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Submitted by Leigh Kelly, Aug. 11-12, 2007

I want to thank you again for the amazing experience we both had while staying at your ranch.

On my husband’s third cast Saturday afternoon he caught what he described as, “The fish of a lifetime.” Although he caught several more that evening, none were the size of the first one.

However, what I really want to rave about is the experience I had as a non-fishing spouse. You have created an oasis for wildlife that I enjoyed as much, if not more, than my husband did fishing. Since I wasn’t fishing, I was able to sit in the many benches and tables you have beside the babbling brooks and relax to the sounds, as I observed osprey, herons, ducks and numerous birds. I watched as a beaver family waddled over the hill and slid into the pond right in front of me.

Because of the cool summer evenings we were able to sleep with the French doors open in the lovely master bedroom of the lodge you provided. I was awakened early Sunday morning to the noise of many deer rustling below our window. I got up, made a cup of coffee and sat on the deck watching the does with their spotted fawns walk within feet of me, completely unconcerned with my presence.

When we walked up to the north pond Sunday morning, we stood there watching a bald eagle soar overhead of the deer grazing by the pond. And last, but not least, as my husband attempted to catch fish on one side of the pond, I was on the other taking pictures of twenty inch trout swimming in front of me.

I know Sugar Creek Ranch is all about the fish, but if a bird and wildlife watcher wants the experience of the wilderness with the amenities of a resort, your ranch is the place to go.

Thanks again,
Leigh Kelly,
Lebanon, OR

Submitted by Kim Cowell, July 20 -22, 2007

Fished noon Friday to noon on Sunday with constant action. Mostly fish in the 10 - 14 inch range in the smaller ponds, but hit some big fish on the north ponds, new pond and the south pond.

Landed several fish over 21 inches and broke off a monster. Action was on dries (ants, midges and small mayflies) and wooly bugger type files in various dark colors fished both on floating and sink tip lines. Saw some really big fish bump my fly but not eat it which was hard to take. Changing flies a lot usually did the trick.

Mike had good advice and tips and made the trip more enjoyable for us.

Kim Cowell
Berkeley, CA
(see submitted photo in right-hand column)

Submitted by Harvey Hayashida, July 9-12, 2007

A four-day rod bending experience! My first fly fishing trip of this year.

July 9th. Started fishing around 4:00 pm. Rusty, technique poor, timing off, and tired from a 6 hour drive. First big hit, snapped my 4X tippet tied to a leech pattern. Caught many 8-14 inchers. I met Mike, the owner, and he advised me to believe any hit to be the big one. Not to set the hook so hard to avoid see a flying "dinker" fish. I did not loose any more flies to the fish, shrubs were a different story.

July 10th. Better rhythm and reflexes, lost a nice colored big one, a real jumper, who tossed the leech fly after one of its many jumps. What a thrill! Brought in a 22-23 incher, after a 15 minute fight, with many runs, and almost to my backing, with the help of Frank, from South Carolina, who netted it for me. In appreciation, I gave him the leech fly. Frank proceeded to catch his first big one on the leech fly, just as Mike, the owner, dropped by to see: "How we were doing?" Smiles all around, with a new friendship from an out of state-er.

July 11th. Caught many dinkers, 12, 14 inchers the biggest. Black leech pattern, was successful. Bead head with a dropper midge was also productive on a very windy day.

July 12th. Best big fishing day. Foam Ant Pattern in the evening. Nice big jumper, with vivid color, tossed the hook after one of its many jumps. Caught around 5 fish in the 22-23 inch size.

I was tired, content, and had the best fly fishing vacation in my life.

Harvey Hayashida
El Cerrito, CA

note: Harvey made a trip with friends to a private fishing ranch in the upper Owens River valley in CA. After the trip, which he did enjoy, he wrote back:

"Sugar Creek Ranch fish give better runs, longer battles, and beautiful jumps. I got my fishing partner to look onto Sugar Creek Ranch web site."

Submitted by Larry Garrison, June 4-5, 2007

We had the opportunity to spend two days at Sugar Creek. While I had fished here for many years they were always one day trips. As always I was not disappointed with the size and quality of the fish my partner and I caught.

We used mostly all terrestrials which was a blast. The water was clear so we had to use light tippet resulting in a few break offs.

I had one fish in the Tule Pond take me clear across the pond, well into my backing, before breaking me off in the tules. My reel was almost smoking. We landed many fish over 25 inches in the North and South ponds. It does take patience to catch these big boys, but is it worth it.

