1~2 year break, where to go? Family, Education, Fly Fishing (Sacramento: budget, vacation)

[PengTW]

I'm about to take a 1~2 yr leave and is now surveying for a good place to spend these years. Job not a concern, the purpose is just to take a break, to spend more time with family after 10 yrs of heavy work and to fulfill my long time dream - to be a fly fishing expert (or at least try as hard as i can to be close to one )


Ok, here's my wish list
1. I have 2 kids, 3&4 years old. Need a community where there's a lot of activities for them(a good pool, park, playground..) and good kindergarten.
2. My wife is a nurse in TW. She is thinking about getting a RN in States. She had some course in De Anza community college before in Bay Area and she liked them a lot. So she needs a good community college/education (maybe besides trying to master fly fishing, I might also enjoy some studies as well)
3. Picture myself driving kids to kindergarten then I can get to the waters in less than 1hr drive with good fly fishing. And after I pick them up from school and meet up my wife late afternoon, we can go do some grocery shopping or eat at decent restaurants.
4. We are quite used to sunshine weather when we lived in Sunnyvale 10 yrs ago as long is not too hot for too long period of time. are OK with seasonal rain or fog, but hate those nonstop kind of cold rain for over a month.
5. Need a 3 bedroom house. What kind of budget shall I expect to rent a 3 bedroom house in the city you recommend ?
6. Family friendly of course.
7. Last but not least. Has to be very safe, low crime rate.

That's about it. If there's such a place, pls let me know. Thanks! I already seeing myself casting flies!

ps. I've posted this thread on Oregon board first but will also like to hear some suggestions from CA. Thanks.

[DMenscha]

The really good fly fishing in CA is on the rivers in the NW part of CA, The NE part and perhaps the Walker river on the east side of the Sierra's.

It sounds like you want a city lifestyle and a country job/hobby. I can't imagine where you might land that would give you both.

Maybe Redding or Red Bluff (fairly large city) pretty hot in the summer for the Sacramento River.
Chester (small city) but higher up and colder in the winter. For the Hat Creek Klamath River area.
Minden/Gardinerville NV for the Walker River
Eureka CA for the steelhead fishing.

I guess the problem is the fly fishing isn't very close to any population centers.

Good Luck

[Charles]

Originally Posted by PengTW

I'm about to take a 1~2 yr leave ....to be a fly fishing expert (or at least try as hard as i can to be close to one )



1. I have 2 kids, 3&4 years old.

What an expensive endeavor. Taking a prime earning year off. I can't imagine you couldn't satisfy this urge on vacations and weekends.

Here are some places to check out.

I did a lot of fishing in the high Sierra above Bishop.

California Flyfishing > Places

[dalb962]

I don't know if you have found a place yet but wanted to give you more info on Red Bluff (as suggested by DMenscha). There is the Salmon King Lodge, where you can get a fishing package for a weekend to look around and see if you like the Sacramento River area. Red Bluff is small but still has plenty to offer; the larger cities of Redding and Chico are only about 30-45 minutes away, with an extension of Shasta College right here in RB. There are more links at aboutrb.com if you're still looking... good luck!

[grantsgirl]

my husband is a huge fly-fisherman! he also took about 2 yrs off-retired from baseball.i would suggest montana-they have the clark-fork river and several others but it gets super cold there in sept and doesn't warm until may! we actually have a house in chester and there is no way you could live there during the winter months-we did this past year and it was awful! i loved redding! great weather, small enough town my hubby fly-fished there alot and caught trout, steel-head and was great fishing...hope you guys find a wonderful place!

[CA central coast]

Outdoor Courses - Continuing Education & University Outreach - California Polytechnic State University

Santa Lucia Flyfishers Club|California Fly Fishing Clubs-

SLO County News Blog: May 2005

Morro Bay? Fly fish salt and fresh waters? I'm no outdoorsman, so I might be talking out of my rear, but this what I was thinking. The ocean is right there, 1hr north or south. I'm sure there are many fresh water opprortunities nearby. Near the lakes? Nacimiento (white bass), Lopez and Santa Margarita. All less than a hours' drive. San Antonio is a bit farther. Near Big Sur coastline. I've heard there is some exicting steelhead fly fishing in the streams and rivers up there, not to mention it's one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Morro Bay is a beautiful and safe city. As safe as anywhere. Schools are excellent. Elementary school is right next to a huge park. All new playground equipment, very nice. Great restaurants, dine overlooking the gorgeous bay. Three nice grocery stores in town. 10 minute drive to Cuesta College (excellent 2yr. school, that is where the pool is), a few minutes more to Cal Poly (a nationally ranked university) and San Luis Obispo. Excellent weather, it tends to get foggy during summer. SLO Co. in general is a beautiful area. I thought Morro Bay a good choice, since it's centrally located to the fishing areas I had in mind. You should reaserch it. It's a wonderful area to live and there are a TON of fishing opportunites, both fresh and salt here. Those links might at least put you in touch with fly fisherman here to see if this is the right fit.