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!

Thanks for coming everyone! See you next month!!

Trick is to look like you know what you're talking about!

Switch rod demo to start the day.. Even the channel was quite high!

Loop of the day goes to Dr. Pena! Nice form!

A great day to talk tackle

Lots of good rod & reel match ups

Aim for the trees!

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.

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..

2-21-12   Finally getting the message that Mother Nature may not deliver an average winter here in Southern Oregon the Bureau of Reclamation turned off the tap in the Rogue River & Applegate Lake until we see more of the fluffy white stuff at higher elevation. 900 cfs coming out of Lost Creek Lake and I think around 100 cfs coming out of Applegate Res.

Real low flows always makes the Applegate very tough. Fish tend to keg up in certain spots and just get hammered until they’ve got enough water to move on. You’ve really got to be first through the holes for the day or forget it at these flows, I can personally attest to that. If you’ve got private water or a hidden honey hole you can have banner days though.

The Upper Rogue will be a good bet in the lower flows as fish filter in. Easy to get around and very fishable for the fly angler. I was on the Upper Rogue today and the tribs are flushing pretty good from recent rains so the river is pretty colored up. Will be back to good color in a day or two I’m sure. I would give it another week or two before declaring it “on” as we are still seeing fish come in and the concentrations aren’t great yet. That said, I have heard from a few of the areas better anglers getting into a couple to three fish for a days drift. Oh! Almost forgot to mention the March Browns hatch has been spotted in several spots throughout the upper river. This is a favorite hatch for local trouters on the Upper Rogue. Makes for a fun day casting dries to rising fish between Steelhead holes!

One from the Holy Water

I was up at the Holy water today trying to get in on a mid day mayfly hatch and found a few fish working. As usual my mid Steelhead season trout skills were below average and I missed all 3 takes I had to the dry. All three were very nice fish. This fellow here I got on flashback PT nymph - he was no slouch either. I am always amazed at the quality of fish up there. I saw some fish working dries that were easily 20″. And yes, they are that &$#*ing hard to catch.

Please call the shop for more specific info if you are coming to fish the area! Thanks! 541 488 6454