The Feather River

Field Edition 3 $7.95

Access Points

Riffles

Flies

Techniques

Resources

Guides

http://www.baiocchistroutfitters.com

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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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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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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http://www.sageflyfish.com

http://www.rioproducts.com

http://www.rjsflytrips.com