FEATHER RIVER FLY XANADU
PART ONE

Ancient Mariners consulted the Oracle of Delphi before venturing across uncharted waters... My first trip into the Feather River watershed began by contacting Susi Brakken at the Plumas County Visitors Bureau www.plumascounty.org or Phone ( 800) 326-2247 in Quincy California. Speaking with Susi in regard to Plumas County felt much like asking Donald Trump how to navigate in the Big Apple!

First impressions driving up North on Highway five from San Francisco then heading East from Red Bluff on Highway thirty six toward the mountain village of Chester population 5,047 awfully contented souls, reminded me of the first time I saw Yosemite as a youngster. Lush green timber abounds and one begins to taste the magic of old California before pavement and endless building overcame natural beauty... Air as pure and crisp as a new puppies breath over takes the senses, my fly fisher heart recalled the Edgar Allen Poe quote, “ All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream” On the way into the town of Chester I first took a drive about half way around lake Almanor where peace and quiet ruled the morning! Scattered like castles in the mist vacation homes and perfect clean beaches announce to all who venture, “ This is a place where the word pristine actually qualifies!” Those sportsmen who favor quality uncrowded lake fishing can contact the Almanor Fishing Association at their web sight www.almanorfishingassociation.com .

Travelers beware, upon first seeing the tranquil sparsely populated town of Chester where people smile at strangers and at each other, where dogs are as well known as the Mayor, where kids ride bikes as if it were the early 1950s? Your entire concept of life ala 2006 will be destroyed as the small town atmosphere allows you to take in the mountain air and wonder what such an unhurried life might offer? Fly fishers, bird watchers, naturalists of any and all persuasions this place my friends is as close to Xanadu as you may ever find! Many well kept motels and B&B’s exist, I was lucky to stay at the newly built Best Western hosted by a local fisherman Glen Long www.rosequartzinn.com . Glen gave me the rundown on local fly fishing action and the town in general. After check in I headed straight out of town toward the town of Quincy, less then ten miles from Chester I found several places to drown my own flies tied special for this trip. Because it is still early in the season and the waters are only beginning to slow one has several choices in pattern selections.

Large Orange Stone ( Pteroarcys Californica ), Golden Stone ( Acroneuria Californica), Tiny Yellow Stone ( Isoperia) and Blue Winged Olive ( Baetis ). I also used an old Hexagenia pattern from when I lived on the Fall River some years ago... Within three casts I got a series of quick hits and landed two beautiful native Rainbow’s in the 12 inch class at the first stop. By late afternoon many native bows kept me happy! This is not easy fly fishing as these fish can afford to be selective, I had to crouch down and keep shadows off the water and keep moving after spooking a pool or riffle. It was difficult at times to concentrate as the natural beauty, endless greenery, absolutely no other anglers began to lull me into a state of bliss...

My friends call me Mr. Wolf as I spend much of my fly fisher life trying to avoid other humans as much as possible while on the water. Feather River will accommodate this mind set completely I promise. This aspect alone won me over quickly, after taking water samples and spending time examining fresh Mountain Lion tracks and scat. I headed back to Chester with a afternoon of true fly fisher joy peculating in this ancient soul... In regard to fly line set up, I used my own 4 pound test leader about 10 feet long followed by #5 weight tippit. The above mentioned stone flies were first skimmed up and across currents on a dead drift, then allowed to slowly sink in the surface film. When this failed to get a trout to rise, I switched to a Wooly Bugger or my old Fall River Hexagenia pattern with much success... Keeping low profile on these clear waters is mandatory, I did not wade at all as it wasn’t necessary to disturb stream beds because one could easily cast to almost in place without upsetting the natural order.

Stream Habitat Restoration

After meeting the highly efficient Susi Brakken and her associates, I was honored with a face to face hour chat in the adjoining office with John Sheehan and Aqua scientist Project Manager Jim Wilcox. Jim gave me a concise over view of the Plumas County Stream Restoration activities complete with before and after photos. The short story is that the Feather River watershed over a period of many decades has had to withstand a variety of natural and man made assaults on its integrity and health. Heavy winter rains have caused the rivers and streams to become washed out and the sides of many creeks, streams to become severely undercut! Early pioneer cattle did their part in soil erosion and meadow destruction before the effects were truly understood.. Jim said the learning curve in the first years was steep, after some experimentation a plan developed that included creation of Earth Plugs positioned in strategic places and at times digging out shallow channels. This allowed natural forces to reinvigorate streams, creeks and allow them to once again find their natural directions with once dormant grass seeds and other water loving plants to begin thriving again. As one can see by these before and after photo’s, this revolution in stream restoration actually works and it works quite well! Jim mentioned it takes three to five years for nature to reclaim her natural order and meander path. Proof is in the return of once thought lost waters with new lush vegetation creating a veritable nursery for insects, birds, butterflies.... One of the main characteristics of stream restoration is the lowering of water temperature, in the first assessments of potential areas to restore temperature readings along with careful stream profiles create a baseline of current health.

In Plumas County sustainable forestry and serious cleaning out of fire feeding dense brush has allowed more sunlight to find trees and kept a modest lumber business afloat. One can watch a few lumber trucks roll by and notice all the trees are about the same size, no old growth trees are cut period! In an age when conflicting forces are at odds over natural resource management, Plumas County in my humble opinion is a classic win, win! One does not see evidence of clear cutting or large bare treeless mountain tops.

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“ ADVENTURES OF FLETCHER QUILL “