Fly fishing around Chico was one of the greatest experiences
of my life. The 3 years that I lived there hold some very fond
memories. I miss Chico very much for this very reason. Even now, 3
years after moving away, I’m still trying very hard to move back
there.

If you’re going absolutely nuts and you must get your line wet there
are three very close options: the Sacramento River, Butte Creek, and
Chico Creek. There are places you can go right there within the city
limits to fish.

The Sacramento River is a huge river, most suited to river boat
fishing. If you’re willing to spend a few hundred bucks, hire a guide
and drift down the river starting below the dam in the Redding area.
In Chico you can fish from the riverbank, but the current is very fast
and the water is filled with many species of fish. Take highway 32
west out of town and then turn south on River Road. You’ll see
several places to park a few miles down the road.

In the winter the fishing regulations change and they allow you to
fish Chico’s 2 major creeks within city limits. Artificial lures with
a single barbless hook, strictly catch and release. November 15th
through February 15th. Chico Creek is fishable above Bear Hole in
Bidwell Park and Butte Creek is legal above Skyway parkway (take the
Honey Run Road off Skyway, near the golf driving range).

In the summer you’ll want to head up the hill. Take highway 32
east out of Chico.

The first stop is Butte Meadows, about 35 miles from Chico. You’ll
see the signs from highway 32. Travel up this road about 5 miles and
you’ll see the CDF station. There is a dirt logging road just before
the station. Drive down to the river, get out, and walk downriver.
The fishing gets really good about a mile downstream. The farther you
walk, the better it gets. The creek is about 20 feet wide on average,
with heavy overgrowth. You’ll want to stand in the middle of the
stream when you cast. Also, there are no trails after about half a
mile. It’s rough country.

Next would be Chico Creek. Stay on highway 32 and drive past the
Butte Meadows exit for another 5 miles or so. You’ll go across a
little bridge. Park there and walk downstream. No trails. Narrow
creek. Heavy overgrowth.

The next spot is even further up highway 32. About 40 miles out of
town you’ll go across another bridge that crosses Deer Creek. Park
here and walk downstream. The trail is a little hard to miss–if you
stand on the middle of the bridge facing downstream, it’s on the right
hand side. Walk down into the canyon for a good 30-45 minutes and
work your way up. Be prepared to do some rock hopping. The brush
isn’t as thick down here and the creek is much wider.

The next spot is a stretch of upper Deer Creek that Heath
and I love. A few miles before the end of the highway 32-highway 36
junction there is a huge meadow. It’s about a mile past the
campground on the left hand side (I forget the name of the
campground). Park here and walk up the creek. Not a lot of trees or
big bushes here. This would be a good place for newbies to start. Up
here the fishing regulations change: you can use barbed hooks and keep
some fish. A good place to get out would be where Deer Creek crosses
highway 32 again and walk the mile-and-a-half back to your truck.

Or you can drive up to this little bridge and park. Work your way
upstream until you hit highway 36. I’ve never fished this stretch of
the river but Heath has. He’s caught a lot of fish back in there.
From the road it looks like it gets rugged real quick.

My final spot is the most amazing trout fishing I’ve ever had. Mill
Creek is back in heavily regulated waters. I’ve seen some huge salmon
up there. This is about 65 miles from Chico, but the drive is worth
it. Take highway 32 until it T-bones with highway 36 and go left
(north). About 10 miles up the road you’ll cross Mill Creek.
There will be a huge meadow on your left hand side. Take the next
left, I forget the name of the road, and skirt the meadow. That’s all
private property. You’ll see lots of cows and maybe some deer or
horses. Drive down that road 1 mile until you see the US Forest Service
housing area on the right hand side. On the left you’ll see a picnic
area–park there. You’ll have to hunt around for the trail that leads
you to the stream. Stay within the high water marks and you won’t be
trespassing. Work your way all the way up the river to the road. The
creek is wide and the overgrowth is light. This is the most amazing
stretch of trout stream I’ve ever found in California.

OK, so that covers it for locations.

How about some files? Go to the Chico Fly Shop
http://www.chicoflyshopinc.com/ on 8th Avenue in town and ask the guys
what to use. They are quite knowledgeable and friendly. My favorites
this time of year are Orange Stimulators, Grasshoppers, Parachute
Adams, Blue Winged Olives, and Elk Hair Caddis.

I have no interest in nymphing either. However, lately I’ve been
tying about 12 inches of tippet to my dry fly and putting a Hare’s Ear
or Pheasant Tail nymph on the end. I love using my parachute dries in
this configuration. My dry still gets strikes, but if the nymph gets
a hit the dry acts like an indicator. This might be the way to go to
ensure that newbies catch some fish. Be careful where you use this
rig, it is illegal is almost all the places I shared with you (single
barbless artificial lures only).