This fish-out is initially offered currently registered Level 1 and Level 2 "Learn to Fly Fish" registered students ONLY, unless otherwise announced.
Our Level 1 and Level 2 fishouts cover a variety of Northern California destinations, but most are moving water--streams and rivers. This is a great opportunity to experience and learn STILLWATER fishing techniques on a private lake which our group will have entirely to ourselves. We will be led by a professional guide, Todd Carnes, who will present a stillwater fishing clinic lakeside, followed by the remainder of the day with students paired in boats on the lake practicing these techniques with guidance and coaching from Todd. Stillwater fishing requires a variety of new skills and angling techniques apart from fishing moving water---this is a fun and unique learning opportunity!
Our primary target will be the beautiful, and often sizable rainbow trout in the Lake, but don't be surprised if you pull in a bass or two, as well as decent bluegill and sunfish.
Luk Lake (it's pronounced "luck", possibly because it's so close to the Rolling Hills Casino?) is a 65+ acre private lake located off Interstate I-5 just a couple miles south of the little town of Corning. Corning is about 45 minutes (50 miles) south of Redding. Formerly known as Coffeecup Lake, it is a great wintertime and springtime rainbow trout destination and year round bass fishery.
We will have two guided fishing groups, each with one day of fishing on the lake.
Group 1 Fishing will begin at 8AM on Saturday and students are welcome to fish until sunset.
Group 2 should arrive at the lake by 8AM on Sunday morning beginning with the shoreside clinic and followed by fishing until sunset on Sunday evening.
We will plan a no-host dinner on Saturday evening for both Group 1 completing their fishout, as well as Group 2 arrivals.
Lodging: Students should make their own lodging plans at the Rolling Hills Casino which is located adjacent to the Luk Lake property, or at one of the motels in Corning which is a short 10 minute drive from the property.
Food: Meals are not included. You should plan to bring your own lunch, snacks and water/drinks. We will eat lunch at the lake during the full days. There is a Subway shop in Corning, as well as a Safeway store with deli in Corning where you can purchase a sandwich.
Boats: This lake can ONLY be fished from a small boat (rowboat, pontoon boat, kayak, or electric-powered skiff) or from a float tube since there is virtually no shoreline access due to the heavy tule growth around the lake. Unless you bring your own permissible watercraft, students will be expected to fish from the rented rowboats. There will be two students per boat, who will be responsible for rowing and safely managing it while fishing through-out the day.
Must wear a PFD: Rowboats (~12' prams) will be provided with oars, anchors, and (hopefully) life preserver seat cushions to sit on. However, it is strongly advised that you bring your own wearable personal floatation device (PFD) to wear in case you can't borrow one of the GGACC's (6) PFDs.
Note: Wearing a PFD is mandatory (GGACC CLUB Policy) while fishing from any watercraft NOT operated by professional guides on any GGACC club outings, and is always recommended to be worn on any small craft, especially in float tubes, pontoon boats, or other inflatable crafts.
Personal Gear: There is no shore or wade fishing possible at this lake and we will NOT be wearing waders when fishing from these prams, but you should bring water sandals, old tennis shoes, or similar footwear to allow you to step into the water when launching or beaching your boat. Also, be sure to bring sun protection (including brimmed hat or visor, sun lotion, and buff / sun gloves if you use them), polarized sunglasses, rain jacket, and other clothing appropriate to the possible weather (it is likely to be very cool in the early morning and cool off in the evening no matter what the day's high temp is). We have not had any issues with mosquitos in past years, but come prepared. And bring a headlamp to fish in the late evening.
Note: if you plan to use your own float tube, you will of course want to bring your waders as well.
Fishing Gear: Suggested fishing gear includes a 5-8wt rod and reel, with a floating line to use for dries, or for indicator nymphing for trout, bass, or sunfish. Our stillwater instruction will emphasize sinking line techniques, including retrieves and it is recommended that you have an intermediate line (1-1.5 ips sink rate). A type 3 line can work as well, but nothing heavier than that. Sink tips on your floating line can also be effective in the lake.
For fishing dries to any rising trout or even for stripping Wooly Buggers and other small streamers, bring 9' long tapered leaders in 3X or 4X, with tippet spools from 3X-5X in either mono, fluoro, or both. You may have to indicator nymph to reach trout during the day, in which case small indicators (especially those with "tell-tales", i.e., little flags) are useful, in addition to size BB or heavier split-shot to get down deep enough. You'll need a liquid floatant to dress your bass flies and any dries you might try. And of course, bring nippers and forceps. A landing net is useful for landing trout or small panfish to keep them from being accidentally dropped in the boat and for helping to revive them before releasing.
A 2023 California fishing license is required to fish Luk Lake.
Flies: A set of appropriate flies will be provided as part of this outing. You are welcome of course to bring your own to augment what is provided. The Fly Shop near Redding is 45 minutes north of the lake, if you choose to do some shopping prior to your arrival. Our own Lost Coast Outfitters in San Francisco can also provide fly options.
Pre-fishout meeting: We will have a pre-fishout meeting where you will receive directions to the lake, gate combination, rules for driving on the property's dirt road (15mph to keep dust down!) more gear and fly suggestions, etc. Students are encouraged to carpool if feasible to limit the number of vehicles parked down at the lake.
Fee: The registration fee for this fish-out is $275, which includes the costs for the lake access fee, boat rental, supplied flies, and guide fees. The registration fee does not include lodging, transportation, meals, or guide gratuities.
Limited Registration: This fish-out is limited to the first 10 students to sign-up for each group (due to expected maximum number of boats), after which an online waiting list will be created for possible replacements for any registrants who may later learn that they can't make it. But in line with the LTFF policy, there will be no refund possible if there is no one on the waitlist willing to take your spot or if you can't find your own replacement.
For further info, Bruce Greenwood brucegre@pacbell.net
Cost: $275.00