BAILEY CREEK LODGE
Destination Overview
Fly fishing at its best! Nestled in the quiet Manton Valley of Northern California’s picturesque Shasta County, you’ll find Twin Creeks Ranch, home to Bailey Creek Lodge. Only 45 minutes east of Redding and Red Bluff.
Cool, crystal clear waters bubble up from the base of majestic Mt. Lassen, then tumble down the mountainside for many miles to form Bailey Creek and neighboring Rock Creek. As the streams flow towards the ranch, they are fed by several spring systems, affording incredible animal and plant life.
Anglers at Bailey Creek Lodge will enjoy easy access to Bailey Creek, which has open paths, shaded pools with native trout and very little streamside brush.
The secondary waters of Rock Creek offer a more rugged terrain amid large rocks and trees – this one is for the more adventurous angler. In addition to Bailey Creek and Rock Creek, two trophy trout-filled lakes await you.
You will have this exciting Fly Fishing Paradise all to yourself! There is no public access!
This California secret is a must do and is tailored to the angler who does not need or want a guide.
At a Glance
Location: Near Lassen National Park only 45 minutes east of Redding and Red Bluff.
Target Fish: Trout- rainbow
Time of Year: The creeks are open from the last Saturday in April through November 15th. Lake fishing is available year round.
Lodge Capacity: The lodge sleeps up to 14
Nearest Large Airport: Sacramento International Airport
Documents Required: California Fishing License (purchase in advance)
Fishing Program
Although this property is private we still operate under Fish & Game regulations and a valid fishing license is required and must be displayed. All of the ranch fishing is fly-fishing with barbless single hooks and is of course “catch and release”.
The stream is entirely canopied with a mixture of trees and has pool after pool filled with rainbows, lots of rainbows! You will find more than a ½ mile of easily accessible water to fish. If you want to extend this you can fish the stream for miles by walking upstream. This is quite a bit more difficult to negotiate, but it is worth the effort.
The lower ranch lake offers an opportunity to take shots at some truly monster trout. You can fish it effectively from shore, but float tubing is allowed if you wish. The upper lake has more trout, giant bass and tons of bluegill if you need constant action. The upper lake is best fished with a float tube. The lodge will show you the hottest spots!
Guests are asked to time their arrival for the late afternoon (3:30 P.M. or later), allowing plenty of time to get settled, organize tackle, and be ready to fish after dinner. The lodge host, housekeeping staff, or chef will show you to your room, and offer a quick, informal orientation.
The evening meal is intentionally served promptly at 5:30 to allow anglers time afterwards to enjoy the evening hatch activity on one of the lakes or stream.
Wading:
Hip waders with rubber soles are perfect for the stream or lake shore fishing. Felt soles are not allowed due to the risk of New Zealand mud snails. Chest waders are needed if you plan on float tubing the lower lake or upper lake.
The lodge asks that you please do not wade in the edges of the lakes. You may have to get your feet wet when landing one of the larger fish, but otherwise try to avoid wading. Also keep your wading to a minimum when fishing the stream. You may wade in and out of the stream, but please avoid using the riverbed to wade up and down stream.
Lake Fishing:
Expect a lot of action using emerging insects just underneath the surface. Many regulars fish some type of dry or emerger with a dropper, short or long, and a nymph or midge pupa attached.
Expect midge activity to start in early spring and continue all year. Mayflies start in late spring and early summer. Terrestrials are effective most of the season, especially after early spring.
Leeches, damsels & dragonflies patterns seem to work best from late spring on. A crystal bugger or leech with a nymph trailer can be deadly. You must experiment with various retrieves at different depths until you strike gold!
Many lake fishermen have great success fishing nymphs at various depths underneath an indicator. Just let them sit there for a bit, patience is a virtue at this point, and then pull it slowly back for another cast. In late season the water boatman activity is amazing!
A few years ago a hexagenia hatch started in early June. These are giant mayflies to size 4. It is a spectacular site with trout jumping and black birds dive bombing these amazing bugs. If your trip is planned around this time bring those flies too.
Stream Fishing:
For the stream, shorter leaders tapered to 4x or 5x are more appropriate. Deer hair flies with short droppers or no droppers will produce. Nymphs of various sizes and colors should be in your box. Yellow Humpy’s, Stimulators & Elk Hair Caddis are high on the list for dries, but there are a number of other popular patterns, such as Parachute Adams, that will work well.
Hanging a nymph underneath these high floaters can sometimes turn the trick. Black AP’s, PT’s, Prince Nymphs, & Golden Stones are some of the wet flies to try first. Small nymph patterns begin to be the best choice in late summer & fall. Hoppers and beetles are a must most months!
Accommodations
The Lodge sits right above Bailey Creek. This is a five bedroom, five bath beauty that you will find extremely comfortable. All rooms have a private bathroom and French doors opening up to a patio. You will find the accommodations very luxurious.
From each room, guests can relax to the sounds of rushing stream waters, which are both soothing and invigorating. The bedrooms are on the bottom floor and the entire upper floor is designed for eating and relaxing around the fireplace, watching TV, tying flies or shooting a little pool.
Picture windows look out to a magnificent view of the green canopy over Bailey Creek and a forested mountain ridge beyond. The entire north side of the building is a spacious deck looking down on a large patio area and a lovely heated 20 x 40 foot pool and jacuzzi. The whole area around the lodge, pool and Jacuzzi is surrounded by lawn, lots of lawn!
Bailey Creek Lodge is the perfect place to end each day and share stories over a glass of wine and fine food. The lodge is small enough to reserve the entire venue for a truly private vacation.
Dinners are very good, by any standard. The well-trained cooks prepare hearty, family style meals, served in an informal atmosphere that marries well with the whole Bailey Creek Ranch experience. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the ranch amenities whenever they wish.
Breakfast is served at 8 or 8:30 depending on the group and the season. Coffee is ready at first light and there is no hurry to be the first on the stream or either of the lakes. The buffet lunch is on the bar at noon every day to allow for a very full morning and afternoon of angling.
Non-fishing companions have the run of the entire ranch. Within an hour of the ranch is Lassen National Park and another ½ hour will bring you to Subway Caves on Hat Creek. Add 20 minutes more and you find yourself at Burney Falls State Park, and in between is the Radio Astronomy Observatory. Other non-angling guests may simply choose to relax in the lodge, play a game of billiards, enjoy the shade-covered deck and patio, or lounge beside the pool and Jacuzzi.
Getting There
Only one hour east of Redding, Bailey Creek is 3 1/2 hours from San Francisco, and 2 1/2 from the Sacramento International Airport. The drive is generally a scenic combination freeway and county highways.
