Fly fishing in Southern California is definitely a matter of finding the right spots. With all the urban sprawl, that isn’t necessarily the easiest thing to do.
When one thinks of Southern California, many images come to mind. You might think of the perfect weather and white sandy beaches of San Diego. The glamour and congestion of sprawling Los Angeles might be what you think of first. It is not very likely that fly fishing in Southern California will be your first thought. Unless, of course, you are a serious fly fisherman.
Fly fishing in Southern California is alive and well. The area offers a wide variety of locations that rank among the best in the country for fishing opportunities. The fly fishing community is well organized here also. Fishing clubs are growing in popularity and they offer everything from training and information to organized fishing events.
If you are planning a fishing vacation and have a family that does not share your consuming lust for the sport, Southern California is one of the best choices that you can make. What to do with the family is always at the top of the to-do list when planning such a trip. When you are thinking of a fly in fishing trip to a remote lodge in Northern Canada, this is admittedly a serious problem. In Southern California, it is a very minor concern.
Some of the best fly fishing in Southern California can be found a stone’s throw from Los Angeles and if you can not find diversion for your family while you fish there, you will not be able to find it anywhere. Unlike many other locations, weather is not a big concern and season is not quite as important in Southern California. The climate allows virtually year round fishing opportunities. The locals consider Spring to be the best fishing time especially for fly fishing for trout, but when they say best, they mean best and not only time.
This is one of the beautiful things about the sport of fly fishing. It has spread across the world and there is no one place where you must go to find the thrill of it. You can really take just the opposite approach to your trip planning. First, think of the part of the world that you want to visit. Think of that place that fires your own imagination and then investigate the fly fishing potential there. In the case of fly fishing in Southern California, a bit of a look below the surface past the many other sights and attractions will reveal opportunities that will stack up with fishing anywhere.
By: Richard Chapo
Posts Tagged ‘Fly Fisherman’
Fly Fishing in Southern California
April 29th, 2010Michigan Fishing Has Never Been Better
March 10th, 2010
The diverse number of species Michigan fishing has to offer is way beyond the scope of one article. So I will divide and conquer by writing about four areas of angling, trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye, and finally the Great Lakes.
To write about trout in Michigan one has to start with the Au Sable River in the central-east of the state. One of the finest trout streams in the country it has been designated a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream by the Department of Natural Resources. With 146 miles of water counting its eminently fishable branches the Au Sable offers easy wading, major hatches, and adequate access. Every fly fisherman should fish the Au Sable at least once in his life. Other notable streams are Bear Creek, Manistee River, Pere Marquette River, and Pine River on the Lower Peninsula. On the Upper Peninsula some great rivers to fish are Ontonagon River both the East and Middle Branch, Paint River, West Branch of the Sturgeon River, and the East Branch of the Tahquamenon. Hatches start about 1 to 2 weeks later on the Upper Peninsula. So if you have a favorite hatch you can fish it twice, once on the Lower Peninsula then follow it on up to the Upper Peninsula
Michigan has some outstanding lakes for largemouth bass but the place to start is Fletcher’s Pond. There you can cast for some real lunkers. Try a Mepps, a Rapala, or my favorite a Red Devil spoon. The water in Fletcher’s pond is not deep so deep-running lures will snag often. You should fish around the stumps of dead trees for the best chance of catching a scale tipper. Other good lakes you should fish largemouth are Black Lake, Houghton Lake, Long Lake, Elk Lake and Manistique Lake.
An excellent place to fish for smallmouth bass and walleye is the headwater of the Au Sable River. Especially in the spring when they are on the move to spawning grounds is good. You should use a crawdad-imitating lure for walleye and a small black jig for smallmouth. Fish in slower, deeper pools and on the bottom. Traditional lake fishing for both species is numerous in Michigan. Some excellent lakes are Mullet Lake, Stanford Lake, Lake Michigamme, Lake Gogebic, Grand Lake and Brevoort Lake.
The Great Lakes are an excellent fishery. You can troll for salmon 250′ down or fill your live box with crappie from a crappie hole. As well as fishing for salmon and crappie, you can fish for trout (steelhead, browns and lake), bass (largemouth, smallmouth and stripers), walleye, catfish, sturgeon, and bluegill. For salmon, steelhead, and lake trout it is best to have a boat equipped with a downrigger but bass and walleye can be caught near shore.
By: Craig Petersen
