Guide Notes

Ted Fay Report : December 10, 20222

December 10, 2022Rick Cox

The heavens have answered us with abundant snow since early November. Dogpatch is doing a jig and praying for it to continue through the winter. Also, the snowpack is currently above average for this time of year, very very positive sign. The USac is going up and is north of 1300 cfs which is the first flush in a very long time. She has gone into her winter hibernation mode and accessing it requires snow shoes or ski mobile from Sims upstream, below that expect high water fishing. The water is cold so if you want to hook a fish you probably have to tap them on the nose. The McCloud River is currently snowed in too so forget any idea of fishing it, its recess time. We all deserve a good winter and so does the rivers so cool your jets if you are thinking about fishing right now or if you are driven be cautious out there. In the mean time enjoy your Christmas holiday. The shop is open for your holiday needs so pop in and give Bob some well deserved business or just give him a call and he can help you out with a gift certificate or shipping a gift.

If you have any further questions give Bob a shout at the shop or just stop in and bug him next time in the area.

Cheers

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

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com

When Pie Meets Bread new pastry whore stop in Redding

Merry Christmas from Bob, Steven and Rick

Ted Fay Report : October 26, 2022

October 26, 2022Rick Cox

Fall has finally arrived in Dogpatch! The USac fishing is definitely picking up and the legendary October Caddis are dapping away on the water depositing their eggs for the next years generation. In my opinion it’s been a rather weird year for them so far, very few signs of O.C. below Dunsmuir but their thick above town all there way to Ney Springs. Normal years they are abundant down to Sims but what the heh, different year, spaghetti. Think about using LBS (Little Black Shit) and caddis nymphs down river from Dunsmuir and October Caddis patterns with LBS (broken record) north above town. Last hour of the day for Chubbys and Stimmies should bring fish up. Reports from the McCloud are saying the river is still off color but fishable. Hatches however aren’t very good due to the season long silt that was in the river. It’s as always a crowded (The McCrowd) affair there this time of the year so grab a rock and stand your ground. There’s also been a report of a menacing bear hanging around Ah Di Nah Campground. Bears do what bears do when they’re hungry. It’s been a terrible year for blackberries and apples so raiding a campsite is the next best option. From my years of experience fishing and roaming this river they are generally shy but when they are hungry they get more aggressive. I recommend hanging your food or storing it in your car although I have heard of them damaging a car/truck attempting to break in. The McCloud is a wilderness experience so be cautious, I have encountered over the years rattlers, storms of hornets, bears and mountain lions, it aint no picnic down in the canyon. As the old Boy Scout moto goes “be prepared”.

Just in the McCloud has bumped up flows out of the dam, 420cfs, and the river is blowing out. Turbidity has spiked to crazy levels again.

If you have any further questions give Bob a shout at the shop or just stop in and bug him next time in the area.

Cheers

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

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com

They’re back right on schedule, let the October Caddis parade begin

From the archives, USac brownie. They’re in the system and are getting randy

Ted Fay Report : September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022Rick Cox

Just got back from a trip to Montana and surprise surprise we got snow and rain here…. frickin awesome! On top of that the McCloud is showing signs of becoming less turbid and the visibility is improving. Up to now reports haven’t been very positive on how the river is fishing. It’s tough going with no hatches showing but hopefully that changes. With all the silt on the rocks and bottom there’s a possibility that the aquatic life has been compromised, fingers crossed. If the bugs are going to start hatching it should be anytime from what past experience has shown. For now I would fish a big rubber leg with a dark dropper under a bobber or dredge the bottom. From what I hear takes have been super quick so best be on your game. We should be soon seeing caddis, mayflies and October caddis hatching like the old days hopefully so keep the faith.

On the other hand the USac fishing is picking up. The water temps have dropped below 60 degrees and hookups are occurring throughout the entire river. Some hatches are starting to show but sporadicly. For now, with the water clarity so good, I recommend nymphing using the LBS group of flies but when the October caddis start doing their thing shortly I would go with your favorite OC pupa. The dry fly game too will be picking up fairly soon so be ready with your favorite bullets.

Below is a list of recommended Fall bugs you should have …..

Nymphs

Dirty Bird #8-12

Posse Bugger #8

Red Fox Squirrel #8-10

October Caddis Pupa #8-10

Plump Poopah #8-10

Jimmy Legs #4-14

LBS (dig back to a certain previous report)

Gordon Prince #14-16

Copper John (red & copper) #14-16

Tan or Olive Fox Poopah #14-16

Soft Hackles #14-16

Dries

Humpy #8-16

Adams #8-18

X-Caddis #14-16

E/C Caddis #14-16

Stimulator #8-14

PMD #14-16

If you have any further questions give Bob a shout at the shop or just stop in and bug him next time in the area.

Cheers

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

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com