Coffee Creek, CA Fly Fishing Report

Sean Wallentine

Sacramento, CA

Body of Water: Coffee Creek (Trinity County, California)

Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009

# of Fish Caught: 27
Species: Rainbow Trout
Size: Up to 11"
Effective Flies: #10 Royal Stimulator with droppers including #14 Dark Lord and Prince Nymph droppers
Summary:My dad and I fished some new water: Coffee Creek, CA. This stream feeds the upper Trinity River north of Trinity Lake (formerly known as Clair Engle Lake) in Trinity County. It's about an hour drive north of Lewiston, which is approximately 30 miles west of Redding in California's northern Central Valley.

From California's Highway 3 we drove 6 miles west (upsrtream) along Coffee Creek Road. This classic, icy cold freestone stream has beautiful plunge pools and runs. It is filled with stunning natural Rainbow Trout.

Fishing a dry/dropper combination (#10 Stimulator with #16/18 Copper John, Dark Lord or Prince Nymph Droppers) we got strikes on nearly every cast. While the fish were small, topping out at 11 inches, they were active all day and fought hard.

Together we brought more than 40 fish to hand. The wading was a little tough and it was very hot (at least 90). Dad was nearly struck by a 5 foot rattlesnake. I heard the snake rattle from across the stream. It made me realize how loud a rattler rattles. I couldn't hear my dad yell from across the roaring stream but I heard that rattle loud and clear! Of course, we had to get a closer look.

If you like catching fish all day long in a pretty mountain setting (with an occasional rattlesnake), then give Coffee Creek a try if you ever find yourself in the area. I wouldn't come all the way to California just to fish Coffee Creek, but if you find yourself fishing Steelhead or Salmon in the Trinity River and need a small stream diversion, Coffee Creek's a perfect destination.

Coffee Creek, CA Fly Fishing Report

Dan Wallentine
Irvine, CA

Body of Water: Coffee Creek (Trinity County, California)
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009
# of Fish Caught: 17
Species: Rainbow Trout
Size: Up to 11"
Effective Flies: #10 Royal Stimulator with droppers including #14 Prince Nymph and red Copper John droppers
Summary: For most of the details of this location and day of fishing see Sean's report below; no need to submit duplicate info.

I have always enjoyed secluded mountain streams with the constant sounds of the water and cooperative native fish. Coffee Creek is one of those special places. Sometimes those special places hold surprises too.

Toward the end of the day I was fishing the left side of the stream while Sean was fishing the right. We were in a sort of zone; catching a releasing numerous small fish. As I was moving up to the next pocket my foot slipped off of a rock with a thud and instantly there was a loud shoreline rattle; a short rattle in time but loud nonetheless. It took me a moment to gather my attention and at the same time Sean said, "what was that?"
"It sounded like a rattlesnake," I responded. Then looking to my left, sure enough there he was slithering along the bank away from me. Needless to say, our fishing was interrupted while we photographed and filmed it. In thirty years of fishing this is only my second encounter with a rattler. The first was along Deep Creek in the Lake Arrowhead area of Southern California.

So, be careful and alert when entering and exiting the water there are more native creatures than just the fish.

Coffee Creek's Rainbows & Rattlesnakes

Sunday

July 25, 2009

My dad and I fished some new water over the weekend: Coffee Creek, CA. This stream feeds the upper Trinity River north of Trinity Lake (formerly known as Clair Engle Lake) in Trinity County. It's about an hour drive north of Lewiston, which is approximately 30 miles west of Redding in California's northern Central Valley.

From California's Highway 3 we drove 6 miles west (upsrtream) along Coffee Creek Road. This classic, icy cold freestone stream has beautiful plunge pools and runs. It is filled with stunning natural Rainbow Trout.

Fishing a dry/dropper combination (#10 Stimulator with #16/18 Copper John, Dark Lord or Prince Nymph Droppers) we got strikes on nearly every cast. While the fish were small, topping out at 11 inches, they were active all day and fought hard.

Together we brought more than 40 fish to hand. The wading was a little tough and it was very hot (at least 90). Dad was nearly struck by a 5 foot rattlesnake. I heard the snake rattle from across the stream. It made me realize how loud a rattler rattles. I couldn't hear my dad yell from across the roaring stream but I heard that rattle loud and clear! Of course, we had to get a closer look.

If you like catching fish all day long in a pretty mountain setting (with an occasional rattlesnake), then give Coffee Creek a try if you ever find yourself in the area. I wouldn't come all the way to California just to fish Coffee Creek, but if you find yourself fishing Steelhead or Salmon in the Trinity River and need a small stream diversion, Coffee Creek's a perfect destination.