Winter has finally decided to creep in, the mountain has gotten it’s first coat of snow and the beautiful clouds of the season are showing themselves off. As I write this it has been raining all day and is forecast the rest of the week along with a possibility of snow. The local rivers are all closed with the exception of the Upper Sacramento which is open all year. I tip my hat to another great season up here and give gratitude to our rivers that bless us with their beauty and the pleasure they give us. And thanks to to all of you who respect this wonderful resource we get to enjoy here. On the up side this weather is bringing in a fresh push of steelhead on the Klamath and Trinity Rivers so it’s time to get the big guns out and go chase some beast.

The Upper Sacramento River

With rain the norm for the USac is she runs like a roller coaster showing off rapid rises and drops. Rain is supposed to be with us through this week so best wait till it ends and settles a bit. Remember, this river can fish very good for some quality fish during the Fall and Winter season. Think big rubber legs, Winter P.T.’s, S&M’s, Micro Mayflies and soft hackles. An occasional Blue Wing Olive hatch will bring noses, sometimes big noses up to sip these bugs so be prepared to switch over to throwing your favorite BWO pattern. This time of the year is a special favorite for me, the opportunity is there to get into one of the big fish that this river holds and you don’t have to mess with the dinks of summer, they are hibernating heaven knows where.

The Klamath River

The Klamath just keeps rocking with a stellar run of half pounders and adult steelhead. Whether fishing flies under the bober or swinging through a favorite run we have been finding fish. This Fall has produced one of the best half pounder runs seen in years and now the adults are showing. With above average precip forecast for the north state the next 2 weeks things will continue to improve and I encourage you to get up here to join in on the fun. We have some great Klamath guides available to show you where the fish are so give us a call.

The McCloud River

Just got notification from the Forest Service that the road from the dam to Ash Camp will be closed December 1 due to unsafe conditions. No idea when it will be repaired, hopefully before April 27, 2019

Wild Waters Fly Fishing

877-934-7466

Fantastic Fall here in Dogpatch. The weather has been mild for the most part with the morning temps hovering around 30 degrees. Unfortunately there is no rain in sight and Mt. Shasta is down right naked with no white stuff covering any and all of her body parts. The National Weather Service is showing nothing but above normal temps and bone dry precip for the next 2 weeks. This isn’t starting off very well for me and you, so am not going to even think the D word for the time being.

McCloud River Report

The McCloud has really put on a spectacular show for us this Fall with its mosaic of  brilliant colors. So with the river closing very soon (November 15), the popular October Caddis hatch and the quest for the big brown trout the river has been packed with anglers. It’s been tougher lately to bring fish to the net but there have been stellar windows where we have been lucky to experience hungry fish. Mornings have been the toughest due to the frigid conditions so I recommend the afternoon. Nymphing is solid but we have also enjoyed some outstanding dry fly fishing with some quality fish taking Stimulators and small mayfly patterns such as Baby Adams and Humpys. BTW too we have been witnessing the abundant leaf hatch, always popular this time of year.

Upper Sacramento Report

The USac has been producing a few lake run fish lately. To get away from the crowds I recommend the lower river from Lakehead up to Gibson and the possibility of hooking into one of these explosive fish. You get above Gibson and you start seeing more anglers. From Sims up to Ney Springs the October Caddis are still abundant so definitely throw your favorite imitation. The great thing about this river is it’s open all season so with the lack of rain so far and the McCloud closing soon this is a great alternative to consider for you junkies.

Klamath River Report

The steelhead are here and the run of early fish has been very good. A lot of half pounders so far but there are definitely adults in the mix. Reports from the lower river indicate this strong start to the season will continue as more more fish enter the system. Fish are being taken on single handed and two handed rods swinging and on the bobber with a couple of bugs hung off it.

Give us a shout if you want to join in on the fun here.

