Deer Creek (Nevada County), Squirrel Creek

Nevada County Creekin'

by Matt

Living so close to the Lower Yuba has been a real tease this season. As soon as the river begins to come down Mother Nature decides to make it rain causing it to rise again. Hopefully as we approach May the weather will hold so we can gradually watch as the Lower Yuba reveals what its been hiding for the past few months.

A few days ago I was recently struck with trout fever. I needed to wade and fish some cold moving water. With my sickness growing stronger every day, I began scanning through Google maps and the DFG regulations book for open water. This turned my attention to Deer Creek, Wolf Creek, and Squirrel Creek in Nevada county. These three creeks are smaller streams that are less subjected to experience high flows therefore they were viable fly fishing options. However there was one important dilemma, were they open to fish?

Nevada County sits in an interesting area within the DFG district regulations. Both Sierra and Valley District regulations apply to Nevada County which can create confusion whereas to which waters are open and closed.
The DFG regulations state:
Valley District “All streams except anadromous waters and those listed by name in the Special Regulations” are open all year.
Sierra District “All other streams except those listed by name in the Special Regulations” are only open during general trout the Last Saturday of April through November 15th.

Absolute clarification was needed if I wanted fish these water without getting ticketed.

I found my answer in Chapter 3. Trout, Salmon and Special Regulations of the DFG regulations. Article 1 District Definitions 6.36 Valley District Defintion states that within Nevada County any area “west of Highway 49” is considered the Valley District. In 6.35 Sierra District Definition any area “east of Highway 49” is considered the Sierra District and is therefore closed until general trout season opens. To further prove this I used the DFG Regulation Map. I was in the clear to fish some new water.

Lower Deer Creek (Nevada Co)

After reading an article about fishing Nevada County’s three creeks, I set out the following morning to explore. My first stop was to check out Deer Creek below Lake Wildwood. I parked at a turnout and bushwhacked downhill until I saw the water. The creek was running high and the surrounding canyon-like terrain made it impossible to traverse safely. I admired the view for a few minutes, packed up, and left to my next destination.

Squirrel Creek @ Western Gateway Recreation

Squirrel Creek was the next closest stream. This small stream that is suppose to hold both rainbow and brown trout runs through Penn Valley and Rough and Ready. From what I could find on Google map there was only one access point that was on public land, the Western Gateway Recreation Park. This creek is a beautiful little stream surrounded by plenty of green vegetation and trout habitat such as undercut banks and submerged trees. Despite fishing all the fishy spots and finding tons of swimming mayflies, I was unable to connect to any fish. Perhaps if I waded downstream more towards the canyon I would have found a few trout but because of limited time I made the call to revisit Squirrel creek another day and explore Deer Creek.

Small Stream Brownie

Deer Creek sits at a higher elevation in comparison to both Squirrel and Wolf Creek. Due to the elevation differences I knew that Deer Creek would be my best option if I wanted to catch a trout this day. Unlike the other creeks, Deer Creek has plentiful access both close to the main roads and off the beaten path.

Once I arrived at my destination I knew that this would be it. I grabbed my rod and hiked downhill. Deer Creek was running a bit high but was very fishable. I rigged on a few nymphs, some splitshots, an indicator, and began trying my luck. Within my first few casts, low and behold a nice little brown trout. Several brown trout and a few rainbows came out of that pool and made my day.

Beautiful Deer Creek (Nevada Co) Parred Bow

Throughout my visit I continued to hike and explore the creek. I found many great spots and caught a few more along the way. What an amazing little stream, I can’t wait to come back later in the year when the water is lower and the fish are on dries.

I never made it to Wolf Creek but I will definitely try to get back up there soon.

Nevada City is a beautiful area with the surroundings of a town that feels higher in elevation within the Sierra-Tahoe National Forest, it is amazing how much of a difference an hour drive from the valley can make. I will continue to explore new small waters within the area in hopes of catching a small stream fish truly worth bragging about.

