Redding, Calif.
Cali's Trout Capital

Surrounded on three sides by millions of open wilderness acres, Redding, in the Shasta-Cascade region of northern California, is the flyfishing mecca of the Golden State. Serious fly anglers rate some of the waters in this area (like the trout-laden Lower Sacramento River, the technically challenging Hat Creek, and the steelhead magnet Trinity River) right up there with other western icons like the Colorado, the Yellowstone, or the Snake.¿¿ Some of the best flyfishing guides in the world call Redding home base. If flyfishing isn't your thing, there's plenty of deep water fishing action to be had on conventional tackle on nearby Shasta Lake for brown and rainbow trout. The beauty of this part of the country is that you can be up in the cool mountains, or down in the warm valley within minutes. The seasons are mild, and the overall town atmosphere, while maintaining some California-tourism flair, is ultimately quite genuine.

Photo courtesy of: Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Guide Kirk Portocarrero.