Oasis Springs Lodge

Oasis Springs Lodge is nestled in the foothills of Mt. Lassen, just a few miles from Lassen National Park.  The ranch is less than an hour from The Fly Shop® in Redding, and a reasonable drive from Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, or Reno.  This area is known historically as where Ishi and the Yahi Native Americans lived, fishing in the creek for trout, salmon, and steelhead, and hunting and trapping the canyons and oak-lined hillsides.  Thousands of natural, coldwater springs emerge through old lava tubes from the aquifer beneath Mt Lassen, providing critical water for wildlife, and an idyllic river ecosystem.

Oasis Springs is a veritable paradise for outdoors enthusiasts, teeming with wildlife such as deer, eagles, osprey, wild turkey, otters, bears, mountain lions, and more.  There are miles of walking and hiking trails, and the tennis court and swimming pool provide additional entertainment for non-angling guests.

Guests at the ranch enjoy exclusive, private access to over 3,000 acres of wilderness, including 6 miles of rugged Battle Creek.  The South Fork of Battle Creek bisects the ranch.  It is partially fed by a series of springs on the property, in addition to melting snow off the flanks of Mt. Lassen.  The river is home to a healthy, thriving ecosystem, and has never been accessible to the general public.  The fish here are happy, and readily take a well-presented artificial fly.

Battle Creek is one of the true little-known fly fishing gems of Northern California.  It starts high up on the slopes of Mt Lassen, within the National Park, and is joined by thousands of natural, ice-cold springs as it carves its way through rugged canyons towards its eventual confluence with the mighty Sacramento River.  Water Diversions pull much of the water out of the mainstem of Battle Creek, making the upper sections along the South Fork (which is what flows through Oasis Springs Ranch), actually have more water in it than the main creek below the forks.

At Oasis Springs, 6 miles of South Fork Battle Creek flow through the middle of the ranch.  There are a couple of miles of the creek that are easily accessible from the lodge and downstream, and another 4 miles above the lodge that is accessed by hiking down into the rugged canyon.  Between these two sections, there are easy-access spots anyone can get to, and tougher-to-get-to areas for those in good physical condition willing to truly get away from it all.

Battle Creek is defined by amazing pocket water, deep pools, and riffles holding fish in every place one would expect.  It is loaded with wild rainbows ranging from 10 to 15 inches that rarely see a fly and will reward you for your efforts, and bigger fish are seen regularly as well.  The remote, wild nature of Battle Creek makes for a great day for those who prefer the adventure that comes with exploring remote, untouched stretches for wild trout.

The fishing is a combination of dry fly hatches, nymphing, and even fishing streamers.  Stoneflies are among the most populous aquatic insects, so large dry flies with small nymph droppers can be effective just about any time of year.  Other seasonal hatches include small mayflies (spring and early summer), caddis (summer and fall), and some terrestrials (hoppers and beetles in the summer months).

In the early 1900s, before the introduction of hydropower, Battle Creek was also home to vibrant populations of steelhead and salmon.  There are stream restoration plans in place to remove dams and fish barriers, which ultimately may result in these incredible anadromous fish returning to Oasis Springs in the years to come.

A week at Oasis Springs is a wonderful experience for groups of fishing friends, corporations, companies, clubs, or organizations. The ranch’s isolated setting is a terrific place to establish, build, and reinforce friendships and relationships.

Oasis Springs is reserved exclusively for a maximum of 6 groups of anglers a year, ensuring that the creek remains well-rested, and the fishing excellent.  As such, space is extremely limited, and anyone interested in reserving time here will want to contact The Fly Shop® well in advance for potential availability.

The Fly Shop Private Waters Image

Reservations & Rates

$6,500 per week (week runs from Thursday through Tuesday)
• For up to 8 anglers (no more than 8 anglers maximum)
• $50 per person, per night for additional non-angling guests beyond 8
• (up to 18 TOTAL guests, based on sharing rooms)
• Youth 15 and Under – No Charge

Included in your trip to Oasis Springs Lodge are exclusive fishing access to the ranch waters, plus use of the cabin and all of its amenities for five nights and six days. Oasis Springs Lodge is stocked with cooking and eating utensils. Linens, towels, & pillows are provided.

Not included in your trip to Oasis Springs Lodge are food, beverages (including drinking water) or fishing supplies. Cooks can be arranged to come to the ranch and prepare meals during your stay for an additional fee.

The Fly Shop® is not in the insurance business, but we recommend Travel Guard (AIG) and Global Rescue (IMG) coverage as a service with a desire to see your best interests protected. It is impossible to know when an unfortunate situation (loss of luggage, fly rods, illness in the family, or an accident) may occur. However, such things can and do happen, and this insurance can provide a means of recourse against non-refundable financial losses.

