in my journey. After this video, I went to a long 20lb butt section to keep my fly line in the reel. Much less sag. When the drift is close under my rod, I like to fish on the reel because the drag is smoother than a pinched line on the cork for me.
      I've since switched it up more. I'm running a 12' butt section now so I can cast further away with less sag. When I'm doing longer casts, I will use my line hand to strip in slack and pinch the mono on the cork like most people do. But for the close stuff, I still like to fish right off the reel.
      Just this week I got an actual 3wt Euro rod replacing my 10' 5wt. The extra sensitivity has been amazing!

    • @garyslade6509
      @garyslade6509 3 роки тому

      Thanks for the reply. I’ve been Euro Nymphing for about 3+ years. Just went to a light weight mono rig. 30’ of 2X indicator mono. A bit of getting used to the casting, but great drift and strike detection.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      Wow, 2x is pretty light material. My 12lb mono seems like a good compromise. I'll probably down down lighter again at some point just to see how it feels. I love the technique. You should have it dialed after 3yrs

    • @garyslade6509
      @garyslade6509 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone No one ever has it dialed. I’ve fished with some Team USA guys and they say they are still learning. Fly Fish Food, Tactical Flyfisher, and George Daniel are good resource UA-cam channels, if you haven’t seen them. BTW: How many sizes larger than normal shoe size did you use so the trail shoes fit over waders?

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      @@garyslade6509 Thanks Gary, I definitely follow all three of those guys. That's awesome that you've had the chance to fish with them. Fishing can be humbling and figuring out the formula for the the season, flows, time of day, hatches, etc can be maddening sometimes. But when it clicks, it's sooo much fun!
      For the shoes, I'm wearing a pair I used with normal socks. I took the insole out to make them fit. They're a little tight until I get in the water. I'd say one full size over would be ideal. I wear 11s, so I'd buy a 12 and feel confident they'd fit.

  • @davidfeng6120
    @davidfeng6120 3 роки тому

    As someone in the bay area, I'm so jealous of you guys up in NorCal :) but we have striper down here so it's all good

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      Ha, you're not wrong. I've never tried to go after Stripers that come up the sac. I need to make a friend that has a boat :) If you ever come up this way, let me know if you have any questions!

    • @davidfeng6120
      @davidfeng6120 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone Yea a boat is a must out there on the Sac. We can get away with wading in the Bay 😂 but I gotta warn ya - once you catch a good striper, you're gonna be addicted. It's true what they say: the tug is the drug

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      @@davidfeng6120 Duely noted 😂😂

  • @Mountaineer506
    @Mountaineer506 3 роки тому

    Amazing that you do all
    That videography while fishing haha what weight is the rod? Thanks for the vid

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      It was super tough in the beginning trying to learn the fish and make videos ta the same time. I believe at the time of this video I was fishing a 10' 5wt exclusively. I now use a 3wt euro rod for tight lining

  • @danwalorny2150
    @danwalorny2150 2 місяці тому

    Ive fished that river close to a hundred times before the spill and after , thanks for the memorira i live now at the upper Stan. NOT as nice but ok vy the way i caught a land lo k steelhead at Dog creek...

  • @Mattogabu1
    @Mattogabu1 3 роки тому

    I notice you don’t keep the line in your fingers when you fish....does that not make detecting takes harder and hook setting a bit of a lottery?

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      Yep, if you watch some of my more recent videos, my technique has evolved a lot.

  • @kakusei3672
    @kakusei3672 3 роки тому

    My father grew up in the 1950s fishing this river.

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому

      I love that, I wonder how much it's changed in 70 years!

  • @MuddyBootsOutdoors
    @MuddyBootsOutdoors 2 роки тому

    By the way the video is awesome on this, what camera and lens did you use to film this?

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому

      Thanks so much ED, I'm not sure if I had my new ultra wide lens in this video, but I have a full gear list including my video gear found here: driftstone.co/blog/erics-gear-list

  • @nopetrialmod6190
    @nopetrialmod6190 Рік тому

    is this on soda creek road?

  • @DanAcondaOutdoors
    @DanAcondaOutdoors 3 роки тому

    In the seconds scene, we’re you euro-nymphing?

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      I was euro-nymphing the entire time. Never changed my tactics. Sometimes, I'll put an indicator on my euro rig and flow the fly down through runs I can't get close enough to.

  • @Samson-dn4eo
    @Samson-dn4eo 2 роки тому

    what kind of flies to use for salmon and trout there? heading up there in a month

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому +2

      There aren't any salmon in the upper Sac, but flies most nymphs work well. Walt's Worms and Rubberlegs have been classics for me on this water.

    • @Samson-dn4eo
      @Samson-dn4eo 2 роки тому

      @@driftstone I am going to drive up there, is there a specific address I put in my gps or just Sacramento River ?

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  2 роки тому +1

      Pretty much every exit of the freeway from lakehead to dunsmuir has river access. The dfg has a nice guide if you Google it

    • @Samson-dn4eo
      @Samson-dn4eo 2 роки тому

      @@driftstone ok cool, thanks!

    • @Samson-dn4eo
      @Samson-dn4eo 2 роки тому

      @@driftstone is there any good fishing spots closer to Sacramento

  • @chugnorris8516
    @chugnorris8516 3 роки тому

    Is it catch and release only or can you keep them?

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  3 роки тому +1

      It depends on the time of year and where you are on the river. The best thing to do is read the regs before every trip, that's what I do.

    • @chugnorris8516
      @chugnorris8516 3 роки тому

      @@driftstone for sure thank you

  • @dalecarpenter8828
    @dalecarpenter8828 Рік тому

    So to do a walk by shot ? Do you walk up the trail put the camera down walk back and then walk past like its not there then walk back and get the camera ?I would feel very pretty funny doing that !
    Is loud repitious noise ( music ) a youtube requirement ?
    Not so much you, but most , Why do youtubers think people want to look at their mugs yammering instead of seeing what they are yammering about ?

    • @driftstone
      @driftstone  Рік тому

      Yup, I shoot the shot have to walk back up to the camera for each shot. I felt weird doing it the first few times too.
      I'm with you on people saying what you're doing every step of the way. Stuff like, "Okay, let's release this fish now."