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Regional Streams
& Rivers
Baum
Lake
Lewiston Lake
Iron Canyon Reservoir
Manzanita Lake
Lake McCumber
Keswick Reservoir
Antelope Creek
Ranch
Bailey Creek
Riverside on Fall River
Rock Creek Lake
Clear Creek Ranch
Hat Creek Ranch
Battle Creek Ranch
Lake Christine
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The Fly Shop's®
Regional Waters Stream Report
There are several
hundred miles of rivers, creeks, lakes and
streams within easy striking distance of
our shop in Redding, and it's not
surprising that quite a bit of water is
set aside as fly fishing only, catch-and-release,
with special closures and regulations designed
to help ensure that the fishing around here
will stay good for generations. The Fly
Shop staff will custom-tailor the day and
guide to your ability and interests, putting
you on the best local water.
Trout and steelhead
fishing here isn’t a season; it’s
a way of life at The Fly Shop, and
we’ve got fine fishing nearly 365
days of the year. Whether it’s a beautiful
spring or fall day, blistering hot mid-summer
afternoon, or snow-covered winter morning,
we’ve got the staff and the guides
that can handle it. We’ll also help
with flies and equipment, lodging, and transportation
if you need it.
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 Lower
Sacramento River |
Updated
7/1/09 |
Flows out of Keswick Dam are at 12,000 cfs.
The Lower Sac is fishing well from Bonneyview down to Bend. The summertime caddis hatches have begun and there are trout rising for dries during the last hour of the day. The waters are clear and nymphing has been good throughout the day, with periods of intense feeding followed by periodic lulls. Before lunchtime fish seem to be focusing more on small mayflies, while the afternoons and evenings are dominated by caddis pupae activity.
The Shad action has inexplicably disappeared in the last couple of days. We aren't seeing nearly as many shad as we were even a week ago, hinting that the shad season may be over early this year.
Bridge News: The falsework pilings that caused problems for a few boaters on the upper float at Highway 44 Bridge have been removed for the summer. At the same time, with flows over 7,000 cfs the Cypress St. Bridge is closed to boat traffic. The 7,000 cfs limit does not apply to the 44 Bridge, so the short float from Posse Grounds to McConnell Ramp will remain open, and the entire section will be open to boating whenever flows are under 7,000 cfs.
The Fly Shop's® Tips:
Some of the best fishing on the Lower Sac in the summertime is late in the day. Whenever possible, try starting late and fishing late (Noon to dark)!
WARNING: Boating on the Lower Sacramento
River between the Posse Grounds and Bonnyview
is recommended ONLY for experienced rowers. The two bridges
currently under construction in this section of river -- Highway 44, and Cypress St. -- pose serious safety hazzards to anyone
who is not a very experienced oarsman. If you choose to float between the Posse Grounds and Bonnyview, please do so at your own risk. We recommend that even experienced boaters wear Personal Floatation Devices. |
Flies:
• Super Floss Rubberlegs #6
• Micro Mayflies #14-18
• Psuedo Mays #16-18
• Copper Johns Red #16-18
• Amber Wing Prince Nymph #14-16
• Fox Poopah Cinnamon #12-14
• Silvey's Pupa #14
• Birds Nest Brown #14-16
• Poxyback PMD #16
• Zaddis Amber or Cream #12-14
•Oregon Cheese Micro Spawn #12
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Upper Sacramento River |
Updated
7/1/09 |
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The Upper Sac is in great shape! We've had all sorts of different reports lately, with some anglers have a tough time while others enjoy stellar fishing. Nymphing is most productive in the mornings and afternoons, and there has been some good dry fly action in the afternoons and evenings with lots of little yellow stones and caddis, and the bigger golden stoneflies are starting to hatch in numbers, too. It seems that the key to success is using plenty of split shot when nymphing, and patience. When you find deep pools or well-oxynated pockets in the heat, take the time to throw a few extra casts. The fish are there, they may just need a little coaxing.
