While the Upper Sacramento River is open year-round, the day retains a lot of its former meaning to the fly fishermen and residents of the area. Don’t believe me? Read last year’s pre-opener post.

It’s as much about the promise as it is the reality, which often includes high water, storms, crowds, and reluctant trout not yet tempted to the surface by the bigger bugs of spring.

A winter trout that's presumably still in the Upper Sacramento for opening day.

Some anglers are heading up to fish the McCloud River (which really is opening) or one of the smaller streams (which I’m not going to talk about here). In short, there are a lot of choices. In this economy, will there be a lot of fly fishermen?

What can you expect if you do come?

The Fly Fishing Forecast

Like all forecasts, this one’s almost certainly wrong (no fly fishing trip plan survives first contact with the trout or your fishing buddies), but the Underground’s not afraid to make the tough calls for our readers.

Forecasts of stormy weather and snow storms have passed into oblivion, and while it’s expected to be cool (highs in the low 50s, chance of rain), the weather actually looks pretty good.

Big Bugs

Yes, there have been scattered reports of adult stoneflies (the prehistorically named Pteronarcys Californica) buzzing around the river, but are the trout on to them? Somebody knows, but they’re not telling us.

With the weather forecast running colder (it’s been 80+ degrees the last two days – near record highs), the stoneflies might not be much of a factor the coming weekend, but anyone who shows their face in the area without a few of the dries and nymphs in their box will be shot (yes, we’re legally allowed to do that up here).

Need to stock up? Head for the Underground’s Fave Wasting Time Hangout (the Ted Fay Fly Shop in thriving downtown Dunsmuir)

Big Water

It happens every year; the rivers sit empty – and wholly fishable – prior to the opener, and the week before the opener, the temperatures climb, sending enough snowmelt through the system to make the rivers no fun to fish.

Right now – with a couple days of high temperatures – the Upper Sacramento is running near 2400 cfs, and is off-color. With a couple of cooler days forecast (highs in the low 50s, below freezing at night, so bring warm stuff), the flows will likely fall.

Naturally, the downside is the colder it gets, the fewer stoneflies we see. Optimists suggest we could see some decent BWO hatches in the cool, cloudy conditions, but those are the same Pollyanna’s who still believe in the Easter Bunny (bring your BWO boxes just the same).

And yes, the snowpack is already seriously depleted, so while we’re not going to see a big blowout runoff period (well, probably not), we are going to suffer some seriously low water come late summer and fall – especially in the smaller streams not buffered by a lake (like the Upper Sacramento).

All in all, I’d happily take the runoff now, but when life gives you lemons, you make lemon tarts (because we like them better than lemonade).

Big Fun When You’re Not Fishing

I’m hardly Dunsmuir’s tourism coordinator, but I do realize the Undergrounders aren’t one-dimensional creatures with a singular focus on fly fishing.

Some of you are interested in sex and food too.

I can’t help with the former, but food’s a different matter, and here’s the Underground’s Quickie economic stimulus post for an economically depressed area fighting 18% unemployment Guide to Eating in Dunsmuir.

Fast Food

Want to eat and run? The Burger Barn (11:00 am to 7:00 pm) is an Underground Fave (south end of Dunsmuir’s “downtown” area, right next to the fire hall). I suggest the classic triple cheeseburger (check that health insurance first), or the very tasty “combo” sandwich (ham, turkey, roast beef).

You can also grab a Subway sandwich in the gas station just north of the Central Dunsmuir exit, and if you find yourself a couple exits south of town (Castle Crags), don’t overlook the “couch potato” burritos at Ammarati’s gas station (a runner up to the slaw dog as Fly Fishing’s Ultimate Fuel).

Slightly Less Fast Food

In this category, we got choices.

Underground Fave The Wild Thyme is a cool new shop we reviewed here. The descendant of the much-loved Gandy Dancer Cafe from years ago (regulars are licking their lips already), the Wild Thyme is open from 10:00 – 3:00, and if you don’t try the Jamaican Jerk or Cuban Steak sandwich, you’ll be shot (again, we’re legally empowered).

An Underground Fave, the Wild Thyme Cafe open 10:00-3:00 Thurs-Sat

Regulars in the area will also know about the Cornerstone Eatery (big lunches), and the Brown Trout Cafe (on Sacramento Ave) also ranks high, though more for snacks and breakfast than huge meals.

And yes, you’ve got other choices, but I’ve never actually eaten at a couple of them, and yes – this is a blatant Underground “favorites” list (so sue us).

Want Breakfast?

The Cornerstone, Brown Trout, the Hitching Post (just north of Central exit) are Dunsmuir’s breakfast spots, though Saturday’s early risers will have the option of eating at the volunteer fire department’s traditional Fishermen’s pancake breakfast/fundraiser (at the fire hall downtown).

The Pricey (but Tasty) Stuff

You want a really nice dinner? Seng Thong’s (right by city hall) and Cafe Maddelena (Sacramento Ave – across from the rail yard) both deliver in spades – though you’ll need to make reservations on opening weekend.

Otherwise, diners will be treated to the spectacle of your face pressed up against the glass, salivating over the great meals being served.

Seng Thongs is a justifiably famous Thai/Vietnamese restaurant (the two-doors down Blue Sky Room bar also feeds people right out of the same kitchen).

Cafe Maddelena’s serves really tasty Mediterranean fare, though dinner for two at either restaurant will likely spiral up towards the $75 range.

Conclusion? Great food, but make reservations.

Special Bar-B-Que Rib Event!

Uber-bamboo fly rod builder Chris Raine will barbecuing (the real slow-cooked stuff) his famous ribs on Saturday night (5:30-8:00) in front of the Brown Trout on Sacramento Avenue – a fundraiser to help repair the famous Dunsmuir fountain.

Special Bonus for the Undergrounders: Stop by, buy some ribs, and mention the the Trout Underground, and Raine will give you one of his $2000 bamboo fly rods right there on the spot for free. We are not making this up (yes, we certainly are making this up).

What’s the Underground Planning?

Last year I fished the Upper McCloud with now-famous brownliner Singlebarbed, and while I love that river, I won’t be repeating that experiment (too many people, too few trout).

Everything, it seems, depends on the flows, and yes – there might be a small stream in my future. As always, expect to hear about it afterwards (I’m trying to avoid the crowds of nubile young groupies who follow the Underground’s every public move).

See you on opening weekend, Tom Chandler.