Guide Report: USac, LSac, McCloud, Klamath, Pit Fall Rivers

McCloudMay 26, 2015

With low, clear, ideal flows we are experiencing fantastic fly fishing in Northern California on all of our trout fisheries. The unstable weather and thundershowers have passed and the biggest hatches of the year are just days away and we only expect the fishing to get better. All kinds of bugs are starting to show: Salmonflies, Goldenstones, Mayflies big and small, as well as multiple hatches of caddis and with perfect weather now in the forecast we expect this to only improve. Wildflowers are in their full glory, with Dogwoods, Azaleas, Rhododenrons and Lilies lighting up the streamside vegetation. We hope to see you soon! Drop us a line if you are headed this way, we are always happy to share all we can whether you are seeking guide service or not.

The Upper Sacramento is fishing well from top to bottom with ideal flows and our biggest and best hatches on the way. Goldenstones and Salmonflies have just begun to show and the fish have been looking up. A mixed caddis and mayfly hatch in the evening has produced some solid if not spectacular fishing and with steady warmer weather in the forecast we expect to see this action build. Traffic on the Upper Sac has been very light on most days as this fishery is very under appreciated. All techniques have been offering up fish provided you find the best water for each. Try dries in the late afternoon and evening, fish dries and droppers or high stick pocket water all day and run indicators through classic runs morning and late in the day. The water is at midsummer low levels and ultra clear so exercising maximum stealth is key.

The McCloud River has been about as good as it gets. We are enjoying outstanding numbers of fish and while most have been on the smaller size, there have been enough fish in the teens each day to keep anglers challenged. While conditions are exceptional and the fish are feasting on the plethora of bugs that are coming off, the river has seen considerable pressure since the opening of the season in April. Campgrounds at Ash Camp and Ah Di Na have been at or near capacity on weekends but have been clearing nicely midweek. Flows on the McCloud are very low and ultra clear so the fishing has become quite technical. Stealth is paramount, fishing water that has seen less pressure also helps as does fishing good imitations that these trout don't see often. Fly fishers who know the river well and grasp this may catch dozens of fish a day, while those who are less experienced will find few. Even then experienced anglers will discover it is difficult to fool the larger, wary trout this river is famous for. We have been enjoying this challenge and hope you do too!

Fishing on the Fall River has been fair to good with hatches building and the dry fly fishing taking form. The weather has been unstable and on days when the wind is not a factor the dry fly fishing has been good. Otherwise swinging nymphs and streamers along with dead drifting nymphs has produced well. The majority of fish have been on the smaller size but spawners are returning in increasing numbers and good fish are coming to the net most every day, though a few of the biggest do manage to still get away. The river is in great shape and the weeds are filling in nicely. Fall River is in great condition for this time in the season and makes for a very relaxing, soulful experience.

The Lower Sacramento River continues to produce good numbers of trout and incredibly high quality Rainbows for anglers of all abilities. With the variable weather, hatches have been on and off and so has the fishing. Some days have been outstanding, others requiring working hard for a few good fish. With clear weather in the forecast, the bite should pick up and become much more consistent. Flows remain low, clear and steady, at 7,460 cfs, a bit below the norm of 10,000 for this time of the year. The weather has been variable but the forecast is calling for clear and pleasantly warm weather which we expect will get the summertime caddis in full swing and provide wrenching grabs from hot healthy fish looking to put on some weight after completing their spawn. Hatches have been variable with some days being steller and others sparse with some Pale Morning Duns, small spring caddis and summer caddis on warmer days. The river has been fishing from Caldwell to Red Bluff but boat ramps have been noticeably busier on weekends than weekdays. Note that the river above Hwy 44 bridge is closed to all fishing to protect endangered salmon.

The Pit River has been great except for a short period a couple weeks ago when the water came up and muddied. While Stoneflies and Mayflies will get grabbed Caddis have been coming off in clouds and the fish have been feasting. Nymphing with or without an indicator during the day has produced best with fish taking smaller bugs more often than the bigger bites but a few of our biggest fish have come on the larger stonefly patterns. Get here now!

Stoneflies on the Klamath River popped early last week and we expect the dry fly fishing to take off with the warm weather this week which should make the egg laying adults available on the surface. Flows are low and very fishable at 1180 cfs, a few hundred below the norm, though those without experience drifting the Klamath can easily find themselves perched on midstream rocks. The Irongate Hatchery typically releases about 5,000 juvenile steelhead which in the past have provided not stop action on dry flies during this time of year. Targeting spring run steelhead along with juvenile wild fish and the few half pounders that have hung around will provide the bulk of the action.

Local creeks are accessible and fishing very well, we have enjoyed some outstanding days fishing dry flies with cane rods to eager fish, finding Browns, Rainbows and an occasional Brookie, though they may be small, they are fun and good for the soul. If you want to experience the feeling of being a kid again try fishing for these little gems on one of our incredible local creeks. Many of these are fragile small streams that do not suffer pressure well and most will likely suffer poor conditions turning to small trickles once summer arrives.

For a complete report along with some pics, visit our website. Do drop a line if you are headed our way. We are always happy to share whether you are seeking guide service or not.