Ted Fay Report June 18, 2020

The McCloud River

The McCloud River has been fishing great! With The Nature Conservancy and Ah Di Nah open now life is good. Conditions currently are perfect with top and bottom action happening, what more could we ask for. Expect to see folks out on the water but you can usually just move on a bit and find your own personal piece of heaven to fish on this magical river. Our guides have been on the river a lot and have had very successful days with happy clients. This is one of my favorite times to be fishing here. You will be seeing a wide variety of Mayflies and Caddis along with the Golden Stones. The stones are thick late afternoon and evening so it’s big Chubby or Stimmie time. Nymphing is always a solid bet too so I recommend using a double fly setup with copious amounts of weight. Golden Stone nymphs and rubber legs are a good choice for top fly and then your favorite size 14 or 16 nymph dropped off either. We recommend for you tiers that you try the stone fly pattern tied by our own Jason Kash recently featured in CA Fly Fisher. Dry/dropper has been effective all day with the best top action in the late afternoon when the shadows take hold. We are currently structuring days to accommodate this late evening thrill so you might think about a late start and late finish with one of our excellent guides.

Upper Sacramento River
The river has been fishing very good and should remain so. We are still seeing some snow melt but flows are very reasonable with cold water … a perfect recipe. Sims Flat campground is open but not Castle Crags campground. Dunsmuir has limited motels open and the Brewery is offering sit down with the pizza and Mexican restaurants open. And most important the favorite of many of you Cafe Maddelena just opened its doors and is serving outside dining. Good news too is The Ted Fay Fly Shop is officially open for business. Dry fly fishing has been best in the evenings with nymphing very consistent during the day. We are seeing Golden Stones, Sallies, Pink PMD’s and small caddis. Dry/dropper also has shown success in the heavier faster moving water. Successful nymphs have been soft hackles, S&M’s and Frenchies.

And Beyond

Our guides have also been venturing out to the Lower Sacramento River and Trout Lake for some amazing days in the boat. Check out the pictures and give it some thought, we would love to get you out on the water.

In conclusion this has been a stressful time for all of us. This area has had very few cases of COVID-19 but as people arrive for their summer fun we are starting to see an increase in new cases. Our healthcare community is very small and although we have excellent health workers and facilities they cannot handle a large increase in case loads. We ask all of you who are coming in to this area to please don’t let your guard down and continue to practice good COVID protocol. This whole pandemic has a long way to go before normalcy returns.

Cheers

Rick Cox

Wild Waters Fly Fishing

1-877-934-7466

RECOMMENDED BUGS

Nymphs:

LBS (as follows)
Dark Lords #14-16
Soft Hackles #14-16
S&M #16-18
Zebra Midge #18-20
Rock Worm #18
FBPT#16-18
Micro Mayfly (blk.) #16-18
Jimmy Legs #4-10
Gordon Prince #14-16
Possie Bugger #8-10
Copper John (red & copper) #14-16

Robinsons Hares Ear #12-16

Brush Hog #12-16

Dries:

Yellow Sallie #12-16
X-Caddis #16
EC Caddis #16
Parachute Adams #14-16
Stimulator #8-14Chubby Chernobyl #8-12

If you have any further questions please call the shop and when you are in the area stop in and bug Bob.

Ted Fay Report : May 14, 2020

The “new normal” continues and we are slowly taking our finger off the pause button. The fishing on both the Upper Sac and McCloud Rivers is solid. As noted below there are a few campgrounds in the area reopening May 16 but the Conservancy and Ah Di Nah remain closed although we have just heard Ah Di Nah will open May 22. There is some dry fly fishing available now but it has yet to peak. The tail end of the Salmonflies is still here but the caddis and mayflies are beginning to pop. Stimlaltor and dropper along with Adams are best bet right now. Nymphing probably will get you more opportunities with Jimmy Legs, P.T’s, Soft Hackles and Brush Hogs working best. Bob is currently offering some tungsten nymphs that I would highly recommend too. They are heavily weighted and get down into the zone very quickly. We are getting a big dose of much needed rain at the moment with another big shot Sunday and Monday. Once the weather settles down though fishing should be ripe for those who want to do some picking. Remember too there’s limited motel and food service in the area still so plan accordingly.

