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.