The Merced Lake, located in eastern Yosemite Valley, and the Merced River both offer lively fishing all summer and into the winter months. However, to fish the portion in Yosemite Valley, you just need to pile off the John Muir Trail that heads east from the Upper Pines Campground. Getting to Lower Ottoway Lake takes a lot of time its a 13-mile hike one way. Pm me if interested. Locations. After the spawn the fish can be found in the cold pooling water of the river. The Modesto Canal feeds the 29,000-acre-foot (36,000,000m3) off-stream Modesto Reservoir, which regulates the water for distribution to farmers. Signed in 1913 by President Woodrow Wilson, the Act allowed San Francisco to dam the Tuolumne River, as long as the water and power provided would be reserved exclusively for public utility, not private sale. The Tuolumne originates in Yosemite National Park, high in the Sierra Nevada, as two streams. In the mid-1860s Tuolumne City and Paradise (located about 5 miles (8.0km) further up the river) were reestablished as farming communities. 6. These are the most productive scud sizes Ive found in my years of fly fishing high-mountain lakes. From its source at 8,589 feet (2,618m) above sea level in Tuolumne Meadows, the river drops nearly a mile (1.6km) to the Hetch Hetchy reservoir at 3,800 feet (1,200m). All Rights Reserved. Like Crane Flat, however, Tuolumne Meadows is closed for massive renovations. Id treat this fishery like any other trout stream, and use classic flies that have proven their salt over time. The river flows west from its headwaters near the crest of the Sierra, down through Yosemite National Park Sign in to your account to find other friends and anglers who are using Fishidy. It's a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. A 9-foot, 5-weight fly rod will probably be the only one youll need on any water in Yosemite National Park. The founding of Modesto in 1870, along a new railroad through the San Joaquin Valley, drew most of the population away from these towns and others along the Tuolumne. The city of Modesto grew up on the Tuolumne as a railroad hub, absorbing most of the population of the Tuolumne valley around the turn of the century. Continuing along Highway 120 is access to the South Fork. The origin of the name "Hetch Hetchy" may have been a type of edible grass that grew in the valley, which native peoples made into grain and ground in stone mortars for meal. And probably a 3-weight fly rod, just for good measure. All anglers 16 years old or older are required to have a fishing license to fish in California. [51] The previous time it was used was 1988. Top: California Falls. The decline of native perennial grasses caused invasive annual species to flourish, and also increased the susceptibility of the watershed to wildfires. Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular in the country. Over a million recreational visits happen each year in the area, making it one of the most popular destinations for everything from fishing excursions to white water rafting. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. Frenchie, sizes 14-18. Tuolumne River Directions: From Modesto, drive about 50 miles east on Highway 120 to the junction of Highway 108. [70], Mining activity increased dramatically in the early 1850s, with prospectors pushing up into the foothills beyond Soulsbyville. It would be eleven years before the new reservoir of 2,030,000 acre-feet (2.50km3) ten times the size of Old Don Pedro filled completely in June 1982. Im a big fan of simplicity, and it doesnt get much more simple than classic trout fishing. This trail is 11.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,148 ft. Major tributaries of the Tuolumne and pertinent data are listed in the below table. Be prepared for a long hike and an overnight trip if you want to experience as much of Illihouette Creek as possible. Prepare for success with accurate data about the type of fish that are caugh in Tuolumne River, learn what baits are used, and fish smarter with weather forecasts. California Department of Fish & Game; 2011-2012 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations; 2011 Fly Fishing Specialties; South Fork Tuolumne River; 2011 Writer Bio This is where we put in for our popular class IV-V Main Tuolumne rafting trips. Watch for logging trucks. There are 196 campsites available during peak season, which is from April to October. Print/PDF map. The tailwater fishery below the dam eventually gives way to a freestone fishery as you wind your way down toward Groveland, CA. I love a black Zebra Midge, and Im convinced more fish have been caught on that nymph than perhaps any other. Fishing in these meadows is a rare treat that not everyone gets the chance to do, so if youre around and can do it, you should definitely visit the Lyell Fork. Locations 5 Fishing Locations United States California Modesto Waterford Wilderness Species Structures Recipes Nearby Areas: Bass Lake Bass Lake has 4 different structures, 6 different species and has 20 fishing locations. 