McCloud River Fishing Report – Oct 29, 2026

The McCloud is fishing well, and it's getting less attention than it deserves while everyone is on the Lower Sac and Trinity. Ted Fay Fly Shop (via the 10/22 regional report) says the October Caddis are coming off strong and BWO hatches are increasing. The Fly Shop's 10/27 report agrees, and adds that the browns are spawning and the dry fly bite on the big caddis is still early.

Current Conditions

Flows: About 270 CFS at the gauge above Shasta Lake, steady since a small rain bump on 10/23.
Water temp: About 46–48°F at the same gauge, down a few degrees from last week.
Bugs: October Caddis, BWOs, and a mix of small caddis and mayflies.

What's Working

October Caddis pupae: Dead-drift and swing them. A heavy pupa needs a big foam dry or an indicator to hold it up.
Dry-dropper: A caddis skater or similar dry with a small hot spot nymph, worm pattern or Pheasant Tail-style nymph under it.
Evening dries: Stimulators and October Caddis dries along the edges near dark.
Browns: Leave the spawning fish alone. Fish the deeper water below the gravel, where other fish wait 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. Carry bear spray in the canyon.

Weather & What to Wear

Frosty mornings, then light rain likely Saturday, with a chance of rain and snow mixing in Saturday night. Sunny again Sunday and Monday. Highs will be in the mid 40s to mid 50s, with lows near freezing. Bring gloves, a warm hat, layers, and check the road before you drive in.

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 29, 2026: The McCloud is fishing well, and it's getting less attention than it deserves while everyone is on the Lower Sac and Trinity. Ted Fay Fly Shop (via the 10/22 regional report) says the October Caddis are coming off strong and BWO hatches are increasing. The Fly Shop's 10/27 report agrees, and adds…

What flies are working on the McCloud River right now?

As of October 29, 2026: October Caddis pupae: Dead-drift and swing them. A heavy pupa needs a big foam dry or an indicator to hold it up. Dry-dropper: A caddis skater or similar dry with a small hot spot nymph, worm pattern or Pheasant Tail-style nymph under it. Evening dries: Stimulators and October Caddis dries along the edges near dark. Browns: Leave the spawning fish alone. Fish the deeper water below the gravel, where other fish wait for loose eggs.

What are the McCloud River flows right now?

As of October 29, 2026: About 270 CFS at the gauge above Shasta Lake, steady since a small rain bump on 10/23. Water temperature: About 46–48°F at the same gauge, down a few degrees from last week. Gauge readings are provisional; see the sources listed in the report.

McCloud River Report – Strong Caddis, Colder Water

Current conditions in brief