Fish Report for 10-23-2012

Fishing has been good. Rainbows are found on the edges of the swirly water

10-23-2012
The Fly Shop

Current Reservoir Conditions: Fishing has been good. Rainbows are found on the edges of the swirly water, near the edges of the reservoir, below the Dam. No fishing within 500' of Shasta Dam.

This fishery really takes a back seat to the Lower Sacramento at this time of year. If your okay with a solitary fishing experience, rainbows that go 14"-16" with fish over 20" common, Keswick usually delivers!

The Fly Shop's ? Tips: Suspending Fox's Poopahs, Bird's Nests and Pseudo Mays under indicators will work well. Try a Marlee Midge or a #12-14 Bird's Nest suspended under an indicator. Look for the fish in the slower swirls along the edges above Crystal Creek. The key is moving up into the moving water section of Keswick. Fishing the eddies next to the banks, between boulders, where it's shallow can be productive. Stay low Fishing a Deep-7 on a 7-weight fly rod, stripping buggers has been productive.

A motorized boat is a must for gaining access to the part of this reservoir that holds concentrated numbers of rainbow trout. Motor up towards Shasta Dam, look for slow water and big eddies near boulders. Swing, suspend, strip nymphs, leeches. Dry fly fishing happens late in the summer, near sunset. There are big brown trout here....waiting.

Reservoir Fact: Iron Mountain Mine is located just to the west of Keswick Reservoir. The site was mined for copper, zinc, iron, silver, gold, pyrite from the 1860s to 1963. Today, the mine is a source of extremely acidic drainage that runs into several creeks, all leading to Spring Creek Reservoir, which drains into Keswick Reservoir, a major source of drinking water for Redding, CA. The drainage water from Iron Mountain Mine is waste sites, it has been listed as a federal Superfund site since 1983. Thankfully, a water treatment plant is in place, and any releases from Spring Creek Reservoir are easily diluted.

Suggested Flies:

Dry Flies:

• Mercer's Missing Link #16-18
• Elk Hair Caddis - Tan #10-16
• Yellow Stimulators - #14-16
• Adams #14-16
• Mercer's Parachute Profile Spinners #16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Zack's Zaddis Amber & Black
• Pseudo May - #16-18
• GB San Juan Worm - #12
• Glo Bubble Caddis - Tan #14
• Chironomid Bomber - Any color #12
• Marlee Zebra Midge - #12
• Micro Mayfly - Brown #16
• Pats Rubberlegs - Brown #6-8
• Fox's Poopah - Cinnamon #12-14
• CB Birds Nest - #10-14

Streamers/Leeches:
• Bead Belly Leeches
• Crystal Buggers
• Beaded Lite Brite Buggers
• Freshwater Clousers - #6
• Double Bunny - #2
• Zonkers - Natural #4
• BH Halebopp Leech - Olive/Dark Olive #8

Fly Fishing Gear:
• Boles Float Rite Yarn Indicators
• Mucilin Fly Line Silicone
• MayFly™ Troutfisher Lanyard
• Cablz
• William Joseph Squall Jacket
• Fly-Mate ? Floatable Foam Fly Boxes


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