Ted Fay Report : July 29, 2019

Upper Sacramento and McCloud Rivers

It’s the Daze of the Dog time. July and August are always hot and the bug activity is pretty much on siesta. One nice thing so far though is the rivers are still experiencing runoff, not high flows but colder than usual water temps. Wet wading is optional and for some the most comfortable. Nymphing by far is the most productive method to get you into fish although the evening dry fly fishing during the last hour can be good. When nymphing, as I always say, you have to get your bugs down so don’t be afraid to get the lead out and put it on. The fish are hugging the bottom this time of the year and you have to get them down into their neighborhood. Great bugs for this time too are the assortment of LBS (Little Black Shit) … check in with Bob , he has a great assortment of them. And another great thing about this time of the year are no crowds on either the Upper Sac or McCloud.

Julia First Time Showing The Two Hand Grip Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

McCloud Brownie Photo by Jason Kash

Best Flan Around

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

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com

Ted Fay Report : July 3, 2019

Upper Sacramento River

The Upper Sac is in perfect shape now. July is here but fortunately the days are very mild, we have experienced no serious heat waves yet and the water remains cold due to the continuing runoff. We are seeing the Golden Stones just about ready to leave the party but on the other hand some dynamite late evening dry fly fishing is still available. Although the word is out that the river is in excellent shape and you fly fishers are here in numbers the beauty of the river is that there is 30 miles of access. Most fish during the day are taking a variety of nymphs including soft hackles, Red Copper Johns, Dark Lords and my favorite the LBS (little black shit). Best luck has been getting the bugs down near the bottom, the fish are hugging it due to the very clear visibility.

Give us a shout if you want to experience some fun time on the Upper Sac this summer.

Cheers

Rick Cox

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com

Love Teaching Youngsters …. and Older

Slab Time

They Gotta Learn To Release Their Own Fish

The McCloud River

The magical McCloud River has been giving up some excellent days for us. Again evenings here are the main theme for catching fish. If you are willing to stay late you will be rewarded with some spectacular dry fly fishing. Big bushy bugs about size 8 with a dropped nymph or a small Adams trailed behind it will get you in the game. The river has clouded up some due to Mud Creek so the spookability factor is diminished. Small bugs in size 14 and smaller are getting the job done for us but don’t be shy about throwing on that big rubber leg occasionally.

The McCloud in the summer offers no crowds and nice cold water, a good recipe for giving us a shout and booking one of our outstanding McCloud guides.

Cheers

Rick Cox

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com

New Born

Recommended Bugs .....

Nymphs:

LBS (as follows)

Dark Lords #14-16

Soft Hackles #14-16

S&M #16-18

Zebra Midge #18-20

Rock Worm #18

FBPT #16-18

Micro Mayfly (blk.) #16-18

Jimmy Legs #4-10
Gordon Prince #14-16
Possie Bugger #8-10
Copper John (red & copper) #14-16

Dries:

X-Caddis #16

EC Caddis #16

Parachute Adams #14-16

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.

Ted Fay Report : June 13, 2019

The Upper Sacramento River

The river flows are now just south of 1000 cfs. These flows allow added access locations and as the river continues to drop additional spots will open up. It has been a crazy spring for the river but we are starting to see a shift to normalcy and it will continue to get better as each day passes. We have been drifting it along with walk wade trips and the fishing has been surprisingly good to excellent. Best bets right now are chasing the Golden Stone hatch that’s been occurring in the evenings along with their buddies the yellow sallies, caddis and mayflies. Be prepared for some great evening dry fly fishing and stay out till dark thirty. Of course day time nymphing has been good, remember these fish haven’t been harassed much this spring so the spockability meter isn’t high.

The McCloud River

The McCloud flows are juicy good. The entire river is back to its normal summer type flows and is fishing very good. Now is the time to be on it for some great June (one of the best months) action. Like the USac this river is prime time with the Goldens and Salmonflies dancing around. Expect to have very clear visibility so get your stealth game on. Crowds are starting to show up for the McCrowd but don’t let that stop you. Similar advise here, evenings are PRIME time for you dry fly aficionados and day time nymphing is good with bugs such as Dark Lords, Gordon Princes and good ole soft hackles.

