| Equipment Checklist
for your McCloud River Guided trip
- 5 or 6 weight fly rods,
8 1⁄2 - 9 1⁄2 feet long
We spend a lot of time high-stick nymphing the pocket water and
deeper pools of the lower McCloud, oftentimes casting heavily
weighted flies or split shot weights, making 5 or 6 weight fly
rods ideal. 4 weight rods can work for casting dries during an
evening hatch, but don’t quite get the job done when nymphing,
while 5-6 weight rods offer the flexibility to cast both nymphs
and dries, and handle big trout in the heavy freestone currents.
On the small, dry-fly water of the Upper McCloud, however, 3 to
4 weight rods can be a blast.
- Reels should have a good
drag system and be equipped with a floating fly line. Trout
on the lower McCloud average 10-14 inches, but fish from 16-22
inches are not uncommon and there’s always the possibility
of hooking into an even larger lake-run brown trout. Even the
smaller trout are wild and powerful, while the bigger fish can
be real tackle busters.
- If you intend to target big trout on streamers,
you will also want a full sinking or heavy sink-tip line.
- Every angler needs to have a current California
fishing license.
- Waders are highly recommended;
felt or studded boots are mandatory, while a wading staff
is also strongly suggested. The McCloud is a rigorous mountain
freestone stream with slick bowling-ball shaped boulders and at
times extensive hiking is required to access its numerous pocket
water and pools. Wading the McCloud is not recommended for anglers
with a history of knee or hip troubles. The Fly Shop does not
rent waders or boots.
Miscellaneous Tackle Suggestions:
Other items to
consider bringing are:
*Hat *Sunscreen *Polarized Sunglasses
*Clippers/ Hemostats *Camera *Wading Staff
*Layered clothing system, including rain gear (seasonal)
McCloud River Flies:
The most productive
flies for fishing on the McCloud River can change throughout the
season, and sometimes what works one year doesn’t work
as well the next. Listed below are some general fly pattern suggestions,
based on a few of the fly patterns that have worked consistently
over the years. For the most up-to-date fly suggestions, give us
a call at The Fly Shop at 800-669-3474. If you are meeting your
guide at The Fly Shop on the morning of the trip they will likely
recommend some flies before you head to the river, based on what’s
been working for them. If you won’t be meeting at The Fly
Shop in the morning, please call ahead and we can recommend some
additional patterns based on recent reports.
The McCloud River
has some great seasonal opportunities for both dry fly fishing and
nymphing. You should come to the river prepared to fish both
styles, with well-stocked nymph boxes and a handful of different
dry fly patterns. If you like fishing streamers, they have their
place on the McCloud, too, fished on sinking lines.
NYMPHS
#14-18 B.H. Prince Nymph (std. or
Amber wing)
#8 -14 Mercer’s Poxyback Golden
Stone Nymph
#14 -18 Copper John (Red and Original)
#14-16
Z-Wing Caddis Pupa-Green (with and w/out B.H.)
#14 Fox’s Poopah. ( Tan and
Olive/with and without B.H.)
#6 Superfloss Rubberlegs (Brown/Black)
#16-18 B.H. Flashback Pheasant Tail
Nymph
#14-18 B.H. Micro Mayfly Nymph (Olive,
Brown, Black)
#16-18 Hogan’s S&M Nymph
#14 -16 Bird Nest (with and without
B.H)
#18 Black, Olive, or Red Midges
#8-10
October Caddis Pupa or Emergers
DRIES
#16-18 Elk Hair Caddis (Olive & Black)
#16 Cutter’s E/C Caddis Emerger
#16-18 Parachute Adams
#16 BWO Imitations
#8
Golden Stonefly
#6
Salmonfly
#8-14
Stimulators
#16
Little Yellow Stone Dry
#14-18
Yellow Humpy
#14-16
PMD Imitations
STREAMERS
#8
Bead-Head Black Crystal Buggers
#6
CH Bunny Buggers
#2
Double Bunny
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