Equipment Checklist for your Hat Creek Guided trip

• 4, 5, or 6 weight fly rods, 8 1⁄2 - 9 feet long
  Much of the fly fishing on Hat Creek is casting dry flies on long delicate leaders, making light fly rods ideal. Even when we’re fishing small nymphs, the slow moving currents mean that we don’t need to use heavy split shot so the same 4-6 weight fly rods work great.
  
• Reels should have a good drag system and be equipped with a floating fly line.
  
• Every angler needs to have a current California fishing license.
  
• Waders are highly recommended; felt or studded boots are mandatory, while a wading staff may also be a good idea. Hat Creek can be wet-waded in the midsummer months, although it is a spring creek and it maintains very cold temperatures throughout the season. The Fly Shop does not rent waders or boots.
  
• Rods, reels, flies and gear are generally not included on guided trips. You will be expected to bring your own equipment, unless arrangements have been made prior to the trip. Please call us if you need to order some flies, tippet, or anything else you might need.

Miscellaneous Tackle Suggestions:

• Leaders for nymphing should be 7 1⁄2 to 9 ft. long, tapering to 4x or 5x.
  
• Fluorocarbon tippet spools of 4X, 5X, and 6X.
  
• Dry fly leaders should be 9 to 12 ft. long, tapering to 5x or 6x.
  
• Tippet spools of 5x & 6x will work for your dry fly leaders, and do not have to be fluorocarbon
  
• Split Shot (BB and No. 6)

• Indicators: a variety of different types and sizes of indicators can be useful on Hat Creek. Keep in mind that it is calm water, so smaller, lighter indicators that will make less of an impact on the water are the best.
  
• Dry Fly Floatant is good to have in your vest to keep your flies floating after numerous hookups.
  

Other items to consider bringing are:

*Hat *Sunscreen *Polarized Sunglasses * Bug Spray
*Clippers/ Hemostats *Camera *Wading Staff
*Layered clothing system, including rain gear (seasonal)

Hat Creek Flies:

The most productive flies for fishing on Hat Creek can change throughout the season, and sometimes what works one year doesn’t work as well the next. Listed below are some general fly pattern suggestions, based on a few of the fly patterns that have worked consistently over the years. For the most up-to-date fly suggestions, give us a call at The Fly Shop at 800-669-3474. If you are meeting your guide at The Fly Shop on the morning of the trip they will likely recommend some flies before you head to the river, based on what’s been working for them. If you won’t be meeting at The Fly Shop in the morning, please call ahead and we can recommend some additional patterns based on recent reports.

Hat Creek has some great seasonal opportunities for both dry fly fishing and nymphing. You should come to the river prepared to fish both styles, with well-stocked nymph boxes and different dry fly patterns.

Hat Creek Flies:

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NYMPHS

#6 Superfloss Rubberlegs (Brown/Black)

#14 Fox’s Poopah. ( Tan and Olive/with and without B.H.)

#14-16 Z-Wing Caddis Pupa-Green (with and w/out B.H.)

#16 HBI Nymph

#16-18 GB Mercer’s Poxyback PMD

#16-18 Drifting Flashback (non-beaded)

#14-18 B.H. Micro Mayfly Nymph (Olive, Brown, Black)

#16-18 Hogan’s S&M Nymph

#14 BH Zug Bug

#18 Copper John (Red)

#8-10 October Caddis Pupa or Emergers

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DRIES

Tilt Wing Dun PMD

#16-18 CDC Biot Rusty Spinner

#14-16 PMD Imitations

#12 Green Drake Cripple or Emerger (May/June)

#16-18 Parachute Adams

#16 BWO Imitations

Etha Wing Trico

#16 Callibaetis Spinner

#18 Quigley’s Hat Creek Spider (PMD)

#16-18 Elk Hair Caddis (Olive & Black)

#16 Cutter’s E/C Caddis Emerger

Spotlight Caddis Emerger- Olive

#8 Golden Stonefly

#6 Salmonfly

#8-14 Stimulators

#16 Little Yellow Stone Dry

#14-18 Yellow Humpy