Shasta Area Preview: McCloud, Pit, LSac, USac, Fall River & Hat Creek

The General Trout Season opens this Saturday, April 27th!
This weekend will be your first opportunity to sample the McCloud, Hat Creek and Fall River this season. The National Weather Service is forecasting near perfect weather with daytime temps in the 70's. Our year round rivers including the Lower Sac and Pit Rivers are fishing exceptionally well, with flows on the Upper Sac and McCloud Rivers unbelievably low, at levels and clarity we haven't seen until late June the past several seasons. Backcountry skiers, rafters and kayakers are bummed, but fly fishers have good cause to celebrate these rare outstanding spring conditions when our best hatches of the year peak.

Upper Sacramento River
Last week the fishing was epic with several fish in the upper teens and one over 20" to hand nymphing. This was followed by dry fly fishing with March Browns and Brown Drakes that we usually only dream about. Flows are amazingly low for this time of year, making it very wadeable and fishable, particularly as anglers work upstream. This spring looks to be our best in many years as conditions will allow us to fish during the best hatches of the season.

Hatches appear to be unfolding early this year as we've already seen the beginning of the Salmonfly and March Browns. We'll also be seeing an abundance of smaller bugs, including PMD's and spring caddis in the coming weeks.The bite has been best on small caddis and mayflies nymphs with light midday hatches of March Browns and Brown Drakes getting the fish looking up. There are spawning Wild Rainbows this time of year, enjoy the show but please avoid spooking or fishing to them.

Water Conditions
Flows have dropped from 1,000 cfs to 800 this week with daily fluctuations related to air temps and passing storms. The norm for this time of year is 2,000 cfs and we haven't see flows this low and fishable until the end of June for many seasons. Water clarity is outstanding and with water temps in the mid to upper forties expect fish to be taking well.

Flies
Small nymphs produce more fish on average than the larger ones but the trophy fish have been taking the bigger flies. Fish Copper Johns, Micromays, Pheasant Tails, Iron Sallies and small caddis patterns in 14-18's in runs, slots, slicks and pocket water. Rubberlegs, Prince Nymphs, dark and golden stone imitations are increasingly finding fish. Expect to see improving hatches of the big bugs and top water action in the weeks to come.

McCloud River
Reopens Saturday, April 27th
We could not be more excited about the opener on the McCloud this season as we experienced some challenging high water early seasons that past several years during the time hatches on the river were at their best. The Lower McCloud looks to be in superb shape with flows at summer release levels, well below the norm with good clarity.

Water Conditions
Quite unusual for this time in the year, there will be many places to cross on the Lower McCloud, similar to midsummer conditions with lots of pocket water and many runs that rarely see early season anglers. Flows below McCloud Reservoir have been decreasing down to 457 cfs at Lake Shasta and are steady at 225 cfs at Ah Di Na with fair to good clarity. Flows on the Upper McCloud above the McCloud Reservoir are a bit high ranging from 800-900 cfs.

Flies
The opening of the season is most often a nymphing affair but look for opportunities for dry fly action midday and towards evening. A few Salmonflies and Brown Drakes have been spotted, probably a sign that hatches will come off earlier than usual this season? Be prepared with small flies as well as large. We like to offer one of each when nymphing and tie droppers off our big dries. Try Stimis in orange or yellow #6-10, hanging Copper Johns, Iron Sallies, PT's, Micromays and your favorite caddis pupa in #14-18 off the bend. Use these small nymphs in combination with Poxyback Goldenstones, Rubberlegs, and Princes when exploring with an indicator or high stick nymphing.

Lower Sacramento River
Recent fishing for trophy Rainbows has been phenomenal. Last week fished as well as we have ever seen it in any season, particularly for larger fish. Flows have been a bit below the norm but increased this week with irrigation demands. This will spread the fish out a bit and local knowledge will be key in locating the fresh lies.

The PMD's have arrived in full force, with some lingering March Browns, Blue Winged Olives, and spring caddis along with some summer caddis beginning to show as the bite gets grabbier. Some Salmonflies are also hatching on the lower drifts with fish taking stonefly nymphs with abandon. We continue to have great success side drifting small nymphs & rubberlegs while the dry fly fishing has been spotty and technical if, when, and where you find it.

