Fishing the West Fork above Azusa, CA

Hiking and fishing the West Fork up the 39 highway above Azusa CA. Caught a lot of fish on a little spinner. Unfortunately they were all tiny except for one decent one at the end. Started at 8am and fished until 1pm. Over 100 degrees by noon!

[@kennethfriedl3428]

Don’t forget that the west fork of the SG river is barbless single hook fly fishing only. The warden does make his rounds and will inspect your license and equipment. It’s a huge fine if you get caught in violation and they will confiscate your fishing gear. It’s also catch and release only as well. This is one of the few fisheries left in Southern California that supports a population of wild native rainbow trout, and you can tell the difference between the native trout and the stocked rainbows because native rainbows are smaller and more colorful with bigger side blotches. Fun fact… Rainbow Trout are native to the West Coast of North America only and are technically considered “invasive” in the rest of the Continental US and the world. Brown trout are also considered invasive because they are originally from Asia. The only native trout to North America are Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Cut throat, and Rainbows on the pacific side. The rainbows you are fishing for there in the SG river are protected and can only be fished for with barbless fly and you have to release them, and you are also supposed to fill out a form with all the info of the fish you caught and released that day and drop it off in the form drop box, or at the rangers station. Please be responsible stewards of our beautiful natural resources here in Southern California. The laws are in place for good reason in this case. Be safe, be smart, be responsible, and above all else have fun fishing.

[@fallrisk2998]

I did know it was barbless and catch and release. I did not know single hook and fly only. Are you sure about fly fishing only? Thank you for this information. I am a self taught fisherman and I want to follow the rules I should have done some more research.

[@kennethfriedl3428]

@@fallrisk2998 Yes Sir! Barbless single hook fly only. 100% catch and release only. You can use your spinning equipment. Just make sure you’re using a barbless single hook fly. You can make any fly barbless by crimping down the barb with some pliers. Fly fishing with spinning or casting gear is easy. Use a clear bobber and tie some leader with your fly on it. You can go top water (dry fly) and use mono as your leader. Or you can nymph or go under water (wet fly / streamer) and use fluorocarbon as your leader. Just make sure you’re single hook barbless fly, and catch and release everything you catch there. Oh and don’t forget to stop by the rangers station for a form. You’re supposed to report how many fish you caught and released and their sizes. They want to keep close track of the ecosystem there and that info tells them how well or how bad it’s doing.

[@fallrisk2998]

@@kennethfriedl3428 thanks for the clarification.

[@JasonD-yc3oy]

You're wrong!!! You can certainly use your spin rod but with lures like panther martin that have a SINGLE BARBLESS HOOK US FOREST SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT fishing regulations: West Fork: Only artificial flies or lures with a single barbless hook may be used in the West Fork and its tributaries. From the second crossing up it is “Catch and Release” only

[@kennethfriedl3428]

@@JasonD-yc3oy That’s exactly what I said. I just didn’t mention the part about after the second crossing because most people mess that part up anyway so to be safe I say 100% catch and release (unless you know exactly where on the river you are at, which you should know no matter what anyway but most people don’t).

[@dillonlanemusic]

awesome video. i’ve been spending a bit of time up there lately and don’t recognize the parking lot at the end of your video. is that up east fork perhaps?

[@fallrisk2998]

Thanks. It is the west fork. The parking lot is just before the river goes under the 39 highway. Right at the start of the Devils canyon dam truck trail.

[@dsuperhawk]

I feel like I just got Rick rolled.

[@broinsocali]

Oh shit that 1st catch was some small. I thought it was your bait. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 catch the big or small. Still a good catch.

[@fallrisk2998]

Lol, yes most were pretty small! I was surprised a couple were even able to get their mouth on the hook!

[@RobertGonzalez-ve2km]

Shark

[@jonathanreyes4191]

Freaking awesome! What was your rig set up? Pole, Rod, lb test, and jig/lure set up

[@fallrisk2998]

Thanks a lot! I will be honest I dont know a lot about gear. I mainly learn by just watching videos! I am using A small spin reel (dont even know the brand) on a 6 foot collapsible pole that I got off of amazon! I use that pole when I am hiking. I have regular cheap Berkely 4lb line and I like to use spinners like Panther martins cause I get bored using baits.

[@mattaiiuud7878]

what kind of fish are there? i drive up the canyon alot but i never fished there

[@danielyoung7175]

Rainbow trout. It’s a very healthy system, lots of smalls. The reservoirs have big bass, but they closed public access years ago.

[@danielyoung7175]

Also big carp

[@egld2020]

Have your license on you game warden is out there .

[@kennethfriedl3428]

West Fork of the SG river is single hook barbless fly catch and release only, and you are supposed to fill out a form with info on all the fish you caught and released that day and drop the form off in the drop box on the trail, or at the rangers station. He’s lucky the ranger didn’t catch him that day. He would have been hating life. It’s an expensive fine and they confiscate all your fishing equipment too. The fish were tiny because they are native rainbow trout and they are protected.

[@paullorn2738]

Gmr time

[@danielyoung7175]

Rick Ashley?

[@fallrisk2998]

He's never going to let you down!

[@danielyoung7175]

@@fallrisk2998 😂😂👍

[@angusmcdugal1]

@@fallrisk2998 Never going to give you up!