The River Times Spring 2021

Northern California’s

TheRiverTimes For those who live on or long for the water

Trinity Alps Solitude Trinity Alps Backpacking

McCloud River Redband Trout

Chasing solitude and alpine brook trout.

Page 2 @riversedgeproperties

Participating in the Heritage Trout Challenge Page 10

Waterfront Home Sales A quick look at the waterfront housing market.

Page 8

Alpine Bro

2

TheRiverTimes Spring 2021

A River’s Edge Properties Publication

ook Trout in the Trinity Alps

When in search of brook trout and solitude, backpacking and fly fishing go hand in hand. @riversedgeproperties

Spring 2021

TheRiverTimes 3

W

hy did we pack all this beer?! What should have been a quick 3-ish mile backpacking trip chasing brookies had somehow turned into the three of us staring down an avalanche chute questioning our decision-making.

The Trinity Alps Wilderness provides an epic and well-known playground for outdoor enthusiasts here in Northern California. With over 500,000 acres of land and 600 miles of trails, there is plenty of country to explore.

In search of solitude on an early Fall weekend, our group had been poring over maps of the wilderness area, we eventually set our sights on a trio of difficult-to-get-to blue pools that appeared to be the perfect destination for a secluded trip. There are two ways to get to the main lake, the usual trail, an arduous 8 mile trek devoid of water, and the “shortcut,” discovered online. The trailhead was just outside of Weaverville, and while we were aware of a little scrambling that needed to be done to drop into the basin, our research had us confident about our plan.

Straight out of the gate we made a mistake.

Spirits were high and the views were distracting, so rather than verifying we were on the correct trail, we forged ahead up the ridgeline, excited that we’d make it to the lake in just a couple of hours. As we climbed, we started to notice a

trail quite a bit below us, snaking around the hillside. A quick gps check and sure enough, we realized our mistake. No problem, we’ll just sidehill and drop down to the correct trail and be on our way!

Anyone who has bushwhacked through manzanita knows how this plan played out.

What looks like soft, green foliage from above proves to be a relentless battle to push through, especially with two dogs wearing packs and a few treacherous scree slopes thrown in for good measure. Nevertheless, we persisted. Sweaty, scratched and tired, we finally landed on the correct trail less than a quarter mile from where we had parked the car a few hours earlier. Oh well, easy cruising from here, right?

A couple miles later we finally found ourselves on the final ridgeline, just below the jagged granite peak looming over the lake’s basin. Referencing our map, we glanced wearily down the avalanche chute that was our intended route. Sketchier than expected, but it looked doable. Step by step, we slowly picked our way down the hillside, eventually removing the dogs’ packs and then in a couple spots actually helping them down via their pack harnesses, knowing that one mis-step would lead to a very long and hazardous tumble for any one of us. By the time we reached the bottom, we were thoroughly exhausted and reminded that in the Trinity Alps, even the short, “easy”

In the Trinity Alps, even the short, “easy” hikes can throw plenty of curveballs at you. hikes can throw plenty of curveballs at you.

Soon enough, we set up camp, cracked open a few of those heavy beers (FYI, one sixteen ounce beer weighs just over a pound), and started exploring the shoreline, fly rods in hand.

As the sun dipped past the high rim and silence crept across the lake, the brook trout began gently rising. Before long, the quiet gave way to the echoing splash of a hooked trout.

The next day was all sunshine and fly lines.

Once the sun hit the lake, visibility was perfect 4

TheRiverTimes Spring 2021

A River’s Edge Properties Publication

@riversedgeproperties

Spring 2021

TheRiverTimes 5

6

TheRiverTimes Spring 2021

A River’s Edge Properties Publication

- watching brookies materialize from the emerald depths to attack our sub-surface flies was exhilarating. As the day progressed, we switched out to dry flies and enjoyed the exuberant, splashy takes. High alpine lakes don’t generally support large fish, but the fish that are there are typically eager for a meal.

While we were cooking up dinner, the clouds started to roll in. Soon enough, we were driven to our tents when the skies opened up. None of us slept much that night, between the howling wind and the rising pool of water under the tents. We had a brief window of time in the morning to get a fire started and attempt to dry out our gear, but when the clouds started dropping again, we knew we needed to get out of there.

The previous evening, we had noticed a bear on the other side of the lake, picking his way up the northeast boulder-strewn slope (even the wildlife knew better than to attempt that avalanche chute!). We had all agreed that while it wasn’t the way we came in, it looked like a solid route to make our way out.

