The Many Faces of Piru Creek

The word “Piru” derives from a Chumash word for the tule reeds growing along the creek that were used in making baskets. Properly pronounced “pee-roo,” it is part of that mythical legacy of Southern California streams that once supported runs of southern steelhead.

Listed federally and, as of 2024, by the state as endangered, these descendants of aboriginal ocean-going fish still persist above dams where they are landlocked. Experiencing them, whether by angling or simply observing, has been almost a spiritual quest, and my treks into this drainage have always been fulfilling. There’s nothing quite like this region where you can be drifting a fly through dramatic rock formations alongside cacti and sage.

A dramatic perspective at the inlet at Lake Piru. Photo by Bernard Yin

Piru Creek is just north of Los Angeles and flows southward out of the high peaks of the transverse range known as the San Emigdio, then down through scrubby high chaparral flanked by hills. On a low-traffic day, you can be rigging up within an hour’s journey from downtown LA. It flows through The Angeles National Forest, The Los Padres National Forest, and the Sespe Wilderness and is a key tributary to the Santa Clara River, with the Sespe River to the west and that other “river” known as Interstate 5 to the east. The creek courses through two reservoirs and is supplemented at Pyramid Lake (not to be confused with Nevada’s lake by the same name) by water delivered via the California State Water Project. To those unfamiliar, this aqueduct bolsters SoCal’s thirst with water from the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta.

Let’s start at the base of the drainage. Close to the town of Piru, spitting distance from groves of Valencia oranges along the State Route 126, aka The Santa Paula Freeway, is Lake Piru. Prone to level fluctuations, this impoundment can be as unsightly as they come, while at other times, it feels Amazon-like with lush willows and reeds along the shore, with regular visits from migratory birds including bald eagles. In 2010, stocking of trout was halted to reduce the chance of genetic mingling with native trout. As a result, the trout that currently reside in these waters are solely a self-sustaining population—healthy, strong, and rich in native genes. A fascinating footnote is how this endemic strain has persisted despite decades of stocking in the drainage. Lake Piru is also rich in warm water species such as crappie, red ear sunfish, catfish, and carp. I sometimes fish the lake for bass and was dumbstruck this past spring when I was targeting fish that were chasing schools of threadfin shad on the surface. Thinking that they were schoolie largemouths, they turned out to be aggressive wild, chrome trout! Not surprisingly, my first hookup of said fish was on a bass bug. Following visits had me stripping small streamers, which yielded more of these hard-fighting predatory rainbows. This behavior lasted until the water temperature began to rise with the onset of summer. It was encouraging to witness wild trout using this lake and eating protein. We love it!

Above Lake Piru, a primarily roadless canyon extends for roughly 18 river miles until Pyramid Lake upstream. Generally referred to as “Middle Piru,” this tailwater stretch is prone to the capricious releases from the dam at Pyramid Lake by The Department of Water Resources. Still, a handful of tributaries and numerous hidden springs have succeeded in sustaining a wild trout population, while bass, carp, green sunfish, and bullfrogs have also capitalized on this managed stretch. The fish move around as temperatures, flows, seasons, and spawning instincts dictate. To their credit, the Department of Fish and Wildlife includes Middle Piru on their “hoot owl” watch list, discouraging angling for trout when water temperatures exceed 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Although my passion is for trout, I have had moments on the Middle Piru when other species seduced me for a day of great entertainment, including one time we chanced upon sizable largemouths holding in riffle water. Their presence in what truly was “trout water” puzzled us as to what type of fish they were until our first hookup. Simply can’t make this stuff up!

A variety of species are found in Piru Creek. Top photos by Rebecca Ramirez, bottom photo by John Kim.

If carp are also your game, they can be found here and are healthy, strong, and unusually eager to grab your fly—once you’re able to sneak up on them of course. I have found that a smallish (size 8 or 10) mottled Olive Woolly Bugger effectively imitates both dragonfly nymphs and the small sculpins abundant in the system, and the carp seem to respond well. I never felt the need to experiment much further, but I am sure most other carp patterns would do the trick.

