Santa Ynez River Fly Fishing
On the Central Coast of California, just outside the self-proclaimed “Danish Capital of America,” runs an equally quaint Old World-type fishery that is as unique as the nearby city of Solvang.
Santa Ynez River is a very distinct stretch of water and once you get a handle on its regulations, it can be a good getaway for Central California anglers.
While the river and its tributaries downstream from Bradbury Dam are closed all year, the river and tributaries upstream from the Gibralter Dam are open to year-round fishing with a bag limit of two trout.
The Santa Ynez River is located in the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Santa Barbara in the Los Padres National Forest.
To get there, take the 101 from Santa Barbara and head north on Highway 154/San Marcos Pass for about 10 miles.
Turn right onto Forest Road 5N18, leading to the Santa Ynez River recreation areas and campsites.
Because the Santa Ynez river is stocked near the ranger station and campgrounds along Forest Road 5N18, it’s best to fish near those campgrounds and easy access points if there are no crowds.
Reports suggest planted trout are typically in the 10- to 12-inch range, but feel fortunate if you ever catch a trout in the 12-inch class on the Central Coast, especially if you’re fishing away from the pools in front of the campgrounds.
You can head upstream from the campgrounds, but you’ll likely run into swimmers and hikers in the Red Rock area, which can offer the best fishing if crowds are not an issue.
During the weekends and busy summer months, it’s best to head upstream and get away from the swimmers and spinning reel anglers at Red Rock, and fish on the remove sections of the river.
Water levels on these stretches are at the mercy of dam releases, so be sure to check river flows before you visit the Santa Ynez River.
If flows are too high, say after major storms in the winter and spring, the river can wash out and sometimes close Paradise Road – which is a main access point to the river’s best stretches. You can check in with the Santa Barbara Ranger District for more information on the river’s flows and access at 805-967-3481.
If flows aren’t too high, you could consider mountain biking on in to the Santa Ynez River gorge and find a nice remove stretch in a quarter of the time it would take to hike there.
Just be sure to bring plenty of water as the journey upstream could be a dry, hot one, and there are no facilities or running way once you head past the Red Rock Day-Use Area.
Because this river is also home to wild rainbow trout, anglers are encouraged to use barbless hooks and practice catch and release.
Small, bead-head nymphs and streamers are always solid bets on California’s Coastal streams like the Santa Ynez.
If you’re not set on hooking trout, you could upgrade to a clouser or another large streamer or bead-head nymph and go after some smallmouth bass below the reservoir.
Santa Ynez River is a very distinct stretch of water and once you get a handle on its regulations, it can be a good getaway for Central California anglers.
Santa Ynez River Regulations
While the river and its tributaries downstream from Bradbury Dam are closed all year, the river and tributaries upstream from the Gibralter Dam are open to year-round fishing with a bag limit of two trout.
Directions to Santa Ynez River
The Santa Ynez River is located in the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Santa Barbara in the Los Padres National Forest.
To get there, take the 101 from Santa Barbara and head north on Highway 154/San Marcos Pass for about 10 miles.
Turn right onto Forest Road 5N18, leading to the Santa Ynez River recreation areas and campsites.
Where to Fish on the Santa Ynez River
Because the Santa Ynez river is stocked near the ranger station and campgrounds along Forest Road 5N18, it’s best to fish near those campgrounds and easy access points if there are no crowds.
Reports suggest planted trout are typically in the 10- to 12-inch range, but feel fortunate if you ever catch a trout in the 12-inch class on the Central Coast, especially if you’re fishing away from the pools in front of the campgrounds.
You can head upstream from the campgrounds, but you’ll likely run into swimmers and hikers in the Red Rock area, which can offer the best fishing if crowds are not an issue.
During the weekends and busy summer months, it’s best to head upstream and get away from the swimmers and spinning reel anglers at Red Rock, and fish on the remove sections of the river.
Water levels on these stretches are at the mercy of dam releases, so be sure to check river flows before you visit the Santa Ynez River.
If flows are too high, say after major storms in the winter and spring, the river can wash out and sometimes close Paradise Road – which is a main access point to the river’s best stretches. You can check in with the Santa Barbara Ranger District for more information on the river’s flows and access at 805-967-3481.
If flows aren’t too high, you could consider mountain biking on in to the Santa Ynez River gorge and find a nice remove stretch in a quarter of the time it would take to hike there.
Just be sure to bring plenty of water as the journey upstream could be a dry, hot one, and there are no facilities or running way once you head past the Red Rock Day-Use Area.
Fly Fishing the Santa Ynez
Because this river is also home to wild rainbow trout, anglers are encouraged to use barbless hooks and practice catch and release.
Small, bead-head nymphs and streamers are always solid bets on California’s Coastal streams like the Santa Ynez.
If you’re not set on hooking trout, you could upgrade to a clouser or another large streamer or bead-head nymph and go after some smallmouth bass below the reservoir.
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