The Fly Shop's® Tips:
When nymphing on the Upper Sacramento
River, always use more weight than you think you need to
get the flies down to the fish. This time of year small
flies in the pocket water works best. If you're not ticking
the bottom from time to time (yes, this means losing a few
flies), you're probably not getting down to where the fish
are feeding. |
Flies:
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Super Floss Ruberlegs #6
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Golden Stone Nymph's #8-14
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Red Copper John's #16-18
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Olive Zaddis #14-16
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Fox Poopah's #14-16
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Dark Lord's #14-16
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Interrogator's Green Drake #12
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Poxyback Green Drake #12
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Micro Mayflies #16-18
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Birds Nest #14-16
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Pit River |
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The Pit River continues to fish well for those willing to brave it's rugged nature. All three sections, Pit #3 and #4 and #5, are in great shape and producing some big rainbows, and a few browns. There's not as much dry fly action this time of year, but high-stick nymphing in the pockets can be very productive.
The Fly Shop's® Tips: Be ready for tough wading conditions when fishing this river. Flat ground DOES NOT exist here! A wading staff is highly recommended.... almost mandatory. Move slow, and keep solid footing while in the water. (But just in case... pack some dry clothes, snake kit and don't forget to dry out your fly-box at the end of the day!)
NEWS: The following report was published by PG&E regarding scheduled road closures and flow changes on the Pit River starting on July 6. What does it mean for the Pit? There will be some changes and some inconveniences, but other than that it shouldn't impact the fishing too much for the rest of this year.
ROAD CLOSURES, TRAFFIC CONTROLS START JULY 6 FOR WORK ON DAMS ALONG PIT RIVER
Stream Flows to Increase in Pit River from Lake Britton Dam to Pit 4 Dam
Redding, Calif. -- Road closures and traffic controls as well as increased stream flows will occur along the Pit River from approximately July 6 to December 1, 2009, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today (6/30/09).
The traffic controls and increased stream flows are necessary while a contractor for PG&E installs new flow release systems in three dams and makes road improvements along the Pit River in eastern Shasta County. The new flow release systems will allow for higher and variable in-stream flows that are intended to improve aquatic habitat in the river.
PG&E will also improve Pit River Canyon Road to make it safer and to provide better recreational access to the river. Improvements to recreational sites such as new picnic tables, potable water, trails, and fire rings will occur this year and next year. The work is being conducted in accordance with conditions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Pit 3, 4, and 5 Hydroelectric Project that was issued in July 2007. The license conditions were collaboratively developed during the relicensing process, in consultation with federal and state resource agencies, non-governmental organizations, and public stakeholders.
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION:
During construction work, Pit River Canyon Road will be accessible to recreationists despite these various road closures:
--The Clark Creek Road crossing over Pit 3 Dam, also known as the Lake Britton Dam, will be closed 0.7 miles from the south abutment, and at Five Corners on the north side, during the construction period from July 6 through December 1, 2009. Access will remain open to roads and parking along the south entrance to Clark Creek Road. Additionally, the Pit River Canyon Road will remain open via the north entrance to Clark Creek Road off of Highway 89.
--Pacific Crest Trail hikers will be able to cross the Pit 3 dam. During construction hours of 7 am to 5 pm, hikers will be safely escorted through the work site. During non-construction hours, a path for foot traffic will be provided.
--Pit River Canyon Road at Pit 4 dam will be closed to through traffic during the construction period from about July 6 through December 1, 2009. Access to the Pit River downstream of the Pit 4 Dam is available from the town of Big Bend, via Big Bend Road from Highway 299. Access to the Pit River upstream of the Pit 4 Dam is available from Five Corners along the eastern end of Pit River Canyon Rd.
--Temporary delays may be encountered crossing the Pit 5 Dam from about July 6 through December 1, 2009. Flaggers will control traffic during equipment movement and material deliveries.
--Pit River Canyon Road single lane closures will be in effect between Pit 3 Dam and Pit 4 Dam during the construction period from about July 15 through October 15, 2009. Expect temporary delays as flaggers will allow traffic to pass each construction site, one direction at a time.