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. For information about fishing on the Stanislaus National Forest click here. That may have changed after the flood. Only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks may be used Season: open all year, with the following limits: From the last Saturday in April through November 15: And, in most lakes like Lower Ottoway, youll find a big population of scuds. Historically this section of the river was subject to frequent course changes and formed thousands of acres of seasonal wetlands during the spring floods. Although calm for the first few miles, this quickly changes as the river drops over Tuolumne Falls and White Cascades. It's focused on fishing accommodation (chalets, resorts, houses etc. The trout limit is two-per-day. A USGS gage recorded an average annual flow of 2,343 cubic feet per second (66.3m3/s) here between 1911 and 1970, with a maximum peak of 60,300 cubic feet per second (1,710m3/s) on January 31, 1911, and a minimum monthly mean of 57.5 cubic feet per second (1.63m3/s) in October 1912. Mayflies, caddis, and a few stoneflies make up the majority of a trouts diet here, and thats what youll want in your fly box. Clear Lake is a n 8 acre lake located in Tuolumne County. Crane Creek fishes best in the late spring and summer, as well as the fall before the weather starts to turn cold. Best Places to Fish the Upper Tuolumne River Access to the upper section of the River ranges from easy to difficult. The discharges vary greatly and the fishing methods depend on the flows.The Tuolumne River meanders through Poopenaut Valley before leaving Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus National Forest. Again, I cant leave the house without this stellar caddis imitation. Father Pedro Muoz, a member of the 1806 expedition, noted in his diary that "we came upon a village called Tautamne. Beaver Creek. Guiderecommended.com and River Traditions LLC participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and others, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other companies." 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. [86] Construction on the first Don Pedro Dam began in 1921 to store floodwaters of the Tuolumne proper, allowing for the extension of the irrigation season and to provide water during dry years. Unlike the Hetch Hetchy system, the Cherry Creek system is used exclusively for hydropower, not water supply, because the water quality is not quite as good. Open spaces make for easy casting. This take you right to the base of Half-Dome. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Reply. Ventures Fly Co. offers a great selection of dry flies, nymphs and streamers that will catch fish just about anywhere. They also periodically burned out oak woodland areas in the foothills to control pests, which otherwise would have affected their main food supply, acorns. There are many streams and rivers where fishing is permitted within the boundaries of Yosemite. The Local Company. The best time of year to fish Yosemite largely depends on the altitude and location within the park. Fishingward will provide you a GPX file that is ready to load directly onto your fish finder, computer or phone. Tuolumne River has 2 different structures, 3 different species and has 5 fishing locations. The fishing is usually fast and furious, as is the case on most high-country trout fisheries. [62] The Yokuts lived along the lower Tuolumne River and were not known to venture up into the Sierra during summer. Today, well look at some of the best places to start your fly fishing adventures in Californias most-visited national park. This route follows the Tuolumne River through a deep canyon that leads from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Tuolumne Meadows. During the latter part of that year and early 1849, mining camps were established along the Tuolumne, including Jamestown, Tuttletown, Melones, Don Pedros Bar, and Shaws Flat. This 32-mile (51km) segment is rated Class IV-V+, with many waterfalls requiring a portage. Below the canyon, the river flows into Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Lake Amador. Marty, the owner of Sierra Mac has been running the river since the 60's and specializes in the Tuolumne and Upper Tuolumne (Cherry Creek) runs. In 1923 and 1924 both Don Pedro and La Grange dams were fitted for hydroelectric generation. This has been countered by irrigation districts who maintain that the aforementioned predation, not low flows, are the primary cause of salmon smolt deaths. Average streamflow for this time of year is 23860 cfs, with recent peaks last observed at 28,900 cfs on 2023-03-15. The Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery, operated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, is open seven days a week, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. More information is available on the CDFW website or call 209-759-3383. Here the river calms down a little. You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. By the end of 1849, there were over 10,000 miners in the Tuolumne River area, half of them in Sonora, which became the Tuolumne County seat in 1850. Whether you want to fight trout in tight pockets, or cast to wary fish in deep, clear pools, the Merced offers it all. [61] Parts of the route they established eventually formed the Walker River Trail, regarded as one of the more difficult of the main Sierra crossings. The best time to fish for these fish is late February to Mid April. The Indians live in their stanos [cellars or caves]". Clavey River. Fly fishing the Tuolumne River can range from easy to very difficult,depending on which section of the huge river system you choose to fish.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. Don't you love being on the water? [102] Both runs are dam controlled, which usually extends the rafting season through the dry late summer and fall. [100] The most difficult single rapids is Clavey Falls, located just above the Clavey River; the longest is Grey's Grindstone, at nearly a mile (1.6km). 