Clearwater Lodge
Pacific Northwest
Nestled in the southern Cascades between Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen, on the banks of the Pit River, Clearwater Lodge is just minutes from California’s premiere wild trout rivers. These include two classic spring creeks: Hat Creek and the rainbow-rich Fall River. In addition, there are three superb pocket-water rivers: the Pit, the McCloud, and the Upper Sacramento. The many other fly fishing options awaiting guests range from classic little mountain streams and intimate spring creeks to sophisticated spring-fed lakes holding very large wild rainbow trout.
In addition to being a full-service fly fishing lodge, Clearwater is also recognized as one of the nation’s premier fly fishing schools, offering a variety of multi-day classes for all skill levels of anglers including one of the West’s only guide schools. For those not interested in formal on-stream classes, know that all the seasoned guides at Clearwater are true professionals who are willing to work you as little or as much as you like during your stay. Recently relocated to the historic 1920s lodge built at the Pit 1 Powerhouse, Clearwater Lodge provides fine family meals and a wide range of comfortable accommodations and is one of our top picks for anglers keen on experiencing the best of Northern California’s blue ribbon trout streams.
Clearwater Lodge Location:
Clearwater Lodge is located on the Pit River in Northern California.
Clearwater Lodge Fishing Program:
Clearwater's guests can choose from a wide variety of northern California fly fishing options, including walk/wade, raft, jonboat, and drift boat trips. Energetic waders enjoy the challenging wading and high catch-rate on the Pit River. Guests who prefer easier wading feel at home on Hat Creek, Burney Creek, and some of our smaller streams. Fall River is fished from aluminum jonboats with small motors. It is totally flat, with no rapids or riffles. At the other end of the floating spectrum is the Pit River near the lodge, which is floated in specialized rafts. This float combines great fly fishing with mild whitewater, solitude, and great scenery. Another great boating option is the Lower Sacramento River in Redding. Many Clearwater guests fly fish the Lower Sac with a Clearwater guide the day they arrive at or depart from the Lodge.
Clearwater Lodge Fisheries :
The Fall River
This famous spring creek rises clear and cold from Thousand Springs, in the shadow of Mt. Shasta, and flows nearly thirty miles through the lush Fall River Valley. Its large wild rainbows come readily to a well-fished dry fly or nymph. Fall River's legendary hatches range from the tiny #22 Trico spinner to the giant #6 Hexagenia mayfly. Fall River is fished only from aluminum prams with electric motors.
Hat Creek
Hat Creek is California's version of the chalk streams of southern England where fly fishing was born. Managed for wild trout only for over twenty years, Hat's rich waters support a diverse insect population and thousands of trout per mile in the three miles of Trophy Water. The fishing is tough on the flats, with large fussy trout, small flies, and 7X tippets. There is also over a mile of productive riffles and runs for nymphing. The evening caddis hatches often bring the fish to the surface in a feeding frenzy.
The Pit River
The Pit might be the finest naturally-occurring wild trout fishery in California. The final 25 miles, below Lake Britton, are in a deep canyon and are divided into three reaches by dams and powerhouses. Access is challenging, but the beauty of the canyon, the extensive pockets and pools, and the high catch rate of bright wild fish are perfect if you are an energetic wader.
The McCloud River
A classic pool and pocket water river in a magnificent wooded canyon, the McCloud is northern California's most famous freestone fishery. McCloud rainbows are world renown. Special regulations protect this fishery and it produces trout to 24 inches, typically on nymphs and streamers. In the fall, spawning browns add an extra thrill. The three miles of Nature Conservancy water is zero-kill and limited to ten rods a day. We fish both this water and the six miles of public water above the Conservancy.
The Upper Sacramento River
After a chemical spill in 1992 and subsequent closure for three years, this classic little trout river astonished everyone with the speed and success of its recovery. The rainbows are back, all wild fish, and in remarkable numbers. Nearly 40 miles of pools, pockets, riffles, and runs, with relatively easy access and wading and continued enlightened management, the Upper Sac has regained its place as one of California's premier wild trout fisheries.
