So, the question: what were you doing Sunday? Waiting for a few days off to visit the brown trout section of the Owens? Savoring the Trojans’ deep-dish desert smack down? Whatever it was, if you weren’t casting for carp, you missed it.
This fly-fisherman just about set the river on fire! Maybe we should send this snap to “Ghost Hunters.”
Ask Patrick. I met him on the water and he told me he’d already caught/released a good-size carp. Me, I got skunked in the hour I had to put in. It was, however, a sweet hour spent casting, hunting and hoping.
Then, I headed over to Porto’s for some Cuban bread, which looks a whole lot like French bread. Difference? I’m not sure (maybe a canny commenter will tell us …), but the Cuban pressed sandwiches we ate later that afternoon were great.
Moral of the story. Go fishing in our river. Be home in time for lunch.
Under shameless promotion, get thee to a newsstand (are there still newsstands … ?) and buy the latest issue of California Fly Fisher magazine.
David Wratchford checks out his bad self in the new issue of Cal Fly Fisher.
My piece talks about history, Friends of the Los Angeles River, getting a ticket, and there are some beauty shots of guide David Wratchford pulling in carp.
Let’s go fly fish the L.A. River, catch a 5-pound carp (or much bigger) and spend the day away.
Without work. With friends.
Seriously.
A steelhead rendered on the Guardians of the River gate. Once these oceangoing trout ran up the river. Time for them to return.
Much of the 51 miles of river looks like something out of a “Transformers” chase scene. That’s because Hollywood production companies frequently shoot the concrete stretches, making the river famous for all the wrong reasons. That’s fine for Hollywood, not great for us. To get some carp action, try this easy day trip.
First, park your car in the municipal lot adjacent to the golf course in Atwater Village. Then, set your sights on the Los Feliz Café, 3207 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039, (323) 661-2355, for good eats. You might want to save this until after fishing, but to legally use the lot, you gotta snack. You could also bring your clubs for a quick nine after fishing. Surf ‘n’ turf.
Two, walk west with rod in hand, a 7 wt. or above, loaded with 3x leader, attached to a glow bug. This is one of only a few access points you’ll find elaborately marked. Walk through artist Michael Amescua’s Guardians of the River gate, and you’re here. To your left is the Tropico Bridge, opened in 1925. Across the water, you’ll see the end of Griffith Park, along with the buzzing I-5 freeway. To your right, time to fish.
The Guardians of the River gate in Atwater Village is one of the few access points along the river.
Three, walk along the bike path and look for carp. It’s much easier if you can spot them, then to blind cast. Believe me, there are hundreds and hundreds in the water. Note about water: it’s reclaimed upstream. Hook carp. Hear reel whizz hopefully into backing. Repeat.
Four, send me pictures of your adventure and I’ll post them. Tell friends. Go often. Remember, it’s yours.
lariverflyfishing 