It’s the Daze of the Dog time. July and August are always hot and the bug activity is pretty much on siesta. One nice thing though is the rivers are still experiencing runoff, not high flows but colder than usual water temps. Wet wading is optional and for some the most comfortable. Nymphing by far is the most productive method to get you into fish although the evening dry fly fishing during the last hour can be good. When nymphing, as I always say, you have to get your bugs down so don’t be afraid to get the lead out and put it on. The fish are hugging the bottom this time of the year and you have to get them down into their neighborhood. Great bugs for this time are the assortment of LBS (Little Black Shit) … Zebra Midges, S&M, Dark Lord, P.T.’s, Micro Mayflies, and Soft Hackles. And another great thing about this time of the year are no crowds on either the Upper Sac or McCloud.
Give us a shout if you want to enjoy in on some great summer fun and fishing.
The Upper Sac is in perfect shape now. July is here but fortunately the days are very mild, we have experienced no serious heat waves yet and the water remains cold due to the continuing runoff. We are seeing the Golden Stones just about ready to leave the party but on the other hand some dynamite late evening dry fly fishing is still available. Although the word is out that the river is in excellent shape and you fly fishers are here in numbers the beauty of the river is that there is 30 miles of access. Most fish during the day are taking a variety of nymphs including soft hackles, Red Copper Johns, Dark Lords and my favorite the LBS (little black shit). Best luck has been getting the bugs down near the bottom, the fish are hugging it due to the very clear visibility.
Give us a shout if you want to experience some fun time on the Upper Sac this summer.
The McCloud River
The magical McCloud River has been giving up some excellent days for us. Again evenings here are the main theme for catching fish. If you are willing to stay late you will be rewarded with some spectacular dry fly fishing. Big bushy bugs about size 8 with a dropped nymph or a small Adams trailed behind it will get you in the game. The river has clouded up some due to Mud Creek so the spookability factor is diminished. Small bugs in size 14 and smaller are getting the job done for us but don’t be shy about throwing on that big rubber leg occasionally.
The McCloud in the summer offers no crowds and nice cold water, a good recipe for giving us a shout and booking one of our outstanding McCloud guides.
The river flows are now just south of 1000 cfs. These flows allow added access locations and as the river continues to drop additional spots will open up. It has been a crazy spring for the river but we are starting to see a shift to normalcy and it will continue to get better as each day passes. We have been drifting it along with walk wade trips and the fishing has been surprisingly good to excellent. Best bets right now are chasing the Golden Stone hatch that’s been occurring in the evenings along with their buddies the yellow sallies, caddis and mayflies. Be prepared for some great evening dry fly fishing and stay out till dark thirty. Of course day time nymphing has been good, remember these fish haven’t been harassed much this spring so the spockability meter isn’t high.
The McCloud River
The McCloud flows are juicy good. The entire river is back to its normal summer type flows and is fishing very good. Now is the time to be on it for some great June (one of the best months) action. Like the USac this river is prime time with the Goldens and Salmonflies dancing around. Expect to have very clear visibility so get your stealth game on. Crowds are starting to show up for the McCrowd but don’t let that stop you. Similar advise here, evenings are PRIME time for you dry fly aficionados and day time nymphing is good with bugs such as Dark Lords, Gordon Princes and good ole soft hackles.
Give us a shout we would love to get you out on the waters.
It’s been quite the dance this past week with all the rain and even a bit of snow. However we have been making things work . It’s been about putting on the raincoat and dealing with the increased flows. We’ve seen some spectacular fish come to the net and even the dry fly has been working.
The McCloud River
The river has seen its fair share of recent rain , the gauge at the dam registered 7 inches since last week. Releases out the dam bumped up but are starting to decrease. The river is still high running at 700 cfs but fish can be found. It continues to drop slowly and the forecast after this Memorial Day weekend is for great spring weather. Also we are seeing another start to a good brownie year, they are even gobbling dries. You want to be here, the Golden Stones will be busting out soon along with the Mayflies and Caddis. Give us a shout for Prime Time NOW!
The Upper Sacramento River
The river has been bouncing aroundover the last week but has just dropped below 3000cfs and is heading south rapidly.. She’s a beast but its all about the edges and soft spots. Best to fish areas where it spreads out rather than the tight narrow ones you normally would fish. Be prepared to see a completely different landscape in the lower river from the Delta Fire cleanup, fortunately though the river itself survived but the memories of before and after the fire has changed her appearance dramatically. Again here we expect a big turn around next week, June should be dynamite!
Give us a shout, we have a lot of availabilty and our McCloud and Upper Sacramento guides are some of the best around.
The Wild Waters Fly Fishing crew was not letting high water conditions spoil our “traditional” trout opener last weekend. Our guides found water to fish and fish to be caught. The snow melt is making it tougher than normal but over the years we have learned where and how to successfully handle these conditions.
