Mount Lassen Foothills, Tehama County, California

One of the only fly-fishing resorts located within a short drive of the San Francisco Bay Area, Oasis Springs Lodge overlooks a private crystal clear trophy-trout stream on the lower flanks of Mount Lassen. The Lodge property encompasses over 1,100 acres of range land and meadows interspersed with blue oak woodlands, and punctuated by fresh water springs, ferns, alders and willows along the South Fork of Battle Creek. A true fly-fisherman’s oasis, the Lodge was endorsed by Orvis.

The grounds include lodge with 10 guest rooms,  dining room, commercial kitchen, fly shop, spa, swimming pool, trapshooting range, and tennis court, all providing a place to relax and enjoy the late afternoons after exploring the more than six miles of one of the least known, but most productive fly-fishing streams in California.

LOCATION:  Less than a four hour drive north of San Francisco, Oasis Springs Lodge is located west of Mount Lassen near the small foothill community of Payne Creek, in Tehama County. Red Bluff, the County Seat, has a private large aircraft airport (KRBL) about an hour from the Ranch. Commercial service is available in Redding (RDD), a one and a half hour drive, in Chico (CMA), a two hour drive, and in Sacramento (SMF), a three hour drive from the Ranch.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  The 1,141 acres owned by the Lodge are surrounded by some of the richest wildlife habitat in the Western States, known historically as where Ishi and the Yahi Native Americans lived. Delivered via old lava tubes from Mt. Lassen, thousands of ice cold water springs are scattered throughout the area attracting wildlife. The early Native Americans followed these springs seeking the game they attract.

Carving its way through a canyon setting, the South Fork of Battle Creek is partially fed by many of these same springs, providing quality trout fishing and riparian habitat for birds, deer, and other creatures. In the early 1900s, before the introduction of hydropower, Battle Creek was known to support Steelhead Trout, and all four runs of Chinook Salmon (Spring, Fall, Late Fall and Winter).  The Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Fish and Game, in cooperation with P. G. & E., who is trying to renew it’s FERC licenses on the hydropower plants in the area,  have proposed a stream restoration project to bring back the salmon and steelhead fisheries.  More detailed information can be found at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/battlecreek/index.html.

Situated on a bench in the canyon overlooking the river, the lodge is ideally located only a stone’s throw from some of the best fly-fishing in the State. One can cast from the front lawn into the “Home Pool” or walk a few minutes up stream to  “Ishi’s Pool”, or for the more adventurous, you can hike and fish all 6+ miles of this pristine fishing stream.  The river is home to a healthy, thriving ecosystem with rainbow trout, frogs, turtles, water snakes, fresh-water mussels and aquatic insect life second to none. The fly-fish only, catch-and-release policy over many years has maintained the natural balance of the stream and insuring it for many years to come.

IMPROVEMENTS: Constructed in 1991, the well-appointed lodge includes nearly 5,000 square feet of living space to suit the most discriminating guests. One of the most striking features is the expansive deck, the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon reading or dozing. Surrounded by trees and landscaped paths, the lodge was built to accommodate up to 22 guests, though could be downsized to suit a family or private club.

The ten guest rooms include four deluxe quarters, two garden suites with wood burning fireplaces, and four creek front suites with wood burning fireplaces. All rooms have televisions and luxury bath amenities. There is also a separate manager’s cottage nearby. The large dinning room and adjoining commercial kitchen are ideal for socializing in the evenings.

Through last year, the fly-shop on site was endorsed by Orvis and supplied guests with all of their fishing gear and flies, though this year the owner has decided to keep it for private use. Any remaining inventory will be subject to separate treaty.

To provide additional activities for guests, there is a swimming pool, spa, lighted tennis court, and a trapshooting range, plus unlimited nature walks over the more than 1,100 acres.

WATER:  Domestic and irrigation water comes from natural springs on the hillside above the lodge. Five 2,500 gallon tanks are filled from the springs, then the water is gravity fed through an Ultraviolet filtration system.

WILDLIFE:  One of the State’s largest migratory deer herds travels through this area from Mount Lassen to the Ishi Wilderness to the south. Other wildlife includes bear, mountain lion, eagles, hawks, quail, dove, and wild turkey. A handful of large ranches control public access, so it is on rare occasion that you would see another fisherman on the stream. The steep basalt and volcanic walls of the stream, some reminiscent of fern grottos, provide a safe haven from heat by keeping the waters cooler in the hot summer days. It’s not unusual to find an osprey or a bald eagle enjoying the habitat as well.

ZONING: The 145 acres on which the lodge is located, and the adjoining 7.93 acre parcel are zoned UA-B:6969, or Upland Agricultural with a minimum parcel size of 160 acres.  The remainder of the property is zoned Upland Agricultural and is under Agricultural Preserve (Williamson Act). For more detailed information, please call Tehama County Planning Department at 530-527-2200 or visit their website at: http://www.co.tehama.ca.us/. 

Tehama County Assessor’s Parcel Numbers include: 011-100-17-1, 011-100-16-1, 011-100-15-1, 011-110-03-1, 011-110-04-1, 011-130-01-1, 011-130-11-1, 011-130-06-1, 011-130-07-1.

PRICE:    $4,895,000.00 all cash to Seller.

BROKER’S SUMMARY: Where in California can one find a fishing lodge with proven quality fly-fishing and upland bird habitat within a reasonable drive from the San Francisco Bay Area? Whether one decides to reopen the lodge for guests or keep it for personal or private club use, the setting and miles of trout fishing completes the perfect Fly-fisherman’s oasis.

For private showing, call Terry Hundemer at 530-265-5774 or 530-913-8095.

The Chickering Company, Broker

DRE#01100594

Location Map

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Topography Map

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NOTE: ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN WAS GATHERED FROM SOURCES DEEMED RELIABLE; HOWEVER THE CHICKERING COMPANY MAKES NO GUARANTEES THERE AREN’T ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. WE URGE ALL INTERESTED BUYERS TO INDEPENDENTLY INVESTIGATE ALL ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE. THIS OFFERING MAY BE SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE, CHANGE, OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE.