Post on 23-Mar-2016
description
The Feather River
Field Edition 3 $7.95
Access Points
Riffles
Flies
Techniques
Resources
Guides
Context Feather River Metal Page 5 Written By Lance Gray
The Feather River Map Page 19 Casting Techniques Page 21 Equipment Page 25 Rigging Setups Page 29 Fly Tying Page 31 Tied by Ray Narbaitz
Hatch Chart Page 33 Drifting the Low Flow Page 33 Flies Page 34 Lodging & Eatery’s Page 39 RV Camping Page 39 Fly Shops Page 39 Agencies Page 40 Online Resources Page 40 Guides Page 40 Fly Clubs Page 40 Cover Photo is by Lance Gray Feather River Buck
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The Feather River Editor
Lance Gray
Contributing Editors Lincoln Gray
Ray Narbaitz
Jon Baiocchi
Lance Gray & Company “The
Feather River” is published only
once with updated material being
added when changes accrue.
Updated issues are available as a
new handbook available on our
website or where sold.
Handbooks Go to our website for a current list. Only
electronic versions are available. Price is
$5.95 a copy. Or you can call or email us
at any time the contact information is
listed below.
Product of the U.S.A
Advertising Contact:
Lance Gray
530-517-2204
lancegrayandcompany@yahoo.com
Kirsten Gray 530-517-2081
lancegrayandcompany@yahoo.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 962
Willows, CA 95988 530-517-2204
lancegrayandcompany@yahoo.com
Street Address: 1079 Northgate Drive
Willows, CA 95988
www.LanceGrayandCompany.com
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Feather River Metal Written by Lance Gray
Originally printed in California Fly Fisher
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Lance Gray Photo
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The night… One winter night when I was five years old my Dad arrived home from fishing on the Rogue River. His fishing partner Denton Hill had two large fish hanging from his fingers. The huge fish were, silver with very dark backs and ruby red cheeks.
My Dad took the fish and placed them in the kitchen sink. Of course, my mother was quite upset, because the fish hung over the edge of the sink, slime was dripping onto the floor. My brother and I stood in my Dad’s way watching in amazement while he cleaned the fish. I was dumb founded by the sheer size and beauty of the fish. “This fish was a jumper”, my Dad said while he cleaned it. He slid his fingers into the gill plate of the other fish, lifted the huge fish and said laughing, “This steelhead took the boat for a ride”. “Wow!” “A steelhead,” I thought.
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Lance Gray Photo
The years have come and gone with many steelhead memories. Looking back at that winter night so long ago, it was then I started my hunt for these amazing fish. The river, the fish… The Feather River is truly one amazing river that has seen many changes, both good and bad. From fortune seekers, during the gold rush to the hydroelectric power plants producing power, the Feather River has changed and adapted. The Feather River is the main drainage for the Northern Sierra Nevada. The river runs for 170 miles. Its tributaries are made up of the North Fork, Middle Fork and the South Fork of the Feather River. The headwaters for the North Fork are at the foot of Mt. Lassen. The North Fork flows into Lake Almanor and southwest through the Sierra Nevada. The Middle Fork originates in Sierra Valley. The Middle Fork’s main tributaries are the North Branch and the Sierra Branch. The South Fork headwater is located in Sierra County. The South Fork flows southwest to the valley. The water is collected and held at the biggest change for the river, “Oroville Lake”. In the late 1960’s when Oroville Dam was finished, the river was changed forever.
Salmon and steelhead were stopped cold in their tracks, no longer able to migrate up into the upper spawning grounds. The completion of the “Feather River Hatchery” enabled both salmon and steelhead to be spawned and reared in a state of the art hatch-ery. The hatchery is responsible for maintaining and reviving both salmon and steelhead populations. The hatchery is capable of receiving thousands of salmon and steelhead. The hatchery can produce millions of eggs which in turn produces millions of fingerlings. The fish that do not enter into the hatchery spawn in the river. The hatchery creates a system with steelhead reared in the hatchery and steelhead spawning in the river. Both wild and hatchery fish form a fishery that is off the hook.
