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Many Fly Fishermen on the Upper Sacramento and McCloud Rivers: Local Guides Suffering Horribly Under Strain

By Tom Chandler 6/20/2009

I won't mince words: The Upper Sacramento River's been seeing a *lot* of fly fishermen the last two weeks, and this weekend, there are a pair of sizable (30+ anglers) groups in town.

The McCloud River - which may be earning its "McCrowd" nickname - is also seeing a lot of fly fisherman.

Apparently, it's getaway time in the mountains of Northern California, and I might suggest we're seeing a lot of fly fishermen who are ending up here instead of more exotic locales.

I'm always happy to see the local economy acquire a little spring in its step, but for some among the guiding community, the strain of guide trip after guide trip takes a terrible (terrible!) toll, leading to heart-wrenching scenes like this:

Yeah. Guides work hard. Right.

Yes, that's Frequent Underground Character && Local Guide Wayne Eng crashing at the Trout Underground's/Man Cave Official Corporate Ideation Center, where he napped (untroubled by killer Chipmunks) until it was time to eat.

The Underground Escapes

With so many fly fishermen apparently enjoying the Upper Sacramento, I'm heading off Sunday to a small stream in the area, hoping to escape some of the crowds.

It's a gamble; it only takes one or two good (or clumsy) anglers to pretty much chew up a small stream for those who follow, and I tend to stay away from that kind of water on the weekends.

But damnit, there's fish to be caught. And this time, I'm taking the camera.

The Wading Boot Testing Continues

And don't think we've forgotten our wading boot tests - especially now that Korker has thrown its boots into the fray. They sent along a pair of wading boots and many, many pairs of their interchangeable soles, and we'll see what happens in light of the Underground's somewhat unhappy experience with a pair of much older Korkers (I wasn't thrilled with the ankle support, but these look sturdier).

See you (anywhere but) a small stream, Tom Chandler.
AuthorPicture

Tom Chandler

As the author of the decade leading fly fishing blog Trout Underground, Tom believes that fishing is not about measuring the experience but instead of about having fun. As a staunch environmentalist, he brings to the Yobi Community thought leadership on environmental and access issues facing us today.

7 comments
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I purchased a new(er) pair of Korker wading boots in late 2008, replacing a set first purchased in 2003 or 2004. Wanting to be more aware of "hitchhiking" invasive species, I ordered "sticky" rubber soles with and without studs so that I can leave the felt soles in my bag. I enjoy the boots, but found out that to wear the unstudded "sticky" rubber soles you have to have a death wish. Wearing them ... more on Wisconsin's spring creeks is all fine and dandy, but after trying them out in the waters around Missoula, I would NEVER wear them again on western streams! Well, not unless I actually WANTED a sprained ankle to give me some extra time off of work! Slippery footing with those soles is NOT an understatement!
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Boots .....Smoots ! When is the "hammocks" review gonna be posted? Looks like Wayne is testing one of those new ghost hammocks...... easier getting the hooks out of 'em, I hear.
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Good name.
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Kentucky Jim: Oh…this is terrible! I don't know what to do, but I'm gonna get to work right away on it, and see if I can't figure out some way to help you and Mr. Eng! Try and cope with all the stress; it'll get better, it will. Well, Wayne's extra-tired because he just finished guiding none other than Fanny Krieger - wife of the late, much-missed Mel Krieger (the Underground engages in name dropping). ... more Wayne Eng: Fly Fishing Guide to the Stars
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It's just possible that the McCloud isn't one of the Great Undiscovered Secrets of our time.
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Re: McCrowded. More like McDisneyland... a good friend who has been fishing the McCloud about as long as I've been alive, told me it was the busiest he has ever seen it. We were down there fishing last week, and felt lucky to get a campsite... finding water to fish wasn't so bad though. Re: Mr Eng. Maybe a career change is in order? Something low stress like a floor trader perhaps.
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Oh...this is terrible! I don't know what to do, but I'm gonna get to work right away on it, and see if I can't figure out some way to help you and Mr. Eng! Try and cope with all the stress; it'll get better, it will.
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