The Seasons at Clear Creek Ranch

Clear Creek flows right through the middle of the ranch and offers nearly 7 miles of freestone fishing for rainbows and resident browns. This ranch was acquired in stages, the first being a dice game in downtown Redding in 1926. The Kutras Family purchased the last portion in 1954 and the rest is history. There are fenced in meadows at various spots on the ranch where you will see cattleor horses munching away in some years. This stream is not particularly large, but the under lying bed rock forces most of the water in this canyon to the surface, and as a result some of the pools are quite deep, and always crystal clear.

Streamside vegetation provides a cooling effect and also a rain of terrestrial insects of one sort or another. The elephant ears along Clear Creek are unbelievable in size and density. They also provide great cover for the trout. All in all this is truly a wonderland that cannot be matched in any private water program.

Mid-July to mid-September

This period is the warmest time anywhere in Northern California. Clear Creek Ranch lies in a deep canyon and that has it advantages and disadvantages. The warmth can linger on into the early evening, but it still usually cools down eventually so one can sleep comfortably. The deep canyon gives you the advantage of the sun striking the canyon bottom later in the morning and leaving shadows earlier in the day. This is especially true with those portions of the stream that run north and south. Fishing the shady portions as it gets warm or as the sun starts to drop can bring you more success. That said, do not think the fishing will be slow because of the summer warmth.

We have found that all you need to do is drop down in tippet size and be much more stealthy, and of course use smaller flies, except for the grasshopper patterns. Many of our regulars fish early and late in the day, then take a good swim in the middle of the day. I mentioned Grasshopper Patterns, but don’t forget the other terrestrials like ants and beetles. Also, this is one of the best midge streams around. The rocks can be black with them in the larva stage.

Using a dry fly and a couple of midge droppers can be deadly. One last combination to consider is using any type of hopper pattern or a mid sized down wing fly like a stimulator and a small bead head pattern as a dropper. This may be all you will need almost anytime on Clear Creek or any other stream you care to fish.

September to November 15

As fall starts to arrive the nights will be decidedly colder, the early mornings frosty and late evenings down right cool if not cold. Fishing is best late morning to late afternoon, all of which means you can sleep in just a bit more and start those steaks sizzling on the barbeque earlier. Terrestrials will work right on in to October and as the days get shorter and shorter the bugger action will pick up. The dry fly with dropper technique will continue to work and lastly there is a hatch of October Caddis on Clear Creek to finish off the season with. Midges will produce almost right to the end.

The Fall colors in this canyon are spectacular and worth time on the ranch just to enjoy. We only use the Middle Cabin in November. Its fireplace and wall heater keeps the cabin toasty and those giant rainbows are looking for that last morsel before winter arrives.