Heritage Trout Challenge, Trout Creek, Upper McCloud River

California Heritage Trout Challenge #2: McCloud River Redband Trout

by Matt

Out of the six heritage trout on my list the one I looked forward to catching the most was the McCloud River Redband Trout. I had already caught a Lahontan Cutthroat from the Upper Truckee and now I was off to my second heritage trout. The McCloud River Redband was once the only trout native to the McCloud River system above Middle Falls. Natural barriers in the form of impassable waterfalls have separated this sub-species from their coastal rainbow cousins for thousands of years. This allowed Mother Nature to take her place on the easel and paint the bright red band we see today on these beautiful fish.

The McCloud River Redband is one of rarest sub-species of rainbow trout in the world due to it’s small population. I would categorize the McCloud River Redband as the second rarest trout in California after the Paiute Cutthroat. Unlike the California Golden Trout and the Little Kern Golden Trout, many of the tributaries that hold populations of McCloud River Redbands are closed to fishing all year. The only place in the world where you can catch a McCloud River Redband legitimately is Trout Creek and Swamp Creek.

Although rare in the wild, the McCloud River Redband was one of the easier heritage trout to catch. No epic hikes over a mountain pass, no driving on high clearance dirt roads for hours, and no prospecting from hole to hole to find your fish. A fairly long drive and simple trip to Trout Creek and you’ve got yourself a pretty lil’ redband.

My fiancee and I planned on staying the night at Trout Creek Campground since the distance was a bit too far away to make it a day trip. We packed the night before and left the following day at 10am and arrived at the campground at around 4pm, pit-stops included.
“I think we’ve been spoiled,” I told my fiancee. The campground was suprisingly packed full of RVs, ATVs, and occupants. We drove around the campsite a bit and finally found a small spot next to the creek. Once the tent and bedding was set up, I strung my 2WT and set off to explore the creek. Like most heritage trout waters, small stream fly fishing tactics was the name of the game.

After a few minutes of bushwhacking and hiking downstream I finally found a nice bucket that looked fishy. I made a few casts with my dry and got a good rise. Fish on! However… the fly came loose. I could still see the fish so I threw a few more cast to see if I could get it to rise again. Luck was on my side as I finally rose it once more and claimed my heritage trout.

The water in Trout Creek was running a bit low but I was able to find a few holes deep enough to hold fish. Several more redbands came to hand before I ended my day.

The following morning I set out to explore the upstream to see if I could find any fish. To my surprise I found nothing. Perplexed and a bit disappointed, I backtracked downstream and fished the area I was the day before. I caught two more pretty redbands and called the trip a success.

The fishing on Trout Creek was decent but the camping was less than stellar. Parts of the creek had cans and garbage in it, the RVs next to us had guests that were very loud, and the humming of ATVs on the road broke the immersion of fishing for rare trout in the middle of nowhere. My fiancee and I both agreed that we wouldn’t be returning to Trout Creek Campground any time soon.

McCloud River – Middle Falls
On the way out of Trout Creek we stopped by Middle Falls to check out the waterfall. We passed an informational sign that told us about the history on the falls. There was a picture of a brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout that caught my attention.

About halfway down the trail to the falls it hits me. “Damn it… I should have brought my rod”. I ran back up to the car, put together my rod, put on my vest and neoprene socks, and ran back down to the falls. “There are five people fishing here,” my fiancee said with a bit of disappointment. “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I replied. I observed the other anglers as I strung my rod. No problem.

The McCloud River was fishing great. Throughout the time I was there I caught several stockies and one wild rainbow. I was looking for a McCloud River brown.

I hiked a bit downstream to try and stay out of the other anglers way. The banks along the river were heavily overgrown so I had to bushwhack through what looked like a small animal trail to get to the water.
After trying a few holes downstream with nothing but a few rainbows, I waded upstream and fished a decent looking pool. I made my cast and rose a fish. It’s a brown! “Yes!”. Into the net a McCloud River brown trout.

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Keep Calm and Fly Fish™