I could use some help scouting for some SoCal Scouts

[JJTrue]

I have a problem I could use some advice on. I am in charge of planning and executing a Boy Scout fishing trip in late September this year. I want all these boys to catch something so they can complete their Merit Badges . I'm basically a stream guy, I really have hit and miss results with lakes.

I have no idea how many boys will be signing up. We will be coming from Santa Clarita. I don't know of anywhere good locally to take them (they don't stock Piru creek nor Bouquet Creek anymore). I know if I take them up to Rock Creek (north of Bishop) the majority (if not all) will catch something but that is a 4 hour drive (without breaks). I can't find any good info for either Kennedy Meadows (3 hour drive ), nor the Kern near Lake Isabella 2-2.5 hour drive. I do see that DFG stocks both above and below the lake so I would assume there is at least the chance of some good fortune.

And since it is during the school year we couldn't leave town until 4:30 or so on Friday at the earliest.So it's either leave Friday and go to Isabella, camp for two nights or Leave early Saturday morning for Bishop and only camp overnight.

I'll have to scout (pun intended) out the trip myself before I drag these boys up there (unless I go to Rock Creek).

Any words of advice are greatly appreciated.

Jeremy

[jpainter]

I have a problem I could use some advice on. I am in charge of planning and executing a Boy Scout fishing trip in late September this year. I want all these boys to catch something so they can complete their Merit Badges . I'm basically a stream guy, I really have hit and miss results with lakes.

I have no idea how many boys will be signing up. We will be coming from Santa Clarita. I don't know of anywhere good locally to take them (they don't stock Piru creek nor Bouquet Creek anymore). I know if I take them up to Rock Creek (north of Bishop) the majority (if not all) will catch something but that is a 4 hour drive (without breaks). I can't find any good info for either Kennedy Meadows (3 hour drive ), nor the Kern near Lake Isabella 2-2.5 hour drive. I do see that DFG stocks both above and below the lake so I would assume there is at least the chance of some good fortune.

And since it is during the school year we couldn't leave town until 4:30 or so on Friday at the earliest.So it's either leave Friday and go to Isabella, camp for two nights or Leave early Saturday morning for Bishop and only camp overnight.

I'll have to scout (pun intended) out the trip myself before I drag these boys up there (unless I go to Rock Creek).

Any words of advice are greatly appreciated.

Jeremy

Santa ana river in angeles oaks. Im pretty sure there stocking still in september. And the boy scouts have s camp of some **** up there. I seen there emblem around jenks lake

[ttplt]

I remember catching a 13" Brown in the Owens River for my Fishing Merit Badge like it was yesterday. Believe me, it was a looooong time ago! God bless you for helping these boys achieve something wonderful and giving them memories they will never, ever forget! One of my favorite places that isn't as far as Bishop is Lone Pine Creek. Only 3 hours from Santa Clarita. From the 395 N/B turn left on Whitney Portal. Not even a mile up the road the creek goes under the road. We fish downstream all the way to the sandtrap, although going above is my preferred area. Several large pools and overhanging trees where the fish love to congregate! A couple of split shots and a couple of salmon eggs and you're good to go! Seems like a very safe area, just make sure to stay off the road as the cars going up to the campground drive fast. Be sure to post pics!

[Viejo]

I have a problem I could use some advice on. I am in charge of planning and executing a Boy Scout fishing trip in late September this year. I want all these boys to catch something so they can complete their Merit Badges . I'm basically a stream guy, I really have hit and miss results with lakes.

I have no idea how many boys will be signing up. We will be coming from Santa Clarita. I don't know of anywhere good locally to take them (they don't stock Piru creek nor Bouquet Creek anymore). I know if I take them up to Rock Creek (north of Bishop) the majority (if not all) will catch something but that is a 4 hour drive (without breaks). I can't find any good info for either Kennedy Meadows (3 hour drive ), nor the Kern near Lake Isabella 2-2.5 hour drive. I do see that DFG stocks both above and below the lake so I would assume there is at least the chance of some good fortune.

And since it is during the school year we couldn't leave town until 4:30 or so on Friday at the earliest.So it's either leave Friday and go to Isabella, camp for two nights or Leave early Saturday morning for Bishop and only camp overnight.

I'll have to scout (pun intended) out the trip myself before I drag these boys up there (unless I go to Rock Creek).

Any words of advice are greatly appreciated.

Jeremy

Congratulations on making a difference in these boys lives. You know....your best bet to catch fish with these kids will be in the Bishop area. The drive up Friday from Santa Clarita would be about the same as to Isabella. You'll have a day and a half to fish. Make reservations at the MillPond Campground just North of bishop which has a stocked lake with bass bluegill and trout and you can also fish the creeks McGee, Rock and Convict which should be good by then. Campground is very nice but recommend making reservations now as it fills up. Will the Scouts be fishing conventional gear or fly fishing? That would make a difference in the creeks you choose. SoCal locals will be running low by then and what fish that will be left after the limited stocking would be in remote areas and wild.