At the top end of Middle Piru, Frenchman’s Flat offers one of the few, if not only, “easy” access points, resting a little over two miles below Pyramid Lake. You can fish roadside or, with a little hiking and wading, fish in relative isolation, which we all know often means better fishing. This is a curious post-apocalyptic-like spot where the closed off remnants of the old interstate highway dead ends at the dam at Pyramid Lake and is befitting of a sci-fi movie set. A parking area is located just before a gate that restricts vehicle traffic further up this “highway to nowhere.” The region is a unique nexus between humanity and wilderness, and my wife, Rebecca, and I once encountered a mountain lion here. But back to the fish! Important to note is a section of stream below the Pyramid Dam and above Frenchman’s Flat that is, by regulation, a catch-and-release fishery only. This might be the best proper wild trout opportunity within an hour of LA.

Many anglers new to the stream inaccurately assume that the creek is regularly stocked with fish when, like Lake Piru, that hasn’t been the case for years. Although vulnerable to the unsavory practices of the greater LA area’s weekend warriors, I feel that this access point experiences a fraction of the heartbreaking abuses I’ve witnessed in the other LA area go-to wild trout destination, the San Gabriel River. Furthermore, it’s regularly visited by the citizen-run Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps (FRVC) who lead an impressive cleanup patrol in numerous SoCal waters. (They are to be credited for more than cleanup, including a beautifully managed public engagement policy). Add to your phone the CALTIP number to report poachers and polluters: 1-888-334-2258. There have been some incidents whereby violators were caught by vigilant anglers using this hotline.

From bobcats to bears, the area has a diversity of wildlife. Photos by Bernard Yin

I am confident that the miles of creek in the downstream wilderness meandering all the way to Lake Piru ensure the survival of the trout population, even when it feels like too many people are having their day limiting out at Frenchman’s Flat (below the wild trout area). As long as the water is cool, Piru is a solid option for SoCal anglers when time does not allow for a trip to the Eastern Sierra or the Kern River. In fact, I know quite a few anglers who use this spot as a warmup before going on a more ambitious trip. Wading is advantageous because of the rich riparian growth found here and brings the experience up a notch. Another bonus is that this population conveniently checks the coastal rainbow trout off your Heritage Trout Challenge checklist.

And I know what you are thinking because it crosses my mind, too: What about exploring all the way from Lake Piru to Pyramid Lake? Well, while doable, it’s best done as an overnighter or very cautiously if you are an experienced water person and understand/study the river flows carefully. You’d be wise to consult with the Forestry Service or even American Whitewater, for such a feat is closer to a military operation than anything else. I have overnighted at the midpoint, and it required a lot of bushwhacking and wading to get even that far.

The fact that Pyramid Lake is influenced by the California Water Project brings with it some curiosities, or, shall we say, “other faces,” including striped bass, American shad, and threadfin shad that provide forage for the stripers. These live in the company of the more predictable faces of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Curiously, even a species of Japanese goby has found its way into the system. Yep, another crazy California lake ecosystem! On occasion, the striped bass in Pyramid Lake will chase the threadfin shad on the surface, providing an excellent game. The lake has boat rentals as well as launch facilities.

Upstream of Pyramid Lake, Piru Creek meanders generally unencumbered from higher elevations through an assortment of canyons and washes, where yucca and pines grow side by side and horned lizards scurry for cover as you approach the creek. Flows here are heavily influenced by snowmelt. Like Middle Piru, this stretch can be brutally warm in summer, making it best to save trips to the region for cooler months —not only for the fish’s sake but for one’s own comfort and safety. To note, this is prime rattlesnake territory.

