| Southern California has a vast array of | | | | There are also small salmon egg hooks if you |
| streams running through its mountains which | | | | chose to us salmon eggs as bait, but you can |
| are stocked regularly with trout during the | | | | also just put 3 eggs on one hook and save |
| cooler months. Although we will be concerning | | | | from having 2 types of hooks. For weight, |
| ourselves mainly with these 'stocked' fish, | | | | small lead 'split-shot' work best as you can |
| many of these streams also contain 'native' | | | | add and remove them as needed. Split-shot |
| trout which may be caught year round. In this | | | | come in many sizes, but it is sometimes |
| article, we will be discussing the equipment | | | | easier to get the smaller and use what is |
| and tackle needed to catch these sometimes | | | | needed than the larger and not be able to put |
| elusive fish. Before you can even begin, you | | | | the amount weight you want. Lastly we will |
| will need a rod and reel (Although you could | | | | need some sort of bait (although spinner bait |
| just as easily use something as simple as a | | | | and spoons can be used, bait is easier in |
| stick with fishing line and a hook?). | | | | these small streams). Bait can be |
| Ultra-light tackle is preferable, as it is | | | | commercially packaged salmon eggs, cheeses |
| smaller, lighter and more sensitive than its | | | | and other so called trout baits, but what I |
| normal (or heavy duty) counter parts. Fishing | | | | personally found to work best is plain old |
| line comes in many pound (lb.) test ratings, | | | | Velveeta cheese. You may also want to try |
| but 2 to 4 lbs. test is best for stream | | | | corn, worms, live bugs or dry flies- the |
| fishing as it is of a small diameter which | | | | choice is yours. Now for the fishing part, |
| makes it harder for the fishes to see | | | | almost - but if you are 16 years of age or |
| underwater. This light line is also ok since | | | | older, you will need to purchase a fishing |
| most of the fish caught will be less than one | | | | license for a small fee (this helps to pay |
| pound. Many anglers find that a fly fishing | | | | for the fish we are trying to catch). All |
| rig works well too, but unless you have | | | | that is left now is to find one of the many |
| experience fly fishing it can be a daunting | | | | streams that are stocked, find a good fishin' |
| task on the small mountain streams. The only | | | | hole and catch a few trout for dinner. In the |
| other things we will need to begin are hooks, | | | | next part, we will cover some actual |
| weights, and bait. For hooks, treble hooks in | | | | techniques for fishing the streams of the |
| the 14 - 16 range work best for these smaller | | | | mountains of Southern California. |
| trout, and cheese baits stay on these best. | | | | |