Just back from a road trip to WY/MT in time for the shoulder season here in Dogpatch. This is the time of year I lick my chops for the many choices that start to present themselves in the area. Both the Upper Sac and McCloud River have shown improvement in their fishing. The fish are starting to get active with the cooler water and cooler days/nights. Caddis, caddis and more caddis are showing on both rivers so make sure you have some Fox Poopahs, Birds Nest, Split Wing Caddis, EC Caddis and Elk Hare Caddis on hand. The “mythical” October Caddis are also pupating now so think about Cased Caddis and October Caddis emergers. Reports of some nice fish have been coming in on both rivers and it will only get better. Also reports of steelhead half pounders and adults are trickling in for the Trinity, Rogue, and Klamath (we know this river better than anyone). The salmon are arriving on the Lower Sac and the spawning fish will kick in the egg bite there. Don’t miss out on this excitement …. so many choices, so many rivers and so little time. Drift, walk/wade, spey, single handed NO PROBLEM! Wild Waters Fly Fishing will be more than happy to get you out on any of these rivers, CALL NOW and book a trip!!

 http://wildwatersflyfishing.com/877-934-7466

August is just about out of here, nights are getting longer, days are cooling down a bit and Osprey juveniles are spreading their wings and learning to fly. All signs that Fall is a few weeks away and starting to show … a welcoming after the hot daze of summer. Wild Waters Fly Fishing has still been having successful days on both the McCloud and Upper Sac though and it will only get better as the cool down kicks in and the fish get more active. Small bugs such as size 16 P.T., Micros, S&M, Birds Nest and Poopahs have been bringing grins to our clients. Fish hard, fish deep, fish the turbulence, and BE surgical …. the fish Gods will be kind to you. Nice thing about now is crowds are nonexistant on both rivers so for you nonsocial sorts you got it all for some me time. As usual I do expect a bump this Labor Day weekend of flatlanders but be forewarned we are predicted to have a cool down with temps in the 70’s.

For you Steelhead junkies reports of them in the lower Klamnath are coming in. Wild Waters is presenting a 4 day Orvis Spey Clinic next month  near Happy Camp at Paradise Point. We still have a few spots open so check it out and give us a shout if interested …..

Orvis in Paradise.

Rick Cox

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com

June is always the rocking time of the year and so far this year it has not disappointed. The snow melt has diminished, the days are warm, the bugs are out … perfect formula. Wild Waters Fly Fishing guest have been having fun and success on the McCloud, Upper Sac, Klamath, Trout Lake, McCloud Reservoir, and Lake Siskiyou. Early and late trips to the lakes has been producing large and small mouth bass with Lake Siskiyou offering its “secret” evening Hex chasing. Right now the Upper Sac is just about at summer flows. Mornings and midday fishing is all about nymphs and getting them down. Fish those runs, seams and slow tail outs deep (on the bottom) and tight line the oxygenated riffles for best results. Late evening hatches depend on which stretch you prefer but I suggest mid river up for you dry fly aficionados. The McCloud has been the McCloud, starting to cloud up a bit, cranky one day and game on the next. The Stonefly hatch has moved up river above Ah Di Na. Again nymphing here DEEP gets you the best results along with a dry/dropper in the pocket water. Grabs are quick so be ready to stick it to them when you see the slightest movement on that indicator.

Raining on the party these days and the fishing has dropped off. Forecasters saying will be this way for most of the week but clearing for the Memorial Day weekend stampede. Both the Upper Sac and McCloud have been cranky lately but should start heating up soon, we just need to get this wet stuff out of the way.

The USac flows are creeping down and are at 575 cfs, not ideal but definitely worth fishing. The upper sections have a few Salmonflies out and about …. Caddis, Yellow Sallies and Mayflies were starting to show, but this rain has put the kibosh on the bug hatch. You might see some Baetis hatches though as I witnessed Friday so be prepared. We are still managing to pick up some nice fish though ….. nymphing with a nice swing at the end of the drift (my fav) got Pat G. a nice beefy brownie above Dunsmuir the other day.

The McCloud was it usual McCrowd up until the weather moved in and has quieted down as a result, resting until the next surge. I predict that fishing will improve here, hatches as usual will explode and finding your own personal rock to fish from will be a challenge. But it is what it is and you cannot find a better river to spend a day on for fishing and scenery ….. so cowboy up and have fun. The Salmonfies are around, am starting to see some Drakes, occasional Mayflies and a few Caddis but so far not much top feeding … unless you throw a dry/dropper in some pocket water.