NorCal Fly Fishing Question

[craigster59]

I'm going to take a trip next week to Sequoia/Kings, Yosemite and up Hwy 49 through Columbia, Auburn, Downieville, etc. Just camping and fly fishing. How are the flows up there right now? I've done the Kern River the last few weekends and it's at 3,400 cfs and makes for some tough wading and murky water.

Just wanted some info for good rivers and creeks anywhere along that area, don't mind meandering off the beaten track or hiking to get to some good places. You can PM me if you don't want to give up the 'honey holes" or hotspots. Thanks in advance and if anyone wants to get together for a beer I can send contact info, I'm just playing it by ear no fixed schedule.

[Burnin' oil]

Flows are really, really high right now. Tough fishing everywhere.

[Tobra]

Super high flows, very cold water, not a fly fishing guy so can't tell you much more than that.

[Burnin' oil]

And to continue the theme, access to Yosemite is limited to the Valley, Hetch Hetchy (no fishing) and Wawona. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are closed.

[craigster59]

I figured as much. With 195% snowpack it's gonna run hard for awhile. I'm gonna look at the maps and locate the smaller streams and creeks at the accessible higher elevations and foothills.

[KaptKaos]

I was in Yosemite last weekend and everything there was blown out. I didn't bother to bring my gear.

You can call these guys for some intel. Yosemite Fly Fishing Guide - Yosemite National Park in the High Sierras

[Tobra]

some great roads up around there

Near Kyburz, on US 50, there is some decent fishing right by the road

[scottmandue]

Three rivers... Kernville... Sequoia national park

Be careful, people die in them rivers every year.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Be careful, people die in them rivers every year.

Yes, no crossing dodgy rivers with your waders on. Better to just get wet crossing than take the risk of being drowned.

As for fly fishing; I have no tips. I've been out dozens and dozens of times and haven't caught anything since 1974.

[Tobra]

oh yeah, US 50 is closed up by Tahoe for the next two weeks, be advised there will be much heavier traffic on secondary roads.

[craigster59]

Thanks for the info. I have been fishing the Kern the last few weeks and it's so blown out I had to fish the higher elevation creeks. I'm sure the situation is the same with the Feather, Yuba, Stanislaus and American. I didn't know how the roads around the 5-7k elevations were with access to the slower running creeks and streams. Guess I'll find out, as they say "the worst day fishing is better than the best day working".

[notmytarga]

Bring your mountain bike and white water kayak - you'll have more fun.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by notmytarga

Bring your mountain bike and white water kayak - you'll have more fun.

True. The good thing is I have no set itinerary, no reservations, no concrete plans. Just be bop along and if it ain't happening near the Sierras I'll just head over to Shasta/ Trinity area and see what happens. A lot of open country and streams in them there parts.

[vash]

sounds like fun. i have never tried fly fishing..seems very "poetic".

here is a pic from the top of mineral king..we hiked the farewell gap up to 11000 feet. nobody could get a fish bite, but the scenery was breathtaking.

[craigster59]

Well, as predicted the fishing was iffy, the weather was cold and unpredictable, but the scenery was awesome...

[Tobra]

Winter storm warning for tonight, be careful

[vash]

craig..that pic is amazing!!

[motion]

Craig, did you take that pic? Unbelievable!

[craigster59]

Yeah, Yosemite can turn anyone into a professional photographer I got snowed on and woke up freezing, jumped in the car and ran the heater. An hour later at daylight I drove around taking pics, the valley was beautiful, to say the least..