Rules & Regulations
“Horseshoe Bar Preserve, Inc.”

Horseshoe Bar Preserve

The Rules and Regulations below are designed to protect the members and enhance the Wilderness fishing experience. The Horseshoe Bar Preserve (“Preserve”) is open to angling daily and 24-hour camping 365 days a year. The club’s primary purpose is to enjoy a wilderness fly fishing experience. Horseshoe Bar Preserve is not a KOA campground. Members are there to fly fish and enjoy peace and solitude. Swimming and other water recreation use are not permitted.

Manager-Caretaker: The site has a full-time Manager-Caretaker who oversees the day-to-day operation of the property. He is our eyes and ears on the property. He may ask you to identify yourself for your security reasons from time to time. If you encounter a trespasser, avoid confrontation and advise the caretaker to contact the Sheriff and ensure that the trespasser leaves. There is a landline telephone on the property (Campground & Caretakers residence). Unfortunately, cell coverage is minimal on the Preserve.

Visitation: Upon arrival, All members and guests must legibly sign in at the check-in station in the Boxcar. All applicable fees are due at the time of sign-in. Please complete all information requested to assist the management in identifying who is on the property. The Preserve was created to ensure a peaceful and tranquil environment for members and guests to fish and enjoy the property. Should you be asked to leave the property for any reason, you must leave immediately without delay.

Guest Policy: Members are allowed to bring one guest to the club at a time. Additional guests beyond the one allowed must be approved in advance (send an e-mail or call). Your spouse or child (under 18) is not required to pay the guest fee.

Guests who fish the property must pay at the sign-in area. Non-fishing guests must also pay the fee per day. In addition, guests who stay overnight and fish the next day must pay for two days of fishing the Preserve. Guest fees are due and payable at the time of use without exception. A deposit box is provided and is located inside the boxcar office. Cash payment should be enclosed in the folded liability waiver form to identify payments.

Members must maintain supervision of their guests at all times. Guests must not be allowed to roam the property without the member for safety. Guest must adhere to fly fishing etiquette by not encroaching into the other member’s fishing area. Your guest may not enter the Preserve without you and should never be given the gate code. Because of all the dangers and hazards on the property and fly-fishing in general, guests need to stay within sight of the host member. As a reminder, the membership agreement requires you to agree to defend and indemnify the owner(s) and lessee(s) and other members of the Horseshoe Bar Preserve, LLC. from all claims, damages, lawsuits, or other matters related to injury or death of your guests while on the property.

Liability Waiver: Members shall ensure that all guests sign the Release from Liability and Indemnification Agreement forms available at the check-in station in the Boxcar upon entering the Preserve.

Property: A property map is available on our website. Members must lock the gate after entering or leaving to ensure that trespassers do not enter. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended but not required. Horseshoe Bar Preserve is not responsible for any damage to vehicles. All club members and guests are required to treat the site and natural resources with respect. Club members and guests may not remove anything from the site including, but not limited to: artifacts, coins, equipment, building materials, dirt, gravel, rocks, firewood, trees, plants, fish, or animals. You may not enter any structures, mine shafts, and other areas marked as “NO TRESPASSING.” No open fires are permitted other than posted areas permitting a campfire. The possession, use, or discharge of firearms or other weapons is not permitted, except with prior permission (always inform caretaker John) and in designated areas of the property. The property speed limit is ten mph and must be obeyed. Always drive cautiously as roads are narrow and can change dramatically due to rain or rock slides. Members are not permitted to leave any personal property at the Preserve.

Angling: All California Department of Fish and Game Regulations and the California Code of Regulations are in effect at all times. In addition to the CDF&G Regulations, club-imposed regulations are as follows: Horseshoe Bar Fishing Preserve has instituted a mandatory year-round Fly-Fishing only, Catch and Release Policy. The method of taking is exclusively using artificial flies constructed by the method known as fly tying with a single barbless hook. Any violation of the above regulations will result in permanent expulsion from the club and forfeiture of dues.

Camping & Campfires: Members should notify management in advance if they intend to camp for more than three days. Camping is “zero impact” style – leave no trace. Members and guests must clean the kitchen thoroughly and return the kitchen equipment/utensils to the appropriate location in the storage locker. A cleaning fee will be assessed for not cleaning and removing any garbage. Campfires are permitted at the designated site in the camping area during burn season. The area around the fire pit must be cleared to 10 feet of all flammable material. All fires must be entirely distinguished after use. Members and guests must be cautious in using any equipment or articles that could ignite a fire. The property is heavily vegetated and subjected to extreme fire danger in the summer months. A hose is located near the fire pit in the campground.

Tents: Under no circumstances should food, candy, or snacks be taken into a tent. Bears have the best sense of smell of any mammal, 2100 times that of a human. Therefore, a candy wrapper or crumbs left in the tent will attract a bear. Report any problems or unclean kitchen area or tents immediately to the Manager-Caretaker. Tents & Beds are to be swept and straightened after use. Members will be responsible for the cost of having the tent cleaned if left dirty.

Bathrooms: Please use and treat the bathrooms as you would your bathrooms. Report any problems or issues immediately to the Manager -Caretaker or Tom Bartos.

Boats, Float Tubes, and Pontoons: Boats must be tied up securely at all times when not in use. Fluctuating flows can loosen the ropes and cause the boats to be washed downstream. Do not move ores, anchors, or rope from one boat to another. After use boat must be returned to the cove and tied up securely. Members must wear life preservers or other approved floatation devices when using the boats.

The Rules & Regulations are subject to change at any time.