Fly Fishing Your Way Through the Golden State
If variety is the spice of life, California is the habanero of fly fishing. Most anglers think of Montana, Idaho or Colorado as the gold standards of fly fishing destinations. That may be true, but only when it comes to trout fishing. If you are looking for adventure, and want to take your fishing to the next level, California is the place for you. California has the most diverse array of fishing opportunities in the country. The Golden State boasts excellent fly fishing for everything from steelhead in the north state, to striped bass in the Delta, golden trout in the Sierra, Mako sharks off of the south coast and everything in between.
Eureka and the Six Rivers National Forest
Located less than 100 miles from the Oregon border sits the city of Eureka and, beyond it, the Six Rivers National Forest. This national forest is aptly named because six major rivers filled with fall and winter steelhead and salmon, flow within its boundaries. While the fishing is great in all six rivers, the fish are largest in the Smith River, California’s only major river without dams. The best time to reel in a catch is between January and March, when the flow begins to drop and the water is clear. For unbeatable steelhead and salmon fishing, there’s no place like the north state.
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Dunsmuir and the Upper Sacramento River
If you’re looking for world class fly fishing, then try out the Upper Sacramento River in Dunsmuir, California. This 35-mile stream runs between Lake Siskiyou and Shasta Lake and is fed by a glacier water spring located deep below Mt. Shasta. Take note that the fish (primarily rainbow trout) in the Upper Sacramento River are mostly wild, so catch-and-release fishing is common here. Keeping what you catch is only legal in certain parts of the river. The best time to head to the Upper Sacramento River is in late May, when fishing season is in full swing, or late fall when the cooler temperatures encourage increased feeding. If you’re not sure of the best place in Dunsmuir to cast your line, most businesses in town distribute free fishing maps and will be happy to point you in the right direction.
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Lake Tahoe and the Surrounding Rivers
There’s no shortage of places to fish in and around Lake Tahoe. Anglers regularly reel in brown, brook and rainbow trout. Begin your Lake Tahoe fly fishing experience on the Truckee River, which offers a variety of settings from deep pools to runs, fit for all types of anglers. If the fish on the Truckee aren’t biting, try the Boca or Stampede reservoirs that are stocked with brown and rainbow trout. The East Carson and West Carson rivers in nearby Markleeville are also full of trout, and lakes like the mountain-ringed Caples Lake offer both a stunning view and a high chance of catching a fish. Of course, you can always try your hand at fly fishing on Lake Tahoe itself, but it’s best to hire a fishing guide because you’ll need specialty gear and insider knowledge.
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The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Formed when the south-flowing Sacramento River met up with the north-flowing San Joaquin River, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is home to more than 55 fish species. Two of the most popular catches are the striped and largemouth bass. Striped bass usually weigh between one and eight pounds, and the largest can weigh up to 30 pounds and are the ultimate goal of any Delta fly fisherman. The hearty largemouth bass are feisty, and many fishermen believe this fish is out of their reach. But the largemouth bass can be caught with a fly rod using specific techniques. To learn the tricks of catching one in the Delta, it’s best to hire a local guide to show you the ropes.
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Inyo and Mono County of the Eastern Sierra
The beautiful Eastern Sierra region of California has more to offer than just beautiful scenery. Fly anglers have an abundance of high-altitude lakes and streams to choose from, where golden trout, rainbow trout, bass, catfish and crappie can all be found on the end of the fishing line. In the high country, fishing season is April through October, but Inyo and Mono Counties offer year-round fishing as well. In Mono County, anglers can head to Hot Creek, Upper Owens River, East Walker River and West Walker River to hook brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. In Inyo County, both Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Tinnemaha Reservoir are popular year-round fishing spots for catching rainbow and brown trout.
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San Diego and the Surrounding Coast
Although the San Diego fly fishing scene is a not well known outside of local circles, there are more than 30 species of fish for freshwater or saltwater fly anglers to catch in the waters around San Diego. The mainstay of the area is trout, but because of the year-round warm weather, there are also abundant warm water catches including bass, crappie and bluegill. And don’t forget about the saltwater fly fishing available in San Diego’s coastal waters, where anglers have a chance to catch yellowtail, tuna, dorado, bonito, barracuda and the mako shark, one of the ocean’s fastest fish.
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