Late in the second day I was down to my last fly. Remarkably the next fish I caught still had my fly in its mouth from in the morning. It was one of the bigger ones that broke me off. I at least was able to come home with two of the terretrial flies that worked.

While the middle ponds do not have as many big fish at this time it is the perfect opportunity for an inexperienced fly fisherman to learn the ropes.

As always we had a great time at Sugar Creek. We are already planning our two day trip for next year. Thanks again Mike for being a great host. I will send some pictures once I get the film developed.

Submitted by George Shave, Mar. 13-14, 2007

Got to Sugar Creek at about 11:00 am. Conditions were clear and warm. Proceeded to the North Ponds to find several fish working the subsurface. Fished a size 20 black, sparse midge 12 inches under an a small indicator and had great success with that. Fish were ROCKETS...can't get over how thick these fish are. Also had lots of fun fishing a large olive Bunny Leach. Seems like they like it on the drop.

Next day headed over to the South Pond. In this pond there is more visible vegetation and a stealthy approach is even more important. At about 1:00 p.m. fish were working midges again. This time, I fished a dry midge very, very sparse and had takes on the midge. Landed several awesome fish and a few more on olive leach patterns.

I fish lots of places and don't typically pay to access property. BUT, I will say this place is worth the visit. The fish are healthy, strong, and smart. We will be back for sure.

George Shave
Sonoma, CA

Submitted by Galen Pettey, Feb. 23-24, 2007

Like every other trip to Sugar Creek Ranch, this one was quite memorable. Only this was the first time we have fished the ranch with over a foot of snow on the ground. Fortunately, the fish didn't seem to know the difference.

Standing in the snow at the South Pond (with large flakes steadily falling throughout the day) five weights in hand; we caught numerous four to eight pound fish on blue winged olives and size twenty and twenty-two black midge patterns. Many more fish were missed (it was hard to see those small flies in all that falling snow) and several were broken off. I guess 6x tippet and cold hands don't make for a high percentage of fish landed.

The only ponds that produced for us were the south pond and the three north ponds. Two of the guys that went caught the biggest trout of their lives at about six and eight pounds respectively. They both had opportunities to land even bigger fish, but they will have to return to Sugar Creek Ranch to achieve that goal.

Those of us who had fished there before (two of us have been there more times than we can remember) thoroughly enjoyed seeing Sugar Creek Ranch attired in true winter dress. The only thing more impressive than the beauty of our surroundings was any one of a number of photographs; with one of the guys standing in a pond in the midst of all that beauty holding a fish so big that it dwarfed even the largest of grins.

We all truly had a great time and I look forward to seeing you again this summer. I am already working on the crickets, hoppers and mouse patterns we intend to present as sacrifices to the monsters that inhabit your ponds. Until then - take care.

Galen Pettey
Eureka, CA

Submitted by Rick Hansen, Jan. 3-4, 2007

When asked what she wanted for Christmas, my eight year old daughter Danielle said "to go fishing with Dad." So, Christmas Eve, we called Mike and booked the Guide's House for the 3rd and 4th of January.

We started first thing in the morning fishing the South Pond - a front had moved in and was raining pretty hard. By noon, we had three nice fish (4-6 pounds) to the net, the first on a Rickard's Polar Minnow and the others on a #10 black marabou leach.
We were greeted with driving rain and wind that afternoon, but made the short walk to the North Ponds to end the first day. Dani nailed a beautiful chrome female that went 6 pounds on an olive leech.

Day two, the temperature dropped - 28 degrees and it was snowing hard. I had no clue what to expect, but when we arrived at the South Pool, there were feeding fish everywhere. Again, a black or olive leach on an intermediate line seemed to be the ticket for enticing a dozen rainbows, the largest a big hook jawed male that exceeded 8 lbs.

Overall, we caught and released 26 fish during our two day stay. As usual, the fishing was outstanding even though Mother Nature made every attempt to keep us off the water!

Don't be fooled by the reduced rates during the winter time - the fishing is great, and you just might have the place to yourself!

Rick and Danielle Hansen
Bend, OR

Submitted by Dave Mosher, Dec. 28, 2006

I fished the North Pond and got quite a few takes, with 5 fish landed by about 10:30. I fished the middle ponds mid morning for 3-4 takes and 2 landed. Then back to the North Pond for early afternoon, finally the line stopped freezing in the guides about then. 4-5 more takes with 2 landed.

Then finished at middle ponds from 3-4PM with 3 takes and 2 landed. All quality fish, biggest about 4.5 - 5 lbs. Great day but Cold on the hands all day.