Travel Insurance Information

This is a great location for non-anglers with 3,000 acres of property to explore. Enjoy the day lounging by the swimming pool or relaxing with a book on the wrap-around deck. Bring your tennis racquet and enjoy the regulation tennis court with your friends and family.

The Fly Shop Private Waters Image

Seasons at Oasis Springs Lodge

The legal fishing season on Battle Creek opens with General Trout season on the last Saturday of April every year, and closes on November 15.

The “Early Season” is May and June, a time when snowmelt begins and flows on the creek are often at their highest. Temperatures are also quite comfortable, and these two months often correspond to the biggest hatches and “best” dry fly fishing of the season. Access can be challenging at times because of the high water, but the flows are typically clear and this is a popular time of year because of the great weather and potential hatches.

Summer is stonefly season on Battle Creek. Golden Stoneflies in particular are one of the most prolific hatches on this stream, and they typically peak in July. Some years we also see swarms of hoppers in the late summer months. All of these big insects can drive the fish up to the surface, especially in the afternoons, while dead-drifting stonefly nymphs in the riffles and pools will produce big rainbows all day long. Flows are ideal in July and August, and hot Northern California temperatures are perfect for wet wading. And because Battle Creek is fed by springs, the water temperatures on South Fork remain cool all season long.

Late Season on Battle Creek is a time of comfortable temperatures, beautiful fall colors and wildlife, and hungry trout fattening up for the winter. There are fewer hatches this time of year, but anglers enjoy the best weather of the year and fishing with streamers, nymphs, or dry-dropper setups remains outstanding all the way to the end of the season in mid-November.

Oasis Springs Lodge closes on the 15th of November and opens again the last Saturday of the following April.

The Fly Shop Private Waters Image

Lodging at Oasis Springs Lodge

Guests staying at Oasis Springs Lodge enjoy a deluxe fly fishing lodge just a stone’s throw from the gurgling riffles of beautiful South Fork Battle Creek. The 5,000 sq ft lodge features ten guest rooms, and sleeps up to 18 people (sharing rooms). The ten guest rooms include four deluxe quarters, two garden suites with wood burning fireplaces, and four creek front suites, also with wood burning fireplaces. All rooms have private baths. There’s a spacious dining room adjoining a commercial kitchen, perfect for entertaining large groups of family and friends. One of the

favorite features of many guests is the expansive wraparound decks, a perfect spot to relax after a full day of fishing, or curl up with a good book on a lazy summer afternoon.

Note: This is a rugged wilderness environment, accessible only by dirt road. 4 Wheel Drive (or All Wheel Drive) vehicles are necessary to access the ranch and the lodge.

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Getting to Oasis Springs Lodge

Getting to Oasis Springs is an adventure in and of itself. The drive to the front gate is an easy hour from Redding, about three hours from the Bay Area. Once you are on the ranch, the 20 minute drive down into the Battle Creek canyon winds down off the plateau offering gorgeous views of the valley. Four wheel drive is recommended, all wheel drive is required.

From Redding (One hour & 20 Minutes):
Head south on I-5 towards Red Bluff. Take exit 649 for California Highway 36 / Antelope Blvd and turn left on Hwy 36 towards Lassen Park. Drive east about two and a half miles and turn left to keep on Hwy 36. Drive northeast for about 26 miles. The Oasis Springs road gate will be on your left.

From the Bay Area (Three and a Half Hours):
Head west on I-80, take the I-505 bypass to I-5 North. Once on I-5, head north for one hundred miles. Take exit 649 for California Highway 36 / Antelope Blvd and turn right on Hwy 36 towards Lassen Park. Drive east about two and a half miles and turn left to stay on Hwy 36. Drive northeast for about 26 miles. The Oasis Springs road gate will be on your left.

Entering the Ranch:
Pull off the road and park in front of the gate. You will have been given the gate combination after we have received your trip deposits, and you can use this combination to open the gate and let yourself in. Please be sure to close and lock the gate behind you.

Additional Information


The Fly Shop Images
The Fly Shop Images
The Fly Shop Images
The Fly Shop Images
The Fly Shop Images
The Fly Shop Images
The Fly Shop Images
The Fly Shop Images

Making Reservations to Oasis Springs Lodge

To make a reservation, please give us a call at 800-669-3474 during business hours any day of the week, or email us at bryan@theflyshop.com or chris@theflyshop.com anytime. We can give you the answers you need, detailed explanations to questions you might have, or check on availability and confirm your reservation in minutes.