Golden State Getaway: Arroyo Seco River

Arroyo Seco River is about as tricky a river as you'll find on the Central Coast.

First, there's its location, carving its way through a steep, brushy gorge that's nearly impossible to fish early in the regular trout season when the river is swollen with runoff.

This Monterey County fishery also runs by a popular campground and is located near Salinas and the heavily populated Silicon Valley, which means it receives lots of fishing pressure during the summer months – even though the lower portions of the river are technically off limits during the general trout season.

In fact, anglers must hike more than 3.5 miles upstream from the campground to fish legally from the last Saturday in April through Nov. 15.

Legal water is considered the stretch above the main waterfall and footbridge, located 3.5 miles upstream from the bridge at the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station.

The trail to the upper reaches is an old fire road located at the end of the campground. The road parallels the river for a couple miles before a narrow single track drops down to the water's edge. Some of the hike requires some wading, so waders and a wading staff are always a nice addition at Arroyo Seco.

The lower stretches of the river are sometimes opened to steelhead fishing from December to early March on Wednesdays and weekends during the general coastal steelhead season.

Like many coastal steelhead waters, the Department of Fish and Game often closes particular stretches because of low-flow restrictions. Call (831) 649-2886 for the latest flow information and always check current regulations as steelhead reports could lead to in-season closures. A steelhead report card is also required.

Only barbless hooks may be used and fish must be released unharmed.

The key to fishing Arroyo Seco is to use a stealthy approach and precise casting.

Accurate casts not only save you time, they save you money by preventing hang-ups in overhanging brush and trees.

Anglers who make the trek above the waterfall, usually lead off with standard dry flies on floating line as these fish see much less pressure and even fewer bugs. The fishing usually improves as you continue to hike upstream.

If these fish aren't rising, switch to tiny attractor patterns or go diving in the deeper pools with your favorite bead-head nymph.