The winter steelhead run starts in late
summer and continues until December.
The spring run fish start to trickle into
the system in early January and continue
through April. Adult fish, both hatchery
and wild can weigh between 3-6 pounds,
with some fish reaching up to 8 pounds.
The Feather River below Oroville Dam
is broken down into two different river
sections, the Low Flow Section and the
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High Flow Section.
The Low Flow Section is a tail water
fishery that flows from the base of the
Oroville Dam to the Outlet at the
Afterbay. The water is fairly consistent
with flows of around 600 cfs. The water
is cold and contains fish all year.
The High Flow Section starts at the
Afterbay outlet and runs all the way
down to the confluence with the
Sacramento River. The High Flow
Section does not have consistent water
flows. At times the flows are three to
four times that of the Low Flow Section.
The High Flow Section water is warmer,
due to the water sitting in the shallow
Forebay and Afterbay. The High Flow
does hold fish in the cooler months.
The Low Flow Section below the Highway 162 Bridge has multiple riffles that hold fish consistently and is open year around. This section is easily accessible by foot from the Oroville Wildlife Area and the Riverbend Park. It is also accessible by drift boat. Every riffle will hold fish. If you fish an area with no results, move. Find the fish! The Bridge Riffle right below the Highway 162 Bridge is a great riffle to start with. It has salmon redds, shelves and a long run to fish. The fish hold in this riffle consistently. You may access this riffle from new Riverbend Park by driving south to the 162 Bridge, on the dirt road before the main entrance of the park. You can also access this riffle via the Oroville Wildlife Area at the Out House Riffle by wading upstream.
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Hogan Brown Photo
The Out House Riffle is just below the Bridge Riffle. It has nice salmon redds on the top end of the riffle. The water flows fast and slides down a shallow shelf into a deeper pool. Out House Riffle is a good riffle to dead drift nymphs down the long seam or pull out a switch rod or spey rod and swing alvens right after the first of the year. The Out House Riffle is easily accessible from the Oroville Wildlife Area.
Matthew’s Riffle downstream from Out
House Riffle is a great, deep classic steelhead riffle. This riffle is accessible by the Oroville Wildlife Area. This riffle has it all, shallow top end section with
salmon redds, a nice long seam and water depth. The riffle runs shallow too deep with a couple of deep holes in the main current. A great riffle to dead drift or high stick nymphs. This riffle is also good for swinging flies deep. Robinson’s Riffle is the next riffle down river. The riffle has one of the largest shelves in the Low Flow Section. The water on the top end of the riffle is only inches deep. Once it falls off the shelf the water instantly deepens to 20 feet. The riffle can be fished by dead drifting nymphs down the seam of the current or swinging flies on sink tips. The takes on swinging flies off the shelf can be jolting. This riffle is accessible from the Oroville Wildlife Area. White Gate Riffle is directly down-stream from Robinson’s. This riffle is full of salmon redds and long runs. It also holds fish all year. The top end is easily fished with both standard rods and switch rods. Swinging flies off the numerous shelves into redds below can be productive. Fish every little spot on this riffle. Fish can be holding in lines in two feet of water underneath the willows to wide open water behind rocks. This riffle is very easy to access from the Oroville Wildlife Area. To be productive for steelhead on White Gate you must wade into position. Wading is the key for success. Fish can become very sensitive to anglers wading on this riffle. High sticking and dead drifting nymphs are very productive.
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Lance Gray Photo
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Lance Gray Photo
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Steep Riffle is next in line. It is
accessible from the White Gate Riffle by
walking down stream. The fish hold in
the fast well-oxygenated water of the
fast current on the top end of the riffle.
The fish also hold on the shelf. Fishing
this riffle by foot can be done, but it is
very difficult. The water is deep, has a
quick current and a very abrupt shelf.
