This is a one day guided outing for fishing the midge hatch at Lake Almanor near Chester, CA. While there will be only one day of guided fishing on Thursday, May 7, the plan/hope is people can stay longer and fish more days on our own. Hopefully, what we learn from Lance Gray, our guide on the 7th, will allow us to fish successfully on subsequent days.
Participants will meet Lance at the Plumas Pines Resort on the west side of Lake Almanor at 8 AM on May 7. We'll rig our gear and float tubes/pontoon boats with Lance's guidance, then we'll go to a spot on the lake of Lance's choosing where where we'll fish until approximately 4 PM. Lance can provide some flies, but you should bring your own gear. Lance recommends a 9-10' 5-7 weight rod, a WF floating line for midge fishing with an indicator. You might also bring a sinking/sink tip line and your usual lake fishing accessories. You'll also need a watercraft of some kind, like a float tube, pontoon, or small pram, and fins, and a PFD (required by Lance). You should plan to bring an assortment of midge flies as well as any other stillwater flies you'd like to try. Lance recommends the following midge flies: Lance's Jigged Zebra Midge (black #20, red #18), WD40 black #18, Thurman's Cut Bait Midge #10, Bomber Black/Silver #14, Holographic Pupa Zoro #14. Lance also sells a midge assortment (14 flies) with fly box and indicator for $43. You can order directly from him or we may be able to do a group order. Plan to bring your own lunch and drinks, Lance does not provide them for this outing. Also, you will have to sign Lance's Release of Liability /Waiver of Claims, a copy can be made available in advance if you'd like.
The cost of the guided day is $190 per person if we have 3 attendees, $145 if we have 4 attendees, and $115 if we fill with 5 attendees. When you sign up, you'll be billed $190, but a credit will be made if we have 4 or 5 attendees. Tips to Lance can be made at your discretion; they would be much appreciated. We need a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 registered participants for this guided outing. If the number of registrants is too small, the event will likely be cancelled and you'll be issued a club credit. There is a cost to cancel, and a cancellation deadline; see the cancellation policy for this event for more info.
If you need accommodations for the outing, there are a number of campsites near Lake Almanor, such as Rocky Point (PG&E), Almanor North and South campgrounds, Plumas Pines Resort, etc, as well as various AirBNB type rental options. Note: its early season so its possible not all campgrounds will be open. All participants are responsible for their own accommodations.
Enjoy this learning and fishing opportunity on a great local stillwater fishery. If you have questions about registration, contact me (tompolinger@gmail.com)