I truck camped to fish an EXCLUSIVE nature preserve

The Conservancy allows only 5 walk on anglers at a time and they're first come first serve. So I camped in my truck the night before so I could get up early and grab a pass.
Flies that got em: Pat's Rubberlegs, Thread Frenchie
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[@daveschlom4033]

It's difficult to say, "this is the best/my favorite video." But there, I said it. I have a long ago and very special relationship with Nature Conservancy places. They are one of the NGOs worth supporting. I so enjoyed being there through your skills as a film maker. Someday maybe, we will share a campfire next to what my guide friend Mac calls, "the holy water." It's more than catching fish there. In the meantime, I will keep ordering your well tied flies. There are better anglers out there, but not better people. You are just fine at the former and kicking butt at the latter. And heads up non wilderness travelers: it isn't Disneyland. There are actual rattle snakes and a lion kill would definitely give me pause about going in there before hitting the play button.

[@driftstone]

It really is a special place. Not many rivers like it in California. Every fish is just a perfect specimen of a trout too. Thanks for your continued support! I hope to keep the videos moving in this direction sharing more of the adventure involved.

[@LANsolo12]

I know it sounds crazy but the darker the water the darker the fly.. crawled all over the rivers in Northern California.. amazing video!!

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimwhite4878]

Another great video, Eric

[@driftstone]

Thanks Jim, thrilled you liked it. Was a little nervous including the camping stuff.

[@jimwhite4878]

@@driftstone Just keep providing those excellent videos

[@pianomoverr]

Beautiful camera work.

[@driftstone]

Thanks man!

[@aircomp]

Cool idea.

[@driftstone]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@johnwillard2582]

Thanks!

[@driftstone]

Thanks John for the generosity!

[@FreeFormFlyFisher]

Excellent work and awesome job showing the beauty of that place. Thank you for sharing.

[@driftstone]

Thanks dude, I appreciate it!

[@OregonFishingAdventures]

nice video man pretty interesting color to that water

[@driftstone]

There is a stream on Shasta that flows mud into it when the weather warms up and the snow up there melts. It happens every year, but recent years have been worse with the piss poor snow packs. I'm actually suprised it's happened this much this year.

[@OregonFishingAdventures]

@@driftstone that sounds like a pretty unique fishery

[@sparkyaone]

I was there the day before or after you because we saw the same dead deer, the river got worse turbid wise after we were there...someday i'm going to run into you!

[@driftstone]

Wow, small world. I checked the turbidity charts and they continued to worsen. I assume the fishing was slow for you also. If you ever see me, do say hi 👋

[@Paulpoission]

Looking McCloudy

[@driftstone]

haha, I see what you did there

[@OregonFishingAdventures]

nongshim is the best ramen for sure i usually always have the red and black but the spicy chicken is also good

[@driftstone]

That sounds good, I haven't seen that flavor in my local grocery store. I'll have to keep an eye out when I head up your way.

[@mitchengelking]

The sweet sweet nectar of a new Eric Leslie video drop

[@HBadger89]

😂 100% Agree

[@driftstone]

Lol thanks :D

[@dynamicphotography_]

Fantastic video my dude. A little bit of everything mixed in. The drone footage is super good, it really adds value. Keep on enjoying summer!!!!

[@driftstone]

Thanks, those drone shots were always something I wanted to do, but have been too lazy. We should fish up your way one day.

[@familyflyties3913]

Love the video Eric, looks like a great place to fish and enjoy the outdoors.

[@blackflycreations]

Another great video Eric! You're ramen made me hungry..🙃You gotta try italian sausage in ramen "its so good". Beautiful area, glad the mountain lion didn't eat You're head like the deer! Haha Looking forward to the next, take care dude✌️ Steve

[@driftstone]

Yeah I'm thankful about the lion also. I've had a close encounter with a lion before and I never want to repeat it. They're scary.

[@TroutFlies]

That place is always special. Enjoying the new vibe still!

[@driftstone]

Thanks Bob, I wasn't super comfortable including stuff like cooking, but the internet seems to be a fan.

[@anatoliyantonov7149]

Job Well Done!

[@driftstone]

Thanks dude, hope you've been fishing a lot!

[@colbymyers6278]

Looks like a fun trip! Nice video. What pack are you wearing?

[@driftstone]

The trash off camera? ✔️

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

Moment I saw your title, I knew where you were going. I haven't been there for 30 years. I think I will need to get back up there before I get too old

[@driftstone]

It's definitely worth it. I think I may try to go back in the Fall when the temps are cooler so less snow melt on shasta to push silt down.

[@louisz8786]

Next time, make the Shin Black and add a kraft single in your ramen. Make sure it is nice and melted in the broth right before you eat it. I know it sounds strange, but it is so good. It's something I picked up in Korea.

[@driftstone]

huh I would never have guessed to try that. Will definitely give it a shot. thanks!

[@everettstevenson6110]

I’m looking for someone to hike upper Raven and go all the way to where the three streams merge. Probably want to hike and fish upstream and camp overnight on the stream. Let me know if you’re interested. I tried this earlier this year and only made it a third of the way in a single day. Want to do an overnight.

