Bailey Creek Ranch

The riffles and pools of the freestone stream are filled with fish and covered with a canopy of alders, streamside bay trees and oaks. Bailey Creek is a gorgeous stream and as it courses through the ranch it seems to cascade into pool after pool with some riffle sections in between. This stream is incredibly rich in aquatic insects and the health of its rainbows and browns certainly testifies to that. The relatively low elevation, rich spring water and temperate climate translates into a long growing season, and fast-growing fish, so catching trophy sized trout in the creek is commonplace.

There are also two fabulous lakes on the property. The upper lake has some giant bass and scores of bluegill, while the lower lake has some monster trout that are often measured in pounds rather than inches. With spring-fed currents, the lower lake especially stays ice-cold all summer long and boasts remarkable hatches of mayflies, damsel and

Only one hour east of Redding, Bailey Creek is 3 1/2 hours from San Francisco, and 2 1/2 from the Sacramento International Airport. The drive is generally a scenic combination freeway and county highways.

Package Price:
The cost of the daily rate for the Bailey Creek Lodge package is:
•  $295 per day (per person)
•  $165 per day (non-angler)

Inclusions:
Included in your lodge package at Bailey Creek Lodge is all meals, accommodations, and access to all the ranch facilities for the anglers, and there is a two-night minimum stay.

Non-Inclusions:
Not included in your lodge package at Bailey

March, April, & May:
Cold and high water is the norm for this early part of the season. You can be fishing in rain and occasionally snow, or in beautiful sunny weather. It will be cold to cool at night and you may need to dress warmly during the day, although sometimes all you will need is a light shirt, and this can be especially true as you get into late April and May. Usually hatches, especially in the first month or two, will be few and far from prolific. None of this means that the fishing will be poor; on the contrary, some of the best days of the season come in these months. The fish are coming off of a long, cold winter and are ready to take on some calories. They are hungry, this hunger making them gullible at times, enough to make even novice anglers feel like a pro. They can be tough at times as well, and knowing a few techniques for lake and stream fishing will really pay off during the early season.

March will mean off colored, cold water and only the lakes can be legally fished. Anglers may not see many rising fish, though the trout are often aggressive towards streamer type flies so you will want to have a good supply of various buggers and baitfish imitations. The larger sizes (#6-#8) can work at this time, but be sure to have some of the smaller patterns as well. Midges seem to be a factor every month of the season, so having midge nymphs, emergers and some dries will be necessary. Something to remember is that when you are faced with cold water situations a slow to slower retrieve can be the ticket. That can be true when using these streamers and also with some nymphs. You can get away with heavier tippet in off colored water, but keep that slow retrieve in the back of your mind.

By late April and May the Callibaetis mayflies begin to hatch, so you will want dries, nymphs and emergers of that large mayfly species. Crippled patterns seem to out fish dries by quite a good margin. There can be other mayflies hatching and usually these will be small (#16-#18) and light yellow, tan or sulfur in color. There is one insect event you could see in May and that is an ant or termite flight. You will know it is going on because every fish on the ranch can be feeding on the surface and you will catch more trout during the flight than at any other time on the lake. Carry winged ant patterns in May!

The stream opens to legal fishing starting on the last Saturday in April. Bailey Creek has a good population of Golden Stones and Green Drakes. You may have action on Stonefly drys and for certain of the nymph patterns of both. Big attractor dry flies such as yellow humpies and stimulators work well, too.

June, July & August:
Summer is always associated with warm to hot weather which means light weight clothing while on the water and maybe a warm jacket or shirt for the evenings, which are usually cooler. This warmer weather also means that every kind of insect in the lake and stream is becoming active. June is considered Callibaetis month in this country, but you will

From Redding:
•  Travel East for 32 miles on Hwy 44 to Shingletown and the Wilson Hill Road. The Wilson Hill Road is at the east edge of Shingletown.
•  Turn right on Wilson Hill Road and go 7 miles to the Junction with Rock Creek Road (stop sign).
•  Turn left (hard left) or east on Rock Creek Road and go ¼ mile to Battleview Rd.
•  Turn left on Battleview and travel to Linman.
•  Turn left on Linmen and go to where it dead ends in Battleview.
•  Turn right on Battleview and go 100 yds to the driveway leading to Twin Creeks Ranch.

From Red Bluff:
•  Turn right on Antelope Blvd-Hwy 99 east and travel 3 miles to Hwy 36.
•  Turn left on Hwy 36 and go 11 miles to Dales Station and turn left on Road 6 (the Manton road). Follow the Manton road or Hwy 6 approximately 16 miles to Manton and

From the Burney Area:
•  Go north on Hwy 89 to Hwy 44 junction. Follow Hwy 44 to Shingletown and Wilson Hill Road.

Guests are asked to time their arrival for the late afternoon (3:30 P.M. or later), allowing plenty of time to get settled, organize tackle, and be ready fish after dinner. The lodge host, housekeeping staff, or chef will show you to your room, and offer a quick, informal orientation. The evening meal is intentionally served promptly at 5:30 to allow anglers time afterwards to enjoy the evening hatch activity on one of the lakes or stream.

The fishing at Bailey Creek Ranch has been tailored with the self-reliant angler in mind. It is particularly suited for the fisherman that prefer the sense of accomplishment associated with a well-earned bend in the rod rather than the hand-held, guided experience. That said, guides can be provided through The Fly Shop for an extra charge for added instruction or assistance fishing on the lake or stream.

While complimentary wines are served with evening meals, guests are encouraged to bring their own beer, soft drinks, liquor, and mixes. Ice tea, lemonade, and unlimited bottled water is always available in the outdoor refrigerator.

The lodge is located roughly in the middle of the property, with lakes and stream both above and downstream from the accommodations. The creek and the lakes are yours to fish whenever you wish, and all of the fishing is within walking distance of the lodge.

Dinners are very good, by any standard. The well-trained cooks prepare hearty, family style meals, served in an informal atmosphere that marries well with the whole Bailey Creek