Guide Notes

Ted Fay Report : May 26,2022

May 26, 2022Rick Cox

Well the first long spring weekend for you working stiffs and slackers is almost upon us. We keep getting teased with warm weather and then it does a reversal and cools off. This coming holiday weekend is no different. Cool weather arrives just in time for y’all headed this way with a hint of rain looming. Bring your waders, wet wading isn’t advised. Both the USac and McCloud fishing have been steadily improving since my last report. The Salmonflies have just about given up the ghost but right behind them here comes the Golden Stones. Mayflies, Sallies, Caddis and Blue Wing Olives of all sizes are popping too. On the sunny days I recommend wait till the sun get behind the river canyon ridges on both rivers and the shadows start covering the water, this is when you can expect the top action to fire up.

The USac flows are slowly dropping, the snowmelt (what little we had) has just about ended and as of today is running about 330cfs. Not to shabby at all, better than the flows last year but way below where they are normally. The McCloud River is still maintaining its slightly creamy color which helps those of you who are stealth challenged and is at summer flows which will translate to easier wading. I heard that Ah Di Nah Campground was about 3/4 full as of Tuesday so you can expect by tomorrow camp sites will be scarce.

Nymphing on both rivers has been very good, probably the go to right now until shadow time. Also, I’ve included a list of bugs you should have in your box below for both rivers. Light rain is forecast for Saturday so be prepared for both rivers to light up with top activity, I love those light rainy days this time of year, it seems to give life to hatches and makes the fish go nutty on emergers.

FYI the Salmonfly hatch is in full blown swing on the Rogue River. Steelhead, Cutthroat and native Rainbow are active, they’re hammering Stimmies and Chubbies…..fun, fun, fun.

Cheers

Rick Cox Fly Fishing - offering 40 years of fly fishing experience for half day lessons or trips for beginners to ole dawgs. Checkout my Instagram post at rick_fly

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com

P.S. Below is my recommendation for bugs for this time of year.

RECOMMENDED BUGS Late Spring Early Summer

Nymphs:

LBS (as follows)

Two Bit Nymph (Blk) #14-16

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

Robinsons Hares Ear #12-16

Brush Hog #12-16

Frenchie #14-16

Peaches & Cream #14-16

Dries:

Yellow Sallie #12-16

X-Caddis #16

EC Caddis #16

Parachute Adams #12-16

Stimulator #8-14

Chubby Chernobyl #8-12

Big Sur River …. used to fish steelhead here in the 80’s

Rogue River salmonfly hatch is in full swing

Lago Di Como Italian pastries Santa Cruz

Ted Fay Report : April 29, 2022

April 28, 2022Rick Cox

USac after couple of weeks of much needed rain/snow has bumped up to a comfortable 750cfs and holding steady. Personally I have no problem with this higher flow, just be a bit more caution wading, the water is cold and taking a swim wouldn’t be an option. Your breathe would most likely be sucked out of you. The fishing continues to be good one day and stinky another. If you put in the time you will be rewarded. Best think about finding fish from about Flume Creek down river. Seeing Salmonflies, Lil Yellow Sallies, Caddis and Mayflies but believe me nary a fish rising and hatches aren’t really abundant.

Reports from the McCloud River is the river has a nice cream color and the fishing has started to pick up. Ah Di Nah now has a gate and it’s locked, should open in about a week though. Caution driving in, the recent road closure was due to slide repair. The work has created some very soft spots and due to the recent rains people have been getting stuck in the mud. Should be fine once the rain stops (more due tonight). Again here it’s strictly nymphing, hatches have not started yet.

Cheers

Rick Cox Fly Fishing - offering 40 years of fly fishing experience for half day lessons or trips for beginners to ole dawgs. Checkout my Instagram post at rick_fly

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com

USac Brownie Jason Kash with Wild Waters Fly Fishing

McCloud River Jason Kash with Wild Waters Fly Fishing

I think it’s time to share with you the impact that Mud Creek is having on the lower McCloud River and also the McCloud Reservoir that I’ve witnessed over the last 40 years. The McCloud River which I fished and guided for many years has been going through some dramatic changes due to Mud Creek. Mud Creek is sourced from Konwakiton Glacier which due to climate change and drought is melting rapidly. As the glacier melts water gets trapped under it and at some point the water pressure releases creating massive mud flows cascading down from high up. Over the last 7 years it has produced some extraordinary mudflows and pictures of these events are shown below. Mud Creek used to flow under Pilgrim Creek Road bridge (which existed for many years). It still crosses Hiway 89 and flows through the Hearst property flowing into the upper stretch of McCloud Reservoir. In 2014 and last year these mudflows were dramatic in scale and dangerous. Ultimately all of this mud ends up in the reservoir, works its way to the dam and releases into the river. For those who know the McCloud and hold it dearly to their hearts last year rendered it unfishable for months starting in the summer and going into the fall. Follow the thread of pictures below and you’ll get an idea of what is going on. In addition the mouth of Mud Creek where it intersects the McCloud River and reservoir has filled in. There is a big plug of mud now that has filled the upper reservoir. Ultimately this will all wash to the dam and effect the river below it. The river color is currently milky and will hopefully stay that way but ultimately it will get muddy. Mother Nature certainly has her way so keep your fingers crossed that the river doesn’t blow out.

Mud Creek 2010 taken from Pilgrim Creek Bridge

Mud Creek 2014 Mudflow event taken from the bridge

Pilgrim Creek Bridge 2021 mudflow filled old creek bed and diverted

2022 Mud Creek has diverted and debri field looking east

Ted Fay Report : April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022Rick Cox

Just when fishing was starting to pick up after the dry and slow winter we go right back to winter, believe me Dogpatch will gladly take the news….snow rain whatever. Just take a look below at the sad state we are in for precipitation to date but it’s looking like a miracle April will be giving us a hint of respite but no where near getting us out of the drought. Warm days in the 70’s have dropped back down to cold days in the 40’s and nights below freezing. With the forecast the rivers will rise but certainly nothing where it should be for this time of year. Bottom line …. we will take what Mother Nature gifts us with. And, the forecast beyond the 6 days into 14 days out is wet, wet, wet…..we are right in the bullseye of the systems. My ole knees are doing a jig! I cannot look into my crystal ball and tell you when to come up but the next two weeks will certainly stir the pot and the fish. My observations from the previous week were the fishing was beginning to show signs of picking up and spring was definitely grabbing on…..even saw a few Salmon Flies darting around. Caution, I noticed signs of rainbows spawning and a couple of redds. Please give these redds a very wide birth when wading. Take a look at my photo below to get a hint of identifying. Another bit of good new is the road to Ah Di Nah is open again and the McCloud River is looking juicy with its color mud bueno. No word yet on how the fishing is, check in with Bob for an update.

Cheers

Rick Cox Fly Fishing - offering 40 years of fly fishing experience for half day lessons or trips for beginners to ole dawgs. Checkout my Instagram post at rick_fly

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com