The McCloud River
Although flows were very high, somewhere north of 1100 cfs we were able to get it done. However they are dropping and today are at 700cfs at Ah Di Nah. You can fish the edges effectively but expect to move around to find good locations. If the flows continue to drop many more spots will open up. Hatches are not really kicking in yet but we are seeing Golden Stone nymphs getting ready to join the party. The Conservancy is open and the care taker has set up residency. There is one shaky spot in the road just past the campground where a culvert has washed out but repairs are coming. Remember too the road to Ash Camp is closed just past the dam. You can walk in if you feel inclined or take a mountain bike, scooter, roller skates, etc.
The Upper Sacramento River
The Upper Sac is running right around 2000cfs which is high and fast. Probably will be such for a few more weeks. Currently thinking late May is when you best be ready to get in some serious fishing. It is fishable but be cautious wading. Fish the edges and softer water, there are hungry fish here who haven’t been harassed since last season. We have been seeing salmonflies from mid river upstream but not much for top action, it’s all about nymphing and getting the bugs down. Recommendation … You might think Golden Stone nymphs, their getting ready to to pop anytime soon.
Hat Creek
Although Hat Creek was a very social scene and crowded Saturday Sunday proved otherwise. Our guides and clients found very good fishing at the Power House 2 riffle both days with Sunday being far fewer anglers. The creek is in excellent shape running a bit high but gin clear. We witnessed occasional PMD’s and Caddis but nothing to get excited about….yet. This is an excellent choice right now for ya’ll.
www.wildwatersflyfishing.com
877-934-7466
Trout Lake
A nearby lake that’s off most people’s radar other than locals is Trout Lake. This is a gem that offers outstanding trout and bass fishing. Poppers on the surface were the ticket for us for some nice bucket mouths. This is a great option when others are off the table.
Clinics
We are offering clinics for all skill levels from novice to expert. Give us a call and we can give you details.
Well here we are just before the general opening of all our rivers and guess what, we have a lot of water to deal with. The McCloud is flowing north of 1100 cfs at Ah Di Nah and the Upper Sac is north of 4000 cfs. These numbers are double and triple what our average spring flows are. I’ve seen these types of springs before so we just deal with it and pull out all the options….Lower Sac, Hat Creek, numerous local lakes, etc. It’s about fishing the edges of these big flow rivers and not getting too squirrelly wading. Looking ahead there is a lot of upper elevation snowpack which will not start melting for a couple more weeks so don’t expect flows to drop very fast any time soon. The McCloud access has been affected this winter and the road to Ash Camp is closed just across the dam. The Forest Service and PG&E are battling over who’s responsible for the repairs so don’t hold your breathe for any quick fix. You can however park at the closure point and hike in if you like. The road to Ah Di Nah and the Conservancy is open although I just found out that a portion of the trail into the Conservancy cabin is flooded. Currently you can expect to see Salmonflies, flying ants and a few mayflies hatching. Soon to come will be the Golden Stones and a plethora of mayflies and caddis. Just remember caution wading and be envious of those white water dudes as they go flying by. If you have any further questions give us a shout.
877-934-7466
Spilling At 1100 bfsAsh Camp Access ShutdownSalmonflies Soon
As we approach the upcoming season we should remind all of you about why and how the Ted Fay Fly Shop is what it is and why it is an institution here in Northern California. Ted Fay started his guiding business in Dunsmuir in the early 50’s out of a motel he owned offering free guiding for guest who stayed in it. He popularized the short-line,weighted-fly tactic known as “short-line nymphing.” Fay popularized his version of the pocket water technique, which usually involved two flies; one tied at the end of the tippet, the other some distance above as a dropper. For a time in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Fay’s fly patterns were hot items, so much so that “authentic” Ted Fay flies began appearing on the shelves of other fly shops. Fay died in 1983 a year after I met him and Joe Kimsey at Ted’sshop. Joe was tying and guiding for Ted then and continued the shop at the Acorn Motel until 1996 when Bob Grace, the current owner, bought it from Joe. Joe carried forward Ted’s short line technique, teaching it using all the popular Fay flies such as the Bomber, Spent Wing, Peacock and Burlap. After Bob purchased the shop Joe continued to be a fixture there. One of my fondest memories of Joe was when a customer would walk through the doorway and inquire enthusiastically, “Where are the fish?” Joe would reply in a blink “In the water!” Joe continued to show up every day almost to the end tying flies in the old Ted Fay style and swapping stories with Bob and the customers. Joe was laid to rest in 2010 wearing his signature red suspenders. We miss his presence but know that his spirit is minding the The Ted Fay Fly Shop.
