Whether you like to fish dry flies or nymphs you'll find good fishing on the McCloud

McCloud River - CA (Siskiyou County)


by The Fly Shop
9-12-2013
Website

Current River Conditions: Water conditions are good and so is the fishing. Best dry fly fishing happens at sunset. Fishing has been best for anglers throwing nymphs under indicators or running them using high stick and short line techniques. Throw dark colored nymphs in #6-16. For dry fly fishing, try Mercer's Missing Link or a #8 Stimulator.

The Fly Shop's?? Tips: Fish a Fat Albert suspending a black #18 Zebra Midge in the tail-outs can produce some surprisingly large rainbows. Suspending nymphs under indicators in the deeper slots, pockets and pools can keep a fly rod bent. Have split shot in sizes AB, AAA and SSG. Look for shady water mid day. The McCloud Rainbow does not like the Sun.

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
• D&D Cripple March Brown #12
• E/C Caddis - Olive #14-16
• Parachute Adams - #12-18
• Yellow Stimulator #8-16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Black Zebra Midge #18-20
• Eng Thing #12-16
• Swink's BTS GD #12
• TB Pseudo Mays - #18
• Zebra John #14-18
• Micro Mayflies - #14-18
• Mercer's Glass Bead Micro May
• Pat's Rubber Leg - Brown #6-8
• GB Half-Flashback PT - #14-18
• GB Poxyback Hares Ear - #14-16

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