[jdogg661420]

its cheasy.. but they do a kids day at Castaic may 4th.. they net off the dam plant trout and kids can catch up to 3 if its not packed but at least one. dude the bass spawn is starting at Castaic now though.. not sure your budget.. and how many supervisors you have but you should rent boats.. go on hopefully a semi clear non windy day. buy some cheap polarized glasses at Walmart like 15-20$ for at least the main people.. and go in coves where you can see bottom and look for fish and have the kids cast on them with tiny jigs like spro phat flies or crappie jigs. they will catch at least some small ones.

[JJTrue]

Santa ana river in angeles oaks. Im pretty sure there stocking still in september. And the boy scouts have s camp of some **** up there. I seen there emblem around jenks lake

Thanks, this is now on my list of places to check out.

[JJTrue]

I remember catching a 13" Brown in the Owens River for my Fishing Merit Badge like it was yesterday. Believe me, it was a looooong time ago! God bless you for helping these boys achieve something wonderful and giving them memories they will never, ever forget! One of my favorite places that isn't as far as Bishop is Lone Pine Creek. Only 3 hours from Santa Clarita. From the 395 N/B turn left on Whitney Portal. Not even a mile up the road the creek goes under the road. We fish downstream all the way to the sandtrap, although going above is my preferred area. Several large pools and overhanging trees where the fish love to congregate! A couple of split shots and a couple of salmon eggs and you're good to go! Seems like a very safe area, just make sure to stay off the road as the cars going up to the campground drive fast. Be sure to post pics!

Thanks, I'll put it on my short list. I really want to give these boys a chance to catch some fish!

[JJTrue]

its cheasy.. but they do a kids day at Castaic may 4th.. they net off the dam plant trout and kids can catch up to 3 if its not packed but at least one. dude the bass spawn is starting at Castaic now though.. not sure your budget.. and how many supervisors you have but you should rent boats.. go on hopefully a semi clear non windy day. buy some cheap polarized glasses at Walmart like 15-20$ for at least the main people.. and go in coves where you can see bottom and look for fish and have the kids cast on them with tiny jigs like spro phat flies or crappie jigs. they will catch at least some small ones.

Not cheesy at all. I had no idea it was going on. Unfortunately, Camporee is this weekend and most of the troop (including me) will be there.

[dixoncider]

Wouldn't it be worth giving Castaic lake or Lagoon a try.. its right there in town..

[JJTrue]

Wouldn't it be worth giving Castaic lake or Lagoon a try.. its right there in town..

Yeah, I need to take a look there again too. I have only tried twice at Castaic and only once at the Lagoon and not so much as a bite (and that was about 4 years ago). I did see a YouTube video of some guys pulling in trout next to the boat ramp though. I'll give it a try, thanks.

[carpanglerdude]

Your best bet would be to go to a jetty in the ocean, hook everyone up with shrimp for bait, and catch bass + opaleye. Easy and nearest thing to a guaranteed fish for the guys.

Kern River has a lot of trout but it can be difficult. It's worth considering. But it will have high flows.

Lone Pine Creek got hit hard by a fire several years ago. Cleared out a lot of the brush but and I caught fish there a couple years ago, but it's going to be running fast and hard for a while...probably not ideal.

Skip Santa Ana River. It's tiny and gets hit way too hard.
Lytle Creek still gets stocked routinely. Keep an eye out for those...can be very easy at times and prettier location (at times) than others, trash-depending. Get there early. Watch the stocking schedule. Creek is wider than Santa and more fun to cast in.

The Sierra's are great though...Onion Valley might be an option (caution: high elevation), Little Lakes Valley/Rock Creek, etc. If you want "real" trout fishing, head up that way. Or to Sequioa area.
Good luck!

[JJTrue]

Your best bet would be to go to a jetty in the ocean, hook everyone up with shrimp for bait, and catch bass + opaleye. Easy and nearest thing to a guaranteed fish for the guys.

Kern River has a lot of trout but it can be difficult. It's worth considering. But it will have high flows.

Lone Pine Creek got hit hard by a fire several years ago. Cleared out a lot of the brush but and I caught fish there a couple years ago, but it's going to be running fast and hard for a while...probably not ideal.

Skip Santa Ana River. It's tiny and gets hit way too hard.
Lytle Creek still gets stocked routinely. Keep an eye out for those...can be very easy at times and prettier location (at times) than others, trash-depending. Get there early. Watch the stocking schedule. Creek is wider than Santa and more fun to cast in.

The Sierra's are great though...Onion Valley might be an option (caution: high elevation), Little Lakes Valley/Rock Creek, etc. If you want "real" trout fishing, head up that way. Or to Sequioa area.
Good luck!

Thanks for the help, I would prefer freshwater as that is what was assigned to me. The Troop is also doing deep sea earlier in the month. Keep in mind that this is for the end of September so I think much of the snow melt off will be done by then.

Since we are doing whitewater rafting out of Kernville this weekend I am going up a day early with my son to scout out the Kern.

I had no idea they stocked Lytle Creek, that was the place that I fell in love (with guns). My in-laws live over the hill in Wrightwood so I will definitely check that out too.


Thanks for all the great suggestions.