Mt Shasta area report

[craigfalk]

I spent the July 4th weekend in the Mt. Shasta area with my wife and two boys (they're 12 and 14). It was a family vacation so I was happy to fish a couple of hours each day.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm210/craigfalk/MSNeysprings.jpg

I used this access point several times. It's beautiful scenery. I caught several trout each day. Most were small, but I managed two larger fish.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm210/craigfalk/MS15incher.jpg

I got this 15" rainbow on my last cast of the trip!

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm210/craigfalk/MSsacriver.jpg

A fishy spot!

I also fished the upper McCloud River near the Fowler Campground. I took the family on the hike along the river which features three excellent waterfalls. This is not the section of the McCloud that is known for fly fishing, but it's still lots of fun and we caught and released ten rainbows. My wife caught a 12" brook trout!

I learned three valuable lessons on this trip:

- High stick nymphing works in pocket water. I've spent so much time indicator fishing on the lower Yuba and Truckee I forgot how much fun pocket water can be.
- Midges are very effective; I'll use them more often in the future
- Find a walking stick and use it as a wading staff. A couple of falls taught me this lesson.

I hope to go back next summer!

[Phil Synhorst]

That's a beautiful Bow, thanks for sharing Craig.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Great photos Craig.........thanks.

We better get up there somewhere.

[Mik]

Nice spots towards the tail. Not sure if the water is distorting them, making them bigger. I love that area. Thanks for sharing and making us all jealous.

[craigfalk]

One other funny story from the weekend:

After making a roll cast my flies got snagged in an overhanging tree branch I hadn't noticed. It was just out of reach and I ended up breaking off and losing both flies. I re-rigged and on the second cast got hung again in the same place. Frustration! As I mentioned, it was just out of reach, but this time I got more creative. I jumped up and grabbed the branch and was just able to bend it down and snap off a six inch section where my flies were snagged. I'm surprised I didn't end up catapulted into the river. It turns out I wasn't the first angler that didn't notice this hazard. I collected 20 flies, not counting my four, from the broken branch!

[Troutstalker55B]

Great report Craig! Free flies - Now that's a day maker.

JB