The city I live in is at the base of a mountain range named as the San Gabriel Mountains. These mountains contain a decent number of rivers and lakes which I have enjoyed fishing over the years.
Not all rivers in the mountain range have a continuous source of water all year long, but a handful of the rivers do. Calling them rivers is very generous, as they more resemble streams or creeks. Some parts are stocked with trout for fishing in the winter, but most of the streams contain small, wild trout. The wild trout are a challenge to catch, as they are very aware of their surroundings and are constantly on the lookout for danger as the streams are small.
Here are a couple pictures of me fishing in these small streams:
Often, you have to sneak up on the fish, and there are lots of overhanging trees and bushes, so it can be a challenge just to get your lure in front of one of these wild trout. The thrill of the chase and the overall challenge to find and entice one of these wild trout to bite are what I enjoy most about this type of fishing. Plus you have the added bonus of great scenery and a hike to find the fish, so the outdoor aspect is very enjoyable to me as well.
I practice catch and release when fishing for these wild trout, and use barbless hooks (which are actually required in some protected areas of the rivers). Imitation flies, grubs or bugs can often get the wild trout to bite, though actual traditional fly fishing is nearly impossible given the trees and bushes.
I am overdue to get back up in the mountains to explore and fish, but hope to do so again soon!
Thanks for reading and stopping by!
Brian