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 to 15 feet in length in extreme calm or clear conditions.
Wading: Wet-wade or use lightweight waders and booties for sandy beaches.
Flies to Use
Streamers: ALF Baitfish, Popovic’s Surf Candy and Jiggy #2, Squid Fly #1/0, Rusty Squirrel Clouser #4, 10-40 Sandworm, Ruffy #4, Clouser Minnows #2–6, Salt Bugger (bleeding anchovy) #4, Sea Habit Bucktail (white knight) #2/0, Sar Mul Mac Anchovy #3/0.
Topwater & Subsurface: Gurgler #2/0–#2.
When to Fish
Bass: June through September; prime time is August.
Barracuda: All year; prime time is late July through September.
Corbina: Summer.
Croaker: Prime times are summer and fall.
Halibut: June through September.
Surfperch: All year; prime time is May through September.
Seasons & Limits
Varying restrictions on tackle, access, and limits apply. Consult the California Department of Fish & Game booklet and call local shops for updates.
Accommodations & Services
Find marinas, launch ramps, and hoists in Long Beach and Marine Stadium environs. Supplies and lodging abound around Long Beach.
Rating
A big 8.5. For wading and small-craft anglers, this is one of the best saltwater fly fishing places in California.
Editor’s note: For more excellent information about fly fishing West Coast bays and shoreline habitat, consult Ken’s other fine books, Fly Fishing Afoot in the Surf Zone and Fly Fishing the Pacific Inshore.
American River Lower Section
A wonderful 22-mile tailwater fishery flows right through the heart of California’s state capital and into the Sacramento River. And believe it or not, the lower American River gets less overall pressure than a place such as Fall River during peak season! Keep in mind, however, that there are millions of potential anglers near this stretch of river. The lower American is urban fly fishing, but it’s worth the adventure.
The American doesn’t have trout, but it does have a variety of hearty and challenging game fish. Combining resident and anadromous species, the river offers a chance to try for fish ranging from 1 to 30 or more pounds.
Boaters tend to get the most from this river. Anyone with a canoe, pram, or small skiff will enjoy the many easy-to-get-to access points. Boat traffic and snags present hazards that float tube users should heed. Many tubers find a way to anchor themselves when they find high-quality fly fishing locations. Bank anglers gain access around Discovery and Goethe parks, the California State Exposition (Cal Expo), Arden Way, Howe Avenue and Watt Avenue bridges, and Sunrise Blvd. It’s good to call ahead to check the levels of the dam-regulated river flows. The Sacramento-area fly shops listed in the back of this guide will help.
The easiest way to get to this section of river is to take U.S. Route 50 to either of the suburbs of Fair Oaks or Rancho Cordova. From here many surface streets lead to the river.
American River Striper. Photo by John Sherman.