High sticking and dead drifting flies are
productive. A great riffle to fish in a drift
boat.
Osprey Riffle is next. This riffle is similar
to Steep Riffle, but larger in size. The
water that splits the island is very
fishable and holds fish. The drop off at
the shelf is vertical and the water is fast.
Fishing this riffle is common from a drift
boat, but anglers who want to walk in
and wade, must park their vehicles on
the main road of the Oroville Wildlife
Area and walk at least ¼ mile to the
river.
Eye Riffle is the last of many riffles that
are in the Low Flow Section of the river.
This riffle is best reached by foot, by the
Pacific Heights Road from the south
entrance of the Oroville Wildlife Area.
This riffle has two large pools with a nice
run down the middle, salmon redds
clutter the south side of the river and
some are very deep. Dead drifting
nymphs is productive.
The Equipment, the Flies…
Standard rods should range from 6-8
weights, in lengths of 9-10 feet. A
standard trout rod works quite well. If
fishing a switch rod or a spey rod, the
best are 6-7wt and 12-13 feet in length.
When it comes to reels, make sure the
reel is of steelhead caliber. A good reel
should have a solid low inertia drag,
with at least 100 yards of backing. The
fly line should not only match the rod,
but should have outstanding mending
ability. Fly patterns should range from
standard nymphs to spey flies. Some of
the most productive flies are: Egg
patterns in shades of champagne and
orange, a Cluster Egg size 14 in
Oregon Cheese (which works great for
the sucker spawn in the spring), Trina’s
PT size 14-16, Morrish’s Dirty Bird size
14, Bird’s Nest-Olive size 14, Gray’s
Fire Worm size 14 and Gray’s Alvin
size 6. For switch rods and spey rods a
Willie Nelson size 6 and a Morrish’s
Dirty Bird size 8 work well.
The Presentations…
The river is easily fished with standard
rods and or long handled rods,
whichever the angler prefers. Dead
drifting nymphs and egg patterns or
swinging flies are productive on the
Feather River. The dead drift technique
is simple. This technique is great for
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working seams and high sticking the
shelves and redds. Wading position of
the angler must be correct when
conducting this presentation. Anglers
must face the river with the seam they
want to fish directly in front of them,
keeping at least one rod length away
from the seam. Cast upstream at a forty-
five degree angle above the area to be
fished. Place two up river mends or a
stack mend into the cast immediately.
Once the indicator passes the angler,
the angler must mend up river or stack
mend to feed line out to allow the fly to
dead drift down the seam.
The drift can be as long as the
angler wishes. Many drifts are
between 30 to 50 feet. The angler
can repeat the cast or make a cast
to the next seam or simply take a
couple of steps down river and re-
cast. The dead drift presentation
can cover water quickly and
thoroughly with little effort. Both
standard rods and switch rods
may be used to perform the dead
drift presentation. High sticking
with the dead drift set up is also
possible and very effective.
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Lance Gray Photo
Swinging flies with a switch rod or
spey rod is also very effective on
the Feather River. Some of the
riffles are better suited for double
handed casting like Out House
Riffle and Matthews Riffle. The
setup is very simple. If you are
using a switch rod a standard
steelhead taper line works well
(Lined up at least 2 weight sizes.)
This fly line will load the rod
correctly, and is also versatile. The
angler can present flies dead
drifted using the dead drift
presentation, or the angler can
quickly slide on a poly leader and swing
flies shallow or deep. When fishing a
standard spey rod a short Scandi line
works very well. The line can be
changed quickly to the application
desired by the angler.
Fish…
This river, once full of gold, was the spot
where riches and dreams come true for
many miners. The river still holds
chrome and silver. Of course I am not
talking about ore, but steelhead.
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Lance Gray Photo
The Feather River at times can be very
frustrating, but it can also reward you
with a day of steelheading you will never
forget. Feather River “Metal” is worth a
drive, a cast and perhaps a second look.
