5 Rivers Challenge – as good of a Nor Cal report as you will get.

Photo by Mikey Wier

Last year when Cal Trout & Clearwater Lodge resurrected the 5 Rivers Challenge I really wanted to participate. Not for competitive aspect, but it just sounded like a great way to spend a few days. This year after attending I can confirm it is a blast. First, Clearwater Lodge is one of my favorite places to stay and...

Western Anglers Guide Service Reports on 6.16.2017

Just got of the McCloud today and the fishing was good! We fished a variety of techniques today: streamers, dry flys, and nymphs. All of them worked! If you want to try streamer fishing, the McCloud is a fun place to do it; Try stripping a sculp zilla streamer. Nymphs that were working best were rubber legs and small mayfly patterns. Indicatorless...

Ted Fays Fly Shop Reports:

It is all about the McCloud right now. Flows are a bit high but as you can see very user friendly. The visibility is about the clearest you will see until Mud Creek kicks in its glacial tint which is just around the corner. The snow melt on Mt. Shasta has cranked up and it’s showing in McCloud Reservoir … soon to be in the river. The Golden Stones have arrived and...

6.2.2017

Flows have dropped considerably since this time last week! This should mean great things for the fishing. The Upper Sac has produced some nice fish this spring and will only get better. 

Customers and friends of the shop reported that last week the river was high and there wasn’t much for bug activity, but managed to get some nice fish:

 Matt Regan with a nice Rainbow below Mosbrea Falls

Anot...

Brian “Bucko” Theriot Reports on 5.25.2017

The Upper Sac flows are at 2100 Cfs and flowing clear and big. The river is tough to navigate at these flows so bring a wading staff, but if you can find where the fish are holding, the fishing can be good! Salmon flys and golden stones have been flying around and I have been throwing rubber legs, prince nymphs, copper John’s, and small mayfly patterns. If...

Ted Fay Fly Shop Reports on 5.24.2017

Memorial Day weekend rapidly approaching and some of you are angsting about the river conditions. The McCloud dropped into very fishy shape this week but the hot weather returned and the high elevation melt kicked in. I of course took advantage of the window with satisfying results. The river is presently at 325cfs, a bit high from normal summer flows of...

Wild Waters Fly Fishing reports on 5.18.17

The rivers running off Mt. Shasta are all starting to come into play for the season.  We do expect the upcoming, hot weather to bump some flows up due to snow melt, mostly on the Upper Sac and its feeder creeks.  We have been fishing from the raft and from shore.  Hatches of stoneflies and mayflies become more prolific everyday spring approaches.  

McC...

Bucko Theriot reports on 5.11.17

Today, I had to switch from shorts and sandals–that I have been enjoying all week–for boots and jeans. Yes, the cold weather has once again rolled in and we are expecting the night time lows to get to the 30s for the rest of the week. So if you are planning a camping on the

McCloud or Upper Sac

, bring some warm gear.

Currently the

Upper Sac

is flowing at 2500...

Wild Waters Fly Fishing reports on 5.10.17

The Upper and Lower Sac are running big but fish are being caught. The Lower Sac went back up to 13,000cfs over the weekend but the fish did not seem to be bothered. It’s A great time to be out on it while the temps are mild. A recent trip on it used a combo of running drifts from the boat and getting out to fish buckets and side channels …. very effective...

Bucko Theriot reports on 5.4.17

Upper Sac 

This week we have had some incredible weather and have taken full advantage of it—I even found myself wet wading. I did a couple days on the Upper Sac this week and the fishing was ok. The river is still big and currently flowing at 3390 cfs; two days ago it was at 2300 cfs, So it jumped up a thousand cfs since the 1st. 

You have to pick your spots wisely...