California Fly Fisher is the definitive voice of fly fishing in the Golden State. From the steelhead rivers of the North Coast to the trout streams of the Eastern Sierra, each issue explores California’s rich angling landscape with vivid storytelling, expert advice, and stunning photography. Discover top destinations in and around the state, sharpen your skills with pro tips and techniques, and meet the people shaping the sport—from legendary anglers to emerging voices. With fly-tying insights, conservation features, and deep dives into California’s iconic waters, California Fly Fisher is more than a magazine—it’s a celebration of a unique angling culture.
A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER • Welcome to the Summer 2025 issue of California Fly Fisher.
Self-Guided • SWIFTCURRENT WADERS
California Fly Fisher
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
In This Issue
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Events
To Read
The Trout Vote With Their Fins
Smart Bass • A largemouth bass in a local pond or lake may be the smartest fish you’ll ever face.
Release
Euro Nymphing More Than Just a Trend
My Fly-Fishing Perspective • Euro nymphing can be a polarizing term for many fly anglers.
The Wild Forks of Kern • I’m in a 25+ year love affair. She’s wild and she’s fun. But she’s fickle.
Forks of Kern | Quick Guide
Easier Options for Experiencing the Kern
GEOLOGY: KERN RIVER
THE SALAMANDER THAT BREATHES THROUGH ITS SKIN
Tim Huckaby
8 QUESTIONS WITH TIM
The Euro Nymphing Evolution
Bugs & Climate Change
Deepwater Indicator Fishing
Urban Wild: Fly Fishing in the Heart of L.A. • Standing atop the Hollywood Hills, it’s easy to see why Los Angeles might just be the best urban fly- fishing destination in America.
24 Hours In Los Angeles
L.A. Adjacent
Surf Fishing 101 • You have likely heard the siren songs of the surf while visiting California’s vast coastline. The terns squawking and waves crashing, calling you to cast your line in.
Casting Clubs of Northern California • Where the Past, Present, and Future Come Together
CLUB INFORMATION
Trinity Alps A Backpacker’s Angling Sanctuary • The Trinity Alps, nestled just south of the Oregon border yet a five-hour drive north of California’s state capital, span more than half a million acres of untamed wilderness.
Gear for the Backcountry
Al Kyte on 75 Years of Fly Fishing
History of the Salinas River
Kern County
The Summer Doldrums