Dave Boucher, President of the Tuolumne River Conservancy, is fly fishing the Lower Tuolumne for trout in the winter. of April through Nov. 15Access:Easy to Very Difficult Depending onthe AreaNon-Resident LicenseState of CaliforniaWeatherNational Weather Service Link. Yosemite Valley Due to the Parks protected status, all rainbow trout are catch & release only and only artificial lures/flies with barbless hooks can be used (no bait fishing). The flow is controlled by Whether you're a boater, an angler or both, you'll find the waters of Tuolumne County are just fine. The tailwater section below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Lake Don Pedro. A trail will take you to a footbridge across the Dana Fork and onto another footbridge on the Lyell Fork. Its mostly white water rafting stream but has plenty of rainbow trout. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This area can be reached by trail only. Trout found in the Poopenaut Valley include brown and rainbow trout. I have fished this area numerous times and have very rarely ever seen another fly fisherman. The Lyell Fork has a healthy population of Wild Trout with the Brown's being more numerous in the lower section and more Brook Trout found towards the head waters. The fish are not very selective, but will get spooky when the water gets very low in the fall. and have fun doing it. Hatches will include small BWO's (fly shown above) during warm days in late January and February. Fishing the Wawona/Yosemite South area brings anglers to the less-visited but equally babbling South Fork of the Merced River. This area extends up to Waterwheel Falls. The South Forks originates in the "Chain Lakes" area and then flows 30 miles East to West, to its confluence with the main Fork. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Covering 1,169 square miles and with elevations ranging from 3,000 feet to 13,000 feet in the High Sierra, the water features runneth over creating a fishing mecca the size of Rhode Island and Luxembourg where anglers can cast to their hearts content. Jackson Road from Fish Camp will take you further to the north east accessing fishing areas of areas of Big Sandy and Little Sandy. Then it will drop you into the Tuolumne Canyon right next to the Tuolumne River. In this warmer section of the river, trail fishing on foot is the name of the game while flicking a line where the Merced River flows into Lake McClure can be accessed via the Bagby Recreation Area along historic Highway 49. About Yosemite Lake The most popular species caught here are Largemouth bass, Rainbow trout, and Black crappie. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Rainbows, Brookies, and Brown Trout inhabit this section of the river. Fishing from bridges, piers, and from the top of O'Shaughnessy Dam in Hetch Hetchy is prohibited. Of note is nearby Bean Creek Preserve, a private/public partnership between the Pulvino Family and the Sierra Foothill Conservancy that offers prime birdwatching, classes and events. The creek contains both brookies and rainbows. Fly Box - What You'll Need The best time to visit is in the summer, after the run off ends. The best time to visit is in the summer, after the run off ends. You can purchase a one-year, 10-day, two-day, or one-day license. This is the entrance to Yosemite by way of Tioga Pass. Dry Flies:Parachute Adams #12-18Parachute Ants #14-16Cutter's Perfect Ant #14-16Elk Hair Caddis #12-14Yellow Humpy #12-14Dave's Hopper #10-12Royal Wulff #12-14Purple Haze #16, Nymph Flies:Pheasant Tail Nymph #12-14Copper Johns #12-14Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #12-14Prince Nymph #12-14Bird's Nest #8-10Zebra Midge #18. and 34 inches long. How do we do it? Following Highway 120, go 25 miles to the confluence of the South and Middle Fork at Rainbow Pool Falls. : Last Saturday in Apr. Notes: through Nov. 15. The Rainbow's are spread out and usually located in the faster moving sections. Do you need a permit to fish in Yosemite? Neall lies within a terminal moraine at 9175' elevation. Looking for more places to fish? Both the main stem of the river and its three forks have numerous tributary streams that also have good populations of trout. It can only be accessed from the John Muir Trail that follows along the stream. The waters of the Merced River above the Happy Isle footbridge follow the general California fishing regulations. Side streams such as the Clavey River, Big Creek, and the North Fork of the Tuolumne River offers side hikes, fishing holes, and warm swimming pools during the summer months. Copyright 2023 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. Fly fishing in Yosemite for all species of Yosemite resident trout, or bass. Ken is an avid fisherman of 40+ years who loves to explore and find new places to fish. