Guided fly fishing
McCloud River fly fishing guide
I guide the McCloud River as a wade trip below McCloud Dam, one of my personal favorites. It holds native McCloud rainbows and big brown trout in cold, boulder-filled water. The prime guiding season runs from late spring to mid-November. Bring studded boots and a wading staff. Call or text (530) 722-8331.
Latest McCloud River fishing report → · Redding fly fishing by month →
The McCloud is a stunning river and one of my personal favorites. The rainbows here are the originals, and there are some epic brown trout to be earned. We fish dry flies, streamers and nymphs. Cold water!
The McCloud is slick, cold and full of boulders, so plan on studded boots and a wading staff.
- Season
- Late spring through mid-November (the Preserve closes Nov. 15; public water below the dam is open year-round)
- Where
- Below McCloud Dam down to the Nature Conservancy's McCloud River Preserve
- Fish
- Native rainbow trout, brown trout and lake-run rainbows
- How we fish
- Wade fishing in cold, boulder-filled water
- Trips
- Full or half day; lunch and drinks provided; gear on request
- Book
- Call/text (530) 722-8331
When to fish the McCloud River
- Late Apr to Jun
- Stonefly and mayfly hatches, the classic McCloud dry fly season.
- Jul to Aug
- Shady canyon water that stays cool when the rest of the region is hot.
- Sept to mid-Nov
- October caddis and brown trout moving up from Shasta Lake. Barbless artificials and catch-and-release from Oct 1.
Season and regulations
The Nature Conservancy's McCloud River Preserve is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through November 15, catch-and-release with a daily angler limit.
The public water below McCloud Dam is open year-round under the 2026 CDFW regulations (§7.50(b)(90)). From October 1 it's barbless artificial lures only, catch-and-release (0 trout). Winter snow makes the canyon hard to reach, so mid-November is the practical end of the guiding season. Always check current CDFW regulations before you go.
Regulation notes reflect the 2026 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations as of . Regulations change; check CDFW before every trip.
Questions about the McCloud River
Is the McCloud River open after November 15?
Partly. The Nature Conservancy's McCloud River Preserve closes after November 15. Under the 2026 CDFW regulations, the public water below McCloud Dam is open year-round, with barbless artificial lures and catch-and-release (0 trout) from October 1 on. Winter snow often makes the canyon hard to reach.
Is the McCloud River hard to wade?
Yes. It's slick, cold and full of boulders. Studded boots and a wading staff make a big difference, and I'll pick water that suits your wading.
Is the McCloud fishing well right now?
As of November 5, 2026: The McCloud changed a lot this week. Releases from McCloud Reservoir started climbing on October 30, and the gauge above Shasta Lake went from about 270 CFS to roughly 780 by November 3, where it's held since. The Fly Shop's reports (11/1 and 11/4) say the flows are high and the clarity has…
Latest report ·
McCloud River Report – High Releases, Preserve Ends Nov 15
The McCloud changed a lot this week. Releases from McCloud Reservoir started climbing on October 30, and the gauge above Shasta Lake went from about 270 CFS to roughly 780 by November 3, where it's held since. The Fly Shop's reports (11/1 and 11/4) say the flows are high and the clarity has suffered, and nobody knows yet when the releases will come back down. The October Caddis are still out, so once the water drops it should fish well again.
Current conditions
- Flows: About 780 CFS at the gauge above Shasta Lake, up from about 270 a week ago.
- Water temp: About 47°F at the same gauge.
- Clarity: Poor for now because of the higher releases.
- Bugs: October Caddis, BWOs, and other small caddis and mayflies, though hatches have been on the small side.
Earlier McCloud River reports
Book a McCloud River trip
Call or text Travis at (530) 722-8331 for a quick, same-day response, or book through The Fly Shop at 1-800-669-3474.
Other rivers: Lower Sacramento River · Trinity River · Upper Sacramento River · Pit River · Hat Creek · Fall River