Conditions for opening day should be great! More rain and snow could fall between now and April 28th, possibly yielding elevated river flows and a tougher status report. Looking on the bright side, we think it's safe to go ahead and plan a fly fishing vacation on the McCloud River for spring of 2012! The fishing should be beyond ordinary!

See our selection of chest packs!

Upper McCloud River flows

McCloud River at Ah-Di-Na

Lower McCloud flows near Bollibokka

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 through the summer months of June-September. Use a technique called High-stick-nymphing in the pocket water and deeper chutes. Re-fish your way back to camp or the car throwing streamers into pocket water, next to downed trees, under those big elephant ear-like plants called "Indian Rhubarb".

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, check out www.mccloudriverkeepers.org 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!

Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:
• Yellow Stimulator #8-16
• Foam Parachute Adams #14-16
• Mercer's Missing Link #14-18
• E/C Caddis Olive #14-16
• Parachute Adams #12-18
• Yellow Humpy #14-16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Shafer's 3-D Nymph #8
• Red Copper John #14-16
• GB San Juan Worm
• TB Pseudo Mays #18
• Micro Mayflies #14-16
• Burk's HBI #16-18
• Pat's Brown Rubber Leg #6-8

Streamers/Leeches:
• Dietz Sculpin Natural
• Beaded Micro Bugger Olive
• Beaded Micro Bugger Black

Eggs:
• Micro Spawn Oregon Cheese

Fly Fishing Gear:

Our Recommendations:
• Whizz Lube
• Tapered Leaders
• Sage One Fly Rod 4-5wt
• Dry Fly Shake
• Simms Wading Boot