Fishing Tips, Heritage Trout Challenge

Heritage Trout Challenge: Through The Coast and Mountains

by Matt

In 2018 I completed my first California Heritage Trout challenge. This journey was by far one of the most memorable fly fishing experiences. I encourage all fly anglers in California to take the challenge and experience it for yourself. Not only do you get the feeling of accomplishment as an angler you also get an amazing printed certificate and an awesome old man hat.

My first heritage trout challenge was completed with:

Coastal Rainbow Trout
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
Goose Lake Redband Trout
McCloud River Redband Trout
Warner Lakes Redband Trout

Time: Time is perhaps everything when it comes to the trout challenge. You need it in order to start and finish. The majority of the trout species that qualify live hundreds of miles away from most urban areas meaning hours either driving, hiking, or perhaps both. Most of the qualifying species are open to angling all year round however be sure to always check regulations before heading out.

Summer is your best bet to attempt fishing for the heritage trout. Depending on the amount of snowpack within the year the seasonal runoff will usually run from May to June leaving the rest of the summer and early fall open to exploring. Drought years can be difficult due to lower than average flows therefore going earlier may be better than later.

Planning: The planning is probably half the fun of the heritage trout challenge. Not only is it good to know where you’ll be going but it can also be fun to learn more about the species you will be pursing.

Heritage trout are found in watersheds which means they can be found in more than one stream within a system. Having more than one stream on your list can go a long way if you are unable to find the fish you are looking for.

Pack for the long haul as you never know if you’ll need to stay a few extra hours or even an extra day to find the either the right or perfect fish. Having the right amount of snacks and other necessities can go a long way.

Resources: Here are a few sites and resources that I found invaluable to my first heritage trout challenge success.
DFG Heritage Trout Challenge -By definition the origin for all things California Heritage Trout. There is a great Angler’s Guide to the Heritage Trout Challenge PDF that gives you a bit of history for each trout and locations of where to find them.
Fly Fishing the Sierra – A great website for general information of different creeks and streams throughout the Sierras and Northern California.

Fly Tying

Fly Tying: San Juan Worm

by Matt

The San Juan Worm is a classic fly pattern that imitates the greatest fish catching bait of all time, the mighty earthworm. This is a simple pattern that tends to produce fish after a fresh rain spell or when fishing discolored water. During or after a rain event worms will often come out of the ground in efforts to find a new home however more often than not many don’t survive and end up becoming food. Aquatic worms that fish feed on are also perfectly imitated through this pattern. Many anglers will tell you that a San Juan Worm isn’t a fly but to me if it’s tied onto a hook I consider it a fly.

San Juan Worm

Material List:
TMC – 2457 – Size 16
Uni-Thread – 8/0 – Red
UTC Wire – Brassie – Red
Vernille – Red

Fly Tying Instructions

Step 1: Set your hook up and begin making wraps with your thread.

Step 2: Near the bend of the hook tie in about three inches of vernille leaving about an inch for the tail.

Step 3: Tie in the wire where you began your initial first wraps.

Step 4: Wrap the wire tightly together around the hook.

Step 5: Wrap the remaining vernille over the wire.

Step 6: Make wraps underneath the vernille near the eye of the hook and whip finish.

Step 7: Take the fly off the vise and with a lighter burn a bit of the ends off to create a the classic tapered look. Finished.

The San Juan worm is a fantastic pattern that has caught many fish. It is a bright go-to attractor pattern that seems to work best after a rain spell when the water is off color. The wire helps weigh down the fly and imitates a worm’s clitellum which is their reproductive organ. The San Juan worm is a simple and great pattern that everyone should have in their fly box.

1 2