When you go…
When you are planning to fish the
Feather River on foot the access points
are well marked. To access the river
from Riverbend Park, take the
Montgomery Street exit on Hwy 70 and
head west. The Riverbend Park will be
directly in front of you. Turn south on the
dirt road until your reach Hwy 162
Bridge. To access the north side of the
Oroville Wildlife Area take the Oro Dam
Blvd., Hwy 162 exit from Hwy 70. Exit
the freeway and head west. The Oroville
Wildlife Area road is approximately ¼ of
a mile west. There is a brown sign which
marks the entrance to the Oroville
Wildlife Area. Turn south on the dirt
road.
The western access point to Oroville
Wildlife Area is located off of Larkin
Road. From Hwy 70 take the Oro Dam
Blvd., Hwy 162 exit and head west. Go
west on Hwy 162 approximately 1 ½
miles. Larkin Road intersection is on the
south side of Hwy 162 right before the
Oroville Airport. Turn south on Larkin
Road. The Oroville Wildlife Area road is
on the left side approximately 3 miles
south. There is a brown sign to mark the
road. The road will give you access to
the lower riffles.
The south access point is located off
Hwy 70 on Ophir Road. Ophir Road is
south of the City of Oroville and is will
marked. Turn west on Ophir Road and
then take an immediate south turn at
Pacific Heights Road. The Oroville
Wildlife Area access point is
approximately 2 miles. There are two
white gates on the right side of the road
with a brown sign that marks the
Oroville Wildlife Area.
If you would like to fish the Feather
River by drift boat the drift is very nice. It
is approximately 4 miles long. A
confident oarsman will not find the river
difficult at all. Many boats including mine
launch from the Riverbend Park boat
launch. The new launch is very nice and
is nicely lighted in the early morning
hours. The park is opened from first light
to sunset, so plan your drift accordingly.
The take out for the Low Flow is located
right above the Afterbay Outlet at the
Larkin Road access point. This launch is
gravel, quite steep and a four-wheel
drive vehicle is recommended for
takeout.
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In the past the river has seen problems with cars getting broken into and equipment stolen. The movement of roads and gates has help relieve this issue. Patrols of the Oroville Wildlife Area by law enforcement have increased greatly. Common sense always should be used. When fishing for steelhead on the Feather River please be mindful of the Redds. Please do not walk through the Redds and try to avoid fish that are spawning.
More Changes for the River…
The California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) in a combination with
other various regulatory agencies, city
governments, and none governmental
agencies have agreed that when the re-
licensing is approved by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
that certain improvements will be
conducted on the Feather River. The
following list is just a sample of items
that the agencies have targeted for
improvement.
Add over 10,000 cubic yards of
spawning gravel to the river for
steelhead and Chinook salmon
Improve some existing side
channels in the river, and create a
minimum of 5 new side channels
(side channels are the preferred location
for steelhead spawning and juvenile
rearing on the Feather River)
Add structural habitat to the river such
as large woody debris (root wads, logs,
etc.). A minimum of 2 pieces per riffle in
the low flow channel and high flow
channel to the bottom end of the
Oroville Wildlife Area (this is the extent
of our FERC project boundary)
Install a fish counting weir to better
study steelhead (and Chinook salmon)
on the river. Eventually a fish barrier
weir will also be installed to separate the
spring run Chinook from the fall run
Chinook to reduce the hybridization of
these two strains of salmon.
Feather River Fish Hatchery
Improvements such as keeping the
water cooler at the hatchery, and
increased study to determine the
impacts of the hatchery and identify
ways to minimize these impacts
DWR will provide cooler water to the
Feather River during the summer, right
now the temperature criteria is 65° at
Robinson Riffle, this will be reduced to
63°. It will be 64° at the bottom of the
OWA
DWR will provide higher flows to the
Low Flow Channel, the minimum flow
requirement right now is 600 cfs year
‘round. This will increase to 700 cfs
during the April – August period, and it
will go up to 800 cfs from September
through March
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Lance Gray Photo
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1
3
Dead Drift
The “Dead Drift” technique, developed by the guide staff at Powell’s Fly Shop in the 1980’s, is still being used today. It is a
technique that allows the steelheader to present a fly in a dead drift over a long distance.
