Guide Notes

Ted Fay Report : April 29, 2022

April 28, 2022Rick Cox

USac after couple of weeks of much needed rain/snow has bumped up to a comfortable 750cfs and holding steady. Personally I have no problem with this higher flow, just be a bit more caution wading, the water is cold and taking a swim wouldn’t be an option. Your breathe would most likely be sucked out of you. The fishing continues to be good one day and stinky another. If you put in the time you will be rewarded. Best think about finding fish from about Flume Creek down river. Seeing Salmonflies, Lil Yellow Sallies, Caddis and Mayflies but believe me nary a fish rising and hatches aren’t really abundant.

Reports from the McCloud River is the river has a nice cream color and the fishing has started to pick up. Ah Di Nah now has a gate and it’s locked, should open in about a week though. Caution driving in, the recent road closure was due to slide repair. The work has created some very soft spots and due to the recent rains people have been getting stuck in the mud. Should be fine once the rain stops (more due tonight). Again here it’s strictly nymphing, hatches have not started yet.

Cheers

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

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com

USac Brownie Jason Kash with Wild Waters Fly Fishing

McCloud River Jason Kash with Wild Waters Fly Fishing

I think it’s time to share with you the impact that Mud Creek is having on the lower McCloud River and also the McCloud Reservoir that I’ve witnessed over the last 40 years. The McCloud River which I fished and guided for many years has been going through some dramatic changes due to Mud Creek. Mud Creek is sourced from Konwakiton Glacier which due to climate change and drought is melting rapidly. As the glacier melts water gets trapped under it and at some point the water pressure releases creating massive mud flows cascading down from high up. Over the last 7 years it has produced some extraordinary mudflows and pictures of these events are shown below. Mud Creek used to flow under Pilgrim Creek Road bridge (which existed for many years). It still crosses Hiway 89 and flows through the Hearst property flowing into the upper stretch of McCloud Reservoir. In 2014 and last year these mudflows were dramatic in scale and dangerous. Ultimately all of this mud ends up in the reservoir, works its way to the dam and releases into the river. For those who know the McCloud and hold it dearly to their hearts last year rendered it unfishable for months starting in the summer and going into the fall. Follow the thread of pictures below and you’ll get an idea of what is going on. In addition the mouth of Mud Creek where it intersects the McCloud River and reservoir has filled in. There is a big plug of mud now that has filled the upper reservoir. Ultimately this will all wash to the dam and effect the river below it. The river color is currently milky and will hopefully stay that way but ultimately it will get muddy. Mother Nature certainly has her way so keep your fingers crossed that the river doesn’t blow out.

Mud Creek 2010 taken from Pilgrim Creek Bridge

Mud Creek 2014 Mudflow event taken from the bridge

Pilgrim Creek Bridge 2021 mudflow filled old creek bed and diverted

2022 Mud Creek has diverted and debri field looking east

Ted Fay Report : April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022Rick Cox

Just when fishing was starting to pick up after the dry and slow winter we go right back to winter, believe me Dogpatch will gladly take the news….snow rain whatever. Just take a look below at the sad state we are in for precipitation to date but it’s looking like a miracle April will be giving us a hint of respite but no where near getting us out of the drought. Warm days in the 70’s have dropped back down to cold days in the 40’s and nights below freezing. With the forecast the rivers will rise but certainly nothing where it should be for this time of year. Bottom line …. we will take what Mother Nature gifts us with. And, the forecast beyond the 6 days into 14 days out is wet, wet, wet…..we are right in the bullseye of the systems. My ole knees are doing a jig! I cannot look into my crystal ball and tell you when to come up but the next two weeks will certainly stir the pot and the fish. My observations from the previous week were the fishing was beginning to show signs of picking up and spring was definitely grabbing on…..even saw a few Salmon Flies darting around. Caution, I noticed signs of rainbows spawning and a couple of redds. Please give these redds a very wide birth when wading. Take a look at my photo below to get a hint of identifying. Another bit of good new is the road to Ah Di Nah is open again and the McCloud River is looking juicy with its color mud bueno. No word yet on how the fishing is, check in with Bob for an update.

Cheers

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

530-925-0446

ricmcfly@gmail.com

Caution fish are spawning, stay away from these reads

Winter is back after 3 months of no precipitation

Pastry porn stop McCloud Golf Course serving breakfast and lunch

Ted Fay Report : March 25, 2022

March 25, 2022Rick Cox

Good news and bad news for yuz guys. First the bad, I always like the bad first just to get it out of the way. The Forest Service here in Dogpatch has issued the following bulletin for the road to Ah Di Nah …….Due to an increased hazard awareness and for public safety, we intend to close the road to public access beginning tonight (3/24/2022) and continuously for the following two weeks. This is in part because of the weather forecast, but also our slide repair schedule (2nd slide repair) and impact of the road repair excavation work on road access and pass-ability, as there won’t be any safe passage during this period. The work on the 2nd slide will begin either Monday or Tuesday depending on the weather situation. The closure is scheduled to be in affect through 4/8/2022 at a minimum. The closure schedule will be reevaluated as work on the 2nd slide repair progresses. Now the good news, I’ve been talking to the Forest Service and they are finally giving me an idea as to when the road to Ash Camp will be open. I’ve been told that PG&E will begin repairs this year but unfortunately they don’t have a timeline yet….stay tuned.

We’re entering our shoulder season now and are getting dustings of snow, then warm weather then rain. This time of the year we expect the snowmelt to start and its right on schedule on the Upper Sac. It was running at a meager 350cfs and the last few days has jumped to 600cfs. It’s also getting a smidgen off color but I’ll take that over the gin clear water we’ve had all Winter. The fishing has also picked up and we’re seeing action from top to bottom on the river. With the summer drought coming best think about getting your fishing priorities in order sooner than later. Think about using Rubber Legs, soft hackles, Caddis imitations, and Gordon Princes. I’m seeing the fish moving up in the water column now rather than hugging the bottom like they did in the Winter so pounding the bottom isn’t necessary.

With limited access on the McCloud your only option will be to fish from the dam down river. Reports are spotty fishing but this will improve.

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