The McCloud River’s flows remain high – courtesy a failed PG&E powerhouse – and according to one of the Underground’s highly placed sources, it may not be coming down any time soon.
Yes, it’s been a hell of a year for the McCloud; PG&E’s flow studies originally slated for a pre-season slot were delayed, and ultimately mucked up some of the McCloud’s typically stellar spring fishing.
Now the McCloud’s suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous flows in the fall (another peak time), and anglers aren’t happy.
In fact, the frequent emails I receive suggest they’re pretty damned unhappy, which speaks volumes to the McCloud’s place in the hearts of minds of NorCal’s fly fishing population.
Keep the digits crossed, Tom Chandler.
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Anyone know when the flows are supposed to drop?
Mike(Quote)
Mike, PG&E posted a statement that the reason for the high flows was due to a damaged coupling in the powerhouse. Although they fixed that problem yesterday, 10/14/08, they claimed that during the course of their work they noticed other couplings that are not broken yet but might break in the future, so they are deciding to go ahead with some preventative maintenance and replace the other couplings. This is most assuredly to go past the 1st of November, if not consume the remainder of the fishing season. I am currently looking for the contact information of someone at PG&E that’s in charge of this project so that I can send them a writhing email demanding that they postpone this project until after the fishing season ends. Good luck to all my fellow McCloud lovers.
Derek(Quote)
I just got the same story Derek did; the McCloud’s probably toast until the end of the month and maybe longer (of course, he season ends November 15).
I saw we abandon the McCloud, and flood Singlebarbed’s brownline waters with fly fishers (It’s just an idea).
If I can find some contact information, I’ll pass it along.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Unbelievable! I smell a conspiracy…
Thanks for the info.
Mike
Mike(Quote)
Mike: Oddly, a couple of us tossed around the usual black helicopter/New World Order conspiracy against fly fishermen stuff, but outside of the “PG&E wanting to reduce the constituency agitating for good fly fishing conditions on the McCloud River during relicensing” angle, couldn’t come up with a compelling reason for the timing — other than PG&E doesn’t give a shit about fishermen.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Thanks Tom. Please update us if there are any changes. I still may go down there but Im not super excited about the fishing.
Mike(Quote)
Oh, and by the way, if anyone gets contact info, please post it. I would like to send them my comments on these decisions.
Are the local government folks caring about these virtual river closures? Me and my dollars may not make it up there if they keep this crap up.
Mike(Quote)
Mike: My advice? If you come, bring plenty of streamers. Could be good fishing in terms of fish, if not bites.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Anyone notice the drop in flows? Flows went from ~890 to 830 this morning. I think pg&e is playing with my head. If these flow keep dropping, looks like Im going to the McCloud next week!
Mike
Mike(Quote)
So sad. Another victim of the Puppetmaster (PG&E).
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Tom, I’ve never fished the McCloud with the water this high. Is there still good fishing?
Derek
Derek(Quote)
I’ve heard it’s pretty tough, but somebody always has something going. If I was headed there, I’d drag along some serious streamers, and focus on the edges.
Then again, I’d also consider fishing somewhere else; the Pit is painfully hard to wade, making it a good substitute.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Tom,
I’ve only been to the Pit a couple times and it was years ago. I really want to go up and camp somewhere, preferably along the less beaten path…maybe not a state funded campground, I dont know…somewhere that I won’t see too many other people…I enjoy my solitude when I’m in the wilderness. Do you think you could spare some time to provide me with some ideas of where and how to fish the Pit? I was somewhat unsuccessful the last time I was at the Pit. I really enjoy hiking and negotiating difficult terrain to get to places that others will not put the effort in. Any reccomendations?
Thank you again Tom for your time,
Derek
Derek(Quote)
So I went and the water was higher than I expected. Slim pickins. Bring the belly boad cause the lake is fishing well.
Mike
Mike(Quote)
Good callibaetis hatch on McCloud Reservoir right now.
Tom Chandler(Quote)