Ted Fay Report : June 6, 2017

It is all about the McCloud right now. Flows are a bit high but as you can see very user friendly. The visibility is about the clearest you will see until Mud Creek kicks in its glacial tint which is just around the corner. The snow melt on Mt. Shasta has cranked up and it's showing in McCloud Reservoir ... soon to be in the river. The Golden Stones have arrived and numerous hatches are appearing. June is a great time to be here and the fishing should be excellent. No excuses, pack your bags, tell the wife and dog you have an appointment with a dear friend in need and get up/down here. Dry/dropper has been working along with your favorite Mayfly and Caddis patterns. Evenings are producing a dry fly clinic.

The Upper Sac continues its slow creep down in flow, currently reading 1150 cfs at Delta. More and more spots are opening up and just like the McCloud hatches of Golden Stones, mayflies and caddis are appearing. This river is an alternative as always and the fish have not been harassed by anyone for a looooong time.

McRainbow

Es muy no bueno on the McCloud ... I see this shit every year on the McCloud

This is the way to kick the day off on the river

Recommended Bugs ..... Nymphs

• Jimmy Legs #4-10
• Gordon Prince #14-16
• Prince Nymph #10-16
• Possie Bugger #8-10
• Copper John (red & copper) #14-16
• Soft Hackles #12-16
• Swimming PT #16
• Mega Prince #8
• Birds Nest #12-16
• Golden Stone #8-12

Dries

• X-Caddis #16
• EC Caddis #16
• Parachute Adams #12-16
• Split Wing #12-14
• Stimulator #8-14

If you have any further questions please call the shop and when you are in the area stop in and bug Bob.

Cheers

Rick Cox

www.mcloudflyfishing.com

www.wildwatersflyfishing.com 

Ted Fay Report : May 24, 2017

Memorial Day weekend rapidly approaching and some of you are angsting about the river conditions. The McCloud dropped into very fishy shape this week but the hot weather returned and the high elevation melt kicked in. I of course took advantage of the window with satisfying results. The river is presently at 325cfs, a bit high from normal summer flows of 240cfs. As you can see it is approachable and worth a go. Visiblity is in the 4-5 ft. range and not much for hatches yet. Warm weather is forecasted this weekend so the river could spike up ... or maybe not. You just gotta keep checking those online flows.

The Upper Sac has climbed back up to the 2000cfs range or as I call it The Pucker Line. Yes there are a few high water spots available but for the most part if you do not know them then you are probably wasting your precious time. These flows are excellent for the whitewater guys and they will probably be whooping it up here this weekend. When she drops below the Pucker Line then it's time to get with it, these fish haven't been harassed since last Fall.

I am not the only one who loves these things 

LIGHT LUNCH: Bear trying to get doughnuts tears off Colorado car bumper

LIGHT LUNCH: Bear trying to get doughnuts tears off Colorado car bumper

By The Associated Press

There were no doughnuts inside it at the time but Kim Robertson says the smell that had lingered in the car appe..

If you have any further questions please call the shop and when you are in the area stop in and bug Bob, it's been a LONG winter.

Cheers

Rick Cox

www.mccloudflyfishing.com

www.wildwatersflyfishing.com 

Ted Fay Report : May 12, 2017

The Upper and Lower Sac are running big but fish are being caught. The Lower Sac went back up to 13,000cfs over the weekend but the fish did not seem to be bothered. It’s a great time to be out on it while the temps are mild. A recent trip on it used a combo of running drifts from the boat and getting out to fish buckets and side channels …. very effective and cooling. The Upper Sac remains high due to the melt but targeting the edges will be your best bet. It’s running north of 2000cfs but keep an eye on it, once she drops below that benchmark many more locations open up. The McCloud River has been seeing dam releases bouncing around from 900cfs to 550cfs and is currently back up to 800cfs. Once again snow melt is the culprit here. It’s is all about the edges still, the fish want that path of least resistance where their food is easier pickings.

If you have any further questions please call the shop and when you are in the area pop in and bug Bob.

Cheers

Rick Cox

www.wildwatersflyfishing.com

www.mccloudflyfishing.com

Ted Fay Report : May 5, 2017

The mighty McCloud

The Snow melt has kicked in after 80 degree weather the last few days. The Upper Sac is now at 4500 cfs, way BIG, and the McCloud is running at 900cfs at Ah Di Na. PG&E has stated that the McCloud Dam release will hold steady at the 900 cfs mark for the rest of May unless there is an extreme weather event. The river at 900 cfs is approachable but be careful....edges, edges is the key for finding fish. The shots below were taken last Saturday on my visit to Ah Di Na Campground and beyond. As you can see there are fallen trees at the campground but people/diehards camping. The water was not on and alot of cleanup had to be done. Also I was able to drive to the Preserve parking lot but there are trees blocking access into some of the rough camp sites. Of note the river has received a major scouring so be prepared to witness a different looking river when you visit .... just as beautiful as usual though.

Ah Di Na tree damage

Note the scouring

Note how high the river got

A kayaker actually shot these falls recently on the Upper McCloud and survived with a black eye.

If you have any further questions please call the shop and when you are in the area stop in and bug Uncle Bob.

Cheers

Rick Cox

www.mccloudflyfishing.com

www.wildwatersflyfishing.com 

Ted Fay Report : April 28, 2017

Here's a statement released yesterday from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest regarding the road situation into Ah Di Na......

Today, additional work is being completed to clear some rocks off of the roadway and the large tree has been cleared as well. The road will be open to the USFS Campground by this evening (April 27).  

NEXT WEEK:  We will have a temporary road closure on MAY 4 (next Thursday); to complete the permanent fix at Battle Creek.  The road will be closed to vehicles entering and anyone exiting should be prepared to wait until after mid-afternoon before the road will be passable again.

FOLLOWING WEEK:  We will have a partial road closure on May 8 (following Monday) to repair the culvert and small hole in the road approximately ¼ mile further up the road from Battle Creek.  There is room to go around this spot, but we will need to hold vehicles when the equipment is on the road doing the repair.

Ash Camp: The Hawkins Creek road below McCloud Dam is passable but down to ONE LANE.  Please be cautious when driving around the corner; it is narrow with limited sight distance.

Current flows this morning at Ah Di Na are down to 900 cfs, still very high but at least dropping. Lots of snow to melt though, hot days forecast next week.

Rick Cox