David Siskind | Sunday, 5 April 2026
So after practicing in the park with the 20’ leader for a few days, I had a chance Sunday, to see what it would take to fish it in the river and to find out how the carp like it.
When I got there I found a fellow, in camo head to toe, fishing where I intended to start. I watched him cast to some backs on the far bank for a while, a low percentage but irresistible target. Deciding to walk a half mile south, and, as I approached to say ‘hey’ on my way, there was a big explosion maybe 200 yds east. The fireball had to be 25’ in diameter. Before the boom there was a weird noise like the run up of a jet engine. It was crazy. There is a substation and a large pump station just east of the river there. A big transformer probably failed and blew. Urban fishing. A million years ago I fished for bait in a runoff collection stream running through the marshy shore of Little Neck Bay near the NY City line. Now, on the LA River, the little bit of riparian green, rich food chain, abundant bird life, and big wary fish seem miraculous. And of course once engaged it’s just me and the fish anyway. There are occasionally bait fishers but they set up on the big pools. I’m looking for fish in shallow runs and backwaters - mostly I have the river to myself. Seeing other fly fishers is rare. Sunday I saw two. Camo Guy and Straw-Hat Guy.
After the blast, as I walked south I saw an older guy on the west bank - could tell by his gait - wearing a big straw hat. He looked like he was casting heavier flies - could tell by his stroke. He hooked a good fish that ran him downstream 200 yds at least. He attempted to net it twice while I watched and had to get out of the water and run downstream each time til he rounded the bend. Didn’t see if he landed it. There are some big fish in there.
I walked a couple of miles downstream had some good shots and didn’t spook any fish casting 10’ past with the long leader. So that was different.
I crossed at a foot bridge and headed upstream on the right bank and in a bit found a bunch of nice fish feeding in a backwater. I was fishing a natural dun colored merkin crab (corbina fly). It was just the right weight for the depth and speed of the flow. A nice fish turned and ate when I dropped the fly just behind its head.
Lessons learned:
- Long leader is better
- On pickup need a straight line from rod tip to weighted fly before applying power
- Brisk hauls help
- These carp are not leader-shy or maybe that was just Sunday.
I went out again Thursday but an overnight drizzle resulted in a flow spike that dirtied up the river. Walked a lot. Didn’t make a cast but got my steps in.
I guess everyone is watching the same news I am. There are hardships ahead. All the wise guys are saying the energy disruption is baked in. Has already happened. We don’t feel it fully yet but it’s coming. I hope it’s not too bad.
Best,
David Siskind