Hat Creek

It bubbles out of the numerous aquifers near Mt Lassen and runs clear and cold throughout the season, providing ample habitat for a variety of different aquatic insects, including stoneflies, caddisflies, and multiple mayfly species. The shallow, easily waded riffles and long glass-smooth flats of Hat Creek offer ideal holding water for the stream's resident rainbow and brown trout, and it is perfectly suited to fly fishing.

Hat Creek is one of the longest spring creeks in California, and is generally broken up into

The section on Hat Creek from Powerhouse #2 down to Lake Britton provides an array of quintessential fly fishing water; it is where the serious fly fishermen spend their time. This section of river is 3.2 miles long, all of which is designated as Wild Trout water with Trophy Trout restrictions.

The Wild Trout section of Hat Creek begins at Powerhouse #2, where the creek cascades down a long riffle before tapering off into the deep weedy water below. This riffle is probably one of the most popular – and productive – portions of water in the entire state. Every day of the season there are likely to be several anglers working the riffle. Despite this constant pressure, the riffle fishes well throughout the seasons, with dry fly hatches occurring almost every day and great nymph fishing when the fish aren't rising.

Below the Powerhouse #2 riffle, Hat Creek spreads out and slows down, turning into typical spring creek conditions. The river bottom in this Carbon Flats area is composed of a silty, weed-lined bottom that is perfect for aquatic insects, especially several species of mayflies including Tricos, Baetis, and PMD's. This is technical, spring creek fishing at its very finest.

Our guide staff is among the best in the industry, and our guide and Private Waters management team will work hard to make sure that you're placed with the right guide for your specific needs. We've been putting together guided fishing trips for three decades, and have the experience to coordinate a memorable day on the water for just about any group. Over the years, we've developed a few guidelines to help ensure that your trip is as successful as possible.

We can work with you to select a guide that's matched to your skills, interests, their

Package Cost:
The cost of the full-day Hat Creek guided package is:
•  $400 per day (1-2 anglers per guide)
•  $450 per day (Package deal, including flies, tackle, & equipment)

Inclusions:
Included in your guided angling package on Hat Creek is 8-10 hours of guided fishing with lunch provided.

Non-Inclusions:
Not included in your guided angling package on Hat Creek are fishing license, waders, rods/reels, and terminal tackle (flies, tippet, etc.)

Package Deals:
If you are just getting started in the sport, or will be traveling and don't want to hassle with dragging along all of your gear, you may want to consider our guide trip "Package Deal." This

Hat is a spring creek, it flows mostly un-impacted by runoff, running clear and cold consistently almost every day of the season.

May and June:
May and June are generally considered the "prime time" months on Hat Creek. Starting as early as Opening Day (last Saturday in April), myriad insects begin to hatch on the spring creek, creating consistent opportunities throughout each day to catch fish on both nymphs and dry flies.

There can be so many different hatches coming off at the same time on Hat Creek during this time of year, it can be difficult to figure out which bugs the fish are eating. The most important hatches are generally the bigger insects, such as the salmonflies in May and Green Drakes in June, but the trout in the Wild Trout Section of Hat Creek will fill in the gaps throughout the course of each day feeding on little yellow stoneflies, Pale Morning Duns, and caddis. When the fish aren't readily taking dry flies, they can generally be taken dead-drifting nymphs under indicators in the riffle water.

Due to the prolific insect hatches in the spring and early summer, many of the more commonly known accesses on Hat Creek – such as the famous Powerhouse #2 riffle – can be quite crowded at times. Fortunately, there are plenty of fish to be caught and angler etiquette is almost always finely displayed. Still, for those wanting to get away from the crowds, our guides have a few tricks up there sleeve to access different sections of Hat Creek that see less fishing pressure.

July and August:
July and August are sometimes considered the dog days of summer on Hat Creek, but there is still some great fly fishing to be had at that

As a result, our Hat Creek anglers have the option to stay either in Redding or in Burney. If you'll be enjoying an extended stay in the intermountain region, staying at one of Burney's cozy motels or nearby campgrounds may be your best option, while if you're considering multi-day trips to our other

Motels, Lodges, and Campgrounds:

Circle 7 Guest Ranch
Phone: 530-222-3555
Website: Circle 7 Guest Ranch
•  Circle 7 Guest Ranch is located across the river from Bob Wilson's Riverside House near Island Bridge, offering accommodations, river access, and boats.

Spinnerfall Lodge
Phone: 530-222-3555
Website: Spinner Fall Lodge
•  Formerly Rick's Lodge, Spinner Fall has been completely renovated and offers lodging, a lounge, restaurant, and boat rental.

Clearwater Lodge on the Pit River
Phone: 530-222-3555
Website: Clearwater Lodge
•  Tucked away in a hidden corner of north eastern California is Clearwater Lodge. Nestled in a canyon along the Pit River, this 1920's era classic western fly fishing lodge is in the heart of the west coast's best fly fishing.

Hersmeyer Hat Creek Ranch
19005 Hwy 89
Hat Creek, Calif 96040
Phone: 530-222-3555
Website: Hat Creek Ranch
•  This secluded, intimate hideaway is sure to please everyone in the family, from hard-core anglers to those just dreaming about a quiet, relaxing getaway.

Shasta Pines Motel & Suites
37386 Main St
Burney, CA 96013
Phone: 530-335-2201
Website: http://www.shastapinesmotel.com
•  Easy to find in downtown Burney right on Hwy 299E, a long-time favorite for Fall River and Hat Creek anglers.

Charm Motel
37363 Main St
Burney, CA 96010
Phone: 530-335-2254
Website: http://www.charmmotel.com
•  Easy to find in downtown Burney right on Hwy 299E.