--Pit River Canyon Road from Underground Creek Bridge, just downstream of Pit 3 Powerhouse, to Pit 4 Dam will be closed from July 6-10, 2009. Bridge passage will be reopened and closed again from about August 1 through October 15, 2009 for bridge replacement. This closure will restrict access to the Pit 4 Reservoir area.
All road closure dates and locations will be communicated to the public with as much advance notice as possible and will be posted at all appropriate entrances to the construction area. PG&E's contractor, Barnard Construction Company, Inc., has established a recording with current road closure details: 406-586-2206, extension 703.
Construction on roads and recreational facilities will also occur in late spring and summer of 2010 and may result in occasional traffic restrictions along the Pit River Canyon Road. Traffic impacts will be announced as details become available.
Other improvements include replacing two bridges over Screwdriver Creek and Underground Creek, and reshaping earthen piles leftover from the original tunnel construction. The contractor will also improve the Pit River Road by building new turnouts, shoulder embankments, retaining walls, culverts, and fords.
PIT RIVER FLOWS DURING CONSTRUCTION
PG&E will be making minor modifications to the existing flow releases at Pit 3, Pit 4, and Pit 5 dams periodically, as needed for construction purposes, while maintaining minimum instream flows. These modifications will be limited to short gate transfers not exceeding one hour in duration, except as noted below:
-- PG&E will increase stream flows in the Pit 3 bypass reach during this year's construction on the Pit 3 Dam. Flow in the Pit 3 bypass reach will increase from about 150 cfs to approximately 230 cfs. PG&E anticipates that this temporary flow modification will last about 6 months, beginning as early as July 2009, and continue to about December 2009.
--During construction, flows in the Pit 4 and Pit 5 bypass reaches will be maintained at current levels of approximately 200 cfs and 100 cfs, respectively.
PIT RIVER FLOW FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION:
The new minimum instream flows required by the FERC license are scheduled to begin in the Pit 3 and Pit 4 bypass reaches by July 2, 2010, following completion of the flow release systems. PG&E anticipates that installing the flow release system at Pit 5 Dam will be completed by the end of 2009, at which time the minimum instream flow release required by the license will be provided in the Pit 5 bypass reach.
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Flies:
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Super Floss Rubberlegs #6
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Olive Zaddis #14-16
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Psuedo Mays # 16-18
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Olive Birds Nest #14-16
• Olive Z-Wing Caddis #16-18
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Midges #18-20
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Red Copper Johns #16-18
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Olive Fox's Poopah #14-16
• The Thing From Uranus #4 or #6
• Rouge Foam Stones #4 or #8
• TFS Little Yellow Stones #14
• Stimulator's #8-16
• Missing Link Caddis #16
• E/C Caddis #16
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| The
Fly Shop's® Private Waters |
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| Antelope
Creek Lodge |
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Antelope Creek is off to the best fishing start of the season we've ever had. The trout all wintered over wonderfully, and are as fat and healthy as we've ever seen. Fishing has been great on both lakes and the stream!
This lodge is swiftly becoming one
of the most popular private fly fishing ranches in California!
Fishing Conditions: At
5,000 ft. elevation, the waters here normally stay cold
year 'round! The stream sits 20 ft. from the lodge, and
almost every bend has rainbow or brown trout lurking in
the undercut banks! And the two scenic lakes on the ranch
are full of trophy rainbow and brown trout.
The Fly Shop's® Tips:
Two lakes and around a mile of
stream provide anglers with wade fishing, bank fishing or
float tubing. Opportunities for small trout and large trout,
rainbows or browns on dries, nymphs, or streamers!! What
more could you want? How about a comfortable lodge with
a wet bar, huge fireplace, DirectTV, and gourmet food? No
problem, it's all here!
