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The Seasons
at Hat Creek Ranch
Hat Creek is not an unfamiliar name in the world of fly fishing.
It is one of the best known spring creek fisheries in the West. The portion of this famous stream referred to as the trophy
trout section is the 3.2 miles water just above Lake Britton.
The majority of the water in that portion of Hat Creek comes
from Rising River, a separate spring-fed system that is almost entirely private.
Upper Hat Creek begins in the springs and aquifers of Lassen National
Park and runs north until it is joined by the Rising River to form the Wild Trout Section of Hat Creek. It follows
Hwy 89 for roughly 25 miles through mostly private agricultural land with a few regional parks and campgrounds, and it is in this portion of Hat
Creek that the Hermsmeyer Hat Creek Ranch lies. The creek runs right through
the middle of the ranch for at least 1⁄2 mile and offers
our clients, along with the three ranch ponds, a surprisingly
isolated experience on the 200 acres of the Hermsmeyer Ranch.
Early Spring Time - March &
April
The only fishing on the ranch for these
months are the two ranch ponds with their trophy sized trout.
Many of these early spring days can be quite nice, and offer
anglers a chance to sooth that fishing itch for some quality
trout at an easily accessible site. Midges are the food source
at this time of year so come prepared to fish tiny flies on
light tippet. The ranch ponds are small and can be easily fished from the shore without the need for float tubes.
Late Spring Time – May
It is difficult to predict what kind of angling and weather to expect
during late spring. Some years there are good hatches of several
different types of insects in full swing by the end of April and the
weather will be quite decent. In other years winter just doesn’t
seem to want to let go: water flows can be high, off color and
very cold and the weather isn’t the best. Few hatches can
be seen for the most part, although one can always hook fish
on streamers and nymphs.
The fish will always be hungry this time of year, so catching
can be good even when there aren't many bugs hatching. You can get away with heavier tippets to really
lean into the bigger fish to head them away from in-stream
structure. Of course, Midges will be hatching on the ponds
and the Stoneflies will be stirring in the stream, beginning their annual migration towards the banks for their early summer emergence. Normally,
we will know what type of late spring to expect sometime in
April, so you will have a little advanced notice as to what
to expect, which should help in making reservations.
Summer Time- June, July, August to mid-September
Every bug in the watershed will be
making their presence known in summer. You will have
the opportunity to toss big dries & nymphs and also the
smaller mayflies and caddis flies. Topping all that off will
be the chance to fish all the terrestrials you like, both
in the stream and in the ponds.
The big bugs come out starting in June with the Salmonflies, golden stoneflies, and even a few Green Drakes. Mixed in there are always healthy hatches of yellow sallies, PMDs, and caddis. On the ponds, the first of the many Callibaetis mayflies begin to hatch, creating exciting sight-casting opportunities to cruising rainbows slurping emerging or spent callibaetis off the surface.
Midsummer is the time for terrestrials and tricos. Hoppers, beetles, and ants are all blown into the creek on a regular basis, and trico mayflies hatch almost every morning. Callibaetis continue to emerge on the ponds, with damselflies joining them in the middle of the day.
The weather will be warm during the
day, but the nights will be cool thanks to the ranch's
3200 foot elevation. As always Midges will be a factor in
the ponds. What a time of year!
Fall Time – mid-September to November
15
As fall starts to arrive the nights will
be decidedly colder, the early mornings frosty and late evenings
down right cool, if not cold. Fishing is best late morning
to late afternoon, all of which means you can sleep in just
a bit more and start those steaks sizzling on the barbeque earlier.
Terrestrials will work right on in to October and as the days
get shorter and shorter the streamer action will pick up. The
dry fly with dropper technique will work well, midges will produce,
and lastly there is a hatch of October Caddis on Hat Creek to
finish off the season. The Fall colors in this area are
spectacular and worth time just to enjoy.
New Winter Program -Great Deal!
Hat Creek Ranch sits on the dry side of the mountain
range to the west of Redding. It is not unusual to have sunny pleasant
days throughout the winter months in this area. Hat Creek Ranch
is very close to Baum Lake, a very well known winter fishery. The
3 ponds and the fisherman's house will be available all winter at
a rate 20% below the summer rate.
Day Fishing Rate
$108.00
per angler per day
Fishing and Lodging
$148.00 per angler per day
Winter Fishing Testimonial:
Febrauary 2010
"The fishing at the first pond was outstanding on wooly
buggers. Fished deep on sinking line for rainbows in the 18-22"
class. Strong fighters and beautifully colored (fully finned)! The
far lake was fishing well also with more dry fly action on top.
Beautiful setting for family and friends. A nymph under one indicator
or dry fly indicator was effective with copper johns. Overall, caught
lots of nice quality fish on all methods in mid-winter. Perfect
getaway and great weather."
"Thanks again, Zach, Ann, Brad, Darin,
and Ali."
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