McCloud & Upper Sacramento River Fly Fishing Report

Riley Renick Reports on June 26th, 2025

McCloud River

The McCloud picked up a bit of color during a mid-June heat wave, but it wasn’t enough to slow down the fishing — and the water cleared quickly afterward.

Turbidity has been fluctuating frequently, but it hasn’t dipped into unfishable territory. Visibility has remained good enough to keep fish looking up and eating actively.

Dry fly action has been noticeably better over the past few weeks. Don’t hesitate to fish a dry even when you don’t see risers — trout are willing. Word has gotten out that fishing’s been good, so expect some company on weekends. Still, if you’re willing to hike, solitude is easy to find. Some bigger fish have been kicking around, and we are on track to have another great summer and fall – much like last year.

Temperatures are climbing back into the 90s, and the reservoir is dropping — so keep an eye on how that may affect conditions in the coming weeks. And watch your step: rattlesnakes are out in force this year.

Upper Sacramento River

The Upper Sac is back down to about base flows, which opens up the entire river to fishing. Now’s the time to explore all of it — it won’t be long before rising water temps begin to limit the lower half. As the air temp begins to rise, keep an eye on water temperatures.

Stoneflies are still around, and afternoons into evenings have been the most productive windows. Fish are spreading out, and the river is in great shape for covering water and putting together a solid day.

If you have any questions or would like to book a day, reach out to info@wildwatersflyfishing.com or get more info at www.wildwatersflyfishing.com

Cheers,

Riley Renick

Wild Waters Fly Fishing