Mt Shasta area guide reports: Klamath LSac, USac, McCloud, Pit & Hat Creek

[Craig Nielsen]

Warm sunny weather has turned the fly fishing in Northern California hot! Dry Fly fishing on the McCloud River remains outstanding. Pale Morning Duns and Large Drakes hatching in the afternoon have all the fish including some big 'bows looking up. Salmonflies and early Goldenstones are currently sputtering but should soon be in full swing. The flows remain low, very clear and stable, well below the norm, particularly for a high water year but PG&E has warned they may not last long. The weather forecast is calling for continued warm, stable weather in the coming week, so we recommend you get here now to enjoy the magic while it lasts!

The rock blocking the road in between Ah Di Na and the Nature Conservancy that was scheduled to be removed by blasting on May 26th has finally been removed, however the road has not been graded for a few years so a high clearance vehicle is recommended.

Flows have finally dropped on the Klamath and the big bugs are out. We enjoyed a few outstanding days with guests casting Salmonflies to the bank and found some hold over bright steelhead along with the juveniles. A couple of young brothers, 7 & 10 years old landed adult steelhead on dry flies this week!

The Upper Sac and Pit continue fair to good as flows continue to be high and fishable water is limited. The bugs have begun to pop but it is still a challenge to access the very best water in these flows. Some midday hatches and dry fly fishing can be had but it has not been the steady affair we've experienced on the McCloud or Hat Creek, so nymphing is most productive.

We hosted a number of fly fishers on the Lower Sac who enjoyed an outstanding bite in the past few sweek despite some radical, unpredictable flow changes. Incredible hatches begin in the morning with spring Caddis (#16 olives) and continue with heavy midday Pale Morning Duns creating a feeding a frenzy that gets silly good at times. As the PMD's start winding down the summer Caddis (Hydrophysche) start hatching and the fishing doesn't miss a beat. Not as many fish looking up as we might hope. Continued warmer weather in the forecast will hopefully get the fish looking up?

Warmer temps on Fall River still have not gotten midday hatches of Blue Wing Olives and Pale Morning Duns into full swing, with shorter sessions of good dry fly action than we would like. Nymphing and swinging continue to find fish and more fish are entering the system from spawning tribs everyday. Hopefully continued warmer weather in the coming week will steady the hatches and the dry fly fishing that typically peaks this time of year. A few Hexagenia have hatched so we expect that hatch to get going in earnest in a few weeks as well.

Hatches on Hat Creek are taking off with Big Drakes taking the main stage. Fishing are keying on midday hatches of PMD's as well. Salmonflies have hatched and the fish are looking for them particularly under overhanging shrubbery. The warmer weather in the coming week should have them taking off to egg lay and get the fish looking up throughout. You may want to consider planning a trip to this spring creek gem in the next week or two to enjoy the bounty.

Visit our website for a complete report including pics. Do drop a line if you are headed our way, we are always pleased to share all we can whether you are seeking guide service or not.