Such a great time of year to fish the McCloud

McCloud River - CA (Siskiyou County)


by The Fly Shop
11-12-2013
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Current River Conditions: We have heard a few reports of giant brown trout this week again! October Caddis nymphs and dries are popular. Expect better chances with the dry version near sunset. Have Zebra Midges, Pheasant tail nymphs, red copper Johns, rubber legs. Only 4 days left in the 2013 season.

The Fly Shop's?? Tips: Fish a Fat Albert or big Stimulator suspending a black #18 Zebra Midge in the tail-outs. Dry dropper rigs can produce some surprisingly large rainbows. Suspending nymphs under indicators in the deeper slots, pockets and pools can keep a fly rod bent. Have split shot in sizes AB, AAA and SSG. Look for shady water mid day. The McCloud Rainbow does not like the Sun.

Wading boots with studs and a wading staff are a must on the McCloud, which is full of irregularly shaped rocks that can be very slick. The best results are produced by anglers who move from run to run. The more water you can cover, the more fish have a chance to see your fly, ultimately improving upon your existing good fortune of being out on the river, fishing! Be on the look-out for rattle snakes. Use a technique called High-stick-nymphing in the pocket water and deeper chutes. Re-fish all your way back to camp or the car throwing streamers into pocket water, next to downed trees/logs.

Water Flows:
Upper McCloud River flows
McCloud River at Ah-Di-Na
Lower McCloud near Bollibokka

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:

• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-18
• D&D Cripple March Brown #12
• E/C Caddis - Olive #14-16
• Parachute Adams - #12-18
October Caddis Dries:
• Orange Stimulator - #6
• Goddard Caddis - #8
• Morrish Adult Oct Caddis
• Mercer's Skating Oct Caddis
• Turk's Tarantula - #8-14

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Bird's Nest - #12-16
• Red Copper John - #16-18
• Black Zebra Midge #18-20
• Eng Thing #12-16
• Swink's BTS GD #12
• TB Pseudo Mays - #18
• Zebra John #14-18
• Micro Mayflies - #14-18
• Mercer's Glass Bead Micro May
• Pat's Rubber Leg - Brown #6-8
• GB Half-Flashback PT - #14-18
• GB Poxyback Hares Ear - #14-16
October Caddis Nymphs:
• Mercer's TB Oct Caddis
• Morejohn's Comeback Caddis - October
• Skip's Bead Head October Caddis
• Tungsten Oct Pewpah
• Zack's Oct Zaddis

Streamers/Leeches:
• Dietz Sculpin - Natural #4
• Beaded Micro Bugger - Olive #12
• Beaded Micro Bugger - Black #12
• Double Bunny - #2

Eggs:
• Micro Spawn - Oregon Cheese

Fly Fishing Gear:
• Fishpond's?? Double Haul Chest/Back Pack
• The Fly Shop's?? Stocking-foot Chest Waders
• Chota?? "STL Plus" Convertible Wading Boot
• Split Shot For The McCloud
• Landing Net