The River Times - Winter 2013 by The River Times

The Lower Sac

Close, convenient, and one of the best trout streams anywhere. Page 2

Fall River Valley

Prize Drawing

Fly fishing, duck hunting, bird watching, golf and more! Page 3

TheRiverTimes

www.therivertimes.com Winter 2013

Brought to you by:

River’s Edge Properties A division of Shasta Land Services, Inc. Lic # 01775146 358 Hartnell Ave, Suite C Redding, Ca. 96002 (530) 221-8100 www.riversedgeproperties.com

Inside this issue: • • • • •

Fishing The Lower Sac Fall River Valley Headwaters Adventure Co. Fly Fishing Film Festival Prize Drawing!

Pit River Rainbow and loyal fishing partner, Winston

Fly Fishing The Lower Sac Chasing (and catching) rainbows in downtown Redding

f you’ve ever walked across the Sundial Bridge and looked upstream, you’ve likely seen at least one fisherman plying the waters of the Lower Sacramento River. The reason for this is that even in Redding, maybe especially in Redding, you have the chance of hooking a rainbow trout over 20 inches. Thanks to a temperature control device installed in Shasta Dam in the 90s to facilitate salmon recovery, the river flows through Redding (and all the way to Red Bluff) at a consistent temperature range of 51-56 degrees, also ideal for trout. This allows the Sacramento River rainbows the luxury of a year-round growing season, of which they happily oblige. The average rainbow here is 16 inches, and that’s a safe average. The Sacramento River is open all year and with our temperate climate there are very few

days, even in winter, where you can’t get out and do some fishing. Within minutes from anywhere in town you can be on the water. With our long summer evenings it’s easy to squeeze in a 3 hour trip after work. If that won’t work you can head out at lunchtime, or before work. This river is so accessible that it’s easy to take for granted sometimes, forgetting that people travel from all over just to spend a day on this fantastic trout stream. This an exceptionally productive river with impressive hatches of mayflies and caddis. While primarily a nymphing river, at the right times there can be some excellent dryfly opportunities. Fall and winter are a great time to wade and explore here. Fish with egg patterns and nymphs behind any spawning salmon you see (the rainbows love to sit downstream and gobble up any eggs and in-

sects that wash loose). Also watch for Baetis mayflies at this time, especially on cloudy days (See fishing report on page 4). Due to water demands down south, summertime flows are consistently highest, fishing out of a drift boat is the best option at this time. Flows drop in the Fall providing much more access and water for the wade fisherman. Wintertime flows are the lowest of the year and stay that way until flows are increased once again in the Spring. A few popular wade-in points in Redding are: just above the Sundial Bridge; just East of the Turtle Bay Museum (access via the River Trail); and on the East side of the river by the 44 Bridge (access at the North end of Bechelli). Or you can float through town by putting in at the Posse Grounds boat launch above the bridge and taking out at either the Park Marina or Bonnyview boat ramps. For additional information, techniques and equipment check out The Fly Shop. Wildlife abounds along the river. Within sight of the Sundial Bridge I have seen foxes, deer, wood ducks, heron, egret, beaver, and river otter. I’ve even seen an osprey snatch a huge trout next to the Market St. Bridge. For anybody that hasn’t experienced it, one of the best views of the Sundial Bridge is observed while standing just upstream in the middle of the river, fighting a big rainbow on one of the best trout streams in the nation; right in the heart of Redding.

Calendar of Events

Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers shastatrinityflyfishers.org • 2013 Banquet - “If you like fishing you are going to love our banquet!” February 2nd at Win River. $15,000 in raffle prizes • Monthly meeting - open to the public, 2nd Wed. of every month at the Redding Library 6:30 • Rod building workshop starting in January • Fly Tying classes - December 8; January 5,19; February 2,16; March 9,23.

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Novice fly fishing classes

Headwaters adventure company www.headwatersadventure.com • Christmas party/Open house 7-10:00pm at the store. December 8th. • 2nd annual crab feed at Bodega Bay. Jan 26-27.

