Fly Fishing California. Ken Hanley
the place where you’re likely to catch more bass on a fly rod than ever before in your life. Directions to Barrett Lake will be furnished when you make your reservations.
Largemouth bass are the main attraction. Photo by John Sherman.
Type of Fish
Northern largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and crappie.
Known Hatches & Baitfish
Threadfin shad is the predominant baitfish, plus leeches, frogs, and bass fry.
Equipment to Use
Rods: 7–8 weight, 8–9 feet in length.
Reels: Standard click or disk drag.
Lines: WF or floating intermediate.
Leaders: 1X to 3X, 5–8 feet in length.
Wading: Wading can be very productive, but boating is best.
Flies to Use
Nymphs: Dragonfly, Damselfly, and Carey Special.
Streamers: Dave’s Crayfish, Woolly Bugger, Clouser Minnow, Lefty’s Deceiver #4.
Topwater & Subsurface: Adult Dragon or Damselfly, Shad or Frog Deer Hair Popper #4–6, Gurgler #2.
When to Fish
All day.
Seasons & Limits
Call City of San Diego Fish line 619-465-3474 or visit the City’s website at www.sandiego.gov. Reservations required as noted below. Open April through September. Strictly catch and release. Barbless hooks and lures only. No bait.
Accommodations & Services
Boat rentals are available, but no private craft are allowed.
Reservations
Weekends and Wednesdays only during the season. Contact Ticketmaster locations throughout California or www.ticketmaster.com. Current permit costs are $50 plus $7.50 service charge includes boat and motor. 1-4 anglers per boat, plus $10 per person at lake. Cash only, no credit cards or checks. California fishing license also required for ages 16 and older. No concessions or drinking water at lake. Consult web site for all rules and regulations. Advance reservations required. From San Diego take I-8 east to Japatul Road. Head south to Lyons Valley Road. Gate is past milepost #12 from this direction, or take Highway 94 east to Honey Springs Road to Lyons Valley Road, turn right, 1.7 miles to gate. Parking is extremely limited.
Rating
Barrett Lake is a 9.5 in my book.
Big Bear Lake
by Jeff Solis
Located in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake offers some of the best early- and late-season trout fishing in Southern California. Summer still produces some fast and furious trout fishing but also throws three- to five-pound bass into the mix.
At 3,015 surface acres, Big Bear has approximately 70 miles of rocky shoreline, points, and coves. Using a float tube is the best way to cover the most water, with a full sink or sink tip line to get your streamer pattern or beadhead nymph down. If you’re looking to take trout on dry flies and emerger patterns, the east end of the lake is the best place to be in the spring. As the water warms, try some of the sheltered bays, such as Boulder Bay or the area near the dam.
Big Bear Lake also has numerous areas distinguished for their grassy shorelines, lily pads, submerged logs, and other fish-attracting structures favored by the lake’s bass population. The walking or wading angler can easily access these spots, and a well-presented leech pattern or surface popper will often result in a jolting strike.
To reach Big Bear Lake, take Interstate 10 east from San Bernardino to Highway 30. Go north on 30 until it forks with Highway 330. Continue north on 330 until it ends at Highway 18, turn right, and proceed to the lake.
The city of Big Bear Lake has grown steadily over the last 30 years and is now a destination for hunters, hikers, skiers, horseback riders, and golfers, as well as anglers. With all of these attractive activities, Big Bear Lake is a great place for anglers to spend a weekend with the whole family!
Healthy rainbows abound. Photo by John Sherman.
Types of Fish
Trout, bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
Known Hatches & Baitfish
Midges, mayflies, damselflies, game fish fry, and shad.
Equipment to Use
Rods: 5–7 weight, 8–9 feet in length.
Reels: Standard click or disk drag.
Lines: WF double-taper floating for dries. Full sink or sink tip for streamers and nymphs.
Leaders: 4X to 6X, 7–9 feet in length.
Wading: Can be very productive. Wear chest-high waders and boots.
Flies to Use
Dries: Renegade #14–18, Parachute Adams, Adams #14–20, Griffith’s Gnat #16–20, Roy’s Special Emerger #18–20, Looping Callibaetis #16.
Nymphs: Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Beadhead Hare’s Ear, Beadhead Prince #10–18, Brassie #12–20.
Streamers & Poppers: Woolly Worm or Bugger #2–12, Zonker #6–10, Matuka, Muddler Minnow #4–10, Light Spruce Fly #6–12, foam or deer hair poppers #2–10, Clouser Minnow #1/0–6, assorted dragonfly and leech patterns #2–8.
When to Fish
Spring, summer, and fall.
Seasons & Limits
Open year-round. There is no limit on bluegill, and you can keep 25 crappie, 5 trout, and 5 bass at least 12 inches in length. Check current regulations for other limits and restrictions.
Nearby Fly Fishing
Santa Ana River and Bear Creek.
Accommodations & Services
Plenty of camping can be found around the lake, and numerous motels are in the area. There are many stores on the north and south shores, including some that rent fishing boats, canoes, ski boats, and jet skis.
Rating
With a variety of cover to explore, Big Bear Lake rates an 8.
Big Pine Creek
by Kate Howe
Fly tyer and all-around international angler Kate Howe used to live in these parts and provided the information here. She was particularly fond of this small water because of the constant fly fishing challenge and because it always made her want to come back for more. Big Pine Creek’s glacier-fed waters wind 15 miles from lakes at the foot