Guide Notes

Ted Fay Report : July 3, 2022

July 03, 2022Rick Cox

McCloud River color is getting cranky Photo by Chis Devine

De Ja Vu time on the McCloud. Just about a year ago it went chocolate and stayed that way until last October. She’s running steady on the turbidity scale at 4-4.5 since the end of the week. Hopefully she doesn’t get pissed and go muddy but time will tell. I dug up some old photos from 2010 when guiding it that shows it a bit worse. We caught fish but wading was tough and it wasn’t lights out. When the color (see below pics) gets any worse than this I would call her blown. Hopefully this is a pulse that is very common for the river and it drops. Just keep an eye on the river turbidity gauge folks.

On the USac it’s officially Dog Daze time. It’s summer, the river has dropped and is running gin clear. The dinks are out in full force but hey these little wigglers are fun and full of spunk. I suggest using LBS to get you a tug during the day and concentrate in and just downstream of the oxygen bubbles and don’t be afraid of fishing the faster pocket water. Evenings will get a hatch around dark thirty so if you can stay out late put on a dry fly, hopefully something you can see.

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

She’s fishable but ….. Photo by Jason Kash

Turbidity gauge is holding steady between 4 and 4.5

USac is looking very sweet Photo ny Chris Devine

The little wanna bez are back in numbers Photo by Chris Devine

Ted Fay Report : June 19, 2022

June 19, 2022Rick Cox

Been dealing with the slog of Covid the last few weeks. Following is reports from my sources on what is currently going on. First the McCloud is living up to it’s name of the McCrowd. Lots of pressure from the fans particularly on the weekends. Ah Di Nah has been at capacity and the rough camps also. Pick a rock and stake your claim. Great bugs to use right now that I hear are scoring fish are Peaches and Cream, Brush Hogs, and dark nymphs in general. Dries that have been bringing up fish are Humpies, Stimmies and Parachute Adams. You’re very likely to see Golden Stones around too so use them during the day and evening with a dropper. On the USac I’m hearing that the Goldens are sporadic so far but the warm weather this coming week should perk them up. Believe it or not too there are still Salmonflies on the upper river north of Dunsmuir. The lower river has actually been seeing some lake runs (encouraging) so if targeting them think rubber legs. Otherwise the river is low and clear so thing about nymphing during the day using LBS (little black shit), S&M, soft hackles and Hares Ear. Evening hatches are strong if you select the right area, PMD’s, Pink PMD’s, Cahills and Golden Stones (right at dark).

Check out the pictures below from our visit to Surprise Valley Hot Springs and what the area offers.

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

One way to get out of the way from the train

My buddy in the Azores fishing Jurassic size fish

Country Hearth Restaurant Cedarville …. old school down home western cafe

Country Hearth roast pork dinner, salad and desert not shown …… $16.95 OMG so good

Country Hearth does killer pastries also

Homemade blueberry apricot scones from Ms. P

Ted Fay Report : May 26,2022

May 26, 2022Rick Cox

Well the first long spring weekend for you working stiffs and slackers is almost upon us. We keep getting teased with warm weather and then it does a reversal and cools off. This coming holiday weekend is no different. Cool weather arrives just in time for y’all headed this way with a hint of rain looming. Bring your waders, wet wading isn’t advised. Both the USac and McCloud fishing have been steadily improving since my last report. The Salmonflies have just about given up the ghost but right behind them here comes the Golden Stones. Mayflies, Sallies, Caddis and Blue Wing Olives of all sizes are popping too. On the sunny days I recommend wait till the sun get behind the river canyon ridges on both rivers and the shadows start covering the water, this is when you can expect the top action to fire up.

The USac flows are slowly dropping, the snowmelt (what little we had) has just about ended and as of today is running about 330cfs. Not to shabby at all, better than the flows last year but way below where they are normally. The McCloud River is still maintaining its slightly creamy color which helps those of you who are stealth challenged and is at summer flows which will translate to easier wading. I heard that Ah Di Nah Campground was about 3/4 full as of Tuesday so you can expect by tomorrow camp sites will be scarce.

Nymphing on both rivers has been very good, probably the go to right now until shadow time. Also, I’ve included a list of bugs you should have in your box below for both rivers. Light rain is forecast for Saturday so be prepared for both rivers to light up with top activity, I love those light rainy days this time of year, it seems to give life to hatches and makes the fish go nutty on emergers.

FYI the Salmonfly hatch is in full blown swing on the Rogue River. Steelhead, Cutthroat and native Rainbow are active, they’re hammering Stimmies and Chubbies…..fun, fun, fun.

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

P.S. Below is my recommendation for bugs for this time of year.

RECOMMENDED BUGS Late Spring Early Summer

Nymphs:

LBS (as follows)

Two Bit Nymph (Blk) #14-16

Dark Lords #14-16

Soft Hackles #14-16

S&M #16-18

Zebra Midge #18-20

Rock Worm #18