Welcome to the Ted Fay Fly Shop Guide Notes..
Saturday, May 3, 2008
UPPER SACRAMENTO
Water Level 1600 CFS and still rising (2000 on 05/07/08)
Water Clarity Normal
Water Temp warming up (high 40's to low 50's)
Fishing Wildly variable
Hatches light, mostly mid-day to late afternoon
Calibatis
BWO
Little yellow Sallies
Salmonflys
mahogany duns
Looks like the snow melt is getting in to full swing. We are still having unsettled spring weather. Temps have warmed up, the water temp has crawled up to 53 in the afternoons.
But remember that the water temp reading are from the lower end of the river so higher up the water is colder. Last week we were just starting to see a few fish showing interest in salmonfly dries, then we were hit with a few days of cold weather and it shut that bite off. A few days of warm weather should get the fish back on them.
We are also seeing the start of our spring winds, they will be with us for the rest of the month of May.
McCloud alert:
As part of the re licensing project they are gonna be running some test flows on the McCloud river from May 5 to May 14. The flows will be ramped up to 1,000 CFS during that period. More info about it can be found here:
http://troutunderground.com/2008/04/30/mccloud-river-facing-flow-control-studies-in-may-and-june-fly-fishermen-make-note/
Saturday, April 26, 2008
UPPER SACRAMENTO
Water Level 1000 CFS and going up quick
Water Clarity Good with a little tint
Water Temp warming up (high 40's to low 50's)
Fishing Getting better every day
Hatches light, mostly mid-day to late afternoon
Calibatis
BWO
Little yellow Sallies
Salmonflys
mahogany duns
Well, with any luck, we are mostly done with the cold weather.
The weather for the opener was very warm. This is a mixed blessing. It has warmed the river up a fair amount (the water temp hit 52 for the first time this year) and the fishing is getting much better. but the river flows are going up.
Weatherman says we will get a little more cool weather and possible rain by Tuesday.
Which could be good for next week-end. If it cools off but does not rain a lot, the river should dropped back down a bit.
Still not seeing much dry fly fishing, but will change soon.
Reports are that the McCloud was very crowded for the opener.
Word was going around that the road to Ah-Di-Na was not open. Snow drifts blocked access, and early reports were that the Forest Service was not going to plow the road, but apparently they rethought that idea and late Friday we got word that they had opened the road up. Unfortunately lots of people still ended up going to Ash Camp. Word I heard was that there were people everywhere. and the fishing was pretty slow. Not too surprising, because the McCloud does not fish well when it is crowded.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
UPPER SACRAMENTO
Water Level 1300 CFS and Bouncing
Water Clarity Good with a little tint
Water Temp Slowly Warming (mid 40's to low 50's)
Fishing Still Slow
Hatches mostly mid-day Callibaetis
BWO
Little Yellow Sallies
Last Weeks warm weather has gone. We are getting a little late season cold snap. We have had scattered light snow showers. The good news is that the colder weather has slowed the snow melt so the river has dropped down a bit. That opens up a little more fishable water. The Bad news is that the water temps are not warning up anymore. Fishing is still a bit slow but it is getting better. Just a little more warm weather to bring the water them up a few degrees and the river should starting fishing very well. We are seeing more bugs out week day. Saw the first salmon flys on the water this last week. Also seeing a few Callibaetis hatching off about 2:00 pm. This is the earliest I have seen Callibaetis on the river.
There has been a random selection of other bugs flying around. A few Caddis, still some BWO's and a good number of Little Yellow Sallies, which in another bug we do not expect to see on the river this early in the year.
We should start seeing the early gray drakes coming off any time now.
Although the fishing has been slow what fish are being caught has been nice size. Most wild fish being landed are in the 14-18" range.
The general feeling around here is that at any time now the fish will wake up from their winter doldrums and start on some good spring feeding.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
UPPER SACRAMENTO
Water Level 1300 CFS and climbing
Water Clarity Good
Water Temp Cold (mid to high 40’s)
Fishing Slow
Warm weather the last couple of days is causing the river to rise.
It is still in good shape but that could change soon. If this weather stays unsonable warm the snow melt will really get started.
Reports are that the river is still fishing slow, but one advantage to this warm spell is that it is also warming up the water. The river hit 50 degrees yesterday for the first time this year, so it should start fishing pretty good very soon.
DFG has started stocking the river in anticipation of the opening of the bait season in two weeks.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
UPPER SACRAMENTO
Water Level 900 CFS
Water Clarity Good
Water Temp Cold (mid to high 40’s)
Fishing Slow
Water is in fantastic shape, we are pre-run off right now. River is a little higher than normal summer flows but still very fishable. Weather is a little variable. Last few days have been warm and sunny, but it is forecast to cool off and perhaps rain a bit over the next 4 days.
We have been seeing nice BWO hatches in the Mid to Upper river but no sign of any fish rising to it.
Water is cold, which makes the fish sluggish. They can be caught but you pretty much gotta hit them on the nose. We are seeing plenty of Redds in the river now, and with the low flows it is easy to wade across them so be careful out there.
A changing of the Guard.
For the last few years Charlie Costner has been handing the guide service here at the Ted Fay fly shop.
This year the job has been passed to me. I am Steven Bertrand and I have been living and guiding out of the Dunsmuir area of the past 15 years.
Many of you may remember me from two years ago when I was working the counter at the shop.
This year I will be handling the guide business, updating this report and also working the counter at the shop on an as-needed basis a few days a week.
A bit more info about me can be found at my web site Steven Bertrand Flyfishing Guide Service
