Cooler weather has produced better fishing reports this week on the McCloud River

McCloud River - CA (Siskiyou County)


by The Fly Shop
9-25-2013
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Current River Conditions: Dry fly fishing is best in the early am hours, between 8:30-10:30. Look for more fish eating off the surface near sunset. Nymphing with rubber legs, #18 prince nymphs, #18-20 black zebra midges, #14-18 brown or black Micro Mays is a great start, but be creative! Throw Red Copper Johns, Birds Nests, Hare's Ears.

Right now is a good time to start fishing October Caddis nymphs. Cased October Caddis are moving around, getting close to the edges of the river so they can successfully hatch in the coming weeks of October.

The Fly Shop's?? Tips: Fish a Fat Albert or big Stimulator suspending a black #18 Zebra Midge in the tail-outs. Dry dropper rigs 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
• Orange Stimulator - #6

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Bird's Nest - #12-16
• Red Copper John - #16-18
• 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