East Fork of the San Gabriel River info. needed

Chesapeakechuck · Jul-13-2004, 11:43 AM

Anyone here ever fish the small creeks up around Azusa or Magic Mountain? There's half a dozen up in the Los Angeles National Forest region that are supposed to have small rainbows swimming around. There's also supposed to be some limited gold panning opportunities on the East Fork.

I think we have at least six weeks until any numbers of Yellow Fin Tuna show-up, so I thought I might spend a weekend up in that region to explore and see if I can still remember how to catch a trout. Any fishing, camping or panning information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mot's Sr. · Jul-13-2004, 11:49 AM

Chuck, I'm no expert on this, but years ago I used to go up to the back side of Big Bear, there was a good stream up there and you could do yor panning exploring thing up there, plus I think its a nicer area than the San Gabriel area.

With the currant drought, there might not be enough water in some of these streams, youll have to check that out.

The other thing, with all the people that try to go local, I think most of these areas are just fished out. But, I think they still stock some of these reivers, check with the DFG, they should have something on there web site for stocking info.

Big Bear has some good camping areas also.

Just my .o2

Squid Vicious · Jul-13-2004, 12:37 PM

we used 2lb and 4lb line to small hooks baited with redworms , by boulders creating eddies , while going up azusa canyon before the road turns to mountain roads theres a bait shack , been there for ever . they'll give you the latest dope , we used to fish upstream the bridge after the dam , it's been years Dogg ...good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!theres also crystal lake up the way
and you"ll need canyon parking permits to park along the canyon , you"ll definately need em ......you"ll see all the camp areas as you drive .....

KT PAYNE · Jul-13-2004, 01:48 PM

In San Diego Now But Fished East Fork As A Kid Small Trout ...used To Be A Trout Farm There Happy Jacks Also You Can Try To Fish Mt Baldy Ice House Canyon There Is Still A Trout Farm There So If You Have Kids

Stanley · Jul-13-2004, 02:04 PM

Funny you should mention Mt. Baldy. I used to work in Upland and would head towards Baldy on my lunch hour. Just past the Ranger Station is a small stream that I could sneak up on and toss roostertails. 6"-8" trout on almost every cast. Used to be a great way to spend lunch. This was back in the late 80's.

Mot's Sr. · Jul-13-2004, 02:49 PM

Chuck, for a couple more hours driving time, and if your going to make a weekend type of deal out of it, go to Bishop, 5 hour drive for me, theres all kinds of places to do some stream fishing up there, and the Owens River is pretty good, the scenery is much better up there and less people to fight with like it would be down here.

If you need any camping gear, I can fix you up, probably got everything you would need, would save you from having to buy a bunch of stuff for a weekend trip.

Theres streams all the way up after you get into Lone Pine, and campgrounds all over the place, unless your going to do the motel thing.

I don't know if you have been to the Eastern Sierras, thats a great place to go. And they are still stocking some fish every week up there.

Thats what I would suggest. Go for it.

Squid Vicious · Jul-13-2004, 06:29 PM

used To Be A Trout Farm There Happy Jacks Also You Can Try To Fish Mt Baldy Ice House Canyon There Is Still A Trout Farm There So If You Have Kids[/QUOTE]

.........i remember happy jacks , the pan size pond and the wopper pond and of corse the feeder pond , you brought back some tight memories

jesse · Jul-13-2004, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooker

Funny you should mention Mt. Baldy.

I use to skateboard the baldy pipeline

I use to kill it!

**Jason** · Jul-13-2004, 10:14 PM

I used to snowboard the backside of baldy and the baldy windlip. Then we didn't have good snow for years and the resort went to the back of my list... And I always saw that shack on my way up the mountain.

**el Toro** · Jul-14-2004, 08:06 AM

Dont rule out the South Fork of the Santa Ana river up Hwy 38 on the back side of Big Bear. Its a beautiful little stream loaded with trout. There is a really nice campground called South Fork right there and the creek runs through it.

Yutaka · Jul-14-2004, 10:02 AM

Hey Chuck, I used to fish the East Fork a lot several years ago.

Fishing is great after the stockings, but I suspect we're out of season for that right now. But if you continue up the road, you will reach a ranger station, then a parking area on your left. You can then walk down to the stream where there is a resident population of wild rainbows. They seldom exceed 6 or 7 inches, but rise to the fly very well. Really pretty fish with markings unlike the stockers. Handle with care.

Also, I have seen some pretty elaborate setups for the guys working the stream for gold. Scuba gear, vacuume pumps, etc. Usually the best time is after a heavy downpour when sediment gets pushed down the mountain. But I suppose you can pan for it anytime. I bought a couple of pans years ago, but never put them to use. If you look carefully, you will spot an old mine shaft on the side of the mountain. It will be on your left after you cross the small bridge that goes over the East Fork.

Chesapeakechuck · Jul-14-2004, 11:00 AM

Thanks guys for all of the information.

Motts Sr.: Yeah, I definitly have to make it up that way sometime...Ain't been to Bishop, Mammoth or even Yosemite yet....Shit, I think I've become a homebody

I think I"m gonna run up to E. Fork this weekend, if for no other reason other than it's close and offers both some rainbow fishing and gold panning. Looks like the bump outside is gonna be everpresent for the next week while Mr. Hurricane makes its way out to sea, so I'm headed inshore to play with the trouts

I have a box of panning crap and a pretty expensive goldbug detector....Looks like it's gonna be me, Oscar the Peek-a-Poo and a case of go-juice up at camp Follows this weekend.