McCloud River

flies, 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.

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.

specialty or, perhaps, the equipment involved. Some of our guides are more instruction-oriented than others and are better suited for the novice wanting to combine a day of guided fishing with a learning experience, while others just plain know how to catch fish.

If you have a specific request or have been with us before, we can help reserve guide dates with one of your favorite guides based on that guide's specific availability. If not, we're happy to hook you up with one of several of our guides who specialize on our Northern California freestone streams.

inclusive option is only an additional $50 per day, and with it the guides will provide the necessary rods, reels, flies, tackle and equipment to ensure that you have the right gear and flies for the day. If you're an experienced angler and/or fly tier, call ahead and we'll let you know exactly what flies are producing so you can be sure to tie them beforehand or bring them along.

Third Angler:
We do not recommend it, but we can occasionally accommodate 3 anglers. We never recommend fishing 3 anglers to a guide on wade trips, as there is simply no way that the guide can give 3 different anglers enough time to guarantee a positive experience for all. If everyone in the group is an experienced angler and you're mainly looking for help finding river accesses, it may work. But it is never a good idea for 3 novice anglers. There is an additional $100 fee for a 3rd angler.

great time of year for fishing streamers, too, targeting some of the bigger brown trout that reside in the McCloud's deep pools.

On dry, exceptionally warm summers, melting glaciers on Mount Shasta can pump silt-colored water into the lower McCloud River. Although the off-color water can be disconcerting at first, we've discovered over the years that it's not necessarily bad for the fishing. As long as there's a foot or more of visibility (which there usually is), the fish can still see your flies but they are less spooky and eat with much more confidence. Bigger, darker flies are more successful, and it is primarily a nymphing game. That said, the upper McCloud remains fishable and can be a good nearby option to get your dry fly fix.

September, October, & November:
The Fall Season is a standby favorite for long-time McCloud River fanatics. The cool nights of fall brings out the giant October Caddis hatch, there can be stellar blue-winged olive hatches on overcast days, and the big bad browns begin to migrate upriver from Shasta Lake.

The first of the monstrous October Caddis larvae begin to appear on the rocks and boulders near the edge of the river in mid September, and by October there are literally millions of the inch-long cases decorating the river bottom as they prepare for emergence. The adult insects hatch at dusk throughout October and November, proving brief flurries of dry fly activity every evening and enticing trout to rise to big attractor patterns sometimes even in the middle of the day. Moreover, they'll eat the larvae and pupae of the caddis like trout candy every hour of the day.

On overcast days, there can be some phenomenal blue-winged olive hatches. These tiny mayflies respond to changes in barometric pressure, and hatch whenever a storm front moves through the area, stimulating some great midday dry fly action on all of our regional streams, including the McCloud River.

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 on sinking lines in the deep pools and often measuring better in pounds than inches. They're not easy to find and take true devotion to catch, but are an exciting option for big fish anglers willing to work hard for quality fish.

Cattle Camp Campground
McCloud Ranger Station, McCloud, CA
Phone: 530-964-2184
•  29 sites located along the upper McCloud River at an elevation of 3,700 ft. RV Sites, Drinking Water, Restrooms. Notes: Maximum RV length is 12 ft.

Fowlers Camp Campground
McCloud Ranger Station, McCloud, CA
Phone: 530-964-2184
•  39 sites located along the upper McCloud River at an elevation of 3,400 ft. Tent Camping, Drinking Water, RV Sites, Restrooms. Notes: Maximum RV length is 30 ft.

Hotels & Motels:

Mt Shasta Resort
1000 Siskiyou Lake Blvs
Mt Shasta, CA 96067
Phone: 800-958-3363
Website: www.mountshastaresort.com
•  Mt Shasta Resort is nestled in the forest near Lake Siskiyou, and offers privacy and seclusion in their Craftsman-style chalets. Spa and golf course available on-site.

Best Western-Tree House
111 Morgan Way
Mt Shasta, CA 96067
Phone: 530-926-3101
Website: www.bestwesterncalifornia.com
•  Cozy, comfortable, convenient location near I-5.

Rental Options:

Mt. Shasta Luxury Log Home
Phone: 530-223-2274
Website: www.vrbo.com/368778
•  Visitors to this property all express the same reaction - of all the destinations they have visited, this Majestic Log Home in the shadow of mightly Mt Shasta is one of the most spectacular spots on earth!

Shasta Rainbow House
Quincy Avenue
McCloud, CA
Phone: 541-999-8321
Website: www.shastarainbowhouse.com
•  You can enjoy fishing, skiing, hiking, and many other recreational activities in the McCloud and Mt. Shasta area, pets welcome at no additional charge.

McCloud Vacation Home
House - 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s) - 3 Baths - (Sleeps 10)
McCloud, CA
Phone: 415-577-5198
Website: www.mccloudvacationhome.com
•  Nestled on the southern slopes of beautiful Mt. Shasta this Mt. Shasta McCloud vacation home offers family fun and year-round recreation for everyone!