Ted Fay Report : June 1, 2025

June 01, 2025Rick Cox

Well boys and girls the USac is starting to drop. Flows are hovering just above 800cfs and beginning to fall rapidly , finally the snowmelt is coming to an end! June is definitely the month to fish this river. Hatches will be prolific, fish will be eating both top water and beneath. The flows are still high so be careful, a report of a woman drowning was registered over the last weekend trying to cross the river.

The McCloud continues to fish well. These fish have been worked over for the last 2 months on the popular beats, I suggest you go explore. Turbidity is starting to ramp up so visibility is an issue, the lake is starting to brown up so I suggest you go down the Ash Camp and check on the water before you head down the Ah Di Nah and beyond. Salmonflies are still happening but will end soon but the Golden Stones will be hatching into July. June is the most popular month to fish the McCloud, hatches will be prolific. There also have been reports on rattlers and a mountain lion sighting in the Conservancy.

Suggested flies to carry for both rivers are Chubbys, Stimulators, large and small Adams (Drakes are starting to pop), Caddis, rubber legs, Red Copper Johns, Brush Hogs, and Blowtorch.

Be safe out there kids.

Cheers

Rick Cox

My annual trip to the Rogue River for the Salmonfly hatch

Two families of Canadian Geese on the Rogue

Ted Fay Report : May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025Rick Cox

To all the sports out there the USac is still high and the snow melt is on. The flows are north of 1600 cfs and there still snow on them there mountains. Maybe, fingers crossed, it will drop soon in a couple weeks. Once again I recommend going down to Lamoine and beyond where the canyon spreads out. You’re going to hike a lot to find some cherry spots but until she drops there isn’t any other choice but hike on. I’m starting to see some Golden Stones along with Salmonflies. Big recommendation for you is nymphing and get the lead on. There’s some Caddis hatching on the lower river and a few Goldens, best patterns are rubber legs, Brush Hogs, your favorite Caddis pattern, Chubbies with a dropper and LBS.

On the McCloud River things are much brighter there. Most folks are having success and the flows are primo. Once again Golden Stones and Salmonflies are beginning to show along with sporadic Mayfly and Caddis hatches. I highly recommend Mercers Missing Link, rubberlegs, Brush Hogs(purple), Chubbies, big Mayflies and LBS.

Also Lake Siskiyou is fishing well for you still water guys so that’s another option.

Be safe out there……cheers to ya all.

Rick Cox

Ted Fay Report : April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025Rick Cox

Well kids back in the old days tomorrow used to be a sacred day, the traditional trout opener last Saturday in April. People would call it a religious holiday for trout fishers. Most rivers were packed at first light with fishermen, you would have to find a private rock to fish off or an empty spot on the river. But alas times have changed and most rivers in these parts are open all year round.

So here’s the latest updates on the USac and McCloud Rivers. The USac is and has been running high all winter and spring. Currently it is just south of 2k and the pictures below show the proof of the conditions. My suggestion is go down river where the river spreads out. Up high in the canyon the channel is narrow and the water is high and moving fast. Down low as the canyon spreads out the channel widens and you can find edges where there’s slower moving water. I have seen Salmonflies around Dunsmuir doing their thing and the furthest down river Caddis are hatching. I suggest using a dry/dropper or nymphing will get you in the game. Over on the McCloud the flows are more reasonable, just north of 300cfs. Reports are sporadic, some folks are reporting good days and others not. Remember the McCloud is abundant with poison oaks so be careful where you tread. Suggested flies for both rivers - Stimulator, Chubbys, Rubberlegs, Caddis, Brushhog, LBS, and BWO nymphs.

Cheers

Rick Cox