Changed patterns all day, most productive was #8 olive bugger, white crystal bugger, 2 inch black leach with red egg head, and brown bugger. It seemed once I got 1 or 2 on a fly, they stopped taking that pattern. Also almost all the fish were taken on a VERY fast strip right near the shore.

Was a nice day, with very little wind.

Dave Mosher
Fairfield, CA

Submitted by Dave and Mary Ann Dozer, Oct. 20-23, 2006

We had some great fall fishing at Sugar Creek Ranch. The water had cooled down and fish were quite active. Black Beetles and Crickets on the surface, red blood worms under an indicator, or Sculpin patterns fished deep gave up the most fish.

Over the weekend, we were successful at landing many fish up to about 25". We were lucky to witness many of the largest fish (>30") in the north ponds that seemed to be schooling together, possibly getting ready for spawning. These trophy fish were extremely selective, and when hooked, easily broke our 5X tippets with a single head shake. Just seeing this gathering was a real treat.

With tremendous fishing opportunities for huge fish, great accommodations, and wonderful hospitality, Sugar Creek Ranch is certainly a fly fishing experience that can't be equaled.

Dave and Mary Ann Dozer
Corvallis, OR

Submitted by Thomas Fahey, Aug. 14, 2006

My son and I are novice fly fishermen. I caught a 28 inch monster trout. These are very smart fish, particularly in the still, clear water of August. The ponds are well maintained. Each pond is surrounded by mowed lawn.

Mike was extremely gracious. He gave my son and I a fly fishing lesson and bent over backwards to make our stay at the lodge enjoyable.

The lodge is wonderful. The rooms are large and the kitchen is fully equipped. Etna is a short drive if you want to dine at a restaurant. I recommend the Sugar Creek Lodge and hope to return again soon.

Thomas Fahey
Chico, CA

Submitted by Zack Thurman, June 7, 2006

The fishing was pretty good on the ranch today for me and my dad. We fished all of the ponds and caught fish in them all but had our best success in the South and Middle Ponds. The best flies for the day were Stillwater Nymphs in sizes #10 and #12 Chub Minnow in # 8 and Callibaetis Nymphs in #10 and #12.

We landed about 50 rainbows on the day and caught fish all day. With the water a little clearer and the fish were a little more picky and had to go to 5x with the Stillwater and Callibaetis Nymphs which did cost us a couple of bigger fish and used 3x to the Minnow Patterns which we got away with because we were retrieving the flies much faster.

Did a lot of sight fishing today which was fun and had a pretty decent damsel hatch came off as well. In the late evening there was a pod of bigger rainbows feeding on minnows in the North Pond which was exciting to see and we did get some of those fish. Thanks Mike for another fun day on the ranch.

Zack Thurman
Chico, CA

Submitted by John Weber, May 29, 2006

Talked with your brother (Dan) while Dena and I were at our favorite spot at the middle ponds. He helped me land a big fish on his rounds. I hooked 15 fish in the middle ponds and long distance released 5 but netted 10. They were going for 16-18 black Griffith's gnats or black ants.

Noticed all of the good work around the ponds and was told that it was your girlfriend who can handle a chainsaw. My hat is off to her.

All of the fish I netted barely fit into the net. Dena loves your place and slept better there than at home.

I fished the Yakama River in the rain with my son up in Washington. The trip was worthwhile just to see him but the weather did not cooperate. I caught more fish in one day at Sugar Creek than I did in two from a drift boat up there.

Tight lines,
John and Dena Weber
Pacific Grove, CA

Submitted by Larry Garrison, June 6, 2006

I have had the opportunity to fish Sugar Creek Ranch several times over the last few years. Each time I leave I wonder how the next trip could be any better and I am never disappointed.

My long time fishing buddy and I started early in the day with a few different flies both surface and subsurface. Both of us started catching fish right away. As we moved from pond to pond and the two flies that has the best results were ants and beetles. Underneath the seal bugger was the ticket.

All the fish we caught were over twenty inches with some as big as 28 inches. All the fish made spectacular runs and jumps. Some of the battles lasted as long as fifteen minutes. Needless to say our trip was a huge success.

My fishing buddy always loves the ranch and says he has never caught such strong, acrobatic fish any where else. We caught fish in all the ponds with the biggest coming from the north and south ponds.

While I have fished Sugar Creek at least once a year for the last few years I always look forward to returning. The fish seem to get bigger and stronger every year.

Mike has done a great job creating a marvelous fishery and he is a very dedicated host. If you are looking for an awesome still water fly fishing destination do not look any farther. You will not be disappointed. I never am.

Larry Garrison
Medford, Oregon