Fly Fishing California. Ken Hanley
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game. Full floating lines can often be used while working around harbors and estuaries.
Wading Gear
You have to love that Gore-Tex® material! Man is that stuff comfortable to work with. Be sure to wear the appropriate combination of undergarments to address seasonal water temperatures. Stocking-foot waders (of any material design) are the “go to” choice for many fly fishers around California. For maximum flotation, though, you still can’t beat neoprene. Wader designs are really your own choice. Be smart with whatever you wear, and don’t get too aggressive once you’re in the water. Watch the current, watch your footing, and watch out for fatigue. I highly recommend using a wading belt or pullover jacket that seals your waders. Wading staffs are also indispensable safety items.
Private Fly Fishing Waters
California, like many states, has some terrific pay-for-fly-fishing opportunities. These locations can provide you with a high degree of solitude and quality angling time. Their inclusion here, however, in no way implies an endorsement. Fee-fishing is a popular, time tested and growing way to enjoy fly fishing. Opportunities of this type bear mentioning in a guidebook such as this. You’ll find a variety of these resources listed throughout the book.
Guides
A qualified guide will steer you towards the best fishery in places that match your field skills, preferences, and conditioning. You can find some of the best guides in our state listed in the Resources section of this guidebook.
Crowding
There are hundreds of fishable streams and rivers throughout California, and over a million acres of still water habitat to explore. Our coastline stretches nearly a thousand miles and the delta systems have over a thousand miles of navigable waterways to explore! There’s absolutely no reason to feel crowded, just go find another piece of the puzzle to enjoy. The point is, move around. I try not to fish the most popular sites on weekends, and stay away from them on most holidays as well. It does take an adjustment, but the rewards are worth the extra effort you’ll make to participate in our collective fly fishing experience.
Switching locations also helps with angling conservation. Rotating your destinations reduces or minimizes your impact on any single resource. It’s a “win/win” deal. You’ll experience the joys of new waters while giving your favorite locations a chance to recover.
Heading out of San Diego. Photo by John Sherman.
Ratings
How do you rate your last fly fishing experience? You consider the weather, the company, access, game fish, a great cast and presentation, almost everything. When retelling your experience, aside from where you had lunch, the three most helpful comments for others include access, game fish, and water quality.
The 1 to 10 rating scale in this guide employs these considerations. Anything rated an “8” or above represents the highest quality water and is a “must” for any fly fisher in the Golden State. A “1” rating would be atrocious. I haven’t even considered these waters for this guidebook.
All the locations in this book rate a “5” or better. Keep in mind that the scale is a stepping-stone of sorts. Develop your own ratings the day you’re on the water!
Common California Game Fish
Illustrations by Joseph R. Tomelleri.
Prospecting for steelhead on the Smith River. Photo by John Sherman.
Flies to Use in California
Photos by Pete Chadwell.
Photos by Pete Chadwell.
Photos by Pete Chadwell.
A great day on the Klamath River. Photo by John Sherman.
Top California Fly Fishing Waters
Alamitos Bay Region
If you’re looking for a classic small saltwater experience in the Los Angeles area, Alamitos Bay is it. The place is intimate, the game fish are plentiful, and only lightweight tackle is needed. This is a perfect combination for anyone. First-time explorers and experienced salty fly rodders alike will find a wonderful fishery that challenges their skills on many levels. I also like the wide choice of habitat.
The area we refer to here includes Alamitos Bay proper, Naples Island, Long Beach Marina, the Marine Stadium and Park areas, and the Alamitos Peninsula. The outer shoreline of the peninsula affords access to the Pacific surf zone and jetty environs. The inner peninsula and Bayshore Walk provide direct contact to the protected waters inside Alamitos Bay. To the delight of the foot patrol, there are beaches all around this productive complex. Boaters also enjoy the easy navigation in the bay’s quiet backwaters.
The variety of habitats includes eelgrass beds, sandy beaches, flats, and cover such as docks and pilings, jetties and, of course, boating channels. The baitfish and food chain are extremely healthy in these parts. All of these combine to present you with year-round game fish action.
Pacific Coast Highway is your direct artery into Long Beach and the Alamitos Bay region. Surface roads including Westminster Avenue, Marina Drive, Appian Way, Bay Shore Avenue, and Ocean Boulevard provide access to specific locations around the bay complex.
Author with barred surfperch. Photo by Glenn Kishi.
Types of Fish
Spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, barracuda, corbina, croaker, halibut, surfperch, and jacksmelt.
Known Baitfish
Anchovy, mackerel, smelt, squid, shrimp, and crabs.
Equipment to Use
Rods: 6–9 weight, 9 feet in length.
Reels: Large arbor and disk drag design.
Lines: WF floating, intermediate, type-4 or type-6 sinking shooting heads, modified sink tip 200 to 300 grains.
Leaders: 1X to 5X, 4–7 feet in length in general, some prefer up