McCloud River Fall Baetis?

[Pupa]

Hi Everyone,

We'll be fishing McCloud the first week in November and conditions are looking a bit drizzly. I have forgotten if BWO's are hatching in the Fall on McCloud or primarily in spring. Any thoughts? Also, any news on the Oct Caddis this year?

Thanks!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Check with "The Fly Shop" in Redding or the "Ted Fay Fly Shop" in Dunsmuir.

BWOs are a cold weather hatch and are usually best on foggy, overcast, humid days.

[StevenB]

There will be some baetis hatching off on the McCloud, There are at least two different baetis you are likely to see
One a size 18 and the other a size 16. Hatch is usually starts around 1:00 PM but that can vary quite a bit depending on temp.
Have not heard any first hand reports on the Mac lately.
I caught a nasty virus and have been house bound for the last two weeks.
One report from last week end was that the river was very busy and fishing was slow.
As Bill said, give Bob a call at the Ted Fay Fly shop, he has probably heard more recent reports.

[ICE]

Greetings,
I was up there for 5 days fishing above and in the Conservation area on the 12th. We had mixed weather with the baetis coming off as described. The Oct. caddis were coming out around 4 but with the weather we never saw any big hatches (except when the weather was warm). We got fish on a mix of flies but 18 black baetis was the most consistent with rubber legs and PT's working well. Best fish came out of the deepest holes fished under bobbers with long leaders slow drifts with subtle takes.

Lots of traffic in the conservation area and walk on tags were always pulled at first light with the opportunity of getting the reserved tags at 10 if the registered do not show up. best to be there by 9:30 and wait until 10. Seems like the bite was best after 3 and you get walk on tags as it seemed most were done by then and space was available. on our last day we decided to force feed the fish dry Oct. Caddis with a dropper and were rewarded after 4 when the bugs decided to come out on a sunny day.

We heard rumblings of it being called the McCrowd..... but that did not take away from our trip or the fish.

J. Ice

Durring our time, we never saw any fish actively feeding on the Oct. Caddis (drys) only little guys going after even smaller bugs

[Pupa]

[Pupa]

[Pupa]

Thanks everyone for your replies on the Baetis hatch!

Some pics from Nov 1-5 at Bollibokka. First few days were fairly slow but the action really picked-up as the front came through. Turbidity was 1.5 when we arrived and spiked to chocolate milk on our day out after the downpour. Happy to report that the fish were fat and healthy. Many in the 18+ range, plus 20", 21" and 22" bows (my largest ever on the river), with some nice browns mixed in. Arrowheads released back into the wild. The October caddis was still fairly strong but only a few fish on dries. Other hatches were a #12-14 cinnamon caddis (heavy in late morning), #18 black stonefly (fairly light), #16-18 baetis (sporadic) and midges. Successful high stick patterns (in order of success): #20 olive perdigon with orange hot spot, Oct caddis larva/pupa, cinnamon caddis larva, copper john, 20 incher, mega prince, #18 dark lord, #16 yellow caddis. No luck on rubber legs - that was a first!

Interestingly, the cinnamon caddis was a real surprise. the hatch was heavy and you can see the shucks on on the rocks in the pic. Nobody at the Fly Shop even mentioned the hatch. Also notice the pic of the salmon seine at the lake shasta inlet.

All in all, my best trip on the Mccloud after 20+ years of fishing the river - really incredible. I was worried about the turbidity and bug life and trout health, but it all felt alive and vibrant. It really lived up to its reputation after so many bummer trips with high water and high turbidity.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks Pupa, very nice posts and photos. Inspiring.




Pupa, In your first 5 photos, what is that last fish?

Many years ago they had "Bull Trout" in the McCloud River.

Over the years they have put landlocked salmon in Shasta Lake.

[Pupa]

Thanks Bill. I believe it is either a female German brown or a Loch Leven strain brown. Maybe someone else can opine...

[Timbers]

Wow, awesome pics!
Looks like you timed it right.
Thanks for sharing.