Tuolumne River CA Fishing Reports, Map & Hot Spots Tuolumne River Stanislaus - California 17 catches 222 followers 2 spots Winter runs of coastal Rainbow Trout (steelhead) and resident Trout available below La Grange Dam. The Merced offers enjoyable fishing all summer and into the winter. It's one of the likeliest places in California to catch a 10-pound rainbow. Welcome to Yosemite Outfitters Fly Fishing Guide Service - we fish for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout.. and we aso fly fish the high the sierra in california, and Yosemite wilderness. Try to keep your gear setup simple; rod, a balanced reel, 4x to 6x 9 foot nylon leaders and a couple spools of tippet. Not all of the flow used by the power plants is returned to the river. First named in 1806 by a Spanish explorer after a nearby indigenous village, the Tuolumne was heavily prospected during the California Gold Rush in the 1850s, and the lower valley was cultivated by American settlers over the next few decades. During the 1880s American sheep ranchers brought their herds into the upper Tuolumne River watershed for summer pasture, which further damaged the range in the foothills and Sierras. The forks merge in Tuolumne Meadows which is the best known and most popular section. Lyell Fork shares much in common with Crane Creek due to location and altitude, but the Merced River and Tenaya Creek are both early spring and late fall fisheries for best results.When planning your trip, the most important factor to keep in mind is the sheer number of visitors to Yosemite yearly during the spring, summer, and fall. Get directions to access points, boat ramps, and real-time USGS stream flow data. Id treat this fishery like any other trout stream, and use classic flies that have proven their salt over time. Because of the desire to increase water storage for other uses, only 340,000 acre-feet (420,000,000m3) of the reservoir is designated flood control, which is relatively small compared to other reservoirs in California. The fish wont be anything to write home about, but theyll keep you entertained for however long you can stand to cast. Where you fish on the lake doesnt really matter but getting there does. A short 3- or 4-weight rod is ideal. Anglers hook excellent rainbow and brown . Rafting In its native state the fall Chinook run alone may have numbered as high as 130,000. [47] Although only about 68,000 acres (28,000ha) (5.4percent) of the watershed itself are farmed, river water is used to irrigate almost five times that area outside the watershed boundaries. I love a black Zebra Midge, and Im convinced more fish have been caught on that nymph than perhaps any other. It replaced an earlier concrete dam built on approximately the same site. Catching the "Big One" is a relaxing way to get away from the stress of everyday life, and a picturesque way to get to know Tuolumne County. Here are some general fly recommendations for fishing in Yosemite National Park: Bear in mind that you should always check local conditions and hatches upon arriving at Yosemite to choose the best flies for each section of the river, as populations can vary from year to year. The Frenchie has saved my bacon on more than one trip. Fishing in the Tuolumne River can be accessed from Groveland on steep, narrow, dirt roads by way of Lumsden or Cherry Lake Road. Youll get your pick of pools, pocket water, glides, and riffles to fish. [20] The gage was not in place during this time. From here, its 13 miles through rugged country to reach your destination. [62], The origin of the Tuolumne River's name is unclear. Remember that these are small, wild trout and those fish usually respond well to classic flies. This may in turn refer to the native word talmalamne, or "a group of stone huts or caves". Thankfully, the Lyell Fork offers great fishing. Like most other central California rivers, the Tuolumne is dammed multiple times for irrigation and the generation of hydroelectricity. It is dammed to form Cherry Lake and the tailwater section flows into the Middle Fork. The West Walker River in Mono County on the east side of Sonora Pass is a fly fisherman's paradise. Hares Ear in sizes 14-18. Parachute Adams size 12-18. This particular location was the crossing of Fort Miller Road (Millerton Road), a major land trade route that connected Stockton with Millerton near present-day Fresno (today the site of the Millerton Lake reservoir). The 5-mile (8.0km)[6] Dana Fork originates between Mount Dana (13,044-foot (3,976m)[8]) and Mount Gibbs (12,772-foot (3,893m)[9]) and flows west. Trout in the Upper Tuolumne are not too selective given the limited amount of time fish have to fatten up on aquatic insects that emerge during the summer. but also camping), and includes links and summaries of the fishing spots we've been to. Its a great way to score a bargain on your stay. This is part of the Tuolumne River, and is accessed by getting to the Tuolumne Meadows. Return and Piute Creeks join the river from the north within the Tuolumne Canyon. The stretch of water we fished is just downstream of Blowering dam. [50], Below La Grange, the Tuolumne much reduced due to irrigation diversions flows through a fixed channel with a highly restricted floodplain. The discharges vary greatly and the fishing methods depend on the flows. Discover where and when you can fish on our waters across England and Wales, and what permissions you need. The park has 58 permanent streams with a combined length of 770 miles. FAT has flights from more major US cities and on 7 major airlines, so it is usually the best bet for getting a bargain on booking your flight. Length 3.8 miElevation gain 265 ftRoute type Out & back. You dont need much more than what youd take for any trout fishing trip in the Sierra or Rocky Mountains. Frenchie, sizes 14-18. The confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin is located in the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, about 2 miles (3.2km) north of Grayson in Stanislaus County.