We have just posted our latest trip reports on the ShastaTrout website. The fishing of late has been terrific, though with the warm daytime temps, the catching has slowed a bit, particularly midday. It's the time of year were many of our guests opt to split their day. We find it more productive and fun to get out early while water and air temps are cool, take a leisurely lunch, pick some ripe, juicy, wild blackberries and enjoy a nap before heading out in the evening to find a hatch and sample some dry fly fishing.

Both the McCloud and Upper Sac have dropped to summer time low flows and are as wadable and fishable as they get. The Pit River fished well in July but with increased water temps we utilize a thermometer to fish sections where catch and release angling is still practical. The lower stretches of the Upper Sac have warmed as well, so we prefer to fish early in the day when water temps are tolerable to catch and release wild Rainbows. Water clarity on the McCloud has been an issue this season but visibility is currently hovering between three and four feet which is nearly ideal, making presentations much less technical and easier for the average angler.

We've been nymphing these freestone gems and can usually manage to find a few fish, mostly small with some trophies mixed in but in summertime good fun can be had tossing streamers with the hope of a finding a fish that can make our day if not our season. We have found some lake run fish as well as some trophy Browns that have chased down our small 'bows. Landing these big hot fish is nearly always a challenge.

The evening dry fly fishing on the Upper Sac has been consistently good while hatches on the McCloud have been a bit more hit and miss. On both rivers the key has been to keep moving until we find rising fish. A run that produced one evening may not the next and vice versa.

Fishing on the Lower Sacramento and Fall Rivers continues to be fair to good primarily with nymphs, either dead drifted or swung. We've found occasional opportunities for dry fly fishing, which has at times been superb.

We'll be back on the Klamath and Trinity in October when water temps drop and Steelhead arrive in fishable numbers. For greater detail and pics from our latest trips check our fishing report page.

If you plan to head to the Shadow of Shasta, drop us a line. We are more than happy to share all we can whether you are seeking guide service or not.