I learned about the Monterey Bay fishing scene from one of my favorite fly-fishing publications; The California Fly Fisher.  In the April 2009 issue there is an article written by Robert Keltey titled Monterey Bay Rockfish.  The article is terrific, but has a mistake and a slight ommission; Capitola wharf has a tricky ladder that you must climb down to get into your rental skiff, and Rockfish season doesn't open until May 1st.  Now that that's out of the way lets get to the good stuff.

There is a nice campground with a path that lead me to this spot.  Even though the campground is on the inland or east side of the PCH, there is a path which goes under the highway for safe access.  The campground is called San Simeon Creek Campground, and lies right against the creek.

Don't plan on fishing there unless it's Steelhead season though.  Check out the regulations at http://www.dfg.ca.gov - my understanding of the current regulations for steelhead fishing in this area is: Dec 1st through Mar 7th, but only on Sat, Sun, Wed, legal holidays and opening and closing days. Only barbless hooks may be used and there is a zero bag limit.

The Arroyo Seco River is one of the most beautiful streams that I have ever seen.  It supports wild steelhead - a fish that I would love to go after next season - but, this season has already ended.  Be sure to check http://www.dfg.ca.gov for the current regulations for fishing this river.  There is an excellent campground nearby named (oddly enough) Arroyo Seco Campground, and it is very clean, green and quiet.

Located in the Monterey Bay, this is an beautiful beach with lots of fly fishing potential.  The shoreline was a bit steeper than it looked, and a sinking line is the only way to go here.  If you go, watch your step because the shore has a wicked drop-off.

After staying the night in San Simeon, we drove a short distance to the public beach at Hearst Memorial.  It's a great little beach with a pier and good rock structure near the shore.  Dogs are allowed on the beach - leashed - and that was a plus for us.  I threw a razzler pattern (by Dean Endress) mostly, but also hucked a Clouser Minnow with no success.

One of the first stops we made for a little surf fly fishing was at Morro Bay.  It's fairly flat and sports some nice rock formations that can be easily walked out onto.

Don't ask, because I will not tell.  What follows is evidence that California fisheries are not entirely without honey holes.  It also ties into the article in the Fly Tying section showing how to tie the Wiggle Tail Nymph.

It took some wasted gas, a handheld GPS and a lot of hiking, but I found the water.  Not much in the way of fish, but certainly worth the effort for the view.  The flows in the photos are much higher than can usually be expected at this time of year - I took them shortly after the storm around Thanksgiving.

Piru Creek has a lot of character in places (that haven't been tagged), and I really enjoy searching for a honey hole.  I haven't found it yet, but I don't mind looking.