Ted Fay Report : July 11, 2021

Poor ole Dogpatch has been getting hit from all sides so far this summer. We’ve had multiple fires surrounding us with choking smoke (fire=smoke), record setting temps, local 4th July events and fireworks cancelled, the USFS closing the mountain and a nasty mud flow off the south side of the mountain rendering the McCloud River unfishable. Mother Nature has her own rules and we unfortunately are suffering her wrath. Of concern, we are only 3 weeks into summer, am hoping it’s doesn’t get worse.

The Konwakiton Glacier on the upper stretches of Mt. Shasta has gone through recent mud flow events over the last 5 years and with the extreme early summer temps its melt has begun early. Melted ice accumulates under it like a lake and when the water pressure increases to a certain point the mud and rock flow breaks though and comes tumbling down. Sometimes minor in scale producing a milky color in the river but recently its been a life threatening event that surges muddy water down the Mud Creek canal overspilling its banks. Accompanying the mud are large boulders making it a danger to anyone or thing in its path. Checkout the picture taken below the dam today, needless to say she isn’t fishable for some time.

The Upper Sac has had the lower stretch down by Dog Creek closed due to the Salt Fire which is burning north into the Delta fire scar from a few years ago. Flows are running close to an all time low of 160cfs and the water temp from Sims to Delta hits into the 70’s during the day. This is not good for the trout, period! They aren’t built to handle warm water such as this and catching them in these conditions stresses them. Midday water temps upstream aren’t much better so I recommend either mornings or evening fishing with a break from noon till early evening, otherwise if you fish in the afternoon you are dancing with the devil on the river pure and simple. Most fish can be found in the heavy oxygenated water rather that the pools and runs. The higher upstream you go the water temps get more reasonable for trout so consider Dunsmuir up to Ney Spring for best results. Go to bugs right now are LBS although you can still stick some fish with a Stimie/dropper in the pocket water.

In conclusion, it’s officially the Dog Daze of summer, early or late fishing, wet wading suggested. Also it would be nice to see Dept. of Fish and Wildlife consider Hoot Owl hours similar to what I see a lot in the Rockies when water temps get too hot (shut down fishing after 2pm), just a thought to save our fisheries.

Cheers and follow your bliss.

Rick Cox Fly Fishing - offering 40 years of fly fishing experience for hourly or half day lessons and trips for beginners to ole dawgs. Checkout my Instagram post at rick_fly

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com

If you have any further questions give the shop a shout and the next time you are in the area stop in an bug Bob..

Lava Fire Got Too Close For Comfort

Rare Day To Head Out To The Classroom

Crazy Temps

Everitt Memorial Highway Closed, No Lemurians Sighted

McCloud Reservoir Showing Off Her Turquoise

Mud Creek Highway 89 Bridge

Pilgrim Creek Bridge Almost Breached By Mud Flow

Pilgrim Creek Road Breached

McCloud River Is Toast

Ted Fay Report : June 30, 2021

For anyone looking to come up and enjoy the 4th you might reconsider. The Lava Fire is moving nearer to Mt. Shasta and with the current Shastina/Shasta Valley evacuations there’s no motels to be found between Redding and Medford. I live on the north edge of Mt. Shasta City and am hearing rumors we may have to evacuate. The Forest Service has closed Everett Memorial Hiway going up the mountain and is initiating campfire regulations area wide. On top of that 4th of July fireworks have been canceled here along with many other locations nearby due to the extreme fire danger and to add a kick to the crotch I-5 is closed due to a fire down by Lakehead. And if you really want another bit of crappy news(hang on to your knickers) the McCloud River is experiencing a mud flow event and is blown out, it’s about the color of a thick chocolate milkshake. Best stay home and dream of another day here.

Happy frickin 4th y’all

Rick

Ted Fay Report : June 16, 2021

Joe Kimsey, least we forget but never to be forgotten. Guided for Ted Fay in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and owned the shop prior to Bob Grace the current owner. Believe it or not the shop is the oldest operating shop in California. A true pioneer on both the Upper Sacramento and McCloud Rivers. If you have any of his old tied Ted Fay bugs such as the Bomber, Burlap or Bumble Bee hoist them up in his honor today. Those of us who had the pleasure of listening in on his many stories feel blessed, there was no-one else quite like Joe. One of his many Joeisms that to this day holds true for me was “wind blowing hard, going to be a tough day catching fish”….. we miss you.

It’s June, schools out and vacations are happening along with some very nice weather. Been having a gas teaching young anglers, such a blessing to be able to pass on my years of knowledge to the next generation. June means the Goldies are busting out on both the McCloud and USac along with Caddis, Yellow Sallies and Mayflies. June is one of the best months here in Dogpatch to dry fly fish for you dry fly diehards, once July and the heat of summer arrive forget running the dry and time to return to the bobber or bouncing the bottom with your tight line. Think dry/dropper all day long on both rivers and just before dark look for the sky to be filled with bugs of all varieties.

For the USac I would concentrate from about Gibson up to Ney Springs. Unlike the McCloud River there’s plenty of water to access here so when you run into anglers just walk a hundred yards to give them space and fish on. That’s the beauty of this river, it affords plenty of room and locations to fish. Put on a big Stimie or Chubby for your dry and run about 2 feet of tippet off of it to your favorite dropper and fish that rig all day long. For a refresher look back at my last report or two for my recommended nymphs. Dry/dropper has been the go to all day long here, get out there and enjoy because the bobber days await. The river is low but not bad yet, she’s running around 220cfs. Hot weather on the horizon so best to consider wet wading.

On the McCloud it has been what I call McCrowd time. Expect to see many anglers on the 6 miles of public water. Ah Di Nah Campground plus the rough camps are full up on the weekends with the possibility of some of these available mid week. . Remember too The Conservancy is a very popular place in June with most walk on tags taken by 5:30am. It’s frustrating but you just have to deal with it, its June. The river is running at 185cfs and clear at Ah Di Nah (not good) so you best get your stealth mojo together. Recommended flies right now have been big Chubbys and Stimies with your favorite LBS dropper. Consider too swinging a soft hackle at dark, the tug abides

Cheers

Rick Cox Fly Fishing - offering 40 years of fly fishing experience for hourly or half day lessons and trips for beginners to ole dawgs. Checkout my Instagram post at rick_fly

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com

If you have any further questions give the shop a shout and the next time you are in the area stop in an bug Bob..

One last dusting till next Fall

Leilani first time fly fishing Photo by Jack Cortis

Leilani releasing her first fish Photo by Jack Cortis

Young Jack learning some fly fishing skills Photo by Kurt Johnson

Jack honing his fly fishing lessons Photo by Kurt Johnson

Purdy frog

Found some fish here

USac dry/dropper

Chocolate Mousse from Denny Bar Etna, CA