Category: Video

Video May 2, 2023May 2, 2023

No, Martha, it’s not Montana, it’s the East Fork!

If you missed the “Martha” reference in the title, it’s just because you are young and never had the pleasure or — whatever — of working in legacy news, when there was such a thing.

A “Hey, Martha” story was offbeat or odd, as in, “Hey, Martha, didya hear about the cat who solved the Rubik’s Cube — with no hands??”

Yes, before there was click bait, there was the “Hey, Martha.”

Anyway, inspired by a recent video of clear, fast water on the West Fork (and very bummed that the weekday ban for using the bike path has been extended to December), I ventured to the East Fork. I basically couldn’t believe my eyes: white caps, swells, skinny trails swallowed by water.

In fact, check out this video. If you recognize the area on the right as your old path up to your fav spot, it’s gone. As is the hole where a friend got me into a wee trout last season, my first time at the EF after miners. I would bet all of your favorite spots are now gone — and, never mind, it is glorious to behold this much water flowing freely down the river. New favorite spots with either be discovered, or reappear as fishing season approaches.

Bonus: Who knew our local mountains were this beautiful! Green brings out their canyons, their crevasses, and — their waterfalls.

See you on the river, Jim Burns

Video January 25, 2023January 25, 2023

Drone footage shows natural power of refugia on the LA River

Ask any stream fisherman where to find trout and one of the answers will be “Behind the rocks.” That’s exactly what this brilliant drone video from Trout Unlimited’s Bob Blankenship shows to be true on a long, lonely stretch of wet concrete here in LA. If you are in a hurry, go to about minute 2 and you’ll see big carp hanging out behind the few rocks on this desolate river run. Most of this trench is a foot deep by maybe three foot. That ain’t much room for anything, much less a school of 16-inch-plus carp.

When I saw this, I thought to myself, anytime you give nature half a chance, it comes back. With a little help from us, in the form of shade, boulders and occasional slower water, we could see a return of the fish we really want — endangered So. Cal. steelhead. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that there are no fish in what look to be uninhabitable sections of our river. And where there are fish, there are birds! Anyway, check this video out!

See you on the river, Jim Burns

Video August 27, 2022

Miracle in the Nevada desert: restoring Dixie Creek

Video July 16, 2022

Museum reintroduces the classics — I want one!

In this new film series from the American Museum of Fly Fishing takes vintage rods from their collection and puts them in the hands of modern anglers. In various locations, bamboo rods of yesteryear are put to the test in both salt and fresh water, and anglers share their take on what it’s like to fish with classic equipment.

Featured in this episode: 1973 Orvis Battenkill, 8′, 8wt, 2-piece.

See you on the river, Jim Burns