Following the topo map, we worked our way across the boulder field and sidehilled up toward the ridgeline to an all-fours-scramble final ascent, which I imagine was very similar to the bears exit the day before. Success!

From there on out, we caught back up with the trail and picked up the pace, as the weather turned more and more ominous. By the time we reached the final ridgeline, there were huge, wet snowflakes coming down on us. We only had a mile to go, but it was a soggy, cold and uncomfortable mile.

In hindsight, this was one of those trips that sticks with you for a number of reasons. Yes, some things went wrong, some of which we could have controlled, but pushing forward through the inevitable physical and mental challenges helped create an incredibly satisfying adventure. The icing on the cake being a beautiful granite lake to ourselves with plenty of willing brook trout, and no shortage of beer.

@riversedgeproperties

Spring 2021

TheRiverTimes 7

River’s Edge

A Division of Shasta

Dan Rhodes Cell: 530.410.3336 - dan

Connecting buyers and waterfron

Dan Rhodes - dan@riversedgeproperties.com - riversedgeproperties

Waterfront Housing Market Summary Waterfront homes are selling for more, and faster, than they have since 2007.

Whether it’s due to the lifestyle offered, buyers looking for safe-haven, or the ever increasing ease of working from home, waterfront property is in high demand.

2021 to date (April 1st) has shown a dramatic uptick in waterfront home values with reduced time on market. The average price per square foot has climbed from a steady value of around $213 over the past several years to a high of $234 currently. In that time, the average number of days a property sits on the market before selling has reduced to 69 from a high of 185 in 2019. Together, this information exhibits that right now homes are selling for more money and faster than they have in a very long time.

Values above are from homes over $300,000 on 6 acres or less to avoid value added for large acreage. There is sometimes significant variance in price per square foot depending on location, quality of home finish, body of water, etc.

This is just a general representation of what the market is doing as a whole.

Information provided by Dan Rhodes at River’s Edge Properties 8

TheRiverTimes Spring 2021

A River’s Edge Properties Publication

e Properties

a Land Services, Inc.

Lic. # 01775146 n@riversedgeproperties.com

d sellers of Northern CA nt property

s.com - 530.410.3336 - 358 Hartnell Ave., Suite C, Redding CA. 96002

Why List With River’s Edge Properties?

We find out of area buyers.

River’s Edge Properties focuses exclusively on listing and selling waterfront property in Northern California. As an area native with 25 years of fly fishing experience, 7 of those in the fly fishing industry, Dan Rhodes has developed the ability to identify and market a property’s unique attributes and tailor-fit them to enthusiastic buyers looking for their dream property. Dan has spent the past 12 years in waterfront real estate finding buyers who identify with the special lifestyle that owning a property like yours offers. The California map to the right shows density bubbles from where online search queries originate for our website, riversedgeproperties.com.

Give us a call or shoot us an email for a no-pressure chat about your waterfront home and how we can help you execute your goals. Or, just give us a call to swap fishing stories or go fishing. We’d love to hear from you!

The River Times publication has been created in its entirety by Dan to help showcase the phenomenal water-based recreation our area offers.

riversedgeproperties.com

@riversedgeproperties

Spring 2021

TheRiverTimes 9

McCloud River Redband Trout A weekend near McCloud, taking part in the Heritage Trout Challenge

California is home to a number of native trout species that are genetically distinct, at risk, and isolated. I’ve caught a handful of California’s native trout varieties while fishing around the state, but I’ve never tried to specifically target one of these unique forms, I would just fish wherever and whenever I could. But after reading up on the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Heritage Trout Challenge (see inset to the right) I realized this would be a great excuse to see some new water and country and appreciate some of these special fish that are so close to home here in Northern California. A trip was planned to pursue the rare and isolated redband trout of the McCloud River, a great

10

TheRiverTimes Spring 2021

fish to intentionally check off the list first.

Currently only four small streams, cut off from the mainstem McCloud River due to porous substrate, harbor pure strains of these fish. Interbreeding with stocked non-native species and low water conditions during drought years have caused serious issues for the redband. According to CDFW, The total estimated population is less than 4,000.

Redband trout can generally be identified by exhibiting a deep red lateral band, white tipped fins, a (sometimes present) cutthroat trout-type orange slash along the throat, and the black spots tend to be more concentrated above the lateral line. Adult fish often still exhibit parr

A River’s Edge Properties Publication

What is the Heritage Trout Challenge?

marks, which are generally more common in juvenile fish.