Our guides continue to find late season steelhead success in NorCal, Southern OR and on the coast. Weather has been spectacular recently meaning t-shirts and sunscreen. Although the forecast of rain is looming out there once again we are not seeing any dire predictions of gully washers so favorable conditions should prevail as we approach the end of the month and early April. I strongly suggest for those of you still twitchy for chasing the beast times growing short and you will only have yourself to blame, give us a shout to live the dream rather than dreaming of what could have BEEN such as this 93 yr. youngster we just guided.
877-934-7466
Upper Sacramento River Report
The Upper Sac has been experiencing the leading edge of the snow melt recently and the flows are just south of 3000 bfs which may scare some of you away. Rest assured the river can be fished at these flows, it isn’t pocket water style fishing so common on this river, it’s more of a big water game and knowing your high water spots. We have been experiencing one of the best winters that we can remember and getting into the fabled lake run fish (we call them steelhead descendants) that test your skills. I suspect that these flows will be around for awhile. If you would like to join in on our fun as Mother Nature does her runoff thing and learn a few worthwhile tips from one of our seasoned USac guides give us a call.
Right now and for the next week or more is your window of opportunity to enjoy some great fishing. The relentless string of Winter storms that just kept rolling in off the Pacific are being kicked in the groin by a sweet high pressure system over us. Most rivers are dropping into shape around here and over on the coast. March can be an awesome time to get your last licks in for steelhead on the Klamath, Rogue, Trinity, Applegate, Smith, Chetco, Coquille and Umpqua Rivers. Here in our backyard the Upper Sacramento River is also dropping and is prime for some of the big Winter fish that we locals are aware of. The only river that is in jeopardy is the Lower Sacramento River which is seeing big releases from Shasta Dam however this situation could improve any day . Give us a shout, we have a great team of guides to assist you with all of these choices.
Come Join Us In Pleasanton This Weekend, We Would Love To See All of YOU At Our Booth!! For More Info Checkout https://flyfishingshow.com/pleasanton-ca/
After weeks of rain and snow we are currently enjoying an excellent break in the weather. The much needed moisture has brought Shasta Lake levels up to its seasonal average and the snow pack on Shasta and surrounding mountains is in feets, lots of feets.
UPPER SACRAMENTO
Locally the Upper Sacramento River has been running high but continues to drop with the gauge today showing 1200cfs. Personally I love this big water this time of year. The opportunity is out there for hooking up with one of the fiesty lake run rainbows which I like to refer to as freshwater steelies …. they fight like and look like steelhead, probably descendents from steelhead locked in the river when Shasta Dam was built. They generally spawn in March and go back to their “ocean” at the lake to begin their migration back up into the river late summer into winter. This last week has presented perfect conditions and success for the few who are venturing out. Shown below is a nice 22in. chromer I got into a few days ago. Figure on throwing nymphs for now until we get warmer weather and get the lead on, lots of it. Also, I suggest using legs and your favorite nymph dangled from it … oh and 2x and 3x tippet!! Give me a shout if chasing these guys interest you.
Rick Cox
KLAMATH RIVER
The Klamath continues to have a solid steelhead season. The rains have brought in a new push of fresh fish into the upper end above I-5 and with it the bigger winter fish. Our guides are reporting fish up to 10 lbs. coming to the net which for the Klamath is a very good fish. We have been taking fish drifting nymphs under a bobber and also out of the boat swinging through some the mellow lazy water. Pressure is nonexistent and excellent weather is forecast for the next week. Think about this river for your next steelhead adventure. The shop has a great assortment of steelhead flies, leader and tippet for this river so pop in and get your arsenal restocked. We also have excellent Klamath guides for this prime time, give us a shout.
Rick Cox
877-934-7466
Photo by Rick Cox
Photo by Rick Cox
Photo by Rick Cox
Photo by Rick Cox
If you have any further questions please call the shop and when you are in the area stop by and bug Bob.
In between recent storms the Klamath River has been bending rods and kicking out fish. The river is in excellent shape, the needed rains just keep coming and the steelies are here. We’ve been catching fish on the swing and with the bobber. The good news is the river isn’t crowded and the large winter fish are starting to show. January through March is the time to be here for these brutes and with the storms continuing to stack up in the Pacific the stage is set for an excellent Winter of steelhead fishing on this legendary river.
Also, Wild Waters Fly Fishing coastal season will be kicking into gear after the holidays, we will be offering trips in northern CA and southern OR from the boat and walk wading. January through March is prime time for these smoking chromers and the beauty of these coastal rivers
is an added bonus.
Give us a shout to join in on the fun.
Wild Waters Fly Fishing
877-934-7466
The Upper Sacramento River
The Upper Sac is currently running high but still fishable. Rain is forecast though so I recommend wait till the weather settles down a bit.
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