Ted Fay Report : June 19, 2022

Few of these hanging around

Been dealing with the slog of Covid the last few weeks. Following is reports from my sources on what is currently going on. First the McCloud is living up to it’s name of the McCrowd. Lots of pressure from the fans particularly on the weekends. Ah Di Nah has been at capacity and the rough camps also. Pick a rock and stake your claim. Great bugs to use right now that I hear are scoring fish are Peaches and Cream, Brush Hogs, and dark nymphs in general. Dries that have been bringing up fish are Humpies, Stimmies and Parachute Adams. You’re very likely to see Golden Stones around too so use them during the day and evening with a dropper. On the USac I’m hearing that the Goldens are sporadic so far but the warm weather this coming week should perk them up. Believe it or not too there are still Salmonflies on the upper river north of Dunsmuir. The lower river has actually been seeing some lake runs (encouraging) so if targeting them think rubber legs. Otherwise the river is low and clear so thing about nymphing during the day using LBS (little black shit), S&M, soft hackles and Hares Ear. Evening hatches are strong if you select the right area, PMD’s, Pink PMD’s, Cahills and Golden Stones (right at dark).

Check out the pictures below from our visit to Surprise Valley Hot Springs and what the area offers.

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

Boots on the prowl

One way to get out of the way from the train

The perfect outdoor one hole

Still a jungle out there

My buddy in the Azores fishing Jurassic size fish

Surprise Valley Hot Springs Cedarville

High desert trout here

Multiple trout ponds

Country Hearth Restaurant Cedarville …. old school down home western cafe

Country Hearth roast pork dinner, salad and desert not shown …… $16.95 OMG so good

Country Hearth does killer pastries also

Homemade blueberry apricot scones from Ms. P

Ted Fay Report : May 26,2022

USac lower river

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

My buddy Derf

USac brownie

It’s a jungle out there

Spot the fishy

Spot em gotten

Love this time of year

She’s in grand shape

The classroom

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

Rogue River salmonfly hatch is in full swing

Rogue River

Half pounders smashing Chubbies

Lago Di Como Italian pastries Santa Cruz

Ted Fay Report : April 29, 2022

April miracle

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

Mr. Gordon

USac Brownie Jason Kash with Wild Waters Fly Fishing

It’s a bobber bro

Rogue River daze

Elephant ears blooming

USac looking sexy

Freddie Gordon USac

Spawners

Spawners doing their thang

Pteronarcys aka Salmon Fly

McCloud River Jason Kash with Wild Waters Fly Fishing

It’s a jungle out there

Yummy pastry porn

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

2021 Debri field looking west

2022 Mud Creek has diverted and debri field looking east

2022 Mud Creek diverted

2022 mudflow damage from 2021 event

2021 flow and deposited mud