Weather will be great for opening day. Conditions are good, fishing will be great on the McCloud

McCloud River - CA (Siskiyou County)


by The Fly Shop
4-17-2012
Website

The McCloud River rainbows (Salmo Shasta) may be the most famous strain of trout on the planet Earth.

Current River Conditions:
I just got off the phone with the river gnomes up on the McCloud. They said and I quote "all the rocks and trees are back in place, we just finished installing the river and the fish should be here anyday". I believe it! The river gnomes deliver every year. Sometimes the rive installation is a little off, but no one is perfect. The McCloud is the most beautiful river there is in California, possibly the west. The McCloud River will open for fishing on April 28th!

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.

Water Flows:
Upper McCloud River flows
McCloud River at Ah-Di-Na
Lower McCloud near Bollibokka

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:

• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-18
• E/C Caddis - Olive #14-16
• Parachute Adams - #12-18
• Yellow Humpy - #14-16

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

Streamers/Leeches:
• Dietz Sculpin - Natural #4
• Beaded Micro Bugger - Olive #12
• Beaded Micro Bugger - Black #12
• Double Bunny - #2

Eggs:
• Micro Spawn - Oregon Cheese

Fly Fishing Gear:
• Fishpond's ? Double Haul Chest/Back Pack
• The Fly Shop's ? Stockingfoot Chest Waders
• Chota ? "STL Plus" Convertible Wading Boot
• Brodin's Ghost Landing Nets