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10/26 -- FAIR
"McCloud River reports have been slow fishing. October Caddis are plentiful but the fish are not showing much interest in them except at the end of the day. Nymphing has been fair to good. The river has been crowded some days and not on others. Note the flows are up a touch." "October hatches are incredible. Stood in several runs yesterday in the Nature Conservancy and observed hundreds of caddis coming out of the water. Very thick hatches. Fishing was tough. Not very many rainbows chowing on October Caddis or smaller nymphs. Didn't fish like the McCloud can at this time of year. At least in the Conservancy stretch. Maybe the fires chased the fish downstream?"
10/19 -- GOOD
"The McCloud is fishing best the last couple of hours of the day when the October Caddis convention begins on the river. A big size 8 orange body stimulator is bringing fish up ..... you might also think about a dropper too. Crowds have not been an issue and Ah Di Na has been about 1/3 full. This will probably change this weekend though. Fair to good fishing reports are coming in from Ash Camp too." 10/14: "The October Caddis hatches are coming off big time near sunset. Fish October Caddis dries near the edges of the river near sunset for optimum effect. The daytime conditions are excellent and as beautiful as one can ask for in October. The fishing has been good to fair." "Having been closed since mid-August due to the Bagley Fire, the lack of pressure has a good bite going. It’s open from Ash Camp down through Ah-Di-Na but the south and southeast sides of the river are closed due to the possible danger of falling trees."
10/12 -- GOOD
"OPEN and fishing great!!! Finally the McCloud river from Ash Camp down through Ah-Di-Na is open for fishing. South and South/East sides of the river are closed due to the present danger of falling debris (trees and tree parts). So, just stay on the west side of the river and you're "Good". The recent Bagley Fire burned sections of forest near and next to the McCloud River. The McCloud has been closed to public access since mid August. As of today [10/9], the McCloud is open to fishing. Let the party begin!!" "Fishing is good. Access to Ah-Di-Na and the conservancy is open! Nymphing October caddis pupa and stripping streamers in pocket water is producing best. Weather will bring out hatches of BWO’s. Try an October caddis pupa and small black nymphs. Use plenty of weight to get the flies down in fast water. October caddis dries are showing in the evening and a dry/dropper system is getting plenty of looks. Lake run browns are. Fish a sculpin on a sink tip early and late for best results." Read Kiene discussion on re-opening.
9/28 -- POOR
"The McCloud River remains closed. I received an e-mail from the Forest Service yesterday noting they were not sure when it will open. Reason being safety concerns due to rolling debris and tree snags that come down to the river from the burned side. On the other hand for those of you angsting over the shape of things here's some shots taken 2 days ago on a special ops recon mission down there. Yes, Dogpatch has it's own boots (we call him Ole Boots) on the ground for this event .... unauthorized of course. As you can see the old girl has weathered the fire for the most part and dodged a bullet. All structures are intact and unscathed. The roads are a little beat up on the west side of the ridge. The river is as pretty as ever and beckons us ..... just be patient, our time will come but she needs to heal a bit.
9/21 -- POOR
"Here's the latest update on the Bagley Fire and it's affect on the McCloud River. The fire is 100% contained but full control hasn't been achieved. There are about 400 personnel still assigned with day and night crews working. All roads to the lower McCloud are closed and access to Ash Camp, Ah Di Na, and the Preserve are not accessible with no estimate on when they will be open."
9/14 -- POOR
Closed due to Bagley fire. Here's one reason why: "Low surface fires in Division G continue to burn, with hot rolling material backing down steep slopes into the McCloud River." See newsletter and/or Kiene's discussion.
9/7 -- POOR
Closed due to Bagley Fire, which has affected Ash Camp, Ah Di Na and the Nature Conservancy. See Ted Fay posting with erie photos. Get the latest offical update, which includes a map.
8/31 -- POOR
Due to the Bagley Fire, "Ah Di Na, Ash Camp and the Fisherman's Loop on the McCloud are now closed... She expects the closure to continue at least until late September. " Prior to this: "Evening hatches on the Upper Sac and McCloud have been unusally reliable, lasting from the time the sun goes off the water until dark thirty. The last half hour of light provides the best opportunities to target larger fish."
8/24 -- FAIR
"Mid day fishing is brutal on the angler heat wise but all the hearty anglers I had out the last couple of weeks survived (long hikes are not recommended). Both the Upper Sac and the McCloud Rivers are giving up fish with mornings and evenings offering the best opportunities(sounds like a broken record). LBS (little black shit) is still the ticket for bugs (see previous reports for recommendations).
