Be careful where you step....Mr John Spencer
I made a goof up in last week's article where I indicated that there was no size limit to bass in Lake Shasta. It was respectfully called to my attention that the size limit for bass was 12 inches. And the page references were supplied to me. After considerable searching, I found at the bottom of Page 15 then on to the top of Page 16 which under Article 4, Species Regulations, 5.00, Black Bass, subsection (a) (1), then to reference section (b)(7) which in turn refers you back to (a) (1) referring to Lake Shasta and Whiskeytown Lake. That confirmed a 12-inch minimum size limit. Whew! I am almost convinced that "Quick steps" to help find fishing regulations are not at all very easy for most folks.
BATTLE HUM
I was a little hesitant to bring up this story, but I am quite sure its similarity has been repeated by many anglers wandering around and wading up and down the streams of the north state. This probably in the midst of a fishing expedition could deliver a message of caution when out fishing the trout streams mainly in the lower elevations.
On a late spring day, I drove up to the north fork of Battle Creek near Manton to do some trout fishing.
I parked my car where the creek crossed the road. I put a 7½-foot fly rod together and tied up a heavy short dropper leader and two weighted nymphs, one light and one dark. It was a rather smaller type stream so I did not wear boots or waders, just canvas wading shoes.
The stream was very rocky with lots of brush. It drops off the steep Shingletown ridge turning from a forested type stream to semiarid type terrain. Very brushy and big rocks. I headed upstream, fishing rather swift pockets and holes. The farther up I went upstream, the more fish I caught. They were small, rather dark-colored rainbows, very much natives and very wild. A 10-inch fish would be a whopper in that creek, but it was great fun catching and releasing them.
As I got farther upstream, the terrain became much more difficult to negotiate. I was wading upstream all the way through deeper holes and crawling over huge rocks. The fishing was so good I just kept going. Each pocket was good for one cast, maybe two at the most before the fish would be spooked. The creek bottom was unforgiving on my feet. Big rocks and overhanging trees were everywhere. I had to side cast or drag cast, straight upstream to get the flies on target. Overhanging brush constantly tested my patience with hang-ups in the canopy vegetation.
I had caught and released plenty of fish and had gone perhaps a mile or so upstream. I finally came to a large hole with basalt rock walls on each side. It looked quite deep and I could hardly pass without climbing up around the rock wall to get further upstream. I decided that was enough of that rough stuff and decided it would be a worse trek going back downstream with all the nasty boulders to wade through and climb over.
Therefore, I decided I would climb out on the right side of the rock wall and walk out through the more open hillside terrain. About halfway up there was a flat spot I could get my footing and ease the access up remainder of the climb. As I reached the flat spot, I came unexpectedly face to face with a fat rattlesnake coiled up, humming away and ready to strike. In a split second, and at the same time, with one motion fly rod in one hand, pushed my body out as far as I could and dropped about 8 feet straight down into the deep hole, which helped cushion my fall. Soaked from head to toe, I dragged myself upon the shoreline of the creek. After calming down from the flight from a possible fatal situation, I checked my body over and could not find any broken bones. In addition, thank goodness, no snakebite. I was however shaken up, bruised and grateful the snake never got me.
I did not stay around to see where the snake went.
I walked out of the area straight down the creek back from where I had started. I never returned to that stretch of Battle Creek again.
Since that time, when in rattlesnake country, I carried an old H&R .22-caliber 9-shot revolver loaded with birdshot. I would recommend that if an angler were out fishing somewhere in rough streamside terrain, which is abounding in this area, to take extra precautions. A great fishing trip could quickly become a disaster. Rattlesnakes if disturbed have a certain hum or buzzing sound. In native cover, their color is similar to trout, very blended in with their natural surroundings.
When out fishing in their territory, it is probably best for the angler to move out of the way while in their domain. Just watch where you step and put your hands.
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