Cheers

Rick Cox

info@wildwatersflyfishing.com

Here’s the latest update from the US Forest Service regarding north state campground openings. Note for our immediate area (Mt. Shasta/McCloud) there are only 3 campgrounds reopening and importantly Ah Di Nah remains closed. Hopefully it opens soon along with the Nature Conservancy which also remains closed.

U.S. Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Region
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, CA 96002
Voice (530) 226-2500



News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2020
Media Contact:
Carol Underhill
carol.underhill@usda.gov
(530) 226-2494
Web: www.fs.usda.gov/stnf
Twitter: twitter.com/ShastaTrinityNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShastaTrinityNF

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Recreation Update


REDDING, Calif. — The Shasta-Trinity National Forest is increasing access to the public by providing additional developed recreational opportunities. We encourage visitors to check our website and social media pages for the most up-to-date information on what is open so that you can plan your visit. You can also call your local ranger station during normal business hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


Whenever possible, please recreate locally. Visitors should practice self-sufficiency when visiting national forests and come prepared with all the essentials needed for your trip, including food, emergency supplies, and the ability to pack-out trash. Remember to recreate responsibly by keeping the following in mind:

• Maintaining at least six feet distancing from others
• Do not gather in groups other than those in your household and please follow the latest guidance from officials.
• Communicate with others as you pass. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass.
• Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use.
• Some services may not be available, so please plan accordingly.

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has made the decision to open the following developed recreation sites and areas by May 16, 2020:

Shasta Lake Area



Campgrounds opening in Shasta Lake Area

Antlers Campground
Bailey Cove Campground
Chirpchatter Campground
Deadlun Campground
Ellery Creek Campground
Lakeshore East Campground
Lower Jones Valley Campground
Madrone Campground
McCloud Bridge Campground
Upper Jones Valley Campground

Group Campgrounds opening Shasta Lake Area

Dekkas Rock Group Campground
Gregory Creek Group Campground
Mariners Point Group Campground
Moore Creek Campground
Nelson Point Campground
Pine Point Campground

Picnic Areas opening in Shasta Lake Area

Bailey Cove Day Use Area
Dekkas Rock Day Use Area
Fishermans Point Day Use Area
McCloud Bridge Day Use Area

Big Bar Area



Campgrounds opening in Big Bar Area

Hayden Flat Campground
Pigeon Point Campground

Group Campgrounds opening in Big Bar Area

Pigeon Point Group Campground

Day Use Areas opening in Big Bar Area

Cedar Flat Picnic Area
Whites Bar Picnic Area
Big Flat River Access

Trinity Area



Campgrounds opening in Trinity Area

Ackerman Campground
Bridge Camp Campground
Clark Springs Campground
Cooper Gulch Campground
Eagle Creek Campground
Mary Smith Campground
Minersville Campground
Trinity River Campground

Picnic Areas opening in Trinity Area

Clark Springs Day Use Area and Beach
Cooper Gulch Day Use Area
Pine Cove Picnic Area

Hayfork Area



Cabin rentals opening in Hayfork Area

Forest Glen Guard Station
Post Creek Lookout

Yolla Bolla Area



Campgrounds opening in Yolla Bolla area

Tomhead Saddle Campground

Mt. Shasta/McCloud Area

Mt. Shasta area above 10,000 feet is opening



Campgrounds opening in Mt. Shasta/McCloud Area
Ah Di Nah Campground opening May 22 , just notified on 5/20 by USFS now revised to June 1
Fowlers Campground
Sims Flat Campground
Cattle Camp Campground

Day Use sites opening in Mt. Shasta/McCloud Area

Bunny Flat and all Everitt Memorial Highway day use sites – the gate at Bunny Flat will be closed until at least July 1
Castle Lake Day Use Area
Sims Day Use Area
Pollard Flat Day Use Area
McCloud River Falls area (Lower/Upper/Middle Falls; Lakin Dam; Cattle Camp swimming hole)
Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park

For more information, please visit the Shasta-Trinity National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/stnf, Facebook www.facebook.com/shastatrinitynf and Twitter www.twitter.com/shastatrinitynf.

