Full-Day Redding Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday guided fishing on Sacramento and Trinity RiversDrift boat setup with gear and meals includedTarget brown trout, rainbow trout, and steelhead species
Nothing beats a full day on Northern California's premier trout waters, and this 8-hour guided trip puts you right in the heart of the action. You'll drift down either the Lower Sacramento or Trinity River with Captain Peter Santley, targeting some of the best trout fishing on the West Coast. These waters are famous for their healthy populations of browns, rainbows, and steelhead – and with a full day to work the runs, you'll have plenty of shots at landing something special. All your gear, food, and drinks are covered, so you just need to grab your license and get ready for a day that'll remind you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place.
Your day starts early when you meet Peter at the launch point, where you'll load into a comfortable drift boat designed for these Northern California rivers. The Lower Sacramento and Trinity both offer different personalities – the Sac runs clear and cold year-round thanks to the dam releases, while the Trinity shows more seasonal variation and different structure. Peter reads these waters like a book and knows exactly where to position the boat for the best drifts. You'll cover miles of prime water during your 8 hours, hitting the deep pools, undercut banks, and riffle runs where trout love to hold. The drift boat setup means you can fish continuously as you move downstream, maximizing your time with a line in the water. With only two anglers max, you get personalized attention and coaching that'll improve your technique whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's been chasing trout for decades.
Fishing from a drift boat is an art form, and Peter's got it dialed in perfectly for these waters. You'll be working a mix of techniques depending on conditions – nymphing the deep runs with indicator rigs, swinging flies through the tailouts, and maybe even throwing some dry flies if you hit a hatch. The boat carries top-quality rods and reels spooled with fresh line, plus a tackle selection that's fine-tuned for local conditions. Peter ties his own flies and knows exactly what patterns produce on each stretch of river. The drift boat positioning is key – he'll hold you in the sweet spots, back-row when needed, and make sure you're always fishing the most productive water. You'll learn to read the current seams, identify holding water, and understand how these fish behave in different conditions. The provided food and drinks keep you fueled for the full day, because when the fishing is on, you don't want to waste time heading back to shore.
Rainbow Trout are the bread and butter of these waters, and the Lower Sacramento and Trinity systems produce some beauties. These fish average 12-16 inches but don't be surprised when you hook into something pushing 20 or better. Sacramento rainbows are known for their bright colors and hard fights – they'll jump, run, and test every knot in your setup. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with late spring being particularly hot when the water temperatures hit that sweet spot. What makes these rainbows special is their conditioning from fighting the current year-round, so even a 14-incher will give you a memorable battle.
Brown Trout are the prize fish that keep serious anglers coming back to these rivers. These fish are smart, spooky, and absolutely gorgeous when you finally get one to the net. Northern California browns often show incredible colors – deep golden flanks with bright red and black spots that'll make you reach for your camera. They love structure and cover, so you'll be working your flies tight to banks, under overhanging trees, and around submerged logs. Fall is prime time for browns as they start their spawning behavior, but skilled guides like Peter know where to find them year-round. Landing a 18+ inch brown from these waters is something that'll stick with you long after the trip ends.
Steelhead Trout represent the ultimate challenge and reward in these river systems. These are sea-run rainbows that return to spawn, bringing ocean strength and attitude to the freshwater fight. Winter and early spring typically offer the best steelhead opportunities, though some summer fish do show up in the system. When you hook a steelhead, you know it immediately – they fight like fish twice their size, with powerful runs and acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart pounding. These fish can range anywhere from 5-15 pounds, and even the smaller ones pack a serious punch. Steelhead fishing requires patience and persistence, but when everything comes together, it's the kind of experience that defines why we chase fish with a fly rod.
This 8-hour drift boat adventure gives you the full Northern California trout experience without any of the guesswork or hassle. Peter's got the local knowledge, quality gear, and boat skills to put you on fish consistently, while you focus on what matters most – enjoying your time on the water. The combination of three target species, two world-class river systems, and a full day to explore means you're getting serious value for your fishing dollar. Spots fill up fast, especially during prime seasons, so don't sleep on booking your dates. Whether you're looking to improve your technique, explore new water, or just spend a quality day chasing trout, this trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for. Give Peter a call and lock in your dates – these Northern California rivers are fishing as well as they ever have, and there's no better way to experience them than from the deck of a drift boat with a guide who knows every rock and run.
This 17-foot ClackaCraft drift boat is your ticket to productive fishing on Redding's premier waters. Built in 2018, she's designed specifically for navigating the Lower Sacramento and Trinity Rivers with ease. The spacious layout comfortably handles two anglers plus your guide, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Her shallow draft design lets us access prime fishing spots that bigger boats can't reach, while the stable platform keeps you steady when that steelhead decides to make a run. The boat's proven hull design cuts through current smoothly and positions perfectly for drift fishing presentations. Whether we're working deep pools for browns or skating flies through riffles for rainbows, this rig gets you where the fish are biting.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish in our waters, averaging 12-18 inches with some monsters pushing 24+ inches. These golden-brown beauties with black spots love deep pools and undercut banks along the Sacramento and Trinity Rivers. They're most active during cooler months, especially fall when they feed aggressively before spawning. What makes them special? They fight hard and taste amazing - firm, flaky meat that's perfect grilled. Browns are notoriously picky eaters and spook easily, making them a real challenge. Here's a local tip: fish them at dawn or dusk near structure, and keep your presentations natural. They'll inspect your fly or bait closely, so use lighter tippet and stay patient.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are the bread and butter of our local fishery, typically running 10-16 inches with that classic pink stripe and spotted tail. You'll find them in faster water - riffles, runs, and anywhere there's good oxygen flow in both the Sacramento and Trinity. Spring through fall offers the best action, though they bite year-round when conditions are right. These fish are scrappy fighters that love to jump, and their clean, mild flavor makes them perfect for the dinner table. They're less spooky than browns but still selective. My go-to trick? Match the insects you see on the water. If mayflies are hatching, use a similar pattern. Keep your drifts drag-free and you'll be hooked up regularly.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ultimate prize - ocean-run rainbows that average 24-30 inches and fight like freight trains. These silver bullets migrate up the Sacramento system from fall through spring, holding in deep runs, tailouts, and anywhere with good flow and cover. Peak season runs December through February, though fish move through earlier and later too. The draw? Pure adrenaline. These fish are fresh from the ocean, incredibly strong, and will test every knot you tie. They're also excellent eating when regulations allow harvest. Success comes down to persistence and presentation. Local secret: fish the swing method with darker flies on overcast days, brighter patterns when it's sunny. Work every inch of water methodically.
Redding, CA