Fall Fishing Upper McCloud River

[SF fly fisher]

Thought I'd share this from a trip I took mid Oct. 2006
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o233/sfflyfisher/0012.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o233/sfflyfisher/0014.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o233/sfflyfisher/0013.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o233/sfflyfisher/0023.jpg
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http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o233/sfflyfisher/0037.jpg

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Sense we have had very good winters with lots of snow the Upper McCloud River seems to be in very good shape.

During a drought cycle it can get very small.

[burl51]

Is the guy in the photo Steve Bertrand.
If so I went with him a couple of times on the upper sac
last year . Taught me some good stuff. Would recommend him to anybody. Also very personable.

tight lines Burl

[SF fly fisher]

Yes that is Steven, I met him about 11 yrs. ago when I worked in a fly shop
here in San Francisco. We did a five day float trip on the Deschutes then, and
now,when ever I get to Dunsmuir we get together for fishing and dinner. He is a great guy and is a very accomplished fly fisher who has the abilty to impart his knowledge in an understandable way to others.

If you want a really great guide for the Shasta area you couldn't find a nicer
person.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I have naturally fished the lower McCloud River between McCloud Reservoir and Shasta Lake, but I have not fished this upper stretch along
Hwy 89. Looks really nice.

Thanks for posting those great photos 'SFFF'.

Thanks for the heads up on Steve Bertrand.

[SF fly fisher]

I spent a week fishing that area of northern California in mid-Oct.,
three days of which I fished with Steve Bertrand for trout and
steelhead. The next three days I floated the Klamath with
Wally Johnson and we got into some really great steelhead,
one of which is in the picture next to my handle on this message board.

If you want somebody to guide you on float on the Klamath, Smith, or Chetco
Wally is he person to hire. He is prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, and very
pleasant to be with. He works hard and does his very best to put you
into fish. You couldn't ask for more.

Pictures of my entire trip are posted on Shutterfly and as slideshow,
you need to click on a couple of links and look carefully for the
slideshow link, can be viewed at:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0BbN2jJu5aMXyA
Fishing Trip Oct. 2006

[Ueyama]

I am looking to take my father fishing, and the lower McCloud was extremely rough on him with the wading, especially the steep terrain. How does the Upper compare to the Lower? Is it easier? Thanks

[SF fly fisher]

Ueyama,

This photo of Steven Bertrand and me shows what the terrain and river bottom
is like on the Upper McCloud below the Falls. Up river from the
falls there are some spots that would be easier, however the DFG no
longer stocks it. We fished this very aggressively by crossing back
and forth on the stream and working our up up stream from pocket
to pocket.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o233/sfflyfisher/0018.jpg

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The Upper Sacramento River is one of the easier streams to wade that has good fishing.

I had a cabin there for 10 years and my choice in June for the best timing.

[Ueyama]

I appreciate the advice. Mike