Fall River

Recently spent some time at Fall River, not fishing but just enjoying my brothers gorgeous place. This is a magical time to take in Fall and its beauty plus enjoy the great fishing.

The Dough Hook Pastry Porn Shop

Dunsmuir’s Madelenas Restaurant Desert Porn

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

Cheers

Rick Cox

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com

Ted Fay Report : May 22, 2019

It’s been quite the dance this past week with all the rain and even a bit of snow. However we have been making things work . It’s been about putting on the raincoat and dealing with the increased flows. We’ve seen some spectacular fish come to the net and even the dry fly has been working.

The McCloud River

The river has seen its fair share of recent rain , the gauge at the dam registered 7 inches since last week. Releases out the dam bumped up but are starting to decrease. The river is still high running at 700 cfs but fish can be found. It continues to drop slowly and the forecast after this Memorial Day weekend is for great spring weather. Also we are seeing another start to a good brownie year, they are even gobbling dries. You want to be here, the Golden Stones will be busting out soon along with the Mayflies and Caddis. Give us a shout for Prime Time NOW!

The Upper Sacramento River

The river has been bouncing aroundover the last week but has just dropped below 3000cfs and is heading south rapidly.. She’s a beast but its all about the edges and soft spots. Best to fish areas where it spreads out rather than the tight narrow ones you normally would fish. Be prepared to see a completely different landscape in the lower river from the Delta Fire cleanup, fortunately though the river itself survived but the memories of before and after the fire has changed her appearance dramatically. Again here we expect a big turn around next week, June should be dynamite!

Give us a shout, we have a lot of availabilty and our McCloud and Upper Sacramento guides are some of the best around.

Cheers

Rick Cox

www.wildwatersflyfishing.com

877-934-7466

P.S. If you have any frther questions give Bob a shout and when you are in the area stop in and bug him.

Ted Fay Report : May 3, 2019

The Wild Waters Fly Fishing crew was not letting high water conditions spoil our "traditional" trout opener last weekend. Our guides found water to fish and fish to be caught. The snow melt is making it tougher than normal but over the years we have learned where and how to successfully handle these conditions.

The McCloud River

Although flows were very high, somewhere north of 1100 cfs we were able to get it done. However they are dropping and today are at 700cfs at Ah Di Nah. You can fish the edges effectively but expect to move around to find good locations. If the flows continue to drop many more spots will open up. Hatches are not really kicking in yet but we are seeing Golden Stone nymphs getting ready to join the party. The Conservancy is open and the care taker has set up residency. There is one shaky spot in the road just past the campground where a culvert has washed out but repairs are coming. Remember too the road to Ash Camp is closed just past the dam. You can walk in if you feel inclined or take a mountain bike, scooter, roller skates, etc.

The Upper Sacramento River

The Upper Sac is running right around 2000cfs which is high and fast. Probably will be such for a few more weeks. Currently thinking late May is when you best be ready to get in some serious fishing. It is fishable but be cautious wading. Fish the edges and softer water, there are hungry fish here who haven’t been harassed since last season. We have been seeing salmonflies from mid river upstream but not much for top action, it’s all about nymphing and getting the bugs down. Recommendation … You might think Golden Stone nymphs, their getting ready to to pop anytime soon.

Hat Creek

Although Hat Creek was a very social scene and crowded Saturday Sunday proved otherwise. Our guides and clients found very good fishing at the Power House 2 riffle both days with Sunday being far fewer anglers. The creek is in excellent shape running a bit high but gin clear. We witnessed occasional PMD's and Caddis but nothing to get excited about....yet. This is an excellent choice right now for ya'll.

Trout Lake

A nearby lake that's off most people's radar other than locals is Trout Lake. This is a gem that offers outstanding trout and bass fishing. Poppers on the surface were the ticket for us for some nice bucket mouths. This is a great option when others are off the table.

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

Cheers

Rick Cox

www.wildwatersflyfishing.com

877-934-7466