Outdoors with Don Q: Go north for a fun-filled day trip

If you are looking for a good day trip north of Carson City, with plenty of opportunities to fish, photograph, sightsee or shop, climb aboard and take a ride with stops along the way as you head to Plumas County.

Take the combination of I-580 and U.S. 395 north to Reno. Then continue on U.S. 395 north to Bordertown, Nevada, which is located a very short distance from the Nevada-California state line.

Bordertown
You might want to stop at Bordertown's Kafana Cafe for a great tasting breakfast or lunch served by one of their friendly waitresses. Our favorite is a Kafana Burger (bacon cheeseburger) with French Fries.
When you're done eating (and perhaps even playing the slots), drive north on U.S. 395 to Hallelujah Junction and take S.R. 70, west toward Portola.

Wiggin's Trading Post in Chilcoot
Be sure to stop in Chilcoot at Wiggin's Trading Post, which is open year-round, from about 7 a.m. to about 7 p.m., daily. It has all kinds of packaged, bottled and canned groceries, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, bread, desserts, frozen food items, ice cream products, candy, homemade fudge, bottled water, soda pop, wine, beer, etc.
You can buy fishing licenses, poles, reels, line, sinkers, swivels, lures, nets, artificial flies, tackle boxes, fishing vests, hats, etc. You will find postcards, maps, brochures, pamphlets, clothing, souvenirs, dog food, hot coffee, ice, propane, gasoline, tack/feed; and on and on. When you do stop, plan to take some photographs of their unique signs.

Frenchman Reservoir
If you are a fisherman, the folks at Wiggins can provide you with the latest on what to use and where to use it at Frenchman Reservoir (about 8 miles from Chilcoot via Calif. S.R. 284) for rainbow trout, brown trout or catfish.
They can also tell you about such places at Frenchman as: Big Cove Campground, Crystal Point, the Dam, Frenchman Campground, Last Chance Creek, Little Last Chance Creek, Lunker Point, Nightcrawler Bay, Snallygaster Point, Spring Creek Campground and Turkey Point.

Then, if you get lucky while fishing, and return with a nice trophy catch, they will even take your photograph and post it on their bulletin board by the entrance to the store. You’ll be famous in Chilcoot!

Portola
Continue driving on S.R. 70 until you reach the only traffic light in Portola, and from there, I suggest you visit three of Portola's many offerings.

Nifty Thrifty thrift store:
At the traffic light, turn left, cross over the Feather River, turn right onto Commercial Street and the thrift store will be on your right. It is manned by volunteers from the hospital auxiliary, it is neat, well organized and offers an amazing amount of items at very reduced prices. Through the years, we have purchased many items such as reference books, reading books, videos, clothing, kitchenware and have never been disappointed with any of our purchases or their prices.
The store is open 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat.

Railroad museum:
If you continue past the thrift store, the museum is located just off the far end of Commercial Street and has a static display of all kinds of railroad engines and cars from the past. The museum is operated by the Feather River Rail Society.

Leonards Grocery Store:
The store is located just west of the traffic light, and for a small market, it offers many choices for breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, dinner, etc. They have some very good buys on meats (cut right in front of your eyes), frozen food, fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged items and canned goods. Heck, buy your groceries there for dinner when you return home. We do!

Davis Lake:
It is about seven miles north of Portola. Davis is reached by two different paved roads (Grizzly Road from S.R. 70 just east of Portola, or West Street in the heart of Portola). The lake has a number of U.S.F.S. campgrounds and boat ramps, plus a small general store and fast food business on the south end.

Davis Lake contains some impressive-sized rainbows and even some catfish.
If you have a boat, troll with flasher blades and lures around the “Big Island." Note: The wind comes up about 10-11 a.m., almost every morning.
If you're a float tube angler, fish at Camp No. 5 on the west side of the lake. If you're a shore fisherman, try Power Bait at any number of good locations along the east side.

U.S.F.S. Campgrounds at Davis Lake:
Grasshopper Flat: Has flush toilets, piped water and boat ramp. Grizzly: Has flush toilets, piped water and boat ramp. Lightning Tree: Has vault toilets, piped water and boat ramp.
For U.S. Forest Service campground advance reservations: To reserve a U.S. Forest Service Campground campsite in this general area, call 877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov.

J & J's Grizzly Store, campground, resort and Frosty:
This is a privately-owned campground, located on the south end of Davis Lake and it is open all year.
It has hot showers, flush toilets, piped water, a dump station, a small general store and even a Frosty fast food during the fishing season!

If you are a fisherman, the folks at the Grizzly Store can provide you with the latest tips on what to use and where to use it at Davis Lake. Give the owners, Jim and Jeanie, a call at (530) 832-0270. or go to their website www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com.

Finally:
Plumas County has much to offer the tourist, and you have only scratched the surface by visiting Chilcoot, Wiggins's Trading Post, Frenchman Reservoir, Portola, Nifty Thrifty, the Railroad Museum, Leonards Grocery Store, Davis Lake and J & J's Grizzly Store. Why not plan to see more of Plumas County in the future.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon:
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you what is my favorite lunch order at the Frosty at J & J's Grizzly Store.
If he grins and says, "Don likes to order a cheeseburger with French fries followed by chocolate ice cream," he has been there with me in the past.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now. Don's wife, Elaine, is the Outdoor photographer. They live in Carson City and can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com