Just two days before Earth Day, health officials closed all coastal swimming areas in Long Beach after 250,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Los Angeles River in Downey on Thursday morning. Read the whole story on Patch >>HERE.
Tag: Los Angeles 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
Many thanks to William Preston Bowling, Trout Unlimited South Coast chapter president, for these up close and personal videos of the majesty — and danger — of the LA when it rains.
With our seemingly never-ending drought, we need engineers to come up with a way to secure all this fresh rain water that’s racing out to the ocean, along with tons of trash.
See you on the river, Jim Burns
FEBRUARY 1938 WAS a wet month in Los Angeles. The ground, where it hadn’t been paved over, was saturated, which meant rain had nowhere to go except into the streets, canals and washes. On the 27th, a storm arrived. During the following days, the city received its second-highest 24-hour rainfall in history. Reservoirs overflowed, dams topped out and floodwaters careered down Pacoima Wash and Tujunga Wash toward the Los Angeles River. By the time the river peaked at Long Beach, its flow exceeded the Mississippi’s at St. Louis. “It was as if the Pacific had moved in to take back its ancient bed,” wrote Rupert Hughes in “City of Angels,” a 1941 novel that climaxes with the flood. In an instant, the Lankershim Bridge in North Hollywood collapsed, and five people were swept away. Sewer and gas lines ruptured; communications were cut; houses were lifted straight off their foundations and sank into the water. In all, 87 people died. Read More.
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| There are literally miles and miles of carp water throughout Southern California and beyond. Some of these watersheds literally untouched and ready to reward the intrepid fly fisher. Please plan on attending his presentation “Planet Carp” as Glenn Ueda will be sharing his experiences over the past decade, personal fly fishing tackle, and specific techniques when sightfishing for carp. A native of Southern California, Glenn was introduced to surf fishing as a child by his father. Every Sunday, from Morro Bay down to San Onofre, they caught their own bait and targeted everything from striped bass to barred perch to corbina. Reading about fly fishing in Field and Stream, Glenn soon learned basic fly casting and tying at world famous Long Beach Casting Club, He was ten. A local pond provided endless joy fooling bluegill, crappie and bass. Almost five decades later following a rewarding career as an architect, he sought new challenges. Taking all of those cherished surf and freshwater lessons he built a very successful business “So Cal Flats Fishing Guide Service” teaching fly anglers the art of sightfishing in shallow surf for one of the world’s most challenging species, the California Corbina. Guiding highly skilled anglers from all over the globe, many agree after a day’ of stalking that they our “Ghost of the Coast” is as difficult if not worse than the very popular and highly coveted flats permit. Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m. San Marino Masonic Lodge 3130 Huntington Drive San Marino, CA 91108 Editor’s Note: This is the monthly meeting for members of Pasadena Casting Club, but non-members are also invited to attend. It’s free. |
From Peter Bennett:
Now on sale. The time has finally come, my LA River book is soon heading to the printer and I am taking orders for both the hardcover and the softcover editions. https://www.citizenoftheplanet.com/lariverbook
When I first started this project, I made a decision to self-publish. This book means a lot to me having spent over twelve years documenting the river. By self-publishing, I felt I could maintain the creative control necessary to tell the story of the river in a way I thought it deserved.
But in order to afford the printing costs, I need to sell as many copies as I can ahead of time. I have tried to keep the prices as low as possible and still cover my costs.
I will be sending to the printer in September and should have copies to deliver by the middle of November, just in time for the holidays (should make a great gift).
The book looks beautiful, I think everyone will really like it. Thank you so much for the support.
The second SCTU Vamos a Pescar event brought new anglers to our river through workshops and fishing experience. (All photos credit Miranda Robin) 
From South Coast Trout Unlimited:
Vamos a Pescar! Let’s go fishing! We’ll be giving fishing poles* to youngsters and learning to fish at this 2-day workshop. Sign up here!
About this event
Vamos a Pescar! Let’s go fishing! We’ll be giving fishing poles to youngsters to learn to fish, helping to rig up their rods, and demonstrating fishing techniques. On July 27th we’ll be rigging up our fishing poles and learning about knots and river conservation. On July 29th, we’ll be fishing on the Los Angeles River. Join us for both days to get your free fishing rod and reel!
Our second workshop series will be over weekdays!
Day 1: July 27th, 4 PM to 7 PM: the first workshop in an outdoor classroom setting to learn the basics.Marsh Park/Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park: 2944 Gleneden Street Los Angeles, CA 90039
Day 2: July 29th, 4 PM to 7 PM the second workshop is on the LA River. Pick up your free* fishing pole and hit the river to catch some fish! Marsh Park/Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park: 2944 Gleneden Street Los Angeles, CA 90039
Day 3: September 4th is the last workshop to learn how to catch the big fish with the pros. CA Free Fishing Day, no fishing license required. Open to all participants! The place to be confirmed, we hope it will be at the New Taylor Yard Bridge!
Face coverings are required to participate in all events to protect you and our volunteers.
Waivers are required for the workshops. If you are under 18 you must have a parent or guardian sign at the on-site registration.
* you must attend the first workshop to get a free fishing pole.
Sponsored by: SOUTH COAST TROUT UNLIMITED • CA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE • GEORGE H.W. BUSH VAMOS A PESCAR EDUCATION FUND • CA STATE PARKS
LEWIS MacADAMS says it best on a bas relief commemorative sculpture at the park, which also bears his name. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
SCTU President William Preston Bowling, left, with knot master Eugene Ahn chilling out before the event. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
SCTU board members Bob Blankenship, left, and Jim Burns explain to two participants what’s in their mini-tackle boxes. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
Knot master Eugene Anh, back to camera, helps two participants through the intricacies of the improved clinch knot. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
Former Trout Unlimited South Coast Chapter President Ban Luu begins a casting lesson. Luu has caught more than 2,000 fish on the L.A. River (Credit Miranda Robin) 
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT as participants get a look at where they will fish after receiving their first day of training. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
DOWN BY THE RIVER: After a day of learning the basics of conservation, knot typing and casting, participants find their spots to actually fish. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Engaged couple and SCTU event organizers, from left, Karen Barnett and Bob Blankenship, take a break with Tom Blankenship, who traveled from his home base in Fort Worth, Texas. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
Participants Ethan and Hailey get a good look at a juvenile carp before releasing it back to the LA River. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
FISH IN A BUCKET! gets participant Vivienne’s full attention. (Credit Miranda Robin) 
JUMP! Fishing workshop participant Panida Rzonca tries to hold onto her first catch, a green sunfish. (Credit Jim Burns)
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