Craig Nielsen
05-25-2011, 03:29 PM
We would never guess it's spring in the Northstate as it is snowing again this morning in Mount Shasta! Despite the cool wet spring, the fishing on the McCloud, Pit and Upper Sac is improving nearly daily. Contrary to others' reports, flows have dropped significantly from a few weeks ago and while local freestones remain high there is plenty of fishable water and we have enjoyed the solitude as very few other anglers have sampled the bounty.
The bugs are really taking off with daily hatches of small mayflies, mostly PMD's and Pinks (Eporeus) and the large Drakes are starting to show. It's a smorgasboard of Caddis with at least three types popping, a size 12 Cinnamon, size 14 Tan/Brown and size 16 Olives. We've even seen some big stones! We expect the coming weeks to continue to improve.
The McCloud has dropped into very good shape as flows are significantly lower and very clear. Rockfall has been cleared on the road to Ash Camp, snow is no longer an issue getting into Ah-Di-Na and the boulder blocking the road between the campground and Nature Conservancy is scheduled to be removed on Thursday by the Forest Service. There were no campers at Ah-Di-Na, Ash Camp or any of the undeveloped camping areas earlier this week.
Some stoneflies have appeared but the fish are not yet keyed on the dries. They have been eager to gobble both small and large Green Drakes, Brown Drakes and Gray Drakes along with the daily hatch of small mayflies. If in doubt, a Parachute Adams in an appropriate size will often turn the trick. Nymphing with Rubberlegs and Goldenstone nymphs with small caddis or mayfly droppers will find fish, though they may be in holding in softer water than most anglers typically target.
We've found some well rested, hungry fish this week, with beautiful McCloud Rainbows in every run we sampled. We have seen few if any other anglers each day. While there are still few places to cross the river, the low gradient runs have fish podded up and with bugs popping it is ideal for dry fly fishing the hatches and casting dry dropper rigs with attractors and nymphing during non hatch periods. While the fish are eager, the cool water temps have them taking softly making strike detection and good hook sets critical to success. We expect hatches to progress and the fishing will only improve provided flows don't increase dramatically in the coming days. Consider this your notice to get to the McCloud now.
Several of us have enjoyed some great days recently on the Upper Sac. While flows remain above the norm, there are a number of runs that fished well and have relatively easy access. The fish remain podded up in these bigger runs where they can be targeted with dry flies during hatches and dry dropper or nymphing rigs during non hatch times. The top flies have been Parachute PMD's, Parachute Adams, Flashback PT's, Birdsnests, Rubberlegs and Goldenstone nymphs.
A few of our guests spent several good days on the Pit River this week as flows have dropped and cleared. They nymphed the bigger runs and pockets and had the place to themselves. Flows remain high but there is enough good water to make it well worthwhile.
Fall River and Hat Creek are spring creeks and as such are typically impacted little by spring runoff in high water years. They are very hatch driven however and the bugs have been coming to life and fishing is improving as a result.
Midday hatches of small mayflies, PMD's predominately have heads up on both rivers, particularly on days that wind is not an issue. A little precipitation can actually make for a stronger hatch and less wary trout. We've also seen some big drakes of late, Green Drakes mostly, but a few Brown Drakes and Gray Drakes (or little Green Drakes, size 12-14) are in the mix as well. Some Stoneflies are showing on Hat Creek and casting under overhanging trees and shrubs have brought some exceptional fish to the surface. Playing them long enough to bring them to hand is another matter as they are extremely camera shy.
Guests on the Fall River have enjoyed a consistently developing midday hatch while nymphing and swinging flies during slower non-hatch periods. Dry fly fishing remains good on Hat Creek and may even get silly good as the number of Salmonflies hatching increases and they begin egg laying.
While the weather has turned cool and unstable, fly fishing on the Lower Sacramento has remained hot. Midday hatches of small mayflies, mostly PMD's and Pinks have big Rainbows on the grab. During non hatch periods Rubberlegs and egg patterns are finding fish consistently. Flows are scheduled to increase from 9500 to 10,500 on May 27th and 11,500 cfs on the 28th bringing them back up to normal for the season.
