Damn Brown Hunkered Down Under Rock Photo by Rick Cox

The Fall season recipe is in full swing here in Dogpatch. Crisp mornings prevail, brilliant colors from Mother Nature’s paint brush grace us and the days keep getting shorter and the nights longer. All of this of course kicks the fish in the butt and the happy meter for you fishers should start rising.

The McCloud River is living up to its Fall reputation for fishing. The Brownies are getting very active in preparation for their spawning soon. This has to be one of the best if not the best Fall I’ve witnessed for these beast, am seeing a German Brown hatch like no other. Not only am I finding them in their typical lies but have been finding them in some very strange locations too. Streamers and nymphs are the current ticket but as the October hatch increases they will start gobbling on top … tighten your boot straps and enjoy. A word of caution, be aware of their redds when they start their mating thing which starts shortly. Then too lets not forget the Rainbows, we have been seeing some very nice ones coming to the net all the way from the dam down through Bollibokka. These guys have been on the dries mornings and evenings with midday results using the bobber. Expect to see Caddis and Mayfly hatches late afternoon so throw on the trusty Adams or Elk Hair Caddis for success. The downside here though is the crowds, you will have to search around for water to fish but at least you will have a good social experience meeting new friends and swapping lies.

The Upper Sacramento River is in great Fall shape too. The October Caddis are out in abundance and fighting crowds here isn’t as bad. From all reports the entire river is fishing very well with some big boys being caught from mid river down to Delta. Be prepared to see a different landscape on the lower river since the fires though. Evenings are good for dry fly fishing right now and a big Stimulator in the pocket water has been successful. Otherwise nymphing has been the ticket using October Caddis Emergers, Fox Poopahs, Birds Nest, Micro Mayfies, Gordon Prince and P.T. patterns. The downside here is the leaf hatch on the windy days. Be prepared to catch more leaves than fish.

For those interested in Steelhead the Klamath River is having an incredible half pounder run throughout the system. Our guides report finding them from Happy Camp up to Iron Gate Dam. Also some very nice adults can be found in with these pods hanging with their little brothers and sisters. On the Rogue we are also finding some nice Steelies. We are getting into some quality adultsand it should just get better and better as we go further into Fall.

Give us a shout if interested in spending a day with one of our excellent guides.

Rick Cox

1-877-934-7466

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com