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My buddy is driving down and we're meeting up in Dunsmuir in a few weeks to hit the upper Sacramento river for a long weekend. I have only driven through the area on I 5. Are there any nearby spots we should check out? Preferably wooded areas as we'll be hammock camping...
I am not sure if Castle Crags is open for camping now but if so, I would stay there. That said I would not be surprised if it is closed since state parks are clearly where all the CV19 infections are happening. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jared
If it is not open, Sims might be, which would also be a good choice.
I think there are dispersed camping restrictions in the NF due to fire danger so read the regs, campground if open is probably the safe bet.
Fishing this time of year can be really good for bigger fish on the lower river (eg, Pollard Flat area). Euro nymphing is most consistent but also be on the lookout/prepared for rising fish...mayflies and october caddis...
There are many pulloffs on the side roads at each exit of the freeway where you can walk the train tracks and access the river, check out google maps before you go.
You could also go camp at AhDiNa (which appears to be open) for a night and fish the McCloud. I wouldn't attempt it without 4wd though as that road is a nightmare.
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Originally Posted by PV_Premier
This- let us know how you guys do!
I would get a cabin at Cave Springs for about $70/night for 2.
https://www.cavesprings.com/cabins
Then get help from Bob Grace at the famous old Ted Fay Fly Shop
http://www.tedfay.com/
Just called Cave Springs and Bob @ Ted Fay Fly Shop.
Bob said the McCloud river and Upper Sac were fishing better due to the good cooling.
Still some October Caddis flopping around too.
I was in the area for about two weeks, two weeks ago. Castle Crags was closed, Sims was open. I'd say the higher upstream you fish on the river, the more likely you are to run into fish keyed on the October Caddis hatch.
Bob at Ted Fay has plenty of Oct Caddis nymphs and dries, though personal favorites are the Dirty Bird for nymphs/pupae and plain old Elk Hair Caddis in a large size with orange body. Many a fish ate both, and they are almost certain even more interested in them now.
One thing to note though is that there sure are a lot of people fishing the river this year; one spot which is a short walk from the parking to really good water, but is not an obvious access point, had cars cycling through all day for days on end, which was pretty new in my experience. This problem can be mitigated by walking the tracks for fifteen minutes, which is also an excellent time to drink a beer.
RE: the next river over, the road down doesn't require 4wd but I wouldn't mess with it if you don't at least have high clearance. The campground was full two Fridays ago, as were a couple of the rough camps, but that's leading into the weekend and might not be representative of weekdays. No fires sighted, which is good. Heavy caddis presence. Heavy.
Enjoy!
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Originally Posted by PV_Premier
Thanks for the great post.....OC.
There are lots of places to find camping on and around the upper Sac, none are particularly enjoyable in my experiences. The trains and or freeway noise are major detractor for me in most. I’ve also experienced a higher than average amount of sketchy/sleezy “company” than other rivers I camp along. Maybe I have just had a few unlucky experiences? Ymmv?
Ah-di-nah campground is an enormously more pleasant camping experience, but the road is quite rough in parts and would be a long enough drive that I would not want to base there if fishing the upper Sac (ie not round trip). 4wd isn’t really the issue with the road, but clearance definitely is! Also good tires, and be sure you have a decent spare tire and the correct, matching tools to change said spare tire (don’t ask how I know). In fact, it’s a really good idea to have a few “extra” kinds of things (water, duct tape, zip ties, handy tools, etc) just in case sorts of things out there...just in case you run across other less prepared folks in a sticky situation (again, don’t ask how I know).
Good luck, JB
I agree with Bill you will get a much better nights sleep at Cave Springs, those trains come through a couple times a night and are quite loud if you are camping. By the way the river is right behind the hotel/motel so just walk down the hill for access.
As for Ah-di-nah it is a great location but as it has been stated already ground clearance is key. Also tall sidewalls on your tires is best. if you have low profile radial tires like many cars do now today those sidewalls are thin and those rocks will slice them open pretty easily. Saw two guys in a mini-van last year get stuck because two of their tires had sidewall cuts in them. Really a bummer because you can't patch a sidewall cut.
If you are in doubt about your vehicle or it's tires then another alternative is to camp at Fowlers or Cattle Camp (if they are open), both are nice and have the upper McCloud nearby then drive down to the McCloud Dam to fish Ash Camp area either up or down or drive back over the hill to fish upper Sac around Dunsmuir.
Regards, Tim C.
I recommend you do what you propose, the upper Sac, and not bother with the McCloud, Ash Camp, and Ah Di Nah, which will have more fisherman and fewer strikes. As far as sleeping outside and train noise, bring warm clothes and ear plugs. Don't start a fire. Euro style nymphing pocket water works with tiny nymphs. Get a fishing map. Good Luck.
Yes, Get a StreamTime map of the Upper Sacramento river for access info, even though it is dated.
Thanks everyone. We spent a summer years ago fishing every weekend like homeless people. Hammocks on the side of the river and family size cans of ravioli cooked on the coals of the fire, which is obviously going to be a problem. We have always said fishing trips and camping trips are different trips. Camping is comfortable fishing is minimal and"roughing it". So that the girlfriend, now wife wasn't interested. We'll definitely look into the campground situation. Are there any issues with the aforementioned roughing it on the river plan? Other than no fires?
It totally depends on what you’re looking for from a camping/fishing trip. For me, fishing is very much about the whole experience: camping in wild, scenic, peaceful places adds so much to the experience that is often the deciding factor on where to go. From that perspective, I have generally favored other options in that part of the world over the upper Sac. From what it sounds like you are describing, there shouldn’t be much difficulty finding patches of dirt to crash for the night. Earplugs were a good recommendation.
Many of my most memorable fishing trips were the ones where we were camping on a river or lake.
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British Columbia camping on trout lakes with Chris Pasley and friends.....June/July
Steelhead - Dean river, BC - fly in camping with Joe shirshac, Mack Holoway, Jack Studevant and Christ Pasley.....August
Rainbow trout - Pit river at Deep Creek Campground 30 - 40 years ago with great friends.......low flows......Sept/Oct
Idaho/Montana camping/fishing trip with Don Rotsma, and Rick Jorgensen - mostly smooth moving water.
Float trip in Alaska out of Bristol Bay Lodge on the Alagnak river.
Float/camp trip on lower Deschutes river for Steelhead around Oct 1.
Camping with Mel Jeffs in Oregon and Nevada fishing lakes.
Sleeping in WeatherPort tents on the lower Tsiu river for Silver Salmon in Alaska.
Horse/mule pack trip out of Red's Meadow Pack Station in the high country in Mammoth, CA.
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Everyone of these trips could be a magazine article.......
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Camping in tents and sitting around a fire at night is so wonderful.
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I think all dispersed camping is still banned and ban will be reviewed on Nov 15. See following link.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/stnf/...d=FSEPRD836687
Link to old online article that lists and describes access points to the river.
http://www.fishingtips101.com/favori...nto_river.html
Ear plugs will help with the trains, but most dispersed camping is so close to the tracks that the vibrations will probably wake you anyway. Cave Springs is a great alternative. Plus, you will run into other fishermen who may provide some good advice.
Good Luck,
Jim