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Flies:
Lakes
• Zack-Attack Damsels #14
• Stillwater Nymphs #12
• Fox's Callibeeottis #16
• Zallibaetis #14-16
• Chan's Bombers #12
• Zuggers #8
• Seal Buggers #8
• Micro Crystal Buggers #12
• Chromies #16-18
• Gidgets #18
Stream
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Pheasant Tail Nymphs #14-18
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Prince Nymphs #14-18
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Parachute Adams #16
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Ant #14-16
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Black Beetle #14-16
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Adams Emerger #16
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Black Leech #12
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Battle Creek Canyon |
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Battle Creek is fishing great. This rugged stream is not for the faint of heart, but those intrepid anglers willing to trek down into the canyon are rewarded with some of the best small stream fishing anywhere, with wild rainbows pounding stonefly nymphs and dries, as well as smaller caddis and mayfly patterns and even streamers.
The Fly Shop's® Tips:
The pocket-water nymphing on this
stream can be fantastic. It's definitely the most productive
method here. Sometimes we'll carry a sink-tip line and swing
streamers in the deeper slots and hook into some large meat-eating
fish. Dry and dropper can be deadly at certain times of
the year. Stone hatches in the spring can be mind-blowing!
The "Coleman Ditch", more like a spring creek, on the property
is absolutely loaded with 14-18" rainbows. It's open to
all Battle Creek guests who are fishing on the ranch.
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Flies:
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Superfloss Rubberlegs Brown #6
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Copper John Red #14 & 16
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Dark Lords # 12 & 14
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Black Zebra Midge #16 & 18
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Stimulators
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| Rock
Creek Lake |
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Rock Creek Lake is fishing fair to good, with the best dry fly action in the afternoons and evenings and good streamer fishing midday.
This is out most popular private water destination, with limited availability through out the season. Early on in the season the water is colder and the fish will be a little deeper. Searching those depths with buggers and leeches will produce a lot of fish until things start to warm up and the bugs are more active. Using a slow sinking line, like an intermediate will get you down and keep you at the zone that the fish are the longest. Still bring a floating line, as there can be some great dry fly fishing and some anglers will produce fish on nymphs under indicators. 95% of the fish are caught near the shorelines, where food is the most plentiful. Also targeting the area around the inlet and outlet can provide some great action. If you are retrieving your flies, slow retrieves tend to produce the most fish.
The Fly Shop's® Tips:
Sinking lines as well as floating lines useful here, as the
fish will suspend at varying levels depending on water temperatures
and available food sources. There are some really huge trout
here-recent sightings by clients and staff have confirmed
the existence of rainbows over 12 pounds!
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Flies:
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Seal Buggers #8
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Zuggers #8
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Zack-Attack Damsels #14
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Stillwater Nymphs #12
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Zallibaetis #14-16
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Callibeotis #14
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Micro Mayflies Black #14-18
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Frosbites #18
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Chromies #18
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Chernoybl Ants #10
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| **ALERT!!!! -- NEW ZEALAND
MUD SNAILS have been confirmed in California rivers. The
snails are very tiny and highly reproductive. The problem
is created by their high numbers - billions of them - soon
they cover every stone, log or other object in the water.
In the process they will consume
all the algae that other, more desirable trout stream invertebrates
need to survive, including Mayflies, Stone flies and Caddis
flies which are vital parts of the food chain. A collapse
of the food chain may result in a collapse of the fishery,
plus the birds and otters that depend on the fish for food.
Be sure to wash/bleach your
wading boots and gear before heading out to another river.
Actually, a study was completed and here's what they found.
Mix equal parts Formula 409 Disinfectant and water then
soak gear for 5 minutes. If this method is not possible,
spray gear with the same mixture from a squirt bottle and
keep wet for 5 minutes. This has shown to kill 100% of the
mudnsnails with minimal damage to gear. Pay particular attention
to the inside of boots, under laces and inside tongue gussets!
Let's help to stop the infestation whenever and wherever
we can!! Educate yourself and take responsibility, assume
there are snails everywhere. The future of our waters are
in OUR hands! Let's do something about it!
Find out more information by visiting the
California
Department Of Fish & Game's website. |
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