I know for a fact that the Santa Ana River does have browns in addition to Bear Creek and Deep Creek.

These waters will hold fish up to 17 inches but if you get a 12 incher your doing good. One of the good things is that they hold qauntity. You can catch over 30 browns on a good day but don't count it. Browns are much more elusive than bows. They prefer to eat natural baits especialy in these small streams. The winter bite can be tough because they are nocturnal feeders and the longer nights give them more feeding time during the night. It's better when the days are long and they have less time to feed. You might fish hard all day to catch five browns and then end catching 15 more in the last hour of sun light. These fish turn on big time when at in the grey at first light or right before dark. Kind of like sea bass fishing during the spawn.

They are beautiful and protected in Bear and Deep Creeks. Santa Ana is open with no gear restrictions I believe there is a 5 fish limit. Please let the fish go if your going to go up there. If your in Los Angeles you mine as well fish Mamouth. It's more worth it and you'll find it's not a short drive to go get to these little creeks. If the bite is off your done for the day. If your in Mamouth, Bishop or even up on the Kern you have a lot more options and you have a chance at catching much larger fish.

Another thing you may want to keep in mind is that Browns spawn in the fall. They swim up the rivers from the lakes to spawn similair to a salmon. They need running water to spawn. Fall is the prime for fishing them in the streams and rivers. That's when your most likely to pull a monstor brown out of a small river or creek. If you do make it up there good luck and dress warm. It's feezin up there right now.
Bring your waders too.

r1