Happy Memorial Day - Local Rainbow Trout Still bitin'

Quick report from a lengthy, enjoyable trip to a local wild trout stream in the San Gabriel Mountains / Los Angeles National Forest. 2 fish, 4+ hours of slow fishing, but darn beautiful surroundings and my first fish on this particular creek. Water absolutely cranking through this tiny watershed. Just needs more life!

Another Los Angeles Trout Stream

This stream always skunks me.

Not today. 

Keeping these SoCal rainbow trout well fed. 

A favorite SoCal Trout Stream - Revisited

I'm back! Changing responsibilities have altered my fishing adventures but I'm still out on the water.

Went back to a favorite local wild trout stream in the local San Gabriels. Fly fishing and conventional fishing for a few hours after a rugged hike.

As I have explored the world of fly fishing, I am also getting to re-learn an old hobby - entomology. Identifying insects that serve as valuable forage for local wild trout is part of the fun.

These small beetles were plentiful along the stream. Feeling smart, I tied on a similar pattern as the "dry" on a "dry/dropper" rig, only to see the fast-moving stream whip it as an unfishable pace. Oh well, it was a good thought.

Managed to land this beautiful wild rainbow trout:

Also encountered this large rattlesnake along the streambed. Grateful that I had snake gaiters on, but it was too close for comfort!

California's received much-needed rain. Now the fishing cycle should start again. 

Crab Fishing California - Southern California Crab Nets

Went crab fishing off the Balbo Pier in Newport.

Only caught a few very small crab, not legal sized.

Had to release them all.

Still fun and interesting to learn a new "fishing" technique.

Check out the full video here:

Los Angeles Fly Fishing for Rainbow Trout

Had a hankering to get in another local trout fishing trip in the Los Angeles mountains before summer rolled in. Went out with a couple of good buddies and hiked into a remote, crystal clear stream deep in the San Gabriels. It's one of my favorite creeks - rarely does it produce a "big" fish, but it has a very plentiful wild rainbow trout population and consistent water flow to support them.

We caught dozens of shiny rainbows, amidst the sharp contrast of spring sunshine punctuating the dark canyon floor from above. All fish were safely released to be caught another day.

Canyon Trout - video of the fly fishing trip (and some conventional)

Carp Fishing LA River

So much fun. Light light, conventional tackle, and an afternoon of fishing. All fish released.

Still trying to figure out the fly fishing part of catching carp.