Have you ever floated down the Sacramento River on a hot September afternoon or splashed in the water at Bear Hole? Have you ever wondered if there's more to do than just lie in the raft or on that rock?

Many of the most popular spots in Chico for staying cool during the hot months are also great places to fly-fish.

Grab a rod, some line and a fly, and get ready to pull in the big one.

Big Chico Creek is a good choice if you're looking for a busy spot, and many people don't know it's legal to fish there - but it's catch and release only. Use artificial lures and barbless hooks. If your hook has a barb, push it down with a pair of pliers.

Butte Creek is another good place to fly-fish, but beware. There are many of places on the creek where it is illegal to fish because they're either private property or part of a fish conservatory.

Obey the no trespassing signs to avoid trouble. Rangers are strict and tickets can be expensive.

The Feather River and the Sacramento River are also great fly-fishing spots for trout. Salmon can be snagged with the right combination of heavy-duty fly rod and reel.

Some other rivers and streams, which are a little more challenging and are within a two hour drive of Chico include:

• Yuba River above and below the Highway 20 bridge
• Upper Sacramento River (Redding)
• McCloud and Sacramento rivers ( Shasta area)