Fall River hatches
Equipment
Soft- to medium-action fly rods from 81/2 to 91/2 feet that handle 3- to 5-weight lines are the best choices for dry-fly fishing. Reels should hold a minimum of 50 yards of backing.
I like weight-forward lines because the thin rear taper shoots and slips through the guides easier when feeding line on a downstream presentation. New and freshly cleaned lines perform the best because the smooth finish slides through the guides better while casting and feeding line. Clean lines also float higher for better visibility and have less resistance in the current allowing for smooth mends, less drag from currents, and faster hooksets.
Long leaders from 14 to 18 feet with 4X to 8X tippets (depending on fly size) are critical and keep the fly line farther away from wary surface feeders. Long leaders and tippets of at least 30 inches mend silently and make drag-free floats easier (see sidebar on constructing a long leader).
A hat and polarized glasses cut glare and help you see your fly. Waders are not necessary except for keeping dry and warm while fishing during rainy weather, and layered clothing works best with a waterproof jacket or parka. Come prepared for weather that can change quickly at any time of the year.
Getting There
Fall River is about 290 miles north from San Francisco. Most visitors fly into Redding, California, on Horizon Air or United Express, rent a car, and drive the 75 scenic miles on Highway 299 east, enjoying views of snow-capped Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta. Others fly into Fall River Mills (Fall River Mills Airport, 530-336-5549) and arrange to be picked up by either one of the lodges or guides.
The California DFG website (dfg.ca.gov) has detailed information on licenses and regulations (click sport fishing) or call (916) 928-5805. Shasta Anglers, in Fall River Mills, sells licenses, flies, and tackle. The Fly Shop in Redding is a great source for accessories and information.
In this article, I focus on the fantastic hatches and the best times to fish them, but there is really no bad time of the season to visit. When nothing is hatching, nymph and streamer fly fishing on the Fall River is outstanding. Hat Creek and the Pit, McCloud, and Sacramento rivers, as well as Mt. Shasta and Lassen National Park, are all within an hour drive.
Bob Quigley is a fly designer and author. His latest fly-tying DVD is Tying Bob Quigley’s Signature Flies (Pegasus Productions). He lives in Ashland, Oregon.
Fly Shops and Local Guides
• Shasta Anglers
(530) 336-6600
• The Fly Shop
(800) 669-3474
flyshop.com
• Trout Country Flies
(530) 335-5304
• Bob Cockroft
(530) 227-3021
• Dale Dennis
(530) 336-5649
jdflyfishing@frontier net.net
• Steve Marugg
(530) 336-6423
finwing.com
• George Durand
(530) 243-4892
• Bob Norman
(530) 623-2516
flyfishingrmn@ pon.net
• Chris King
(530) 515-1754
info@sacriverout fitters.com
Copyright © 2012 Intermedia Outdoors
Comments