Mending and line control are key to this technique and the ability to read water is a major plus. The “Dead Drift” technique
is used mainly when fishing seams and runs, but can be molded to the “High Stick” technique. It is very versatile and offers
the steelheader the ability to fish multiple flies at a time.
There are two basic casts, while wading or from a drift boat. The major difference between the two is that the wading angler
must feed line to the drift while mending for a constant and undisturbed drift. The angler casting from a boat, only has to be
concerned with mending.
First – To Wade: wade into position so that the area you want to fish is in front of you and downstream.
Second – Make the cast slightly upstream (eleven o’clock). Place a loop or stack (mend) in the fly line that allows the
indicator to be upstream from the flies. While the indicator passes by the angler, the angler must feed line to the indicator, to
create the dead drift. At the end of the drift the fly will rise and swing. Let stand for a moment and recast.
While fishing from a drift boat you must cast to the seam and then mend the line to stay in the seam. The movement of the
boat will create the dead drift. This technique is highly effective while wading or from the drift boat.
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.
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Sage VXP Fly Rod The Sage name is always known for quality. These rods have it all – quality Sage products, great casting ability, sensitive tips, medium to medium fast actions and a price you can live with. A great still water rod that combines a powerful butt with a tippet saving tip needed with big fish. The 697-4 for single handed work and the 6129-4 for two handed work are great for the Feather. www.sageflyfish.com Retail price is $485.00 to $525.00.
featured GEAR
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Galvan Torque Flt Reels The Torque Reel is simply seamless. A great reel, that holds up to the rigors of the fly fishing environment. Super smooth drag with tons of line capacity. Low start up inertia is what it is all about with still water fish. www.galvanflyreels.com Retail price is $325.00 to $500.00.
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RIO Fly Lines The Indicator II line has been designed to cast indicator rigs with ease – whether for trout or steelhead. The thick diameter, high floating easy visible tip and short front taper easily turns over the largest of indicators, while the ultra-long head is easy to mend and control the fly at long range. RIO’s acclaimed DualTone load locating system makes it simple for anglers to find the ideal casting area of the fly line. It is the perfect line for fishing indicator rigs. The line gives anglers a great casting line with high sensitivity. The line is easy to cast, mend, and lift from the surface Retail price is $74.95 The Max Short is an exceptionally easy casting Skagit style shooting head that is ideal for short Spey rods, Switch rods and single-handed rods. The head will cast big flies, and the heaviest sinking tips with the utmost of ease. The head is built on RIO’s ultra-low stretch ConnectCore for the utmost in casting control and sensitivity, and has a highly visible orange section loop for easy recognition. It is available in a multitude of lengths and weights to cover all rod and angling situations. Retail price is $54.95 . www.rioproducts.com
High Stick Setup
Butt Section Gray’s Indicator Split Shot
Fly Line 6 Foot 15 Pound Drop Leader First Fly Second Fly
______ __ ____________________________________________ __________________ ____________________
Barrel Swivel 12-14” 3X 12-14” 3X
Swinging Setup
Skagit Versileaders or MOW Loop to Loop Leader Knot
________ ________________________________________________ ________________ __________________
Loop to Loop 18” 14 pound 18” 8 pound
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Gray’s Indicator and Leader
Systems are designed for the
serious fly-fisher. These
products have been used for
years in the pursuit of
steelhead and large trout.
The indicators and leaders
are easy to use and can be
moved or changed in lengths
to customize what you the
angler needs why on the
water. A great choice!
