Barrett Lake Outing - San Diego

We have been invited by San Diego Fly Fishers to join them in their one day exclusive access to fish Barrett Lake in South Eastern San Diego County on April 11th. This is prior to the lake opening for fishing for the season, so these fish have not seen a fly or a lure in months. Barrett is a fantastic bass, bluegill, and crappie fishery, with normally high fish counts for anglers. All flies will need to be barbless, as this is a catch and release only lake (and yes, you can get cited for using barbed hooks). Poppers work awesome in the morning, followed by black wooly buggers as the sun gets high in the sky. The lake is pretty large and can only really be fished by float tube, kayak or boat, there is little shoreline access. Fly gear only, and no fly gear will be provided, you must bring your own. A valid California fishing license is required. You must be a member of Deep Creek Fly Fishers in good standing to register for this event.

Tim Huckaby, the current president of SDFF, will send us a link to register for the event prior to posting it on their club’s website. Tim assured me that once it goes up on their website it sells out quickly. By signing up here on Corsizio, you will be sent the link to register when it is issued. Actual registration will be done through SDFF and you are responsible for getting signed up on the SDFF website once the link goes live at a date to be determined and shared with you.

These were the costs last year -- I will update the costs once we get them from SDFF, but this should be the general cost range. 2025 Costs: The one day fishing fee is $50 per person. Boat rental is an additional fee of $115 which includes one fishing fee. So if two were to rent a boat together, the total would be $165. There are only 15 boats that may be rented. Only 60 anglers will allowed on the lake for the day. We have been allocated 4 spots.

Everyone will meet at the main gate at Barrett at 5am, where you will park in the order you arrive and then be checked in and sign a waiver. At 6am the gates will open and we will all go down to the lake on the maintained dirt road (there was a Prius there last year) as a group, and the gate will be closed behind us. Do Not Be Late! We have the lake to ourselves for a maximum of 8 hours, so everyone has to be off the lake by 3pm. You can leave earlier if you wish, you just have to get out of your vehicle at the gate and open it, closing it behind you.

In my experience last year, most people rent a boat and pile all of their float tubes together (inflated or deflated depending upon space), then motor out to one of the arms of the lake, beach the boat, anchor down, rig up, and start fishing. I recall two people plus inflated float tubes and gear was a little tight, but I think three plus all gear would be doable in the same boat with some squeezing and planning. There were others that brought their kayaks, and some float tubed right near the docks without even renting a boat.

It is especially important to specify the name of the person attending, especially if the payment will be coming from the credit card or Paypal account of a different person. You will receive confirmation of registration by email. Reservations are final and cannot be cancelled. There will be no refunds if the named attendee does not arrive to check in on time.

Please contact Steve Castles at sctwonine@gmail.com with any questions at all.