Get Away to Arroyo Seco River
Our "Get Away to ..." series this week takes us to the Arroyo Seco River, a tributary of the Salinas River in Central California.
The Arroyo Seco is as difficult a river to fly fish as you'll find in the Golden State, but the wild river and its native trout are well worth the trip.
Why is this a "difficult" fishery? First, there’s its location, carving its way through a steep, brushy gorge that’s nearly impossible to fish early in the regular trout season when the river is swollen with runoff.
This Monterey County fishery also runs by a popular campground and is located near Salinas and the heavily populated Silicon Valley, which means it receives lots of fishing pressure during the summer months – even though the lower portions of the river are technically off limits during the general trout season.
Giving Invasive Species the Boot
While I was surfing the Daily Camera’s site, I came across an interesting piece by outdoors columnist Ed Engle.
Engle brings up an interesting issue that has really become a hot-button topic out West because of invasive species being transported from one water to another.
At a recent fishing expo, Engle said the most interesting thing he took away from the convention was “the movement away from felt-soled wading boots by many of the manufacturers. From what I could tell, it looks like it won’t be long before the wading shoe you and I buy will have a high-tech, sticky rubber sole.”
The hope, of course, is that invasive species like the Quagga Mussel will no longer hide out in our old felt-soled boots as we hike from fishery to fishery. Here are some additional tips to help prevent the spread of invasive species.
People Who (Want to) Fish: Barack Obama
Once the election is over, what is Barack Obama’s No. 1 priority?
To go fly fishing of course.
OK, the presidential hopeful isn’t going to drop everything and head up to Missoula in November, but he’s talked about being an aspiring fly fisherman.
While many have associated hunting and fishing with the republican ticket (Sarah Palin shot a moose for goodness sake), Obama has a little outdoors in him as well.
I’ve mentioned Obama’s wish to fish here before, but in an interview with Field & Stream recently, he mentioned he’d seriously like to get out on the water once the election season winds down.
“... I tell you, one of the pleasures of being a presidential candidate has been traveling all across the country, and we spent quite a bit of time in Montana recently,” he told the magazine. “I am absolutely certain that one way or another, after this presidential process is over, whether — because
I lose or because I win — and I've got a little vacation time coming, I’m going to learn how to fly fish, because that land is spectacular.” Amen, Obama. Send me an e-mail, and I’ll show you where all the fall hotspots are in Montana before Jack Frost shuts things down for the winter.
Saturday is a Free Fishing Day for California Anglers
The California Department of Fish and Game has set its "Free Fishing Day" for this coming Saturday, Sept. 27.
Free fishing days occur twice a year in California, offering Golden State anglers a complimentary day of fishing. Typically anglers over the age of 15 need a fishing license to fish legally in California.
All other fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect.
“This is a great opportunity not only to go fishing but to take a novice or youth fishing,” DFG fisheries branch chief Neil Manji said. “Anglers can enjoy surf fishing, dunking a worm for bass or trout fishing in the Sierras.”
Photo by Brian Milne
Get Away To Missoula, Western Montana
Fall’s officially here, which means you still have a few more months of fly fishing to get in before Jack Frost comes calling.
If you’re looking to get away this fall, and hoping to find a great destination with a handful of blue-ribbon trout waters to pick from, Missoula, Mont., is tough to beat.
The latest edition to our Where to Fish page, Missoula is probably best known for being the location where “A River Runs Through It” was set
But Missoula has a lot more than just the timeless Blackfoot River to hang its hat on. In fact, Missoula is within minutes of four of the best trout fisheries you’ll find in Big Sky Country.
Along with the Blackfoot, Missoulians can also find trophy fish on Rock Creek and the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers. Here’s a closer look at Missoula’s Big Four.
Casting through the four seasons
Summer has come and gone, but don't let the change in seasons put a damper on your casting technique.
Even if you can't get out on the water, you can continue working on your craft so you don't get rusty in the offseason.
In fact, all of us could use a little help on our casting from time to time. And the best way to knock off the rust is by practicing in your own backyard.
That's what the fall and winter months are for, right? Working on your technique and tying those favorite spring patterns? Try to remember these five keys next time you're out practicing.
Photo by Brian Milne
Get away to the Gallatin River
Cure your end of the summer blues with one last fishing trip to your favorite fly fishing destination.
There are getaways listed on our Where to Fish page, which is constantly updated with new fisheries.
Our newest addition to the fishing destinations page is the Gallatin River in Montana.
The river is located west of Bozeman and is very accessible to anglers traveling along Highway 191. When flows die down by the late summer and fall, the Gallatin is a solid choice for wader-clad anglers. This is also a good time for flinging ’hoppers or other large attractors. Blue-winged olives and other dries work well late in the season.
IGFA Hall of Fame to get five new members
Five anglers will be inducted into the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame next month.
The new inductees, approved at the IGFA annual board meeting, have been recognized for their significant contributions to recreational fishing.
The five inductees who will be honored Oct. 25 in Dania Beach, Fla., are Henry Chee, Roy Dean, Jimmy Houston, Kay Rybovich and Karl Wickstrom.
Logo courtesy IGFA
Fall is a Good Time for Surfperch
Summer is over and so is that nice vacation you had from work. Things are starting to cool off and, before long, it will seem like the fish get more sluggish with every passing day.
But now is not the time to put your fly rod into hibernation. In fact, the fall and winter months are the best time to fish for surfperch and other saltwater surf-zone species as noted in our piece about fly fishing for barred surfperch.
Photo by Brian Milne
Fly Fishing in Stormy Conditions
But every once in a while, the elements can actually turn on a bite, like the calm before the storm, for example, when fish have been known to feed like crazy in preparation for what could be two or three days of stormy conditions.
In the Florida area, tropical storms like Fay have even been known to stir up the fishing action, if you can believe that one.
As noted on Jacksonville.com, “Hurricanes and tropical storms such as Fay are the dark clouds in the silver lining that is Florida fishing.”
At the same time, tropical storms like Fay can lead to fish kills, and anglers should always use extreme caution when fishing in extreme weather conditions.