Ted Fay Report : January 27, 2019

Photo by Pauline Cox

After weeks of rain and snow we are currently enjoying an excellent break in the weather. The much needed moisture has brought Shasta Lake levels up to its seasonal average and the snow pack on Shasta and surrounding mountains is in feets, lots of feets.

UPPER SACRAMENTO

Locally the Upper Sacramento River has been running high but continues to drop with the gauge today showing 1200cfs. Personally I love this big water this time of year. The opportunity is out there for hooking up with one of the fiesty lake run rainbows which I like to refer to as freshwater steelies …. they fight like and look like steelhead, probably descendents from steelhead locked in the river when Shasta Dam was built. They generally spawn in March and go back to their “ocean” at the lake to begin their migration back up into the river late summer into winter. This last week has presented perfect conditions and success for the few who are venturing out. Shown below is a nice 22in. chromer I got into a few days ago. Figure on throwing nymphs for now until we get warmer weather and get the lead on, lots of it. Also, I suggest using legs and your favorite nymph dangled from it … oh and 2x and 3x tippet!! Give me a shout if chasing these guys interest you.

Rick Cox

Wild Waters Fly Fishing

877-934-7466

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

KLAMATH RIVER

The Klamath continues to have a solid steelhead season. The rains have brought in a new push of fresh fish into the upper end above I-5 and with it the bigger winter fish. Our guides are reporting fish up to 10 ibs. coming to the net which for the Klamath is a very good fish. We have been taking fish drifting nymphs under a bobber and also out of the boat swinging through some the mellow lazy water. Pressure is nonexistent and excellent weather is forecast for the next week. Think about this river for your next steelhead adventure. The shop has a great assortment of steelhead flies, leader and tippet for this river so pop in and get your arsenal restocked. We also have excellent Klamath guides for this prime time, give us a shout.

Rick Cox

877-934-7466

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Rick Cox

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

Cheers

Rick Cox

Ted Fay Fly Shop Says Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

The Ted Fay Fly Shop wishes all you fly fishers and non fly fishers a very happy and joyous holiday season. We give thanks for your patronage and support. If you are having a difficult time making gift choices for that special person in mind just remember the shop is full of ideas for your shopping list. Remember too we offer gift certificates so give Bob a call at 530-235-2969 or email him at info@tedfay.com.

Ted Fay Report : November 28, 2018

Photo by Rick Cox

Photo by Pauline Cox

Winter has finally decided to creep in, the mountain has gotten it’s first coat of snow and the beautiful clouds of the season are showing themselves off. As I write this it has been raining all day and is forecast the rest of the week along with a possibility of snow. The local rivers are all closed with the exception of the Upper Sacramento which is open all year. I tip my hat to another great season up here and give gratitude to our rivers that bless us with their beauty and the pleasure they give us. And thanks to to all of you who respect this wonderful resource we get to enjoy here. On the up side this weather is bringing in a fresh push of steelhead on the Klamath and Trinity Rivers so it’s time to get the big guns out and go chase some beast.

Party Over Till Next Season Photo by Rick Cox

Sean USac Photo by Rick Cox

The Upper Sacramento River

With rain the norm for the USac is she runs like a roller coaster showing off rapid rises and drops. Rain is supposed to be with us through this week so best wait till it ends and settles a bit. Remember, this river can fish very good for some quality fish during the Fall and Winter season. Think big rubber legs, Winter P.T.’s, S&M’s, Micro Mayflies and soft hackles. An occasional Blue Wing Olive hatch will bring noses, sometimes big noses up to sip these bugs so be prepared to switch over to throwing your favorite BWO pattern. This time of the year is a special favorite for me, the opportunity is there to get into one of the big fish that this river holds and you don’t have to mess with the dinks of summer, they are hibernating heaven knows where.

Swinging The Klamath Photo by Rick Cox

Klamath Hookup Photo by Andy Marx

Looking Forward To Seeing The Beast Again

The Klamath River

The Klamath just keeps rocking with a stellar run of half pounders and adult steelhead. Whether fishing flies under the bober or swinging through a favorite run we have been finding fish. This Fall has produced one of the best half pounder runs seen in years and now the adults are showing. With above average precip forecast for the north state the next 2 weeks things will continue to improve and I encourage you to get up here to join in on the fun. We have some great Klamath guides available to show you where the fish are so give us a call.

The McCloud River

Just got notification from the Forest Service that the road from the dam to Ash Camp will be closed December 1 due to unsafe conditions. No idea when it will be repaired, hopefully before April 27, 2019.

Cheers

Rick Cox

Wild Waters Fly Fishingh

877-934-7466