The McCloud River

The McCloud River rainbows (salmo Shasta) may be the most famous strain of trout on the planet Earth. At the turn of the last century, these were the fish used to first stock most of New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and other potential trout fisheries all across the western hemisphere. And while the rainbows remain the top target on the McCloud River, they’re only part of the attraction of this world famous fishery.

The McCloud itself is a river unlike any other, cascading through sections of boulder-strewn pocket riffles, and one emerald pool after another. The banks of the river are lined with a dense forest of tall evergreens and hardwoods. All of this cool, un-polluted, aerated water creates perfect conditions for caddisflies, mayflies, and even a variety of different stoneflies including the giant salmonflies, golden stoneflies, and little yellow stones. Fishing on the McCloud River is usually a well-balanced mixture of both nymphing and dry fly fishing, and during certain times of the year streamers can work well, too.

This scenic wonderland is gorgeous and well worth the long drive that is the only price of admission. Anglers on the McCloud River frequently lose their fishing focus and the natural beauty of the river canyon makes an indelible impression as formidable as the fishery itself.

Seasons

The McCloud River opens to fishing on the last Saturday in April and remains open through November 15.

• May and June are generally considered the “prime time” months on the river because there are so many great hatches that time of year, including caddis, salmonflies, golden stoneflies, little yellow stoneflies, PMD mayflies, and several other varieties of small mayflies.
  
• Summertime on the McCloud River sees the lightest fishing pressure of the season. Though much of Northern California can be baked in sweltering heat, the McCloud remains shaded and cool at the bottom of a deep, heavily forested canyon and can continue to fish well all summer long with both nymphs and dry flies.
  
• Fall brings on a giant October Caddis hatch and some great blue-winged olive hatches on overcast days. And one can’t forget the big brown trout that migrate upriver from Shasta Lake in the fall. These brutes can be a real adventure, chasing big streamers in the deep pools.

Click here for more detailed information on the seasons to fish the McCloud River

Fly Fishing the McCloud River

The Upper McCloud River’s headwaters are about 20 miles east of Interstate 5, and bubble out of walls of springs above and below Fowler Camp (off Highway 89) not too far from the town of McCloud. There are a couple of miles of great pocket water action in the headwaters section of the river that harbor an excellent population of resident trout, and two spectacular water falls (Upper and Lower Falls) in the first few miles of the upper river that prevent the upriver migration of rainbows and browns. Below Fowler Camp, the river becomes progressively more rugged, and terraced, with small pools and pocket water that drops quickly in elevation, eventually flowing through the very private Hearst property before filling McCloud Reservoir.

Trout in the upper McCloud are plentiful, though they rarely grow to trophy size, and they are fond of eating dry flies nearly every day of the season. It’s a startling beautiful fishery ideal for the independent, self-reliant, physically fit fly fisherman that measures his day by more than the measurements of the fish caught.

The Lower McCloud River is the section between McCloud Reservoir and Shasta Lake and is the section where guides can be the biggest help. Much of this section of river is dominated by two historic and very private clubs (Bollibokka and the McCloud River Club). However, there are three rough-and-tumble miles of excellent public access fishing that begins at Ash Camp just below the reservoir and cascades downstream to Ah-Di-Na Camp, and three more excellent miles of McCloud River fishing available in the esteemed Nature Conservancy just downstream from Ah-Di-Nah. Most of the riffles, pockets, and deep pools on this section of river are accessible to physically fit anglers willing to hike. It’s rugged, wild terrain, and a truly unique fishery.

Access to The Nature Conservancy portion of the McCloud River is limited to ten anglers each day. Half of those can be reserved in advance through their San Francisco office (415-777-0487) and the other five rods are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Our guide staff loves fly fishing on the McCloud River and is happy to share the techniques that have proven consistently successful on the river. If you are planning a fly fishing trip to Northern California, our guide staff can turn that average day into a memorable trip.

To make a reservation, please give us a call at 800-669-3474 during business hours any day of the week. We can give you the answers you need or the detailed explanations to questions you might have, or check on guide availability and confirm your guide reservation in minutes.

If you prefer to correspond on-line simply e-mail us at info@adventuresinflyfishing.com and we will respond promptly.