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If you asked most people what one of their
favorite, sub-surface flies was, few if any of
them would say a San Juan Worm. The fact
of the matter is, almost all moving water
contains these aquatic worms. There are
many varieties and sizes across the country,
and fish eat them all. It is called the San Juan
Worm because it is believed that a gentleman
by the name of Paul Pacheko developed it on
that fabled tailwater in the 1960’s. Since that
time, there have been a gazillion variations,
colors and styles developed to imitate the,
“Worm.” The Fireworm is one of them. The
nice thing about it is that almost all of the
variations use the same basic techniques to tie
it, with a few additions and colors being the
only change.
It is an extremely easy fly to tie.
Material List
Hook…TMC2457 or 2488H, size 10 or 12
Thread…8/0, 70 denier, color to match fly
Bead…Gold 3/32
Ribbing…Red Ultra Wire, Brassie
Body…Red or Worm Brown Vernile or Ultra
Chenille
1. Place the bead on the hook, and place the
hook in the vise.
2. Lay down a thread base from the bead to just
a little ways down the bend of the hook.
3. Advance the thread back up to the bead, and
tie in the piece of wire for the ribbing from
the bead back a little ways down the bend.
Cover the shank of the hook and the wire
with the thread.
The “Lance’s Fireworm” By Ray
Narbaitz
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4. Take a two inch piece of the vernile,
and singe one end of it to keep it from
unraveling. Do not use a match for
this, as the burning wood leaves a black
singe mark on the vernile. The easiest,
least expensive method to use is a Bic
type lighter.
5. With a half inch or little more hanging off the
end of the hook, tie in the vernile on the top
of the hook, and advance the thread up to the
bead.
6. Bring the vernile over the top of the hook
shank, and tie it down with palmering wraps
of the red wire. Wrap it right up to the bead.
7. Tie off the wire and break it off by
helicoptering it under some tension.
8. Whip finish the thread right behind the bead
and cut it off.
9. Take the piece of vernile that should be
sticking straight up from the bead, and cut it
off about half the length of the tail. Singe the
end of it, put some head cement on the whip
finish, and the fly is done.
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Green Rock Caddis
Spotted Sedge Caddis
Mother’s Day Caddis
Yellow Sally
BWO PMD March Brown
Pale Evening Dun
Eggs Aquatic Worm
Smelts
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Drifting the Low Flow of the Feather River
They’re multiple drifts that you can do on the Low Flow. There is a boat ramp at the
new Riverbend Park. The boat ramp is paved very nice and it is at no cost to launch.
The next launch down is right above Outhouse Riffle. This launch is primitive and
you need four wheel drive. The next launch is at Riffle’s RV Park. The boat launch
is okay, paved and maintained. It does cost $10.00 to launch and park. The next
launch is really the take out for the Low Flow. It is right above the outlet. It is gravel
and dirt with cement blocks, primitive and you should use a four wheel drive
vehicle.
Peak
Bird’s Nest Olive Hook – TMC 1369 Size 12-16 Bead – Gold Tungsten Thread – Danville Olive Thread 6/0 Tail – Lemon Wood Duck Fibers Body – Olive Brown Dubbing Rib – Gold wire size medium Wings – Lemon Wood Duck fibers on each side of the body Thorax – Olive Brown Dubbing Copper John Red Hook – TMC 3769 Size 12-16 Bead – Copper Tungsten Thread – Danville Black Thread 6/0 Tail – Brown Goose Biots Body – Red Copper Wire Wing case – Thinskin Black, Holographic pearl Mylar tinsel one strand. Thorax: Peacock Herl with Hungarian Partridge legs
Flies
Flies are always changing, developing and adding new creative materials to them to freshen them up a little. We mostly use sinking flies on the Feather. Nymphs, streamers and traditional wet flies are the normal and traditional steelhead flies. The list of flies that was in the original article is still valid and is included in the flies listed below. We have added some new flies to the mix. Experimenting with new flies is what fly fisher do. We are always looking for the edge, and it seems flies are one area that is easy changed.
