The News Outside

I’m currently in southern CA training for a deployment to Afghanistan and am getting the itch to get out and test the waters. I brought some of my gear out when I came back from Christmas leave and have been searching sites within a 3-4 hour drive of Camp Pendleton. If any of you have input, I’m all ears. I know CA boasts about their huge largemouth, and the further north you go trout streams become plentiful. All my takle is in the form of fly gear capable of handling everything from trout to medium salt water species.

Colt,I’ve never been to California,so I have no personal experience.I did a quick internet scout,found fishingnetwork.net that might be useful. There’s a couple lakes that caught my eye,but might be too far…hour drive. Lake Elsinore looks pretty good,lake-elsinore.org.There’s a couple bait shops listed,a call to one of them might help.A couple more that might be closer and could offer some good fishing…lake Henshaw and Diamond Valley Lake.
Sorry that I couldn’t help any more.Good hunting and best wishes…Troy

o.k.,just got done talking with a fly shop in California that I have dealt with many times and they pointed me to a shop down in the southern part of the state.The shop…socalflyfishing.net.I called the shop(619-224-4000) and talked to a guy named Mike,he sounds like he can direct you in the right direction..they also offer guide services. There’s also sandiegoflyshop.com that might be helpful
Hope this helps you some…Troy

By the way,if you’re ever wanting a flyshop in the northern part of the state to check out…theflyshop.com in Redding Ca. is an awesome flyshop with some great helpful people.

I’m in socal often for work and I know the area pretty well. I would say there’s not a whole lot of good fishing in the desert of south central mainland california.  However, if you’re willing to drive a few miles, you may be able to find some mountain lakes. I know Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest is a popular destination. Otherwise, I would just dip my line in some saltwater since you’re right there!

As usual Troy, you always come through with useful, credible info. You must be using the same search engine that I am because I made a trip down to San Diego prior to Christmas and visited the SoCal Flyshop. They were very helpful and pointed me towards the Owens River which has done well all winter, given the mild temps and limited snowfall. They also introduced me to a new species for my fly rod bucket list. Mako sharks! I watched a video of these guys 10 miles offshore battling with 7 foot 200 pound brutes that jump in excess of 12 feet out of the water. Intense!
The FlyShop has always been a favorite of mine, I’ve been a loyal customer for years and would love to make a roadtrip to their headquarters. Unfortunately it is way out of bounds for our libo radius.
I do get a leave block at the end of Feb, early March and am looking forward to coming home one last time before we deploy. Hopefully Spring Lake will be free of ice and I will be able to chase the musky with Duane. Last years trip has lasting memories which bring random smiles to my face when I reminisce. Thanks again Troy I will keep you posted on my success if I ever get a day off. We have been working 15 hour days 7 days a week since we got to CA in late Nov. Training is good but our hours stink. We still need to link up for a trip, if I can swing it I will PM you during my leave block. If not I get back next November…

Walston, pretty sure Big Bear is frozen over and covered with about two feet of snow right now. Hard to get my ice auger and Frabill ice shanty through airport customes. I am looking at heading down to the surf which is less than 200 yards from my barracks/motel. The SoCal flyshop sold me a few flys that have been working well in the surf, and gave me some pointers on how to fish them. Requires a 300grn. sinking line which can be very difficult to fish.

Colt-Thanks for your service, God bless you and your family and please return home safe and sound.

I saw a fishin show years back,where they were catching sharks on the fly.I don’t remember which species but they would put out a chum slick and when the shark came in,they would cast huge red/yellow? streamers to it.It did look like it would be a blast! I think I would get a rush just casting to such a fish,I think a muskie follow is something..
Agree on the FLYSHOP,I’ve been using one of their shop’s fly reels for several years now…love it! Mike Mercer,one of their staff members is one crazy talented fly tyer.His rag sculpin has been one of my go to flies for smallies and brown trout(all but one of my 20"plus browns were caught on it).I tweek it just alittle and had such a success with it,that I even had to contact him and thank him personally.His fly tying book is worth a look.

I saw that you had a awesome trip musky fishing with Duane.I hope this weather pattern holds,might be good to go for early ice out at Spring Lake for ya.I’m looking forward to hitting the back coves myself.I’m still struggling to catch one big enough to scare me..maybe this spring.
Yeah,when you get your butt home and need someone to cast a fly with,just drop me a line.Maybe get you into some of Iowa’s spring creek trout,I have been fishing them up into the later part of November.Found some nice deep holes that are loaded with trout as big as your leg..ha

Glad to hear that they’re training you guys hard,pound of sweat…
Keep us informed as much as you can.
Thoughts and Prayers…Troy