Current River Conditions: Stood in several runs yesterday in the Nature Conservancy and observed hundreds of caddis coming out of the water. Very thick hatches. Fishing was tough. Not very many rainbows chowing on October Caddis or smaller nymphs. Didn't fish like the McCloud can at this time of year. At least in the Conservancy stretch. Maybe the fires chased the fish downstream? If you have a better report, let us know.

The Fly Shop's ? Tips: Nymphing with indicators or high-stick technique has been the best approach to searching the McCloud for rainbow delight! Definitely tie on an October Caddis pupa because the rainbows and browns are chowing on these emerging bugs right now. Use one or two AAA shot to sink your flies fast! When high-sticking, sometimes adding a third AAA sized shot will get the flies down fast and allow for a slower presentation.

Wading boots with studs and a wading staff are a must on the McCloud, which is full of irregularly shaped rocks that can be very slick. The best results are produced by anglers who move from run to run. The more water you can cover, the more fish have a chance to see your fly, ultimately improving upon your existing good fortune of being out on the river, fishing! Be on the look-out for rattle snakes. Use a technique called High-stick-nymphing in the pocket water and deeper chutes. Re-fish all your way back to camp or the car throwing streamers into pocket water, next to downed trees/logs.

River Fact: The McCloud River rainbows (Salmo Shasta) may be the most famous strain of trout on the planet Earth. At the turn of the 19th 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. So, that means we could trace Madison river (a river in Montana) rainbows back to the McCloud River!

Water Flows:
• Upper McCloud River flows
• McCloud River at Ah-Di-Na
• Lower McCloud near Bollibokka

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:
• Morrish's October Caddis
• October Irresistible Caddis
• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-18
• D&D Cripple March Brown #12
• E/C Caddis - Olive #14-16
• Parachute Adams - #12-18

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Skip's October Caddis
• Tim's Plump Poopah Cinnamon
• Tungsten October Pewpah
• Eng Thing #12-16
• Swink's BTS GD #12
• TB Pseudo Mays - #18
• Zebra John #14-18
• Micro Mayflies - #14-16
• Pat's Rubber Leg - Brown #6-8
• Fox's BH Poopah - Cinnamon #14
• GB Half-Flashback PT - #14-18
• GB Poxyback Hares Ear - #14-16

Streamers/Leeches:
• Dietz Sculpin - Natural #4
• Beaded Micro Bugger - Olive #12
• Beaded Micro Bugger - Black #12
• Double Bunny - #2

Eggs:
• Micro Spawn - Oregon Cheese

Fly Fishing Gear:
• Fishpond's ? Double Haul Chest/Back Pack
• The Fly Shop's ? Stocking-foot Chest Waders
• Chota ? "STL Plus" Convertible Wading Boot
• Split Shot For The McCloud
• Landing Net