Fishing is good on the McCloud

McCloud River - CA (Siskiyou County)


by The Fly Shop
6-25-2012
Website

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

Current River Conditions:
The McCloud is for the fly angler like dries are for droppers. An effective combo is a #12 Yellow Humpy suspending a #16 Black Micro Mayfly.

Pro Guide Mike Parker says the "fishing is good".
The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
In addition to #16 caddis flies and small olive mayflies in #16-18, look for hatches of Golden Stones and Salmon Flies. Might be worth hanging around the river until sunset to pick off a couple rainbows or browns searching for ovipositing stoneflies. Fish nymphs under indicators or using high-stick technique from mid morning through the late afternoon.

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.

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!

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
• Yellow Humpy
• D&D Cripple March Brown #12
• Parachute March Brown #14
• E/C Caddis - Olive #14-16
• Parachute Adams - #12-18
• Deer Hair Parachute Ant
• Matt's Stoneflies #6-8
• Aanes Mojo Stonefly Adult #6-8
• Floater In The Pool - Golden Stone
• Grillos Sideshow Bob-Golden Stone

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Swink's BTS GD #12
• 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
• GB Half-Flashback PT - #14-18
• GB Poxyback Hares Ear - #14-16
• BH Olive Bird's Nest - #14-16
• 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 ? Stocking-foot Chest Waders
• Chota ? "STL Plus" Convertible Wading Boot
• Split Shot For The McCloud
• Landing Net