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.
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. The Fly Shop contracts with guides permitted to take people fishing on Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands.