One of my clients  getting  ready to catch a wild rainbow trout. The fly casting on the Sespe is free of trees and bushes not like some of Ventura County's smaller streams.                                     Photo by: Randy Weir

Located in the Sespe Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest above the town of Ojai.  It is a spring fed stream with many small feeder creeks.  It flows over 30 miles to the Santa Clara River near the town of Filmore.  Many years ago it was filled with thousands of Steelhead which traveled these waters to reproduce.  It is a beautiful river that is dotted with long runs, pools, riffles, pocket water and it's lack of bushes make it perfect for typical 9' fly rods.

The river is home to feisty native rainbow trout averaging 6” with larger fish in the lower reaches of Sespe above the town of Filmore. Most fish are 6 to 8" inches in length. Some years which are few and far between the Sespe can get some larger fish. I have had many incredible days catching these feisty rainbows using my "Sespe Special" dry fly!

Winter months bring snow and rain with it.  Depending on the year it can really raise the stream flow, but still allows for some fishing if you know where to fish. 

Spring is the best time to fish with wild rainbows filling the river. The weather is usually perfect for a great day on the river. 

Summer brings long hot days.  Fishing during the summer can be a challenge with water temps pushing 80 degrees and the air temps reaching 100 degrees. You really need to know where these rainbow like to hang out.

Fall brings shorter days and the falling of leaves and low water conditions.  Hunting and sneaking up on these fish is the only method of choice.  There are sections of the Sespe that can fish all year long with a real good rain fall during the winter months.   

I guided Marlin in 2008 on Matilija Creek. He took my class on Introduction to Fly Fishing which I teach with Earl Arnold thru Ventura College Community Education  each spring.                                                                          Photo by: Randy Weir

Nestled above the town of Ojai in the Matilija Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest.  It too is a spring fed creek but smaller in size to the Sespe.  This stream is only 8 miles in length. The beauty of this little stream reminds me of a little Eastern Sierra stream.  Steelhead too,  made their way to this creek before dams where built.   

These feisty rainbows in this crystal clear creek average a little smaller in size than the Sespe, but still put up a great fight. If you are lucky they might just make some great leaps and runs.

If we get enough rain in the winter months there are sections that can hold fish all year if you know where to find them.  

This client of mine was treated to one of the many small creeks located in the backcountry of Ventura county.                                                       Photo by: Randy Weir

I fish many small creeks nestled in the Los Padres National Forest. It has taken me countless years of fishing and logging fishing information to know where the best fishing is at any given time. With my charts of fishing conditions and rainfall for the last 20 years at my disposal, it is not a guessing game for me to find wild trout even in the driest of years. 

It is not uncommon for me to log 30 or more days fishing locally in a season. That's why I know what streams hold fish in any particular month of the year. If you want to catch fish in the wintertime, the springtime, summertime or fall there is a Ventura County stream that holds some wild rainbow trout.