docks will aid your adventure. Boaters need to be extra careful and slow their progress through congested areas.
In spring, the bass spawning activity around Horseshoe Bend can provide red-hot fly fishing. In the fall, even when the surface becomes slimy, toss poppers into the soup and chug away for explosive reactions from hungry, or territorial, largemouth.
Clear Lake is 110 miles north of the San Francisco Bay Area, through the wine country on scenic Highway 29. Or, from Interstate 5, go north to Williams and head west on Highway 20.
Clear Lake is the largest natural lake in the state with 100 miles of shoreline. Photo by Brian Sak.
Types of Fish
Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.
Known Hatches & Baitfish
Threadfin shad, silverside smelt, game fish fry, crayfish, frogs, worms & grubs. Damselflies and dragonflies.
Equipment to Use
Rods: 5–9 weight, 8½–10 feet in length.
Reels: Palm or mechanical drag.
Lines: Intermediate, full sinking, type-4 or type-6 sinking shooting heads, or modified sink tips of 130 to 200 grains. WF floating on occasion.
Leaders: 1X to 6X, 5–10 feet in length.
Wading: Excellent bank angling around docks and tule patches. A terrific lake for inflatables, canoes, kayaks, and prams.
Flies to Use
Nymphs: Burk’s Damsel, Putnam’s Damsel #12, Kaufman’s Dragonfly #6, Prince or Hare’s Ear Aggravator #6.
Streamers: Whitlock Near Nuff Sculpin, Jansen’s Threadfin Shad, Hot Flash Minnow, Bellied Newt, Purple Eelworm #6, Poxybou Crayfish #4, Tan or White Flashtail Clouser #2, Sea Habit Bucktail (White Knight) #2–1/0, Burk’s V-Worm #10, Crystal Rubber Bugger #4.
Topwater: Swimming Frog, Andy’s Loudmouth Shad #6, Gurgler #2–1/0, Deer Hair Mouse #4, Chartreuse Diver, Gaines Bluegill Popper #12.
When to Fish
Fish for bass all year, with prime times being spring and fall. Summer is best for panfish and catfish.
Accommodations & Services
Everything is right around the lake: resorts, marinas, ramps, stores, and gas stations.
Season & Limits
You can fish for something just about every month of the year. Check current California Department of Fish & Game regulations booklet, or call a fly shop or marina for specific information.
Rating
Certainly one of the state’s top five bass locations, with the undoubted potential for a 9 during fall and spring. A 7.5 minimum throughout the year.
Cuyamaca Reservoir
by Jeff Solis
Near the remote town of Julian, find Cuyamaca Reservoir, one of Southern California’s premier fly fishing still waters. With trout, small- and largemouth bass, and panfish willing and able to eat your fly most of the year, Cuyamaca Reservoir offers the most consistent fishing in San Diego County. This area was badly burned in the fall 2003 Julian wildfire and is now recovering.
The lake is nestled in a 4,600-foot-high mountain meadow, surrounded by oak and pine. Deer and wild turkey frequent the area, and snow is not uncommon during the winter. Yes, this is in San Diego County so crowding may be a consideration. On Wednesdays, many members of the San Diego Fly Fishing Club are not at work, but fishing here. On weekends and holidays float tubes are limited to the last three hours of the fishing day.
Cuyamaca Reservoir is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of about 15 feet. This is enough for big rainbow trout, however, and some up to 14 pounds have been taken here on a fly. The first and last hours of daylight are often the best times for great dry fly action. During the day, nymphs and Woolly Buggers fished slowly on the bottom are the best producers. Use a sink tip line for this technique.
To reach Cuyamaca Reservoir from San Diego, take Interstate 8 east to the Japatul Road turnoff, then follow Highway 79 north for 15 miles to the lake.
There are many different species here to give your line a tug. Photo by Howard Fisher.
Types of Fish
Rainbow trout, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and sturgeon.
Known Hatches & Baitfish
Midges, mayflies, dragonflies and damselflies, golden shiners, and bullfrog tadpoles.
Equipment to Use
Rods: 3–7 weight, 8–9 feet in length.
Reels: Standard click or disk.
Lines: WF or floating is usually all you need. Maybe pack a type-4 sink tip if the wind kicks up.
Leaders: For trout and panfish, 4X, 7–9 feet in length. For bass, 3X to 4X, 5–8 feet in length.
Wading: Chest-high waders and boots, or use a float tube on the entire lake.
Flies to Use
Dries: Light Cahill, Parachute Adams, Adams, Hendrickson, Callibaetis Emerger #14–20, Looping Callibaetis #16.
Nymphs: Hare’s Ear, Prince Nymph, Scud #8–16, especially with beadhead.
Streamers & Poppers: Woolly Bugger and Olive Matuka #6–12, Gurgler #2.
When to Fish
For trout, February through July and September through November. For bass and panfish, May through October.
Seasons & Limits
Open year-round. Smallmouth bass fishing is strictly catch and release. Check current California regulations for other limits and restrictions.
Nearby Fly Fishing
Poke around. Some say you can find a couple of streams with some trout. Special regulations will apply, though, so check with local anglers or a fly shop.
