A 20" Brown Trout was caught stripping leeches the other day

Baum Lake - Cassel, CA (Shasta County)


by The Fly Shop
3-4-2012
Website

Current Lake Conditions:
Good fishing happening on Baum Lake! One day the dry fly fishing is great, then then it's not so good the next. Cloudy days can produce the best dry fly fishing. Heard a great report from an angler the other day. He stripped leeches in the deeper water, north of the access, and caught a 20" brown trout!

Fly selection is really simple on Baum. Bring small green #16-18 nymphs, like S&Ms, Micro Mayflies and Pseudo Mays. Don't leave out a midge nymph or three. Don't forget to select a few dry flies from the list on the right.

Road Conditions:
No road restrictions for this area yet! Pay attention to the weather this week!

The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
Fish your dries on 9' 5X leaders tapered to a 24" section of 6X tippet. Suspend nymphs like #16-18 Micro Mays under big brushy dry flies, like a Stimulator or Royal Wulf. Suspend your nymphs about 18-24". If using an indicator to suspend nymphs, select a small indicator! Fishing an Intermediate sinking line with a Damsel nymph or small PT nymph can produce a bent fly rod. The key is SLOW strips! Nothing in Baum Lake is moving fast at this time of year. The water is clear, so the fish have lots of visibility. Use lighter, longer leaders. Delicate presentations will produce more strikes. At times attractor nymphs under indicators works really well, especially where there is current. Baum Lake is an ideal fishing destination for pontoon boats, float tubes and small prams.

Still Water Fact:
Baum Lake is named after world renowned hydro electric pioneer Frank Baum. 1870-1932.

Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:

• Mayfly Cripple
• Hackle Wing May #16-20
• Air Flow Cut Wing #20 • Adams #18-20
• Mercer's Missing Link #14-18
• Norman's Loop Wing BWO

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Red Copper John #14-18
• BH Half-Flashback PT #18-20
• Beaded Zebra Midge #18-20
• Mercer's Gidget
• Micro Mays Olive #16-18
• Zebra Midge #16-20
• Chromie #18
• Frostbite Midge #18

Streamers/Leeches:
• Jay Fair's Wiggle Tail
• Beaded Micro Buggers
• Double Bunny

Fly Fishing Gear:

Our Recommendations:

• Outcast Fish Cat 9-IR
• Screw-ball Strike Indicator
• Tapered Leaders 4x-5x
• Fluorocarbon Tippet