For complete reports including pics, visit our website. Drop us a line if you are headed our way, always happy to share all we can and help point you in a direction you might most enjoy.
The bugs are really taking off with daily hatches of small mayflies, mostly PMD's and Pinks (Eporeus) and the large Drakes are starting to show. It's a smorgasboard of Caddis with at least three types popping, a size 12 Cinnamon, size 14 Tan/Brown and size 16 Olives. We've even seen some big stones! We expect the coming weeks to continue to improve.
The McCloud has dropped into very good shape as flows are significantly lower and very clear. Rockfall has been cleared on the road to Ash Camp, snow is no longer an issue getting into Ah-Di-Na and the boulder blocking the road between the campground and Nature Conservancy is scheduled to be removed on Thursday by the Forest Service. There were no campers at Ah-Di-Na, Ash Camp or any of the undeveloped camping areas earlier this week.
Some stoneflies have appeared but the fish are not yet keyed on the dries. They have been eager to gobble both small and large Green Drakes, Brown Drakes and Gray Drakes along with the daily hatch of small mayflies. If in doubt, a Parachute Adams in an appropriate size will often turn the trick. Nymphing with Rubberlegs and Goldenstone nymphs with small caddis or mayfly droppers will find fish, though they may be in holding in softer water than most anglers typically target.
We've found some well rested, hungry fish this week, with beautiful McCloud Rainbows in every run we sampled. We have seen few if any other anglers each day. While there are still few places to cross the river, the low gradient runs have fish podded up and with bugs popping it is ideal for dry fly fishing the hatches and casting dry dropper rigs with attractors and nymphing during non hatch periods. While the fish are eager, the cool water temps have them taking softly making strike detection and good hook sets critical to success. We expect hatches to progress and the fishing will only improve provided flows don't increase dramatically in the coming days. Consider this your notice to get to the McCloud now.
Several of us have enjoyed some great days recently on the Upper Sac. While flows remain above the norm, there are a number of runs that fished well and have relatively easy access. The fish remain podded up in these bigger runs where they can be targeted with dry flies during hatches and dry dropper or nymphing rigs during non hatch times. The top flies have been Parachute PMD's, Parachute Adams, Flashback PT's, Birdsnests, Rubberlegs and Goldenstone nymphs.
A few of our guests spent several good days on the Pit River this week as flows have dropped and cleared. They nymphed the bigger runs and pockets and had the place to themselves. Flows remain high but there is enough good water to make it well worthwhile.
Fall River and Hat Creek are spring creeks and as such are typically impacted little by spring runoff in high water years. They are very hatch driven however and the bugs have been coming to life and fishing is improving as a result.
Midday hatches of small mayflies, PMD's predominately have heads up on both rivers, particularly on days that wind is not an issue. A little precipitation can actually make for a stronger hatch and less wary trout. We've also seen some big drakes of late, Green Drakes mostly, but a few Brown Drakes and Gray Drakes (or little Green Drakes, size 12-14) are in the mix as well. Some Stoneflies are showing on Hat Creek and casting under overhanging trees and shrubs have brought some exceptional fish to the surface. Playing them long enough to bring them to hand is another matter as they are extremely camera shy.
Guests on the Fall River have enjoyed a consistently developing midday hatch while nymphing and swinging flies during slower non-hatch periods. Dry fly fishing remains good on Hat Creek and may even get silly good as the number of Salmonflies hatching increases and they begin egg laying.
While the weather has turned cool and unstable, fly fishing on the Lower Sacramento has remained hot. Midday hatches of small mayflies, mostly PMD's and Pinks have big Rainbows on the grab. During non hatch periods Rubberlegs and egg patterns are finding fish consistently. Flows are scheduled to increase from 9500 to 10,500 on May 27th and 11,500 cfs on the 28th bringing them back up to normal for the season.
For complete reports including pics, visit our website. Drop us a line if you are headed our way, always happy to share all we can and help point you in a direction you might most enjoy.