If you have any further questions please call the shop and leave a message, Bob will get back to you as soon as possible.

Ted Fay Report : April 30,2020

Well boys and girls it’s definitely a different world these days. Here in Dogpatch we are of course following the mandated marching orders set down by our governor . However what better way to enjoy the outdoors and practice social distancing than getting out on the water for some relief from the constant chatter of the talking heads and practice some me time. Spring is here and we have been having some excellent fishing on both the USac and McCloud Rivers. It’s certainly lifts my heart to hear and feel the water and of course take in all the sounds of mother nature and her spring blooms. There are a few folks out fishing on the rivers but for the most part there are no crowds. There was a spike of anglers on the McCloud for the opening weekend with a number trying to camp at Ah Di Nah which is closed. These sports thought they could just sneak in and get away with it but law enforcement showed up and they were escorted out. As you can see below all STNF and State campgrounds are closed and its being enforced. In addition the Nature Conservancy on the McCloud River is closed and the caretaker is there acting like the gatekeeper to heaven. In the future I will post news of any opening changes once I receive notification but for now kids you have to get it, the playground is shutdown in certain areas and if you are bad you are going to get spanked. In the mean time the good news is the USac isn’t closed except the few locations noted below and the McCloud River public water is open from the dam to the Conservancy.

A big ah ha for you to realize is lodging and restaurants here are tough to come by if you are considering getting away. There are a few motels open in Mt. Shasta, specifically the Best Western Tree House and possibly one or two others. There are a few restaurants offering take out and the fast food places are doing drive through. Dunsmuir has no take out going but the Mosbrae Hotel next to the shop is open. Lodging in McCloud is pretty much shutdown and Floyds Drive In is the only food available. You might also be able to find a VRBO open in the area too if you peck around.

Conditions currently are very good with both rivers running clear. The USac is experiencing runoff but is very approachable in most areas with flows running around 900 cfs. The McCloud River at Ah Di Nah is running about 260 cfs and is easy to access. Ash Camp of course is closed and access to it is still blocked off at the dam. Last year we were fighting high water conditions at this time but we are now officially in a drought situation and the snowpack is at 50% at best so no worries as far as big water.

Here’s a list of campground closures from the STNF…..

Mt. Shasta/McCloud Area

Campgrounds closed in Mt. Shasta/McCloud Area

• Trout Creek Campground

• Algoma Campground

• Cattle Camp Campground

• Fowlers Campground

• Ah-Di-Na Campground

• McBride Springs Campground

• Sims Flat Campground

• Castle Lake Campground

• Gumboot Campground

• Panther Meadows Campground

 Group Campgrounds closed in Mt. Shasta/McCloud Area

• Camp 4 Group Site

• Red Fir Flat Group Campground

 Day Use sites closed in Mt. Shasta/McCloud Area

• Bunny Flat and all Everitt Memorial Highway day use sites

• Castle Lake Day Use Area

• Sims Day Use Area

• Pollard Flat Day Use Area

• Snowman’s Hill Day Use Area

• McCloud River Falls area (Lower/Upper/Middle Falls; Lakin Dam; Cattle Camp swimming hole)

• Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park

 So fortunately or not this is your up to date situation. Bottom line you can still fish but as we all know it’s a different world and until Dorothy comes back to Toto it’s not going to change any time soon.

In the mean time I encourage all you pastry porn fans who cannot get out to visit their favorite closed donut shop to party on like a rock star at home and become a pastry whore like me, there’s some great recipes out there to get your sweet tooth cranked up. It of course helps to have a partner in crime such as my wife, Ms. P to assist your addiction. You now have my permission to indulge yourselves and go down in flames like me…..I’m just a donut shy of 300 lbs. now and enjoying the ride. As the old proverb goes “Fat is where it’s at, you only live once”.

Bob is still available for messages (530) 235-2969 but the shop is not open and will remain so until we are told we can open the doors. Stay safe everyone and for sure stay healthy, we want to see you all and your happy faces on the other side of this.

Cheers

Rick Cox and Bob Grace

Photo by Jason Kash

Photo by Jason Kash

Photo by Jason Kash

Pastry from Ms. P

Ms. P pastry