Current River Conditions:
The McCloud is a perfect choice at this time of year because the wading conditions are perfect, crowds are light and insect hatches are returning after a respite from the dog-days of summer. To find the best fishing, get on the water between 9:00-10:00 AM. You should find fish that will eat a #18 Black Micro Mayfly or a #16 Pheasant Tail Nymph through 1:00PM. Fish the shady spots in the afternoon with a dry & dropper set up. Cool, shady late afternoons through early evening can get the fish out from under the rocks, logs and cut banks, producing the last hook ups of a classic McCloud River fly fishing experience.

Upper McCloud River flows

McCloud River at Ah-Di-Na

Lower McCloud flows near Bollibokka

Also, for an update on the fight to preserve the McCloud River's flows, contact Dennis Amato at [email protected].

The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
Wading boots with studs and a wading staff are a must on the McCloud, which is full of irregularly shaped rocks that can be very slick. The best results are produced by anglers who move from run to run. The more water you can cover, the more fish have a chance to see your fly, ultimately improving upon your existing good fortune of being out on the river, fishing! Be on the look-out for rattle snakes. Use a technique called High-stick-nymphing in the pocket water and deeper chutes. Re-fish all your way back to camp or the car throwing streamers into pocket water, next to downed trees/logs.

The Fight is on to Protect McCloud River Flows!!! Whitewater boating interests are also trying to hijack McCloud River flows for boating at the expense of angling opportunity. For more information, contact Dennis Amato at [email protected]. before it's too late!

River Fact:
The McCloud River rainbows (Salmo Shasta) may be the most famous strain of trout on the planet Earth. At the turn of the 19th century, these were the fish used to first stock most of New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and other potential trout fisheries all across the western hemisphere. So, that means we could trace Madison river (a river in Montana) rainbows back to the McCloud River!

Flies:

Dries:
• Mercer's Missing Link #14-18
• E/C Caddis Olive #14
• Yellow Stimulators #8-16
• Parachute Adams #12-18
• Yellow Humpy #14-16
• Orange Stimulator #6

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• TB Pseudo Mays #18
• Micro Mayflies #14-16
• Burk's HBI #16-18
• Pat's Brown Rubber Leg #6-8
• GB Black A. P.
• Mercer's Golden Stones #8-14
• GB Half Flashback PT #12-18
• GB Poxyback Hares Ear #14-16
• Cinnamon Poopah #12-14
• BB Olive Bird's Nest #14-16
• Shafer's 3-D Black #8-10
• GB Birds Nest #12-16

Streamers/Leeches:
• Beaded Micro Bugger Olive
• Beaded Micro Bugger Black
• Double Bunny

Eggs:
• Micro Spawn Oregon Cheese