Ted Fay Report : July 19, 2022

July 19, 2022Rick Cox

As I noted last week the McCloud has blown again, just about the same time as last year. I’m feeling very sad for the river and all of my guide community buds who depend so much on this legendary river. Aint forgetting those of you too who hold the river next to their hearts, just a damn shame all the way around. Climate change is happening and hopefully the McCloud survives these events that seem to be occurring all too often. So grateful that I was able to fish and guide it in the “good ole days” the last 30 years.

On the other hand the USac has been producing some excellent results. Unfortunately she’s the only game in town until the McCloud clears. The days as we call them, Dog Daze, are hot and consequently the water is getting warm, to the point that CA DF&G is recommending Hoot Owl guide lines. Montana has been doing this for some time and I just wanted to point out how trout are affected as the water warms (see the chart below). I strongly urge you sports to think about early and late water time. Fish till noonish, bail for lunch and a cold one, and then return around 7pm. And remember too carry your water thermometer, these fish certainly don’t need to be stressed any more than they have to.

Just a side note here and a bit of good news, the Ash Camp road closure has commenced repair work on the McCloud River washout. Received this from USFS yesterday….

PG&E is beginning the Hawkins Creek Road Repair Project starting today, Monday, July 18th and is scheduled to occur through the beginning of January 2023. This project is to fix the road that washed away past the McCloud Dam. A lot of people have been walking past the existing closure to access Ash Camp on the McCloud River, but they will not be allowing any pedestrian access during the length of the project due to safety concerns. PG&E is working on a formal public notification and I will share that once it is available.

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

Freddie getting first Laker that wants its pic taken

USac smallie spitting up a trout fingerling

McCloud River just about the same time last year 2021

It’s going to be a very long time before she clears

My dear buddy who has become quite the artist painted donuts for me, thanks MW

Ted Fay Report : July 14,2022

July 14, 2022Rick Cox

McCloud River is BLOWN!

Ted Fay Report : July 3, 2022

July 03, 2022Rick Cox

McCloud River color is getting cranky Photo by Chis Devine

De Ja Vu time on the McCloud. Just about a year ago it went chocolate and stayed that way until last October. She’s running steady on the turbidity scale at 4-4.5 since the end of the week. Hopefully she doesn’t get pissed and go muddy but time will tell. I dug up some old photos from 2010 when guiding it that shows it a bit worse. We caught fish but wading was tough and it wasn’t lights out. When the color (see below pics) gets any worse than this I would call her blown. Hopefully this is a pulse that is very common for the river and it drops. Just keep an eye on the river turbidity gauge folks.

On the USac it’s officially Dog Daze time. It’s summer, the river has dropped and is running gin clear. The dinks are out in full force but hey these little wigglers are fun and full of spunk. I suggest using LBS to get you a tug during the day and concentrate in and just downstream of the oxygen bubbles and don’t be afraid of fishing the faster pocket water. Evenings will get a hatch around dark thirty so if you can stay out late put on a dry fly, hopefully something you can see.

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