Like most small-stream fish, fly selection is pretty straightforward and most of the typical attractor-style dry flies and nymphs work well.

We had the most success on small grasshopper patterns and a #14 Mercer’s Missing Link.

Much more important than fly selection however, is stealth. While they’re not particularly picky small stream fish are very wary, a stealthy approach will pay dividends.

To determine where to go to find redband trout, a perusal of the online information provided by CDFW and California Trout will get you well on your way. Then it’s just a matter of driving dusty back roads and pitching dry flies! @riversedgeproperties

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife created The Heritage Artwork by Tim Gunther Trout Challenge to inspire anglers to get out and experience California’s native trout. The goal is to capture, photograph, and release any six of the eleven distinct varieties of the state’s native rainbow and cutthroat trout. Completing the challenge results in a print for framing; a fantastic way to experience the fantastic recreational opportunities California has to offer! Find more info at: wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/HTC

Spring 2021

TheRiverTimes 11

River Cleanup

Mark your calendar for Trout Unlimited’s annual Lower Sacramento River cleanup in Redding! Our local Shasta Trinity Cascades chapter of TU would love to have you join the effort.

Date: Sunday, April 18th Time: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Details: Volunteers will meet at the Posse Grounds Boat Ramp upstream of the Sundail Bridge where they will divide into two groups: one in boats, a second on foot. Garbage bags will be provided.

If you have a drift boat, raft, kayak, small jetboat or even a paddleboard, please show up a bit early to coordinate shuttles to Bonnyview Boat Ramp. There will likely be space available for people without a vessel to hop in one of the boats. Volunteers need to have an approved life jacket.

For those on foot, efforts will be coordinated to walk the shores in several of the access spots on the Sacramento River in Redding.

What to Bring: Protective gloves, comfortable work clothes and good footwear, plus sun protection. Please be sure to bring water, and keep hydrated!

Find and follow @TroutUnlimitedSTC on facebook if you would like any additional details.

Prize Drawing

This issue’s prize drawing is for a fly box and 2 dozen hand tied flies, selected specifically for our Northern CA waters. The flies are a combination of patterns tied by Dan Rhodes at River’s Edge Properties and rounded out with a selection from The Fly Shop in Redding.

How to enter: 1. Go to riversedgeproperties.com/ prize_drawing. The link will also be available in our instagram bio (see next page).

2. Enter your email address (we won’t spam you!)

3. Go fishing for good luck :) 4. Winner to be announced May 31st.

Dan Rhodes 12

TheRiverTimes Spring 2021

A River’s Edge Properties Publication

riversedgeproperties Follow us on Instagram for snapshots of life on the water in beautiful Northern California and beyond! #liveonthewater

@riversedgeproperties

Spring 2021

TheRiverTimes 13

Client Net Build Building my first landing net!

Landing a fish is a wonderful thing, seared into memory. It’s a moment to admire the creature we pursue, the impetus behind so many wonderfully varied and beautiful adventures.

I recently built my first net as a thank you from River’s Edge Properties to a Bay Area client-friend that purchased a waterfront home from me on Hat Creek. What better way to show my gratitude for using my services than to build something designed for the recreational lifestyle and the memories a waterfront home purchase can create?

While not new to woodworking, building a net was something I hadn’t done before. It’s actually a fairly simple and straightforward process, and, similar to fly tying, is a task done with an eye on the future, envisioning how it might be used and what memories it might help create. A fun process!

14

TheRiverTimes Spring 2021

Net specifics: Made from padauk wood with a silver-wire trout inlay on the handle; the eye of the trout is a mosaic pin marking 19” from the top of the net. On the opposite side, brass pins and silver inlay denote inches from 18” to 26”, to be used as a measuring stick. The net was then finished with two coats of epoxy followed by three successive coats of a marine spar varnish with (way too much) sanding between coats. FYI, there are much easier ways to finish a net.

A River’s Edge Properties Publication

@riversedgeproperties

Spring 2021

TheRiverTimes 15

TheRiverTimes Is a publication for Northern California’s recreational water based community.

Questions, comments or ideas?

We’d love to hear from you! dan@riversedgeproperties.com 530-410-3336

A River’s Edge Properties Publication

A River’s Edge Properties Publication