5-17-13  It’s that time of year when about every 3rd call is asking about the Holy Water Salmonfly Hatch. I would have to say it is setting up to be very good this year. With our major lack of precipitation in mind the corps seems to be pulling the flows back already and they are now below 2000 cfs coming out of the dam. This will make much more water available to fish up there for everyone.

On the move

The forecast is calling for unsettled weather for the next week or so so that will hold the hatch back until about the last week of the month which is the traditional start time. There has been good fishing up there lately on the stonefly nymphs as they are moving to the shore to become adults.   The next week or so will be a good time to see them in the grass and trees along the riverbank.

Big Bug time

We are set up here at the shop with lots of reliable patterns for this hatch and invite you to come by and browse our selection!

McCloud River, Northern California

And there it is gang, right where we all want to be. Wandering aimlessly up a trout stream, fly rod in hand. Well, now’s a good time to put that getaway together. Here’s a quick roundup:

Upper Sacramento: At this writing it’s about 1750cfs at Delta, which means it’s still a bit high but not out of the question. I would give it a another week or two. try to catch it on the high side of prime.. trust me.

Lower McCloud (below McCloud Res): This is a good bet. I am concerned that they will spill some water eventually as the reservoir fills up - but they haven’t yet. Ash Camp has the best flows now, but the whole river down through ah-di-na is fishable.

Hat Creek: A little far if you’re coming from the Rogue valley, but worth the trek. A very consistent early season fishery. Good bug activity early on. I had good fishing down there this last weekend.

Wild Hat Creek Rainbow

Diamond Lake: From Diamond Lake Resort: As of this morning, May 9th, folks are launching boat from the north boat ramp nearest to the Resort. The lake is 75% ICE FREE! There is still slushy ice at the north and south ends of the lake but the center of the lake is all open water. The continued warm weather will likely have nearly all the ice off the lake by the weekend.
Time to “Stretch Your String!!”

Noth Boat Ramp - May 9

Springtime Salmonflies

Big Bugs Rule!

5500 and climbing

Major releases out of the Rogue - hopefully this will mean we will be into the snowpack a bit and have some more resonable flows for the Salmonfly Hatch! Lost Creek is full though, so thats always good.

flows creeping down

Good news for people hoping for a last gasp Winter Steelhead fix… looks like they are creeping the flows down a bit out of the dam and they are now down to about 2600, which is still high but more fishable for fly flingers. Up around the Dam down to Casey Park should be a good bet for late winters.

For some reason there was a spike in flows further down the river last night, must have been some decent rain squalls in the area.  That put flows at Dodge back up around 4000 and probably pretty colored up I would imagine.

Rogue at Dodge Bridge

Lost Creek Dam Outflow (Holy Water)

3-31-12  I really wish we could have prayed for rain in groups last month instead of all at once. It appears someone in charge of the taps was listening.

That number to the left? Thats 10,000 cfs

I have been disappointing people all day long who have been calling with a glimmer of hope for the fishing.

goner

Time to tie some flies and let the flood waters subside. If you just have to go.. try around the dam down to Big Butte Creek. That will be some of the only water low and clear enough to fish. Holy Water Trout could be a good bet but the water is rising on them too. Good Luck! Should be plenty of fish around when the flows let up.

3-11-12  Now’s the time. Winter Steelheading in the upper reaches of the Rogue, Umpqua and other area rivers is on. Water levels continue to remain on the lower end with some sweetening up this week as a series of storms roll through. The Applegate will continue to be tough as the water levels in the mid to upper river will be dismal. Try approaching a run that can handle the pressure of 1 angler a day and multiply that by 12 - what are your chances? Chances are better in the mid to lower end of this river. A great season to focus on the upper Rogue.

Steelhead

 Trout fishing in the region is off to a great start with the mild winter and lower flows. Best to get a jump on it as this means the fishing can slow down much earlier in the summer as it heats up and more people are fishing.

Nor Cal Bow

Holy Water Bow

As always, thanks for looking and call the shop for more specific info or an update on conditions. See you out there as it’s time to fish in this wonderful area! 541 488 6454

I know, I know.. how can you chase trout when there are winter Steelhead around? This is the response I get from my friends & customers whan I tell them I was chasing a BWO hatch at the Holy Water on my coveted day (or half a day) off. Change of scenery I guess…

I should not have eaten that last BWO...

 It’s fun up there right now as the river is as low as your likely to ever see it coming out of the dam.. 900cfs. Which translates to just about no where you can’t reach. Try hitting the upper end for the next couple months when the forecast calls for overcast, windless conditions and you may be pleasantly surprised. Just bring your 12′ 6X leaders and stop by the shop for the right bugs!  And if big fish slurping tiny dries seems passe to you it may be time to consider lacrosse…

Lacrosse anyone?

Have had several customers travelling from different areas comment on our large Steelhead Flies selection. Thank you!  We are stocked and ready to go for the 2012 Winter Steelhead season. Swing, Nymph, Swymph - you name it we’ve got the patterns for success!

Yum..

The Goods..