Sacramento River Family Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
River Fishing
Halfday Sacramento River trips targeting Steelhead and Brown TroutFamilyfriendly drift boat experience accommodating up to two guestsProfessional gear and expert guidance provided for all skill levels
Picture this: you're floating down California's legendary Sacramento River with your family, watching the kids' eyes light up as they hook their first trout. Our 4-hour family fishing trips out of Redding are designed for exactly these moments. Whether you're teaching your daughter to cast or watching your son battle his first steelhead, this drift boat experience brings families together on one of the West Coast's most productive waterways. Andrew Surtees Guide Service has been putting families on fish for years, and we know how to make sure everyone from grandpa to the youngest angler has a blast on the water.
We'll meet you at the boat launch in Redding bright and early, where you'll step aboard our comfortable drift boat that's perfect for up to two guests. The Sacramento River here flows through some gorgeous country, with towering oaks lining the banks and the Cascade Mountains creating a stunning backdrop. Your guide knows every bend, riffle, and holding spot along this stretch, so you'll be fishing the most productive water from the moment we push off. The drift boat setup is ideal for families because everyone can fish comfortably while we handle the rowing and positioning. No need to worry about navigating currents or finding fish – that's our job. Your job is to enjoy watching the bobbers dance and setting hooks when the trout bite. The half-day format works perfectly for families with younger kids who might get restless on longer trips, but it's plenty of time to get into some serious fishing action.
We provide all the professional-grade gear you'll need, including rods matched perfectly to the techniques we'll be using and tackle boxes stocked with proven Sacramento River patterns. Depending on conditions and what the fish are doing, we might be drift fishing with roe, swinging flies through deeper holes, or even casting spinners to likely looking spots. The beauty of drift boat fishing is that we can cover water efficiently while trying different techniques until we find what's working that day. Your guide will teach you how to read the water, showing you where trout like to hold and why certain spots are more productive than others. Kids especially love learning to "high stick" their drift, keeping line off the water for a perfect presentation. We'll adjust our approach based on everyone's skill level, making sure beginners feel confident while still challenging more experienced family members. The Sacramento's steady flow and varied structure mean we're always fishing fresh water with new opportunities around every bend.
Brown trout on the Sacramento River are absolute fighters that'll give your family fishing stories for years to come. These fish average 14 to 18 inches, but don't let their size fool you – browns are notorious for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. They're most active during the cooler parts of the day, which is why our morning trips tend to be so productive. Browns love structure, so we'll be targeting undercut banks, fallen trees, and deeper pools where these smart fish like to ambush their prey. What makes catching Sacramento River browns so special is their wild nature and stunning golden coloration. These aren't hatchery fish – they're stream-bred fighters that have learned to survive in this competitive river system. Kids get a huge kick out of the way browns will often jump completely out of the water when hooked, putting on quite the show before coming to the net.
Rainbow trout here are equally exciting but fight differently than their brown cousins. Sacramento River rainbows are known for their incredible stamina and long runs that'll have your drag screaming. These fish typically run 12 to 16 inches and are perfect for teaching young anglers proper fighting techniques. Rainbows are more willing to feed during the day than browns, making them ideal targets for family trips. They're also more forgiving of presentation mistakes, so beginners have excellent chances of hooking up. The rainbows here spawn in late winter and early spring, and the post-spawn fish are incredibly healthy and aggressive. During our trips, we often encounter rainbows in the shallower riffles where they're actively feeding on insects and small baitfish. Their bright silver sides and pink stripe make them absolutely beautiful fish to photograph before release, creating perfect family memories.
This Sacramento River family fishing experience delivers everything you want from a day on the water: quality time together, beautiful scenery, and the genuine excitement that only comes from hooking wild trout. Our 4-hour trips are perfectly timed to keep everyone engaged without wearing out younger family members, and the drift boat format means even first-time anglers can be successful. The Sacramento River's year-round fishery means we can put together great family trips in any season, though spring and fall tend to offer the most consistent action. With professional gear included and expert guidance every step of the way, all you need to bring is your sense of adventure and maybe a camera for those hero shots. These family fishing memories don't happen by accident – they happen when you book with guides who understand both the river and what makes families tick. Give us a call to reserve your dates, because the best fishing days on the Sacramento fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Meet our restored 14' Lavro drift boat, your floating base camp for Sacramento River fishing adventures. This classic 1991 vessel got a complete makeover in 2018 and now runs on a dependable 1HP Arms engine that quietly moves you into prime fishing spots without spooking the trout and steelhead below. Perfect for intimate family outings, she comfortably holds two guests plus your guide. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those successful moments when the fish are biting. Built for the Sacramento's gentle currents, this boat lets you focus on what matters most - teaching the kids to cast, watching for that telltale tug on the line, and soaking up California's beautiful river scenery. Whether you're helping little ones reel in their first fish or quietly drifting through deeper pools where the big browns hide, this reliable vessel makes every family fishing trip smooth and enjoyable.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are some of the smartest fish in the Sacramento River, averaging 12-20 inches with occasional beauties pushing 24+ inches. These golden-brown fighters with dark spots love deeper pools, undercut banks, and structure where they can ambush prey. Fall through early spring offers the best action when water temps drop and they feed more aggressively. What makes them special? They fight hard, jump clean out of the water, and taste amazing on the table. Browns are incredibly wary though - they didn't earn their reputation as the "professor" of trout for nothing. Here's a local trick: cast upstream of where you think they are and let your offering drift naturally. They're usually holding a bit further back than you'd expect, watching everything that comes by.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are the perfect family fish here on the Sacramento River. Most run 10-16 inches, and they're scrappy little fighters that'll give everyone from kids to grandparents a good battle. Look for them in faster water, around gravel bars, and near drop-offs where bugs get swept downstream. Spring and early summer are prime time when they're actively feeding on insects. What guests love most is their willingness to hit flies and lures, plus those signature pink stripes make for great photos. They're also excellent eating with that mild, sweet flavor. My go-to tip for rainbows: focus on the seams where fast water meets slower water. They sit right in those current breaks waiting for an easy meal to drift by.
Sacramento River