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Lance’s Awaking Caddis Hook – TMC 2457 Size 14-16 Thread – Black Thread 6/0 Bead-Copper Tungsten Body-Black and Chartreuse wire size BR Thorax-Ice Dub Peacock, J.Fair Black Grizzly with Ice Dub Black right behind bead
Fox’s Caddis Pupa Olive
Hook – TMC 3769 Size 12-16 Bead – Copper Tungsten Thread – Olive Thread 6/0 Rib – Medium Gold Wire Body – Pearl Mylar and Vernille olive Wing- Lemon Wood Duck Beard – Natural Partridge Thorax – Black Ostrich Herl
Gray’s X May Olive Hook – TMC 3769 Size 16 Bead – Copper Tungsten Thread – Olive Thread 6/0 Rib – Olive BR Size wire Tail – Olive Pheasant Fibers Body – Olive Pheasant and Olive Thread 6/0 Thorax – BWO Poly Dub Wing Case – Olive Pheasant with one strand of Holographic Flashabou Legs – Two strands Olive Krystal Flash on each side
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Ray’s Soft Hackle Hook – TMC 3769 Size 14-18 Thread – Brown Thread Body – Pheasant Tail Fibers Rib – Small Gold Wire Thorax – Peacock Herl Hackle – Natural Partridge
Trina’s Pheasant Tail Hook – TMC 2457 Size 14-16 Bead – Copper Tungsten Thread –Brown Thread 6/0 Tail – Natural Pheasant Tail Fibers Body – Ultra Wire Green and Red Size BR Wing Case – Natural Pheasant Tail Fibers with one strand of Flashabou Holographic Pearlescent, topped with a dab of Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails. Thorax – Hairline Ice Dub Peacock Legs – Natural Pheasant Tail Fibers
Green Butt Hilton Hook- Any Steelhead Hook Size 4-6 Thread - Black Tag - Small Oval Silver Tinsel Tail – Mallard Flank Fibers Body - Tag Chartreuse floss 1/4, J.Fair Seal Dub Black 3/4 of the body. Rib - Small Oval Silver Tinsel Hackle – Natural Grizzly Wing - Pearl Krystal Flash and Natural Grizzly Tippets.
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Chief Fat Dog Hook - Any Steelhead Hook Size 2-6 Thread - Black Body - Small Holographic Silver Tinsel Wing - Purple Squirrel Tail with a couple of strands of Holographic silver tinsel. Throat - Orange Squirrel Tail
Gray's Atherton Hook- Any Steelhead Hook Size 4-6 Thread - Black Tag - Small Oval Silver Tinsel Tail - Golden Pheasant Fibers Body - Tag Chartreuse floss 1/4, Hareline's Ice Dub Peacock 3/4 of the body. Rib - Small Oval Silver Tinsel Hackle - Furnace Wing - Holographic Pearl Tinsel and Natural Brown Squirrel Tail.
Eggs
Hook – TMC 2457 Size 14
Thread – 6/0 Thread Color to Match
Body – Egg Yarn color to match.
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Spawn Sac
Hook – TMC 2457 Size 14
Thread – Red Thread 6/0
Body – Spawn Sac Yarn color to match.