8/16 -- GOOD
"Bring small dark flies like #16-18 Pseudo Mays, Micro Mayflies, Zebra Midges etc.. just think small and dark. The fishing has been good. Water conditions are cold and clear. Not crowds to report. If you stay out until sundown, you should find fish rising to caddis emergers just behind the Ah-di-Nah campground."
8/3 -- GOOD
"The Mcloud offers good, uncrowded fishing during the "dog-days" of summer. Come relax in the cold waters and cool off while examining the riffles, pools and glides with nymphs or dry/dropper set ups. The fishing has been fair at times, great near sunset."
7/26 -- GOOD
From 7/24: "Water conditions are excellent and the fishing continues to be good with hatches later in the day."
7/20 -- FAIR
"Both the Upper Sac and the McCloud seem to be in the pattern now of producing best in the a.m. up till about 1 ish and then again after 5 ish. Wet wading is highly recommended and falling in frequently is suggested. If you don't stay hydrated too you may regret it ..... don't try and be a camel. The theme on both rivers is fish the shade and/or heavy oxygenated water."
7/13 -- GOOD
"It's time to wet wade the McCloud! The fishing has been good! The hook ups have been consistent all day." "With the summer heat concentrate on the faster runs and pocket water. By early afternoon the bite slows. Fishing picks up again after 6pm, with caddis, yellow stones, and PMD’s the main fare. Do not leave early! The last hour is very good dry fly fishing."
7/6 -- GOOD
"The fishing this week has been good! Insect hatches include caddis, small olive mayflies and an occasional Stonefly in the very upper reaches of the McCloud." "Look for best fishing mornings and late afternoon into evening. Wet wading is optional and suggested."
6/29 -- GOOD
"The McCloud is showing a definite drop off mid day with the mornings very solid and the late afternoon shady spots producing. Think small bugs here for nymphing. Evening dry fly fishing remains good. Use the stimie/dropper periodically throughout the day too ..... you'll be pleasantly surprised." "Still some Goldens flying around and quite a few Yellow Sallies." "Bollibokka was as expected - pretty darn good."
6/21 -- GOOD
No new reports
6/15 -- GOOD
"killer hatches of Golden Stones late in the day, near sunset! Hot fly has been #6 Orange Stimulators for the evening session. Water conditions are excellent and the fishing continues to be good." "The evening rise is what a lot of folks are chasing due to all the assorted bugs."
6/9 -- VERY GOOD
"A plethora of hatches are happening here so be prepared with a variety of dry flies ..... caddis, mayflies, golden stones, salmon flies, yellow sallies, and drakes. This river is in great shape and ready to test you!"
6/1 -- GOOD
"So far, the McCloud is enjoying the spot lite as N. Cal's top notch walk and wade fishery. Fishing good! Nymphing with indicators works, but the anglers fishing dry-dropper combo's have been into slightly more consistency (bendage of the fly rod) from the riffles to the pools." "Reports from Homer, Doc, and fellow guides give it a thumbs up." Conservancy discussion on Kiene's.
| McCloud River Fly Shops and Guides | Fly Shop | Guide Service | Lodging | |
American Fly Fishing CompanySacramento, CA | Phone: 800-410-1222 |
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Clearwater Lodge24500 Pit One Powerhouse Road P.O. Box 920 Fall River Mills, CA | Phone: 888-600-5451 |
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Fish First!Chico, CA | Phone: 530-345-9983 |
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Harts Guide ServiceMt. Shasta, CA | Phone: 530-926-2431 |
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Jack Trout Fly Fishing Guide ServiceMt. Shasta, CA | Phone: 530-926-4540 |
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Leland Fly Fishing OutfittersSan Francisco, CA | Phone: 415-781-3474 |
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McCloud Fly Fishing AdventuresMcCloud, CA | Phone: 530-964-2533 |
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Riverbend AdventuresDouglas City, CA | Phone: 530-778-3540 |
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Shasta TroutMount Shasta, CA | Phone: 530-926-5763 |
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Ted Fay Fly ShopDunsmuir, CA | Phone: 530-235-2969 |
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The Fly ShopRedding, CA | Phone: 800-669-3474 |
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Three Rivers Guide ServiceMt. Shasta, CA | Phone: 530-925-7990 |
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Vaughns Sporting Goods Fly ShopBurney, CA | Phone: 530-335-2381 |
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Wayne EngDunsmuir, CA | Phone: 530-235-4018 |
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