As we revel in May’s bounty, don’t wait for the month to slip away into July—now is the time to wet your line. In California, we always have options, but May is truly an embarrassment of riches. Cast business and chores aside and live rich instead.
To set you off on the right foot, consider this gear I’m geeking out on for California fishing:
Fly Lines | Rio Elite Gold Max Fly Line | If you saw my spring fishing article, “Why Fly Lines Matter,” you know I’m a fly line geek. This line’s taper is excellent, with mass toward the rear of the head for superior roll casting. It handles streamers, indicators, dry-droppers, and small dries with a 12-foot leader. The line is heavy—try the 4-weight on a 5-weight rod if your rod is soft or you want less mass.
Fly Rods | I’ve long said the 10-foot 4-weight is the all-around trout rod. A trip to New Zealand had me seeking more accuracy overhead and extra heft for streamers. After trying 20 rods, I chose a 9’6” 5wt Sage R8 for its pleasant, effortless action. Not too fast, not too slow. Paired with the line above, it’s a dream setup—excelling with dries, nymphs, streamers, and fighting fish. No need to spend $1,000: Sage’s Arrow is less, and Redington’s EDC offers great value. Explore sub-10’ 5wts.
Fly Fishing Boots | The quest for the perfect boots is much like the never-ending quest for the perfect pack. For me, the perfect boot is rubber, lightweight, and agile on the river. Simms hit it out of the park with the Simms Access boots. The softer rubber in the center of the boot’s sole provides better-than-average traction in the river and on the trail.
Fly Fishing Jackets | I swore I’d bought my last jacket, but I just came across the Sitka Jet Stream LT Hoody, and it’s become a go-to layer for me. Packs a huge punch for how light it is. It blocks the wind and traps enough body heat to serve as a go-to layer in cool conditions. I wish the story ended there… I added Sitka’s Dew Point Ultralight rain jacket to my coat closet, and it now goes with me on every trip. Super packable and ultra waterproof Gore-Tex. You had me at hello.
Trout Flies | Summer’s greatest hits
Chubby Chernobyl | The indicator that bites back. It sits low in the water, presenting a great silhouette to the fish while still riding high for you.
Clark’s Golden | A soft landing golden stone that doubles as an October caddis in the fall. One of my top-producing summer/fall dry flies.
E/C Caddis | A low-riding caddis that doubles as an emerging mayfly. A staple slow water dry fly.
Cat Vomit | Aptly named, this fly earned its place when I was fishing the East Walker in the middle of summer and wanted to fish a dry despite there being 0 bugs coming off. A large brown trout decided the cat vomit was worth the effort to rise up and chow. I have repeated this multiple times over the years.
Duracell | It’s a caddis, it’s mayfly, it’s for trout, it’s for steelhead, and it’s in my fly box.
Go out there and get after it.
