The 3.5 miles between Powerhouse #2 and Lake Britton include classic spring creek flatwater and long riffles. The riffles at Powerhouse #2 and the lower end of the creek provide an excellent on-stream classroom for beginner fly fishers. Conversely, the flatwater in between the riffles is some of the most challenging water to fish anywhere in North America. The depth of the water makes wading difficult in many areas, calling for long casts. Fish are spooky and feed very selectively. Getting a fish to rise to your fly here is a great accomplishment.

Overcast days bring good hatches throughout the season. Salmonflies and golden stones attract large fish in late May and early June. Mayfly and microcaddis frequently hatch in large numbers on spring and summer evenings. Little yellow stones hatch heavily on early summer evenings in the Powerhouse riffle. Summer mornings feature a very consistent and thick Trico spinner fall, bringing up many good rainbows and browns. Fall fishing is good with a variety of mayfly species hatching.

Gear Recommendations for Hat Creek
Rods, Reels & Lines:
Four and five-weight nine-foot rods are ideal on Hat Creek. We primarily use floating lines. Spring Creek or Double Taper Lines are best for delicate presentations. We occasionally use sink-tip lines and clear intermediate sinking lines to fish streamers.

Leaders, Tippet & Indicators:
We frequently use 6X and 7X tippet on Hat Creek. Come prepared with 9' 6X leaders for dry fly fishing and 7.5' 5X leaders for nymphing. We prefer "Corkie" indicators in the 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch size for Hat Creek. We use split shot in sizes 6, 4, 1, and BB.

Waders & Boots:
We use chest-high breathable waders on Hat Creek. Spiked wading boots are not necessary. There are a few areas that can be fished from the bank without wearing waders. In the middle of the summer we frequently wet-wade.

Hatches & Seasons Hat Creek is open from the last Saturday in April through November 15. Some of the most popular hatches include the golden and giant stoneflies, green drakes, trico spinners, and little yellow stones.

Flies:
Nymphs:
• Mercer's Micro Mayfly, all colors, size 16-18
• HBI, 16-18
• Pheasant Tail, curved shank, 16-20
• Brassie, 18-20
• WD-40, olive, 18

Dries:
• Trico Spinner, 18-22
• Parachute Adams, 14-20
• PMD parachute, 16-20
• Quigley Cripple, olive, 16-18
• Comparadun, olive, 16-18
• Rogue Foam Salmonfly, 6 (May & June)
• Rogue Foam Golden Stone, 8 (May & June)

Leeches:
• Bouface, brown, 10
• Monroe leech, olive, 10