Ted Fay Report : March 12, 2021

Courtesy of Woody Lowe

I’ve been on sabbatical but am back and contrary to rumors I’m not retired or intend to. I’m segwaying from full time guiding into a part of fly fishing I’ve always enjoyed …. teaching. It’s an arena that has a void and at this stage of my life I am offering 40 years of fly fishing knowledge that I want to pass on to those who have dreamt of fly fishing and don’t know where or how to get started or those who are looking for additional guidance and instruction. Of course too I will continue to post fishing reports for the shop and tease y’all with the pastry porn.

Some of you may already be aware but the CA Fish and Wildlife regulations has gone through a radical change. Personally I’m unhappy with their opening up most trout rivers statewide all year. They justified their logic stating they wanted to simplify and standardize their regulations. I protested, in particular the McCloud River being a year round fishery, but to no avail. We’ll just have to see how many rescues have to be made in the canyon in the middle of the winter, best be warned when the snow arrives and winter comes the road to Ah Di Nah and the dam becomes problematic and it’s not plowed or cleared of slides until spring. Nearby rivers such as Pit River, Hat Creek, Burney Creek and Fall River are now open for year round angling too.

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The recent weather has bumped the Sac flows to just above 600cfs, once the snow melt cuts loose then she becomes a much larger river but for now it’s in prime shape. The temps are starting to get north of 50 degrees now midday so that’s my signal (and of course no rain or snow) to get out there. I fished it for a few hours today and had success with soft hackles and blue wing olive imitations …. FYI they were all quality fish. I love the late winter early spring fishing available here when conditions such as these present themselves …. I highly recommend you take advantage of these opportunities, it’s all about timing and seizing the moment kids.

Winter has been a Covid stay at home but when I have my favorite baker under the same roof the pastry mojo kicks in and some of Ms. P’s great recipes get made and guess who gets the rewards of enjoying them. Covid pastry porn has helped me through this pandemic so eat your little hearts out for those of you who enjoy the comfort of living my porn vicariously.

Remember the shop is currently operating under winter hours (closed Monday and Tuesday). Bob is stocking up for the spring season so if you need something he can certainly ship it to you but even more just get your butt up here and get some great fishing in.

Rick Cox

Rick Cox Fly Fishing

530-925-0446

Gobbled BWO emerger

Mr. Eng

Ms. P

Buster swinging the Rogue

Rogue swing time

Buster’s streamside espresso

Tribs looking good

Last summers blackberries

Homemade cinnamon rolls

Ogasmic pecan tassies

Donuts are the meaning of life

Ted Fay Report : December 15, 2020

Merry Christmas. We want to thank all of you for your loyal patronage and support this last year. It’s been a very difficult year to say the least in so many ways and Bob appreciates all of you who have been so loyal and of course those of you who have just discovered The Ted Fay Fly Shop. The shop is operating at Winter hours now, closed Monday and Tuesday and open Wednesday thru Saturday 8-5pm and Sunday 12-5pm. Remember, Bob is very happy to take orders over the phone for you last minute shoppers and ship that special Christmas gift to you or yours. Here’s hoping 2021 is a brighter year for all, it’s times such as this that makes us all so appreciative of the great outdoors and what it has to offer.

Here’s a quick fishing report. Most rivers are closed now but the Upper Sacramento River here is open all year round for those of you who like to get out for some walk wade fishing. Currently the river is running very low and clear and the fishing is fair at best….. we need RAIN! On the other hand the Klamath River just to the north is producing a good run of steelhead.

Happy Holidays to all from Bob, Steven and Rick

Ted Fay Fishing Rport : October 8, 2020

McCloud River

As of this moment the smoke from all the fires is finally leaving us. The McCloud River has been giving up some beautiful bows and brownies producing big smiles from our satisfied customers. With the onset finally of cold nights we are seeing more active fish, you can currently find them taking both nymphs and dries. The October Caddis are just beginning to get out and about in the mornings and late afternoon. The fish are just beginning to key in on them and it will only get better as we get deeper into October and early November. A recent outing found us some large browns. To find them you must be near the bottom in the mud, weighted sculpins with a smaller nymph as a teaser working best.

Upper Sacramento River

Hazy skies come and go from the Zogg Fire and the Upper Sac is starting to kick in with the mornings cooling. As I said the mornings are cold and the fishing has been on the slow side but as the afternoon kicks in the fish have been very grabby. The October Caddis are just making a showing particularly from Gibson up to Ney Springs. Our outings have had more success recently nymphing but the fish should be getting tickled enough any time soon by these big caddis so start thinking about these USDA choice morsels. The Chubbys and Stimmies with a dropper will serve you well. Lots of smaller Caddis out too so think Poopahs as a go to nymph.

Klamath River

Finally the Klamath has opened back up after the devastating  Happy Camp fire closures. We recently had a boat near there and can report the half pounders are definitely in. The river will only continue to improve as the heat waves are gone, days are cooling and the water temps drop. If you would like a fun day with these early steelhead think about hiring one of our excellent guides. We offer swinging or running nymphs, your choice. The fall on the Klamath offers some excellent fishing along with an explosion of fall colors.

Lower Sacramento River

The Lower Sac is such a gem. We have been enjoying days down there with father/daughter clients and having a ball intorducing them to a fun day in the boat. For all of you feeling holed up with the family consider this as an alternative …. getting out in nature, family time, intro to fly fishing 101 (no experience needed), sharing smiles and no devices.

Cheers

Rick Cox

Wild Waters Fly Fishing

1-877-9347466

Home Grown Porn

Home Grown Porn

Recommended Bugs .... Nymphs

Dirty Bird #8-12

Posse Bugger #8

Red Fox Squirrel #8-10

October Caddis Pupa #8-10

Plump Poopah #8-10

Jimmy Legs #4-14

LBS (dig back to a certain previous report)

Gordon Prince #14-16

Copper John (red & copper) #14-16

Tan or Olive Fox Poopah #14-16

Soft Hackles #14-16

Dries

Humpy #8-16

Adams #8-18

X-Caddis #14-16

E/C Caddis #14-16

Stimulator #8-14

PMD #14-16

If you have any further questions give Bob a shout at the shop or just stop in and bug him next time in the area.