Insect hatches are sparse now at Baum Lake so fishing is slow

Baum Lake - Cassel, CA (Shasta County)


by The Fly Shop
5-1-2012
Website

Located near Hat Creek outside of the town of Burney, Baum Lake is a "spring creek lake," meandering through weedy channels in a beautiful, open valley.

Current Lake Conditions: Fishing better than last week. Insect hatches are sparse for now. A cloudy wet day could generate good hatches of BWOs and Green Drakes. Ever experience a Green Drake hatch on Baum? It's wild! You should catch rainbows here!

The Fly Shop's ? Tips: 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.

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

Road Conditions:
No road restrictions for this area.

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:

• Adams - #18-20
• Tilt Wing Dun - Mahogany #18
• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-18
• Light Cahill - #18
• Griffiths Gnat - #20
• Norman's Loop Wing - BWO #20

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

Streamers/Leeches:
• Jay Fair's Wiggle Tails - #10
• Beaded Micro Buggers - #12
• Zack's Damseleech - #14
• Double Bunny - #2

Fly Fishing Gear:
• Outcast ? Fish Cat 9-IR
• Scott ? G2 Series Fly Rod 4-5wt
• Sun Day Afternoons Hat