Cheers

Rick Cox

info@wildwatersflyfishing.com

The last month has been crazy with fires and smoke from nearby and afar fires in California and Oregon. Needless to say this has put a big dent in the recreation side of things. Summer is slowly slipping away and the outdoor activities have suffered. At one time both nearby fly fishing operations at Bollibokka Club and Clearwater House were under threat of burning and had to be evacuated. Fortunately both have been saved but the landscape has changed. The Hirz Fire is the closest to us, approximatel 15 miles from both McCloud and Dunsmuir but CalFire has put enough resources on it to slow it down, as of this morning it is 17% contained. All of us up here in the north state cannot express our gratitude enough to the brave fire fighters and other first responders out there putting their lives on the line …. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! So under the circumstances here’s the fishing report for what it’s worth.

For those hearty enough to get out under these unpleasant conditions the fishing has been decent. Lack of pressure has helped on both the McCloud and Upper Sacramento Rivers. My sources tell me that excellent days have been had for those willing to put up with the smoke on both the McCloud and Upper Sacramento Rvers. The Dunsmuir area is loaded with truck trout and reports of big fish out of the McCloud have been broadcast. Also the good news is that the smoke currently tends to come and go so hope grows eternal and better days are coming … we hope.

In the mean time for the last two weeks (just returned) I’ve been in Wyoming and Idaho enjoying the hopper action throwing every hopper pattern I can get my hands on. Fortunately or unfortunately (there was still some CA smoke there) I have had to go that far but it was well worth it for me and my buds, Fred “The Fish” Gordon and Buster. Straight up hopper, hopper dropper and hopper dropper dropper was the game. We were on the Wind River, Big Horn, Salt and Snake in WY and Teton River and South Fork of the Snake in ID. The hoppers were thick and the fish grabby. The Wind River is a tail water holding rainbows and browns that are very big and energetic. Recommended tippet for these strong brutes is 2x and a 6 or 7 wt. rod. When hooked up on one expect explosive runs sometimes into your backing and be prepared to loose about half of them. On all rivers we drifted and cast from the raft pounding the bank, walk waded edges and side channels, and some days just plan left the raft at home and wade fished. Enjoy the pics below and look for Wild Waters Fly Fishing to be hosting some trips here for this phenomenal time of the year.

Cheers

Rick Cox

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com

Buster Hooked Up

Salt River, Wyoming

Bent Stick On The Big Horn River

Looking For Evening Gulpers On The Big Horn

Big Horn Double … Buster  and Fred “The Fish” Gordon

Big Horn River

Saw Lots Of These Guys

Our Modus of Transportation

Ouch … The Only Battle Wound Of The Trip

These Beast Live In The Wind River

Nice Having Our Pastry Chef Along … Thanks Buster

Well it’s officially the Dog Daze of summer now. This means temps are north of 100 degrees during the day, the water is warming, the bugs are suffering heat stroke, wet wading is required unless you are allergic to water (wtf), and you best think about mornings and evenings with a nice midday break for lunch and a cold beverage. Whoopsies and falling in are acceptable too. Not to be discouraged though, the fish have to eat sometime so it’s not like they have lock jaw. I am finding fish in the oxygenated water, heavy pocket water and deep in the runs and pools. With the river at it’s lowest now (melts over and no rain in sight) the fish are on the bottom looking up for something to gobble so it’s imperative to get your bugs down in that lower water column. Fish can be enticed with a dry dropper early, early and late, late but otherwise it’s nymphing, nymphing, nymphing that will get you fish. My favorite go to bugs for this time of year are the LBS (little black shit).

McCloud River

The McCloud has also reached Dog Daze status so the drill is think mornings and evenings. Fish the oxygenated water, the pocket water, and deep in the runs and pools. Heads of pools have been especially effective, get the bugs into that foamy rough water and pay attention to those quick bites that occur there. This river is presenting more opportunities for dry fly fishing so as soon as the shade from the ridges and trees cover the water think about an Adams or PMD. Be prepared for very hot air coming up the canyon from Redding so wet wading is a great alternative to cool down. Also we have fires around that have been bringing in smoke so be prepared. On the up side you will not find this river crowded so the fish are having a break from the crowd hatch and your opportunities are increased for hookups.

Rick Cox

877-934-7466

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com

P.S. Look for my next post from my Wyoming/Idaho trip coming up.