Let us know about your upcoming water-based events! (530) 410-3336

An osprey attempts flight with a hefty Lower Sacramento River rainbow trout next to the Market St. Bridge in Redding

The Fall River Valley

Prize Drawing! This issue’s prize will be 4 dozen flies selected for our Northern California trout and steelhead fishing. Fly box included! To enter, go to www. riversedgeproperties.com, click the “Prize Drawing” link on the right side of the page and enter to win! Drawing will be held 3/15/2013. Good luck!

early every fly fisherman is familiar, at least by name, with the famed Fall River and it’s legendary status in the world of trout fishing. However, while the gem of this area, it makes up just a part of an expansive, interconnected spring system hosting a wealth of recreational opportunities. Big Lake, Horr Pond, and Eastman Lake are also all spring fed and connect to the Fall River via the Little Tule and Tule rivers. Trout, sometimes big trout, can be found in all these waters at the right time. These, along with Fall River and several other incoming springs, make up one of the largest spring systems in the country. You won’t see many big hatches in most of these waters but be prepared with some damsels, midges and Callibaetis. Fishing sculpin and crayfish imitations can be productive in the rocky areas, but otherwise stripping leeches seems to be most productive. And of course there is the Fall River with its heavy, classic spring creek hatches and the famous Hex hatch. During non-hatch periods stripping/swinging small leech patterns and damselfly nymphs is productive. A boat is necessary to explore this area and access, other than for Fall River, is most commonly gained by launching at the “Rat Farm” on Big Lake (named after muskrat farming done in the early 1900s). If fishing Fall River you can use the CalTrout access point, but only electric motors can be used here. Kayaking is a popular option from the Rat Farm, with one of the more popular trips being to Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Parka gorgeous 6000 acre park accessible only by boat and offering a few small campgrounds and hiking trails. Being an important breeding and staging area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway, the area also offers some great duck hunting.

he River Times at www.therivertimes.com

Additional wildlife viewing opportunities abound from turtles and deer to bird watching (watch for the comical mating dance of Clark’s Grebes in the Spring). Off the water, the Fall River Valley has many other ways to stay entertained. Every year in July is the Fall River Century bike ride with options of various lengths, offering views of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen and the area. Every August is the Fall River Wild Rice Festival hosting wild rice demonstrations, cook-offs and live music. Come Labor Day weekend is the big Inter-mountain Fair, with carnival rides, food, a junior rodeo, live music and more. Nearby is the very popular and beautiful Fall River Valley Golf and Country Club. This 18 hole course was rated 4 stars by Golf Digest and features a fully stocked Pro Shop and Country Club Grill. Fall River Mills is also home of the Fort Crook Museum, which collects and displays items of historical value associated with the settlement of the Inter-mountain area. The Fall River Valley is easily accessed being only seventy miles from Redding and has an airport with a five thousand foot runway. Fly fishing, duck hunting, bird watching, hiking, biking, golf and more, all in the same place. Plus all the amenities of a small, friendly community including restaurants and a hospital. The Fall River Valley has it all!

Prize provided by Dan Rhodes of River’s Edge Properties, a division of Shasta Land Services, Inc. River’s Edge Properties focuses on connecting buyers and sellers of recreational waterfront property, Shasta Land Services, Inc. focuses on agricultural and recreational hunting and fishing ranch-land properties. All members of the office are avid outdoorsmen and would love to take a look at your property. They can be reached at: (530) 221-8100 www.riversedgeproperties.com www.ranch-lands.com To offer a prize drawing from your business contact The River Times

TheRiverTimes For those who live on or long for the water The River Times is a publication focusing on Northern California’s waterbased recreation and business. Published by: Dan Rhodes (530) 410-3336 therivertimes.com