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Resources
Lodging Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 550 Oro Dam Blvd. Oroville, CA 95965 877-863-4780 Gold Country Casino & Hotel 4020 Olive Hwy. Oroville, CA 95966 800-534-9400 Restaurants Gold Country Casino & Hotel Steakhouse 4020 Olive Hwy. Oroville, CA 95966 800-534-9400 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill 2160 Feather River Blvd. Oroville, CA 95965 530-534-4500 Cassidy’s Family Restaurant 491 Oro Dam Blvd. Oroville, CA 95965 530-533-7565 RV Camping Riffle’s RV Park 4514 Pacific Heights Road Oroville, CA 95965530-534-5550 River Reflections 4630 Pacific Heights Road Oroville, CA 95965 530-533-1995 Fly Shops Kiene’s Fly Shop 2654 Marconi Ave. Sacramento, CA 95965 916-486-9958 www.kiene.com
Sierra Stream Fly Shop 847 West 5th Street Chico, CA 95927 530-345-4261 www.sierrastreamflyshop.com
Fish First 766 Mangrove Ave. Chico, CA 95929 530-343-8300 www.fishfirst.com The Fly Shop 4140 Churn Creek Road Redding, CA 96002 530-222-3572 www.theflyshop.com
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Gold Country’s Casino Steakhouse
The Steak House at Gold Country Casino
was an excellent place to eat. As you walk
into the restaurant it is beautiful. The view
from our table was gorgeous as the sun was
setting on the green hillside. The service
was fabulous as the waiter made excellent
recommendations on the Steak House’s
specialties. A bread basket was placed on
the tables with different varieties of bread
with honey butter, olive butter, or plain
butter. The salads were wonderful with bleu
cheese vinaigrette. The meals have huge
portions. I had the prime rib special with
large pawns, it was delicious. The overall
experience was excellent.
Kirsten Gray – Fly Guide
Agencies California Department of Fish & Game 1416 9th Street, 12 Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 916-445-0411 www.dfg.ca.gov California Department of Water Resources Water Flows Department of Water Resources 1416 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 942836 Sacramento, CA 94236 (916) 653-5791 www.water.ca.gov
For scheduled releases and current water flows from Oroville Dam contact http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryRES?oro
Online Resources Kiene’s Fly Shop Bulletin Board www.kiene.com/forums California Fly Fishing www.california-flyfishing.com/
Dan Blanton’s Bulletin Board www.danblanton.com/bulletin.php California Fly Fisher http://www.calflyfisher.com/msgboard/ Steven Ojai’s http://stevenojai.tripod.com/homepage.htm
Guides Lance Gray & Company P. O. Box 962 Willows, CA 95988 530-517-2204 www.lancegrayandcompany.com
Confluence Outfitters P.O. Box 1104 Burney, CA 96013 888-481-1650 www.confluenceOutfitters.com Lincoln Gray 945 Sheridan Ave. Chico, CA 95926 530-520-6895 www.stilwaterflyfishingadventures.com Ryan Johnston 619- 540-9259 ryan@rjsflytrips.com www.rjsflytrips.com NorCal Fly Fishin 2654 Marconi Ave. Sacramento, CA 95821 916) 539-3474 www.norcalflyfishing.com Hogan Brown 530-514-2453 www.hgbflyfishing.com Fly Clubs Chico Area Fly Fishers 545 Vallombrosa Avenue Chico, California, 95926 http://chicoareaflyfishers.org/ E.C.Powell Fly Fishers Club P.O. Box 1135 Yuba City CA 95992 http://ecpowellflyfishers.com/Home_Page.html
Kids Fly Fishing Organizations Cast Hope PO Box 3740 Chico, CA 95927 (619) 540-9259 info@casthope.org
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Handbooks
Lance Gray & Company’s Handbooks is for the fly-fisher looking for an edge when it comes to a fishery, fishing area(s) or species of fish. It is designed for beginners to intermediate anglers. The information inside the handbook has been collected over many years with tried and true techniques and equipment.
The handbooks are designed for Northern California – but may be stretched to other areas from out of state to international waters.
Education of the fly-fisher, protection of watersheds and supporting the fly-fishing communities is the only goal that Lance Gray & Company has intended with these handbooks.
Fly fishers will be able to purchase the online Handbooks at the Lance Gray & Company’s website. The handbooks will be available online in a flip magazine format. On a hand held devices in a slide format. The price for each handbook is $5.95. To buy handbooks click the link below.
Handbooks
Lake Almanor Hex Hatch The Feather River Low Flow American River Shad
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