[17]. In 2013, the Rim Fire burned 257,314 acres. It can also direct you to campsites, trailer parks, and other such facilities for the fishing holidaymaker. It's mostly white water rafting stream but has plenty of rainbow trout.The tailwater section below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Lake Don Pedro. Estimates of the first human habitation along the Tuolumne River range from 3000 to 7000 BC. However, this led to overgrowth and a disruption of the natural forest succession process that was previously driven by wildfires.[60]. You can just venture off-trail, follow a blue line on the map, and likely get into good fish. In Waterford, turn right on Hickman Road (county road J-9) and drive 1 mile to Lake Road. [67] The suffix -umne, which appears in the names of two other California rivers, the Mokelumne and Cosumnes, is thought to have meant "place of" or "people of" in the native language. Floating lines, long leaders, and plenty of fly floatant are going to round out the gear you need to fly fish in Yosemite. Here the river calms down a little. Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Blue Wing Olive, Royal Wulff, Griffiths Gnat, White Stimulator, Chernobyl Ant, Rubber Legs, BH Pheasant Tail, BH Prince Nymph, BH Hares Ear Nymph, Barrs Emerger, Zebra Midge. The Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts control the lion's share of water in the reservoir, although the City of San Francisco also has storage rights, which it uses mainly to offset the effects of water diverted upstream at Hetch Hetchy. The South Fork of the Tuolumne joins from the south a few miles downstream, near Groveland-Big Oak Flat, followed by the Clavey River from the north a few miles after that. As well dam for water-tanks the peoples' cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man. Below Lake Don Pedro, you'll find even more fly fishing opportunities.The North Fork of the Tuolumne River starts near Dodge Ridge and is followed closely by Highway #108. [51] The previous time it was used was 1988. However, it also causes dewatering of significant portions of the Tuolumne River, especially during low water summers when all but a minimal fish release is diverted through the power plants. [54] With the exception of the Merced River immediately south, this is the southernmost existing population of Chinook salmon in North America. View Map [75] The town of Tuolumne City was founded near the mouth of the Tuolumne as a port, but it soon became apparent that mining debris had made the river unsuitable for navigation, and the area was abandoned. Put this fun spot on your bucket list for the next hot day in Northern California. The easiest access to Lyell Fork is via the John Muir Trail through Lyell Canyon starting at the Wilderness Center Trailhead. The river hasnt picked up as many of its tributaries up here as it does in the valley floor, making for a more intimate fishing experience. Fishing can be found in Stanislaus National Forest near the day use areas of Rainbow Pool and Carlon. "[103], The Clavey River, not being located in the national park, is open to public access, but due to its remoteness and difficulty (Class V+), and the short window of boatable spring runoff, it is only run by a handful of kayakers each year. Our 1, 2 and 3 day trips begin at Meral's Pool, a quiet spot in the river about 23 miles downstream from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, and end at Ward's Ferry Bridge 18 miles later. You can easily reach the river above Groveland. The Merced offers a variety of fishing opportunities in terms of how you want to fish. All you need is a little bait, maybe a boat, and a love of the great outdoors to fish for trout, crappies, bluegills, catfish, kokanee, salmon, or bass. Again, with this being a trout fishery in the High Sierra, I cant stress enough the need for classic, time-tested trout flies. [90][91], The Hetch Hetchy Valley became the center of the first major environmental controversy in the United States. [88] Named for the Gold Rush mining camp its reservoir submerged, the Don Pedro dam was completed in 1923, holding back 289,000 acre-feet (0.356km3) of water. If youve never visited before, a guide is a great help. Ventures Fly Co. offers a great selection of dry flies, nymphs and streamers that will catch fish just about anywhere. [76], By 1853, most of the easily mined gold had been exhausted, and hydraulic mining operations became the dominant extraction method. The Tuolumne originates in Yosemite National Park, high in the Sierra Nevada, as two streams. Fishing the Tuolumne Below Hetch Hetchy (Yosemite National Park) 4,786 views Aug 25, 2021 186 Dislike Share Save Wilderness with Amani 6.55K subscribers I only have an hour or so to explore the. Rafting on the Tuolumne River has evolved from a humble beginning. From there the river flows into the rugged Tuolumne Canyon for a distance of about 25 miles and drops 4000 feet in elevation. 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