The upper watershed rarely has warm water species of any sort and is simply a blast for the small stream enthusiast with a notable perk of generating some impressive fish, usually lake runners, both native and holdovers, up from Pyramid. These lake-run fish can catch you off guard, and with persistence, you might have “one of those days” when they’re averaging between 13- to 18-inches. On a normal day, a 12-inch fish is a good catch. A handful of access points give way down to the water. Upper Piru definitely requires a little more work, but time it correctly, and you will be rewarded.

Fish aside, this is also California condor country, and few other places in California can provide such a sighting to punctuate a day of fishing. Another endangered animal, the arroyo toad, is to be thanked for inadvertently helping improve the fishery. Several key accesses into both Middle and Upper Piru were closed to vehicular traffic to better protect the species. The silver lining? Several regions where wild trout live now experience much less human activity, a good thing for all wildlife.

WHEN TO GO

Decisions, decisions. There certainly have been times when I hit the road and was still deciding where to fish the Piru drainage as I headed north from my home in Los Angeles. As is the case with so many SoCal trout waters, timing is key. It gets toasty in the summer. Springtime can be primetime after snowmelt and spring showers. A “warm’ day in winter can have big payoffs. In the fall, as the season and the waters cool, the fish are less prone to the stresses of being caught. Should there be ample flows, opportunities resume, however, I can say with confidence that spring is better.

Middle and Upper Piru will, at times, have different prime moments due to their differing elevations and water sources. Also, while the Upper might be running high and turbid, the Middle section might be tempered by Pyramid’s releases. Either way, the whole region is quite sedimentary, so be forewarned that weeks can go by after what you believe is peak snowmelt or post-storm event, only to find discolored water associated with high runoff. Don’t be daunted by this slight turbidity. The fishing can be dynamite despite the water being off-color, perhaps one of the stream’s best-kept secrets. Under such conditions, sub-surface techniques such as basic nymph and indicator rigs are great.

ACCESSING PIRU CREEK

Utilizing watercraft to access the inlets on either lake is a tactic very few people experiment with, but provides a sense of adventure like no other. It is best to have your own watercraft and the ability to draft in shallow water or, if applicable, to lift the engine is essential. Towing the boat in while wading might even be necessary at the shallow inlets. Consult with the management at the lakes in order to follow the guidelines and rules, not the least of which being quagga mussel protocols. A mountain bike can also come in handy, especially if some of the backroads are in poor condition and closed, which occurs from time to time. Indeed, some of the roads in the upper drainage are always closed except to authorized vehicles (remember the toad?). However, entry on foot or by bicycle is permitted. Pack lots of water and lunch!

GEAR

I encourage you not to overthink gear. A basic 5-weight setup with a well-rounded selection of basic patterns goes a long way. I don’t like to go lighter than 5X because a larger wild fish of size might catch you off guard. I lean towards 4X or even heavier and rarely use dries. But I eat my words because earlier this year, a trophy was caught by Rebecca on an ant as it sipped bugs under a bush across the stream. Personally, I lean towards beadhead nymphs such as basic Princes or Pheasant Tails, and keep a few Wooly Buggers handy because, well, they catch everything. All said, there are always fun exceptions. Over 20 years ago, I hiked deep into the upper drainage only to find that my fly box was missing. A #10 Coachman streamer, the kind you see embroidered on a vintage shirt from some thrift store, was stuck in my hat and I braced myself for my own unintended one-fly challenge only to be rewarded with several chrome, lake-run trout on this classic fly. This was in January, by the way, about a week after a small rainstorm. I never saw the fish I was casting to, but they sure saw the fly!

This entire Piru region has a rich geological history, and at times, you can feel as if you are fishing on another planet. Clearly, I have been obsessed with this drainage for years. I love that Piru is not a stream with volumes of information written about it, yet it is home to one of the world’s greatest trout species. It offers a sense of discovery that has proven captivating. So much in our world can be right under our noses, and especially for those of us in SoCal, this watershed is just that.