So.Cal. Creekin'

[teejay]

I haven’t been physically able to get out much this summer due to a foot ailment that has sidelined me. When I first saw my doctor back in July, he told me that he wanted me to take a leave from work for a while but that I should be able to still enjoy my “fishing hobby”. Of course, my doctor’s idea of fishing is propping a rod in a holder while you sit in a lawn chair drinking a beer. Not a bad way to spend the day but my “hobby” –foreign to my doctor- frequently involves rock hopping and fishing small streams for wild trout, often in rugged areas. Unfortunately, this activity has been off calendar considering that it has been a challenge just to hobble across the parking lot at work and make it through my shift. This is also the first summer in about 25 years that I haven’t gone on at least one backpacking trip to the Sierra. Well, Thank goodness I’ve been able to go back to work and that I have a job that does not require me to be on my feet a lot.
Tuesday, I thought that I would take a drive up to one of my favorite areas and test the foot out a little and maybe wet a line.
Considering the clouds moving in, my line would not be the only thing getting wet:

http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest/IMG_2128.jpg

The light rain was sporadic, and as I was mostly under a canopy of trees, I hardly got wet at all. I’m not sure if the rain is to blame or my novice fly fishing skills, but this outing did not favor me with catching any of the canyons brownies. It was frustrating because I could see them look at and completely ignore my offerings. However, the transient fish were not so discriminating:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest/IMG_2127.jpg

I pulled four more of this guys buddies out of this one hole. Yes, it was like fishing out of a barrel but I’ll take what I can get:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest/IMG_2121.jpg

Still a lot of water in the streams. Pulled one more out of the pocket in the lower left:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest/IMG_2125.jpg

Enjoyed some fall color:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest/IMG_2130.jpg

And some juicy service berries:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest/IMG_2124.jpg

It was nice to finally get out in to the mountains. A beautiful sunset for an overall rewarding day:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest/IMG_2131.jpg

[Sublime-Steve]

Nice pics man.. I wish I knew some spots for creek fishing but they seem more guarded then the crown jewel's.

[Viejo]

There is definitely a reason for that......There are some here that claim there are no "secret" spots and will share everything with you.

[IncredibleHuck]

There is definitely a reason for that......There are some here that claim there are no "secret" spots and will share everything with you.

The majority of the people are lazy and wont hike back in. Just 2 weekends ago, I was up on the Santa Ana River and after about a 100 yard hike off the road I had it all to my self again....

[fish-o-haulic]

Maybe im lazy or just not as into trout cuz ive never seen a place as beautiful as this one before. teejay you got me wanting to hike through mountainous forests for wild browns.