Ted Fay Report : October 5, 2024

October 05, 2024Rick Cox

Browns are out on the McCloud Photo by Chris Devine

It’s October and the conditions couldn’t be more perfect for you boys and girls. Contrary to what you see on the turbidity chart online the McCloud River is in perfect condition, just checkout the photo below sent by Chris Devine from a few days ago. The Browns and Bows are on the feed now with the cooler nights and shorter days. Pressure is still light but by mid month you’ll see this river get to its famous name “the McCrowd”. Right now the fish are chewing on rubber legs, birds nest, poopahs, S&M’s and Brush Hogs. The October Caddis aren’t showing quite yet but they should be very soon. In the mean time if you want to target top feeding fish I suggest fishing the shade where you will see Blue Wing Olives emerging and also Caddis particularly in the evenings. And once again don’t forget to bring some streamers for those brownies.

On the USac I fished with Buster couple days ago. We found fish chewing on dry dropper, streamers and nymphs. Once again here, cooler nights and shorter days are putting the fish on the feed. Also I’ve heard of some very large fish coming out of the lower river below Lamoine. Water temps down there are in the high 50’s which is just about darn oerfect. I suggest using Stimmies or Chubbys (yes, the October Caddis are starting to show) with a dropper such as a Brush Hog, Frenchie or Walts Worm. When nymphing I suggest Red Copper John, Walts Worm, Gordon Prince and soft hackle. I do love swinging them soft hackles kids.

Btw be prepared for a butterfly invasion on the USac, these guys are migrating south now and the air is filled with them.

Cheers

Rick Cox

McCloud es bueno, forget that turbidity gauge

Donuts are always a tradition when fishing with Buster

Ted Fay Report : September 19, 2024

September 19, 2024Rick Cox

USac is showing a hint of Fall now and air and water temps are dropping. This is a perfect time to be in Dogpatch fishing all that NorCal offers. The river is not crowded now with anglers and actually late September is my favorite time to get on the both of our local rivers, cause believe me, it will be crowded in October. On a recent day out I actually saw fish rising occasionally sipping bugs. My favorite flies this time of year are of course Parachute Adams and Chubby’s with a dropper off of them. Fish are currently eating nymphs like Frenchies, Walts Worm or Brush Hog. In the evenings you will see BWO and PMDs coming off. You will also see October Caddis shucks on the rocks so we all know what that means, October Caddis are starting to do their thing. This is a perfect time to nymph with a rubber leg imitation that represents them..

On the McCloud Blue Wing Olives are hatching in the afternoons and the October Caddis are pupating. Bring your S&Ms in #16 & 18 and Chubbys. The evenings will see some good Caddis hatches right at dark, so Bird's Nests and Poopahs should be used. Reports are coming in that streamers are working for big Browns. I recommend fish the tailouts for these beast.

Cheers

Rick Cox

Ted Fay Report : August 30, 2024

August 30, 2024Rick Cox

Currently we are in another hot spell but keep the faith, Fall is right around the corner kids. Both rivers will be crowded this Labor Day weekend but definitely not like October. Last weekend we got snow on the mountain so I believe that’s a good sign that Fall will be here soon which as I mentioned in my last report that the day and night temps will drop. We all know then that the fish will come out of their summer funk and start feeding as water temps cool down. Regarding the USac the lower river water flow is just north of 200cfs and water temps are just south of 70 degrees. Still recommending that you fish the lower river early or late. Also I’ve heard that the lake runs are coming up out of Shasta Lake so if you are lucky you might tie into one of these hot fish. Further up river fishing is fair, I’ve heard though that truck trout are plentiful from Sweetbriar to Scarlett Way in Dunsmuir. On the McCloud River the visibility has improved dramatically and the flows are perfect. Watch out for them rattlers and beware I’ve heard there’s a mountain lion in the Conservancy, be safe.

Cheers

Rick Cox