McCloud River Fishing Report – Oct 22, 2026

This is prime time on the McCloud. The latest shop report (10/20) has the October Caddis hatching and the browns spawning, along with BWOs and other small bugs. The dry fly bite on the big caddis is still early, so most fish are coming on pupae and nymphs.

Current Conditions

Flows: About 260 CFS at the gauge above Shasta Lake, steady all week.
Water temp: 48–51°F at the same gauge.
Bugs: October Caddis, BWOs, and a mix of small caddis and mayflies.

What's Working

October Caddis pupae: Dead-drift and swing them through the riffles and pocket water.
Dry-dropper: A big caddis dry with a small hot spot nymph or worm pattern under it.
Evening dries: Stimulators and big caddis dries along the edges near dark.
Browns: Leave the spawners on the gravel alone. Fish the deeper water below the redds, where other fish are waiting for loose eggs.

Wading & Safety

The McCloud is cold, slick and full of boulders. Wear studs, carry a staff, and don't push across heavy pocket water. Shops reported a young black bear around the Preserve earlier this month, so carry bear spray.

Weather & What to Wear

Rain Thursday, then frost Friday morning and sunny days through Monday. Highs will be in the mid 50s to low 60s, with lows around freezing. Bring gloves, a warm hat and layers.

Season & Regulations

November 15 is the last day to fish the Nature Conservancy's McCloud River Preserve this year. The Preserve is catch-and-release with a daily angler limit.
The public water is open all year. McCloud Dam to Ladybug Creek has no November closure. It's barbless artificials and catch-and-release (0 trout) from October 1 on, and Ladybug Creek to Shasta Lake follows the same rules. Snow can make the canyon road hard to drive in winter.
Go midweek if you can, and stay off the redds. Check current CDFW regs before you go.

Ready to book? Call or text me at (530) 722-8331.

McCloud questions this week

Is the McCloud fishing well right now?

As of October 22, 2026: This is prime time on the McCloud. The latest shop report (10/20) has the October Caddis hatching and the browns spawning, along with BWOs and other small bugs. The dry fly bite on the big caddis is still early, so most fish are coming on pupae and nymphs.

What flies are working on the McCloud River right now?

As of October 22, 2026: October Caddis pupae: Dead-drift and swing them through the riffles and pocket water. Dry-dropper: A big caddis dry with a small hot spot nymph or worm pattern under it. Evening dries: Stimulators and big caddis dries along the edges near dark. Browns: Leave the spawners on the gravel alone. Fish the deeper water below the redds, where other fish are waiting for loose eggs.

What are the McCloud River flows right now?

As of October 22, 2026: About 260 CFS at the gauge above Shasta Lake, steady all week. Water temperature: 48–51°F at the same gauge. Gauge readings are provisional; see the sources listed in the report.

McCloud River Report – Spawning Browns, October Caddis

Current conditions in brief