Winter 2013 TheRiverTimes

Business Spotlight

CommunitySpotlight

Headwaters Adventure Company

Fly Fishing Film Tour

iven a choice in life, which would you prefer, surrounding yourself with happy people enjoying an outdoor activity and excited for the opportunities presented, or sitting behind a desk fending off negative energy of the unhappy people you encounter? This was the question Terri and Joe Arbuckle posed to themselves while travelling through Denali National Park in Alaska. They found a great answer to that question with the resulting Headwaters Adventure Company in Redding. The store opened in June of 2011 and as of November 2012 they doubled the square footage. Their product line features Hobie, Eddyline, Emotion and Jackson kayaks as well as equipment and other accessories for the kayaker. Equipment can be rented or demoed with the rental fee applying to the purchase of a new kayak if you should choose. Fees are $30 for a half day rental, $50 for the entire day and $90 for a full weekend. Classes are also offered with a regular “Introduction to Kayaking” session. Participants are coached on the basic fundamentals of kayaking at no cost for the class, rental kayaks are available if necessary. As demand arises they offer “Kayaking Skills Clinics” coached by certified instructors for a nominal fee. The group size for these clinics is kept extremely small to provide optimum training to the participants. Terri and Joe recognize that many peo-

ple may have the desire, but not the time or knowledge to comfortably plan their own trips. Here, it’s easy to jump on board as they enthusiastically apply their knowledge, frequently hosting trips around our local area to places like Whiskeytown, Keswick Reservoir, Lake Britton and Ahjumawi State Park. They also set up and lead tours a little farther from town to places like Crescent City and Trinidad. The last weekend of January they are hosting the 2nd annual crab feed at Bodega Bay. For the competitive fisherman/kayaker Headwaters is also forming a fishing team (currently accepting applications), with members representing the shop as a Pro Kayak Angler. Members will take photos, write articles, and teach classes; as well as represent Headwaters at recognized tournaments. Headwaters Adventure Company is hosting a Christmas Party/Open house at their new shop on December 8 from 7-10:00pm. Check out the new location at 930 Merchant St. A-1, right across the street from their old building. Reach them at (530) 223-2411 or online at www.headwatersadventure.com.

The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) touched down for its debut in the Redding area on November 3 at the Cascade Theatre. The F3T is a traveling fly fishing film tour featuring work from the industry’s top fly fishing film makers and is the original and largest of its kind. Eleven short films were featured showing off locales from Alaska to Belize and species from trout to Tarpon. The films featured some stunning nature cinematography and ranged in tone from hard core fishing to humor in some of the worlds most beautiful places. The event drew a high energy crowd of between 500-600 people and some fantastic prizes were raffled off, including a Kayak and guided fishing trips. A special bonus to the Redding event was Ryan Peterson of The Fly Shop showing a sample of a film he’s in the process of making for next years tour. The event was organized by local fly fishing club The Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers and was sponsored by The Fly Shop. Proceeds from the event benefitted Casting for Recovery, a women’s fly fishing based cancer recovery program. More Information on the tour can be found at www.flyfilmtour.com. Looking forward to next year!

Ryan Peterson of The Fly Shop introduces a teaser for his film for next year’s show.

Fishing Report Fall/winter means Baetis on most good trout steams, and in the North State we have a lot of good trout streams. Baetis (Blue Winged Olives or BWOs) love to hatch on wet, drizzly days between roughly 1-3pm. Although you’ll see a few on sunny days too. Watch for them when you’re out and about on most all of our moving-water fisheries. These can provide some exceptional dry fly opportunities in the right conditions. Our area is temperate enough that late Fall and even winter are a great time to get out and explore our great fisheries.

4 TheRiverTimes Winter 2013

■■ The Lower Sac

Fall started off great with egg patterns and nymphs for Rainbows behind spawning salmon. Look for BWOs on any cloudy days. Open all year.