The Sacramento River Float Trips
The Sacramento below Redding has become recognized as a world-class rainbow fishery. We use drift boats to fish the excellent water between Redding and Anderson, getting out on the gravel bars and islands to wade and fish. While it's mostly nymphing, there are good caddis hatches from spring to fall.
Northeastern California Stillwaters
Baum Lake, Eastman Lake, Manzanita Lake, McCumber Lake, Eagle Lake, McCoy Flats - these and other stillwaters around Clearwater offer excellent fishing for outsized rainbow and browns. We provide float tubes and pontoon boats for our guests and guide many of these fisheries. If it's big fish you want, these stillwaters are the place. 5 pound fish are frequent; 10 pounders not unknown.
Non-Angling Activities:
The Intermountain Area has lots of outdoor activities for people who do not fish. Burney Falls State Park is 20 minutes from the lodge and has a gorgeous 120 ft waterfall, hiking trails, a beach with swimming area, rental boats and a visitors center. Lassen National Park is about one hour and 20 minutes from the lodge and has a number of beautiful hikes and several visitor's centers as well as lava tubes to explore. The Fall River Valley is an excellent place to ride bikes (we do not rent them, but you are welcome to bring your own!). Kayakers and bird watchers can explore the waters of the Fall River Valley (again, we don't rent kayaks but some guests do bring their own). The McCloud river is about 45 miles north of the lodge and is a beautiful river to hike along. The town of McCloud is a quaint old mill town and has an interesting down town area to explore. Just 12 miles northwest of McCloud is the town of Mt. Shasta which has shopping and restaurants and incredible views of Mt. Shasta and the surrounding Castle Crags.
Clearwater Lodge Accommodations and Meals:
The Clearwater Lodge on the Pit River is a magnificent Arts and Crafts building completed in 1921. Using lava rock and clear fir from the surrounding forests, skilled craftsmen created a masterwork of lodge architecture unique in California. Paneled walls and tall beamed ceilings rise above the clear fir floors. The original copper and stained glass chandeliers illuminate the Great Room. A massive stone fireplace with cozy inglenooks on either side invites you to linger and relax. Comfortable mission chairs offer places for reading and chatting around the fireplace. The library offers a fine selection of books on fly fishing for trout. It’s the perfect place for relaxing with friends, enjoying a glass of wine and sharing stories of the day’s adventures. Magnificent old sycamore trees create a canopy of shade on the wide front porch. There are chairs among the oaks and pines on the beautiful grounds for relaxing.
Located in a park-like setting on the Pit River, midway between Burney and Fall River Mills, Clearwater Lodge caters exclusively to fly fishers with fine meals, accommodations, guiding, and fly fishing schools. The lodge offers seven comfortable bedrooms in the main building and each features a queen bed and a private bath. Fly fishing prints decorate the walls and the rooms feature antiques and oriental rugs.
The Annex, connected to the lodge by a portico, provides European-style lodging accommodations, with six single bedrooms and two large shared baths. The Annex’s spacious sitting room features a natural rock fireplace and is perfect for gathering with friends to discuss the day’s fishing. Three individual cottages set away from the lodge among trees and lawns, offer one and two bedroom accommodations.
Breakfast is from 7:30AM-8:30AM and consists of juice, cereal, yogurts, hot dishes as well as fresh fruit and fresh baked scones/muffins. Coffee is usually out in the breakfast nook by 6:30AM. Dinner is served nightly at 6:00PM. After a day of fishing, you can look forward to excellent family style meals from a chef who understands that fishing builds hearty appetites.
The refrigerator in the breakfast nook is stocked daily with sodas that are complimentary. Also, the cookie jars next to the refrigerator have freshly baked cookies, so please help yourself!
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Clearwater Lodge
Days 2-4: Full days of guided fishing on Fall River, Hat Creek, Pit River.
Day 5: Depart lodge.
Complete Trip Details
