The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I am trying to do the annual thing on the McCloud. Last year there was mud flows, but it cleared up in time. The board even had someone post photos showing the water clarity had improved. Got a report from the Fly Shop as of yesterday that the mud has returned and the visibility is around 4"- the guide didn't even fish the river. Drats! Anyone have a real time visual on the river later on in the week and don't mind reporting, it sure would be appreciated. I'd hate to drive that far and find that the clarity was still the same.

Thanks in advance.

The Lower McCloud’s flows are about to be bumped from 250 cfs to 650 cfs (starting Sunday, 9/21).

I just recieved this via email from Steve Nevares (PG&E McCloud-Pit Relicensing Project Manager). Planning to fish the Lower McCloud? Read ‘em and weep.

Yesterday, an equipment situation was identified at James B. Black Powerhouse that has required PG&E to shut down and stop all water flow through the powerhouse. Currently it is estimated the powerhouse will be shut down 2 weeks.

Due to this, starting tomorrow Sunday 9/21, at approximately 10am, PG&E will progressively increase the flow in to the Lower McCloud River from McCloud Dam. The water flow will increase approximately 100cfs per hour. The current base flow as measure at the Ah-Di-Na gauge is approximately 200cfs. The flow will increase by approximately 450cfs to 650cfs at Ah-Di-Na to match the current inflow to McCloud Reservoir.

PG&E understands the effect the increased flow will have on fishing access on the Lower McCloud River and will work to resolve the situation ASAP. More information should be available by Monday and I will communicate more information as soon as it is available.

The planned flow of 650cfs isn’t the fishiest of flows, but it’s not unfishable either. And as the flows are bumped up, it’s very possible that throwing some big, big streamers might be productive help you hang a big brown trout.

More news as I get it.

See you at the news desk, Tom Chandler.

I heard the flows were going up, but I am looking for water clarity/turbidity on the lower McCloud. I heard it was also clear as mud- perhaps 4" visibility as of Sunday. The CDEC has the turbidity for MSS (near Shasta Lake), but not for MCD (just below the dam). Last time I posted this query someone actually was near the river, had a digital camera and responded with a post and photos as well. I was hoping for the same.

Thanks for your response in any case, Bob.

Last year it did get muddy, then cleared up a bit in October. A couple years ago for the opener the flows were about three thousand! Still caught fish. Hard to get to the good water, though.

Greg

I remember a few seasons back when it was RAGING early season. At the camp water at Ah Di Nah the water was up in the trees... but I still caught fish there. Of course, early season is easier because the fish are hungry and eating big, huge stones.

Here is the link you need:

http://cde...gov/cgi-progs/queryF?MSS

Anything above 3-4 is unusual, its at 6-7 now. We have had several of these "clouding" events this summer with no corresponding rain, high temps, increased flows or other explainations. The current reading is probably related to the 600 CFS flows. Anyways. Be prepared that you can roll in and it will be clear and when you wake up it caan be shot to Sh*t. Its happened twice to me in the last 12 months. Makes it hard to justify driving in until it settles and the clarity becomes more consistent.

Craig


gitt wrote:
I am trying to do the annual thing on the McCloud. Last year there was mud flows, but it cleared up in time. The board even had someone post photos showing the water clarity had improved. Got a report from the Fly Shop as of yesterday that the mud has returned and the visibility is around 4"- the guide didn't even fish the river. Drats! Anyone have a real time visual on the river later on in the week and don't mind reporting, it sure would be appreciated. I'd hate to drive that far and find that the clarity was still the same.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for your response. However, that was the site I was looking at as well. Then it was pointed out that that particular station is way down stream near the lake. The gauging station below the dam or near McCloud is MCD, but there is no turbidity reported as well. Yep, driving that far is not worth the gamble with the increase flow from PG&E's SNAFU. Guess I'll chip away at that honey do list.

You didn't miss anything. I was there on Saturday & the flows were super high. I fished the Nat. Conservancey section & there were very few sections that I bothered to drop a line into. The visability was better than a couple of inches though - maybe a couple of feet. Just one bite all morning - in the afternoon I switched to striping a wooley bugger through a couple of favorite pools and brought several to hand. On the plus side ah-di-na was practically deserted so it was not hard to find a camp site. Went to the Pit the next day it was actually easier fishing which I never thought I'd say.