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A friend got some passes to the Nature Conservancy water on the McCloud and has invited me along. I've never fished there before. Does anyone have any tips on fishing there? Access, trails, etc. Feel free to PM if you like.
Also, any hints on flies for late June? I'll probably just swing soft hackles but would like to be prepared for a hatch if one is to be expected.
Finally, is Mud Creek creating a turbidity issue this year?
--Joe
Trails are all very apparent, access is only through the conservancy. Legs, mays, caddis. Be prepared for a all hatches you can. Usually a bushy attractor style always works.
Wow, answers to your question could take a book. but I will try to keep this short.
Trails are obvious. One main trail to the Rope. End of public fishing water on the property, about 2-1/2 to 3 miles downstream.
Lots of spur trails to the river. Some spots have a upper trail (main trail) then a lower loop along the river.
The lower loop trails can be rugged and have lots of Poison Oak. Rattlesnakes are common, keep your eyes open.
Bring a wading staff.
Late June flys:
Here is a list of flys I recommend to my clients:
Dry Flies:
Adams and/or Parachute Adams, sizes (all of them :-) 8-10-12-14-16-18
Tan Caddis, sizes 14-16
BWO, size 16-18 (Sep-Nov)
Light Cahills, size 14 -16 (late June -July)
Little yellow stones size 14-16-18 (I like the skinny yellow humpys sold at the Ted Fay fly shop)
Golden Stone hatch will probably be over but have a few stimmys just in case (also good for dry&dropper fishing)
Orange Simulator size 8
also just in case:
Green Drake size 14 Drunella flavilinea
and 8 Drunella grandis
you can get away with using your Adams for these last two bugs most of the time
Nymphs:
Hare's Ear, sizes 12-14-16
Pheasant Tail, sizes 14-16-18
Black Stonefly, size 8 (I like rubber legs)
Green/Tan Caddis Larva, size 14-16 (Fox's Pupas are good)
Dark lords, size 14-16
Gordon's Prince, size 14-16-18
Zebra Midge, size 18-20 (Aug-Sep)
Copper John, size 14-16
Red Copper John, size 14-16
Mud Creek turbidity - Not yet! Has not got hot enough so far.
If you would like more give me a call.
Steven Bertrand is generous to a fault with his advice and knowledge of the McCloud and Upper Sacramento. You should consider hiring him for a half-day or full-day introduction to the McCloud. It would be money well-spent.
Amen to that one.....A day with Steve would be good for shorting your learning curve.
I promoted going with guides most of my life...even now that I am retired.
Most of what I know about fly fishing was learned from going out with good fly fishing guides and really good veteran fly fishers.
Some of my customers with boats, on my advice, would go out with every good Delta Striper fly fishing guide, at least once.
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About 30 years ago when Andy Guibord started at Kiene's Fly Shop we were all teaching him everything were could.
Now years alter every time I go out with Andy I learn something knew..........he passed me up years ago.
Thanks for the tips everyone.
I appreciate the list of flies Steve. I should be well equipped but I'll check my boxes and break out the vise, if need be.
--Joe
Don’t forget the streamer box
Don’t neglect the water between Ah Di Na and the preserve. Many do as some mistakenly assume you need a NC pass (you don’t).