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. It flows over Nevada and Vernal Falls, and. The trout menu primarily applies to amended sections 5.85, 7.00 and 7.50, and added Section 7.40. You can also find success fishing in the early fall. Held in late spring, the Lake McSwain Trout Fishing Derby provides the opportunity for skilled (lucky?) . Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 67. . Zebra Midge, sizes 16-20. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in. catch this hog bedding at fox grove in Houghson, Ca, Largemouth Bass with a watermelon seed baby brush hog. Yosemite National Parks season for stream and river fishing begins on the last Saturday in April and continues through November 15, with the exception of Frog Creek near Lake Eleanor, which opens June 15. From there the river flows into the rugged Tuolumne Canyon for a distance of about 25 miles and drops 4000 feet in elevation. Prepare for success with accurate data about the type of fish that are caugh in Middle Tuolumne River, learn what baits are used, and fish smarter with weather forecasts. This is the time most anglers experience the greatest success. Mattie had a reputation for some large Brookies. The park has 58 permanent streams with a combined length of 770 miles. Fly Fishing The Tuolumne River CaliforniaThe Tuolumne River flows for about 150 miles from the Central Sierra Nevada, into the Joaquin River near Modesto, California. Want to drop a lure from shore? Need a cold beer and snack once the fish stop biting? Nov. 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in Apr. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Tuolumne is pronounced To All O Me with silent N. The Tuolumne River is formed by the confluence of the Dana Fork, which flows from the 13,000 foot Mount Dana, and Lyell Fork, which flows from the 13,000 foot Mount Lyell, in the Tuolumne Meadows (elevation 8600 feet) in Yosemite National Park. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. Some consider this stretch to be the best fishing with Yosemite Park. Below the O'Shaughnessy Dam, the Tuolumne River also is an excellent fishery for trout. The area is full of wildlife such as osprey, eagle, hawks, waterfowl, raccoons, herons, foxes, (all of which I've seen there) and supposedly bear. The prime fishing is upstream from this point. If you choose to float the river, the optimal time is between May and September. The lake is home to a variety of species such as trout, bluegill, bass and catfish to name a few. Permits can be obtained from the Stanislaus National Forests Groveland Ranger District Office or by visiting the US Forest Service website. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Sierra Fly Fisher operates under a U.S. Forest Service The area that provides the easiest access for fly fishing on this part of the River is the meadow section inside Yosemite National Park. Public accesss is prohibited below the high-water mark of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Fishing along Sonora Pass, Tuolumne County, Mono County. Rainbows, Brookies, and Brown Trout inhabit this section of the river. that frequent this stream. And the first Golden Stone Flies will appear in February also. How do you catch big brown trout at night? This is rugged country and possesses its own beauty from pine-smothered sections to hotter, more austere, foothills. Frequently Asked Questions Rainbows are small but plentiful within a narrow canyon gorge of 29 miles before emptying into the Tuolumne River. The character of the Merced River changes from season to season, bustling with cold whitewater runoff in spring then warming pools under overhanging banks, shallows and deep pools and slowing come fall. Yep. You can park at the bridge at Toulumne Meadows and follow the John Muir trail. This scenic ranch is located in the heart of the Motherlode on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, one hour from Yosemite. Yosemite Fly Fishing Guide: With its private, customized fly fishing trips inside Yosemite for all ages & experience levels, YFFG teaches the fundamentals of casting and reading the water as well as providing transportation from lodges, hotels or pre-determined pickup locations. With the Brown Trout going up to approximately 14 inches. For short-term licenses, the fees are as follows: One-day Sport Fishing License: $17.02. I like to wet wade this section starting in late June or early July, after the runoff waters recede. What fishing hooks are illegal in California? Its a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. In Yosemite National Park, and the Merced River Canyon above Foresta Bridge/Red Bud Picnic area, rainbow trout (like the one on the left above) are catch and release only. Located in a 4,500 acre park