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Stream Runs Through It -
Indian Rock Tree Farm and
Fly Fishing
Larry Hyder stands on a flat rock studying
the slow moving water below him. The morning sun is just starting
to peek over the top of the tall pines and before long it
will light up that shallow pool just downstream. In the pool,
two fat trout hover. It’s going to be a beautiful day, but
then, pretty much every day is a beautiful day at Indian Rock
Tree Farm and Fly Fishing.
In 1962 Larry and Geri Hyder stumbled
upon a 33-acre over grown piece of land in Camino. It took
a lot of imagination and even more hard work to take the berry
brambled land and turn it into the Christmas tree and fly
fishing farm that it is today. In fact, Larry Hyder was named
“Outstanding Statewide Tree Farmer”. It’s Indian Rock Tree
Farm Christmas trees that you see decorated at the K Street
Mall and in front of places like the Hard Rock Café
in downtown Sacramento.
If you were to look on Hyders’ web site
at www.indianrocktreefarm.com, you’d see praise for the many
friends and family members who helped create this enchanted
forest. Most of the Hyder’s acquaintances fly-fish. Fly-fishing
in California for freshwater trout that are as big as a well-fed
poodle is rare. Sure you’ve got your American and Consumnes
Rivers where planted trout are abundant, but according to
the Hyders, their fish are native to the stream at Indian
Rock Tree Farm.
“We lose a few each winter,” Geri said,
“but most of them are still here next spring. The Hyders hop
in their truck and take you across an old wooden bridge. By
now the sun is high and is illuminating a lush green meadow
that sits just across the bridge.
Everything is green due to the huge amount
of snow and rainfall during the winter and early spring. Geri
laughed and
said, “We’ve done our bit this year. The stream has supplied
more than our usual share of fingerlings to the American River.”
Trout are swimming in each of the crystal
clear pools that are beneath the falls. Not a few scrawny
wild trout that have fought all winter long to survive, but
huge, plump and apparently happy trout of all sizes.
“Look over there,” Larry said, and points
to a small area of white pebbles. “They’ve cleaned it so they
can lay eggs.” A vibrant red stripe runs down the side of
what one would consider being the “mother of all trout.” This
trout jumps wildly when Larry throws a handful of trout chow
toward the stream. The fish is mammoth but still manages to
break the water with the same power that the smaller fish
have. “See that narrow hole?” Larry asked, dropping one foot
off a rock and stepping closer to the stream. “I’m gonna lay
my line right in that opening.” With that he began, his leader
line moving so swiftly that it’s nearly invisible as it flies
back and forth, growing wider and wider, Larry’s eyes never
leaving his target as he works his wrist back and forth. The
line continues, maybe five more times, dancing through the
air until Larry releases, hitting his target dead on. He turns
and presents a broad smile. “He knows that he’s a very blessed
man,” his wife said. “And a very happy man.”
“We offer lessons,” Larry said, digging
through his tackle box for one of the hundreds of barb free
flies that he’s made. All fishing at Indian Rock Tree farm
is catch-and-release. A day of fly-fishing lessons makes a
perfect gift but you’ve got to call for a reservation in advance.
If you’d like to book a weekend of fly-fishing or just an
afternoon, give them a call at 530- 622-4087 or visit the
web site at www.indianrock.com. Fly-fishing begins the last
week in April and continues
through November.
The Christmas tree farm opens in mid
November due to high demand for Silver Tip Christmas trees
as well as other firs and spruces. Like all of the growers
in the EDC ChristmasTree Growers organization, the Hyders
have continued to work on a project that a very special man
named Carl Borelli began a few years ago. Although Carl’s
life ended too soon, the growers continue to honor the former
county supervisor by sending Christmas trees overseas to the
military troops.
Indian Rock Tree Farm and Fly Fishing
is located at 3800 North Canyon Rd in Camino.
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