■■ Pit

Permanent higher flows now than in years past, but lots of new water to explore and fish to catch! Use the typical pit fare; #1216 attractor nymphs, big stonefly nymphs and don’t be shy about fishing streamers, like sculpins and crayfish imitations. Open all year between Lake Britton and Shasta Lake.

■■ Upper Sac

BWOs and nymphing with small Baetis, midges or stonefly nymphs. If fishing after recent storms move upriver to get above the tributaries dumping in water, unless completely blown out. Open all year.

■■ Trinity River

Looking to be a great Steelhead year! Nymph #8-#12 stonefly nymphs, or any other flashy nymphs #12-16 under an indicator, also egg patterns. Or swing the typical steelhead flies. Open all year below the Fly Fishing Only Section in Lewiston.

■■ Lewiston Lake

Watch for BWOs, fish small Baetis and midges under indicators, strip leech patterns. A great side trip if the Trinity is blown out.

■■ Baum Lake

Basically, this is a wide, slow section of Hat Creek that you can fish all year long! Be ready for some great hatches of BWOs, especially on cloudy/rainy days. Otherwise fish midges and small nymphs under an indicator, or slowly strip in leech patterns.

River’s Edge Properties

and

Shasta Land Services, Inc.

River’s Edge Properties is a division of Shasta Land Services, Inc. Together we focus on connecting recreational fishing, hunting and ranching properties to those who value the unique lifestyle they offer. Broker Bill Wright and associates Bill Quinn and Dan Rhodes are all avid outdoor enthusiasts and love spending time communicating with those sharing similar interests. Bill Wright and Bill Quinn have both been past chairs of the California Waterfowl Association. Bill Quinn has served as Director of Trout Unlimited as well as Vice President and one of the founding governors of California Trout. Dan Rhodes has spent over 17 years fly fishing, seven of those in the industry teaching, guiding and managing. Our professional experience and personal passions provide us the ability to discern the value of these unique properties and how to match them to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. We are connected to sellers of a variety of recreational property types and work hard to find buyers a tailored fit. If you’re thinking about listing your property or if you have questions about finding your own unique place to fish, hunt or ranch please give us a call. We look forward to talking with you and would love the opportunity to help. Thank you! www.riversedgeproperties.com ~ www.ranch-lands.com 358 Hartnell Ave., Suite C, Redding, Ca., 96002 - Lic # 01775146 (530) 221-8100

TriniTy river ~ The Old Lewiston Inn B&B on the Trinity River - Steelhead and big brown trout! Area hosts Trinity/Lewiston Lakes & Trinity Alps. Recreational opportunities include fishing, hiking, hunting, rafting, and boating! 45 mins from Redding! ~ $519,000 rough DiamonD ranch ~ 280 acres near Whitmore. ‘’Montana in California’’ Tall timber, irrigated meadows with free gravity flow water, 2 ponds – 1 for trout, other for bass. New home on largest pond, second home nearby for guests or a caretaker. $2,500,000 eagle lake ~ Fully furnished and ready to fish! Includes private dock & 23’ North River Seahawk. 5 bed 3 bath, with a deck overlooking the lake and mountains! The Eagle Lake strain of rainbow trout are renowned for their fast growth rate and great fight! ~ $649,000 haT creek ~ 10 acre property fronts Cassel Road and has the old channel of Hat Creek and canal for Hat #1 running through it. Cassel forbay is across the street. The forbay is actually the lower end of Rising River and often has trophy trout rising to mayflies . ~ $125,000

lower SacramenTo river FronTage ~ $189,000 20% reduction from the CURRENT price if all cash with 30 day escrow! That’s $151,200! 2.1 acres of Lower Sacramento River frontage! Located in area of great trout fishing for the Sac’s feisty rainbows. Large lot to the North is owned by the City of Redding and designated Open Space, so no neighbors and lots of access to some fantastic fishing! Adjacent parcel to the South is also available. Winter 2013 TheRiverTimes

Dan Rhodes ~ www.riversedgeproperties.com ~ (530) 221-8100