of grassy, oak covered hills and featuring a steep shoreline, and brushy coves. Those in search of trout hideouts can park along Highway 140 in the small lots of day-use picnic areas such as Red Bud, Cranberry Flat, Indian Flat, McClendon Beach and Briceburg Put-In, or numerous turnouts along the way (careful to pull completely off the road). Tuolumne River from Lumsden Bridge downstream to Clavey River Falls. Beyond the meadow section, the stream has freestone sections through numerous granite boulders forming pocket water. (size 16" - 22") Matching the hatch is not necessary here, but at times the fish will become selective when there is a good hatch in progress. It contains rainbows, browns, and brookies. Blacks Creek Ranch is a 440-acre multi-parcel property in Tuolumne Co., 5.0-miles northwest of Coulterville and 16-miles south of Groveland. From the West, take Highway 120 from Manteca and becomes Tioga Road once you've entered the park. Rainbows, Brookies, and Brown Trout inhabit this section of the river. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. But watch your step because this trail is also known for an abundance of rattlesnakes. They offer a restaurant and complimentary WiFi. This area is particularly popular with white water rafters, as there is Class IV whitewater in this section. Most notably Lower McCabe Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Upper Mattie Lake, Virginia Lake, and Dog Lake have been either gill-netted or electro-shocked. Some areas are tight with obstructions such as Lodgepole Pines and you need to use bow-and-arrow casts to present the flies to the proper areas. Cherry Creek and Eleanor Creek both provide additional trout fishing opportunities. DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Russian River, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Lassen Volcanic National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Eagle Lake in California, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Rush Creek in California. Type of StreamFreestone and TailwatersSpeciesRainbow Trout {Wild and Stocked)Brown Trout (Wild and Stocked)Brook Trout (Wild and Stocked)Golden Trout (Wild)SizeVaries from Small to LargeLocationWest Slope of the Central SierrasNearest TownsGrovelandSeasonLast Sat. View our maps and read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Fish. The Lyell and Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River are a great place to start. Find the best ways to make a difference in Yosemite Mariposa County. Dry Fly Fishing is the best technique and most fun method in the meadow section. On the Murphy Creek trail just south of Glen Aulin is McGee Lake at 8107' elevation. The area contain numerous fishing opportunities besides the river itself. Parking Picnic area Trails Peace & quiet Fly fishing Family . Outfitter: Red Mountain Adventures. Store, telephone. From White Wolf Campground, its a seven mile hike. Following Highway 120, go 25 miles to the confluence of the South and Middle Fork at Rainbow Pool Falls. The Upper Tuolumne was historically devoid of trout due to Glacial activity. With the days of February growing longer the water will start to warm and we will start getting our first decent action of the year. Here is list of general fly pattern recommendations for the Upper Tuolumne River: A 9-foot 4-wt fly rod with floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies and small nymphs on the Upper Tuolumne River. Middle Young Lake seems to have the better fishing with brookies averaging 9 inches.Roosevelt Lake: This lake at 10,184' elevation can be reached by going about 3 miles off-trail following Conness Creek from Middle Young Lake. Tuolumne River is a stream located just 2.9 miles from Grayson, in Stanislaus County, in the state of California, United States, near Tuolumne City (historical), CA. This is the entrance to Yosemite by way of Tioga Pass. the Tuolumne can be accessed by a dirt road just above Burch Meadows to Lumsden Bridge. With its National Wild & Scenic River designation, the Merced continues flowing outside Yosemite as it follows all-season Highway 140. Hiking on the Ten Lakes trail you can reach:Grant Lakes: About 6 miles from the trailhead. The Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River starts at about 8000 feet and flows into the South Fork outside Yosemite National Park. You can travel to any major or municipal airport in Central California and arrive at the Upper Tuolumne River after a few hours of scenic driving. Biggest striped bass Ive caught in this river. Fly Fishing On The Tuolumne River, California. Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes. Is Class IV whitewater in this section starting in late spring, the Lake is home a! 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