Water Conditions
Releases at Keswick increased from 5,500 cfs on April 21st to 10,500 cfs on the 25th which is above the norm of 8,000 but still superb for fly fishing. Water clarity is excellent through out, walk and wade opportunities are limited with the flow increase.

Flies
Your favorite PMD nymphs, various Pheasant tails and Micromays in #14 - 18"s will likely get the most attention but those trying Prince Nymphs, Copper Johns, Ironsallies, Fox Poopahs & Birdsnests are also finding fish. For two and three fly rigs try adding a Super Floss Rubberleg or Microspawn. There are still some Rainbows on the spawn, please do not target fish podded up in shallow gravel beds.

Pit River
The fishing as well as the catching has been superb! Flows are a bit high with the revised flow regime which has become the new norm. We are finding fish nymphing classic runs and slots prospecting with two fly rigs but attractor dries with droppers and caddis in the evening have also brought some fish to hand. Might consider trying a streamer? This is an early season gem as spring hatches are terrific and come off sooner here than local sister rivers.

Water Conditions
Flows are a bit above optimum, at the norm for the new flows and are reasonably clear. All reaches are fishable, Pit 3 is probably the best as well as some reaches on Pit 4. Pit 5 can be particularly difficult at these flows. With the new flow regimen crowds are a thing of the past, but with the limited access, weekdays can fish better.

Flies
Standard prospecting with nymphs has produced the best. Prince Nymphs, PT's, Birdsnests, Rubberleg Stones, Golden Stones, Copper Johns and Yellow Sallies. Try mixing and matching, one large, one small, one dark, one light. Try large attractors with droppers fished in runs and slots then switch to small caddis or mayfly dries when the hatches get going and fish show.

Fall River
Reopens Saturday, April 27th.
Early scouting on the Fall River is finding very similar conditions to last year with very low and clear flows and minimal early season weed growth. The flow is steady and the river is clear with perfect conditions. The bugs have been sparse so dry fly fishing will likely be spotty but nymphing and pulling streamers will always find fish. With fair weather in the forecast we expect the opening weekend to be the usual social event as anglers make their annual pilgrimage.

Expect predominately a mix of Blue Wing Olives and Pale Morning Duns along with some springtime caddis. Before and after hatches plan on nymphing or swinging flies to fish that are active and willing. Locating pods of feeders and technical, stealthy presentations will be key.

Water Conditions
The steady primary flows from this giant spring creek are currently ideal, and with little snow at lower elevations, melt from tribs on years like we are having is unlikely to cloud the water and spoil the dry fly fishing. Some adult fish this time of year have moved into tribs and the upper river preparing to spawn or are spawned out and heading back out.

Flies
Small dries are the norm during hatches. We prefer low floating imitations that provide good profiles such as Parachute PMD's and BWO's, Hacklestackers, Sparkle Duns and the like. Having Emerger and Cripple patterns is always a good bet as well. Try nymphing with or without a tiny indicator with small mayfly patterns such as Pheasant Tails, Hunch Back Infrequens, Poxyback PMD's, and Micromays as well as your favorite caddis pupa patterns.

Hat Creek
Reopens Saturday, April 27th
The Hat is typically in good condition and should fish well during the first weeks of the season. The opening weekend on Hat Creek can be a community affair, particularly at the Powerhouse 2 riffle. Spring hatches are the reason. The fish have had a break from angling pressure and larger bugs make it easier on the angler, particularly those of us with aging eyes.

Water Conditions
Hat Creek, being low gradient with spring creek conditions does not receive the runoff other local streams experience. This year flows on area streams are currently well below average and will be for the coming weeks. Still Hat Creek can be a circus at Powerhouse #2 riffle so seek out stretches midriver and below or other area waters for the opening weekend and perhaps give Hat Creek a go midweek.

Flies
The attraction here is the big bugs of spring, Salmonflies, Goldenstones, Green Drakes, Flavs, and Mahoganies but your most likely top water action will come on PMD's and spring caddis. Nymphing the fast riffles downsteam can provide some relief from the crowds and is generally more productive than prospecting with dries during nonhatch periods. Parachute and Paradun PMD's, emergers and cripples #14-16, plan on changing flies often for rising fish than can be selective.

For a complete report with links to weather and flows along with a few pics visit our website.

Thanks Craig, really helpful, insightful report.

Thanks Craig. You're a gem!

Thank you very much Craig for such an informative report!