Kid friendly locations?

[kylgrn]

Hi all,

I've been taking my toddler out every couple weeks, he loves watching other guys fly-fish, catch bugs, and just smash around. Can anyone recommend a kid friendly location that might have some willing fish? I've been thinking some of the spots along the silver fork, I remember some having relatively calm pools and pebble like beaches. We mostly hang out at different spots along the Truckee (Glenshire, Train!!), but I'd like to try someplace else with him that might have some takers.

Thanks!

Kyle

[MickeyFinn]

The North Fork of the Yuba between Downieville and Sierra City should be on your list. Very easy access, safe, no waders necessary, great for kids. Also the Silver Fork as you mentioned. Truckee... you never know what it will give up but generally a little more challenging for the youngsters.

[Scott V]

The Carson where the 89 and 88 meet. I always see kids there fishing, plus the view is not half bad.

[Bob G]

A second vote for the North Fork of the Yuba. My recommendation would be a ways upstream from Sierra City, and the evening. For food, there is a wonderful small spring fed creek that runs through the side-hill dining table locations at the Buckhorn Restaurant in Sierra City...for viewing purposes only, there are usually a few trout in the small pool just below the Restaurant garden's foot bridge. Finally, Herrington's, also in Sierra City, has a trout pond where for 25 cents you can buy food to feed the trout...at 65 I still enjoy throwing the food. A toss to the edge of the pond seems to bring the best display...My 25 year old daughter has been tossing food into the trout pond since she was a toddler.

Enjoy whatever you do!

Bob

[aaron]

If you're up for a longer drive/camping trip Ash Creek off 299 provided some nice eager trout without the hat creek crowds; and some diverse water to fish from spring creek to freestone. Fun out of the way spot for a youngster, lots of meadows to catch bugs in and look at critters, though not sure how the drought has treated it.

[Terry Thomas]

Upper Hat Creek is planted and has some good places for beginning anglers. Cave Camp Ground is a good place to camp.

[kylgrn]

Wow thanks everyone, I really appreciate the ideas! I've been fishing mostly by myself for the last 10 years, now I equally enjoy just getting out and being near the water with my son (for now anyways!). We have a lengthy vacation coming up near Fall River Mills so I will try to check out some of those recommendations up that way. I'm ashamed to say I haven't explored much of the NFY, I envisioned tons of boulders and other rough terrain, though I also knew there had to be some nice pools and beaches here and there.

[Gregg]

Looking for the same setup for this weekend, I think we're gonna take all 4 kids and camp at Indian Valley on the North Yuba. Was thinking Baum, but 4 hours is a bit much with a car full of kids under 7 :/

I'll bring back a report and pics if we survive up there.

[Gregg]

Changed plans and headed to Almanor instead. If you haven't been up here and stayed at North Shore campground, definitely do it. Great amenities, tons of space for kids to run around and explore, easy shoreline access for them to cast, and lots of local streams to hike and fish.





Deer Creek has plenty of access along hwy 32. Water runs a bit quicker so might be a bit challenging for younger kids in spots. Up closer to the lake though are Gurnsey Creek and Mill Creek, both are pretty wide open, and if the kids can manage some mellow knee deep wading in spots, they're packed with browns and rainbows and are great places to explore. Each of our 4 got the chance to reel one in and learn how to land and release it. If you hit the Mill Creek campground, there's a semi-marked trail that leads down to the water. A little bit of streamside bushwacking and you're there.

[Craig Nielsen]

Kyle:
The Mount Shasta area has some awesome spots for kids. Lake Siskiyou is great for family camping with a great swimming beach with lifeguards and toys to play on, loads of other kids around, pizza, ice cream, kid movies at night, boat rentals to chase eager small mouth (poppers cast against rock outcrops bring topwater action) and a hex hatch for bass and trout in the evening while catching the sun set on Mt. Shasta.
We also have several local creeks with easy access and trout eager to eat small dry flies, including the South Fork of the Upper Sac and the Upper McCloud, which also has a kid friendly campground with spectacular waterfalls and swimming. Feel free to ring me for details.