[@ColoradoNative-bs3gi]

Great video and awesome story! Good stuff👌

[@driftstone]

Thanks Nathan. Thanks for stopping by!

[@philliplawson2932]

Awesome video Eric this was my favorite I use the same noodles when I do my catch & cook trips I crack an egg in there too!

[@driftstone]

Nice that's a great idea. Do you push your catch in the ramen too?

[@philliplawson2932]

@@driftstone yessir & I usually bring some peeled & deveined shrimp!😋

[@mattsflytying2816]

Beautiful area nice video my friend

[@driftstone]

Thanks Matt, It's always lovely down there.

[@patches152]

unless the hatch is coming off, i never EVER fish a single dry fly, always a dry dropper of some type. curious how you like the new packs and net, how's that working out for ya? i'm considering going back to the waterproof lumbar pack and one of those c&f chest boxes, then i can use the same chest box for stillwater and rivers, just change out the flies, tippet, and fly boxes

[@driftstone]

That's a great tip, thank you. I love the combo of lumbar with the chest. I can keep food, batteries and a camera lens in there and the chest gets the tippet, fly boxes, etc. Yesterday I caught a bunch of small fish and it was kind of slow taking the net out of the lumbar so I stopped netting them. But on more normal days where the catch rate is slower for bigger fish, I think I'll like it in the belt like that.

[@patches152]

@@driftstone yeah i think the long handled net isn't worth it unless you know you're fishing in deeper water or for bigger fish. i save mine for stillwater and stick to the frabill floating net or something similar, rigged with a retractor. i switch back and forth between using a magnet and just letting it swing freely (devin olsen style vs lance egan style).

[@driftstone]

@@patches152 yeah that makes sense. I also don't love the flat handle because I can't pinch it between my knees to hold the fish while I get situated

[@HBadger89]

I just got a rooftop tent which should make coming to fish the Redding area much easier for over night trips. Sooo excited for this man.

[@driftstone]

Awesome yeah, I'm about to hop back in mine and head to the Truckee.

[@NWoutdoorsadventures]

What a cool spot dude ! Loved the video, I need to venture to that part of the country some day

[@driftstone]

It's definitely worth it. DM me and I can give you some intel when you're ready.

[@NWoutdoorsadventures]

@@driftstone will do buddy! Like wise if you ever wonder over to my neck of the woods.

[@byunique2]

Nice! First time there on a trip w/ my fly fishing club a couple weeks ago, so gorgeous!! water still looks milky but a bit better

[@driftstone]

Nice, what did you think? I hope the fishing was better for you.

[@paulpohopien709]

Super cool vid. Man that was gorgeous back there. Agree it was a bummer the water was so chaulky but with the river levels we’ve had all over California this year….it’s just a treat to get out on the water. Nice job and look forward to your offshoot cooking ramen channel 😊

[@driftstone]

LOL I need to learn some new recipes. This river often get's chalky this time of year, need to go back in the fall when the temps come down.

[@keithmccann6019]

what was the campground that you stayed at?

[@norcalwandernerd]

How was the road down there?is it accessible to a subaru crosstrek with 8.7 of ground clearance? I have AWD but not 4WD. I read on the USFS site the road is super rough and they recommend people not drive it - how did you think the road was?

[@driftstone]

The road is VERY doable in a subaru. I've done it in a 2wd minivan before.

[@norcalwandernerd]

Sweet thank you!!

[@RedSinter]

There are, to my understanding, a number of Fly Fishing reserve's Clubs...that are exceedingly inexpensive though I'd say they may be in the minority, but whatever ...Great they exist and You Go Eric!!! And you are spot on bout that Raman...the trouble with the IMO is the Palm Kernel oil. And lol😂 they are a tad spicy for my ex redheaded palate. Where's your walking stick Eric?

[@driftstone]

This particular preserve is free, you just have to get a reservation or be early enough for a walk up. I hear ya about the oils. I've been trying to kick processed food out as much as possible, but sometimes I get lazy and don't plan a good menu. Such as I did here haha

[@Jonrob502]

So cool to watch your vids. You think a awd car can make the dirt road? I have a Tesla Model 3.

[@18bhfbpt61]

I haven’t been down there this year but in the past I made it down (and back) in my regular 2nd sedan.

[@byunique2]

I was down there in my AWD Subaru Forester 2 weeks ago. There was 1 nasty rut which would help to have some clearance, other than that the rest of the road was drivable, but depends on what your kidneys are used to.

[@driftstone]

I've done it in a 2wd minivan and like others noted there is one rut that cuts across the road diagonally which might make you lift a tire up. If you're careful you won't drag anything and with awd you won't get stuck on it.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

that 4-5 dollars a gallon is precisely why I cannot get out! Life is 30-40% more expensive under brandon than it was under President Trump. =(

[@driftstone]

You're not wrong. It sucks

[@Truth.Keeper]

Throw your food scraps in the trash not on the ground. Do better.

[@driftstone]

You mean into the bag just off camera? okay, I did