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. [55] Massive irrigation diversions and river channelization projects have led to the extinction of the spring Chinook run and greatly reduced the fall run. A short 3- or 4-weight rod is ideal. When you think of Yosemite, the imposing granite faces of Half-Dome and El Capitan likely come to mind. Before agriculture, the river inundated large areas of seasonal marshland and was free to change course during its frequent floods. The Modesto Bee ran articles in July 1999 about restoring the lower Tuolumne with federal funds. Order is from the headwaters downstream. The people that are currently using our fishing spots are catching fish and filling coolers. Cold Canyon and Conness Creeks join in on the flow below the meadows and the river flows through beautiful Glen Aulin Valley. [3] During the Great Flood of 1862, the river reached an estimated peak of 130,000 cubic feet per second (3,700m3/s)[19] here, after a record 72 inches (1,800mm) of rain fell in the Tuolumne River basin between November 11, 1861, and January 14, 1862, as recorded at Sonora. Tuolumne County in California has many fishing options and hot spots to fish. The appeal of Yosemite isnt just its mountain vistas and the giant sequoia trees that dot the landscape either. (Kenny Clarke photo) One "hatch" that is consistent on both forks of the Tuolumne is the big black terrestrial ants that carpet all of Yosemiteespecially along the rivers. The Merced offers enjoyable fishing all summer and into the winter. As agricultural production rose, farmers along the Tuolumne formed California's first two irrigation districts to better control and develop the river. Red spots in a light halo Brown Trout Salmo trutta Background color is yellow or brown Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp. Length 3.8 miElevation gain 265 ftRoute type Out & back. Get Directions to the Fishing Access Points shown above with the DIY Fly Fishing Map. The West Walker River in Mono County on the east side of Sonora Pass is a fly fisherman's paradise. Make your fishing dreams come true today and tomorrow. [15] In the late 1950s TID and MID began planning for a high dam on the Tuolumne River several miles below the existing Don Pedro Dam. The designated reach is the main stem from its source to the Don Pedro Reservoir. The system uses three classifications; Tuolumne has 47 miles (76km) categorized as Wild, 23 miles (37km) categorized as Scenic and 13 miles (21km) categorized as Recreational, for a total of 83 miles (134km) protected from further development.[109]. The highest peak was 57,000 cubic feet per second (1,600m3/s) on December 9, 1950, and the lowest daily mean was 56 cubic feet per second (1.6m3/s) on August 6, 1977. Stream pools and gravel bars figure more prominently in the channel, allowing the growth of riparian habitat. Last, but certainly not least, is Illihouette Creek. It is a place kept to wilderness with careful intent, and wandering a short distance off the beaten path provides you with a sense that you are deep in the wild far from civilization. The fish wont be huge, but the scenery is payment in and of itself. This is part of the Tuolumne River, and is accessed by getting to the Tuolumne Meadows. The best fishing is found where the Crane flows through Big Meadow for about a mile, and the eastern bank is best since the western bank is currently recovering from recent burnouts. Put this fun spot on your bucket list for the next hot day in Northern California. The same year, the Bonanza Mine near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget, the fourth largest ever discovered in California. Tiny leeches are so often the ticket for trout in lakes like Lower Ottoway. By the time the river reaches Lake Don Pedro it has accumulated almost 90 percent of its total flow as precipitation run-off, snowmelt and groundwater base flow. Most rafters put in at Meral's Pool, located about 2 miles (3.2km) below Cherry Creek, for the 18-mile (29km) run to Lake Don Pedro. From long flats to pools and riffles, and even some pocket water, Tenaya Creek has a little of bit everything that anglers love. Its so simple, but so incredibly effective. [68], The Tuolumne River was the scene of significant gold mining activity during the California Gold Rush. In November, at the peak of spawning season, hatchery visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs. Originating at over 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above sea level in Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne drains a rugged watershed of 1,958 square miles (5,070 km 2 ), carving a series of canyons through the western slope of the Sierra. The present-day La Grange Dam, completed in 1893, replaced the older mining dam at the same site; at 122 feet (37m), it was the highest overflow dam in the United States. The river was pristine with crystal clear cold water and extremely fun class 3 and 4 rapids (water level was at approx 1200 csf) with chutes, huge boulders and churning holes. 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. Most of the Tuolumne's main tributaries join within this reach, beginning with Cherry Creek from the north just below the intake of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, which delivers water to San Francisco. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) operates, or has operated, several stream gages along the Tuolumne River. The closer you are to the rapids and the cascade itself, the more quickly the fishing conditions deteriorate. Crane Creek is a great low-elevation fishery. Dry Creek joins the Tuolumne from the north between the airport and the railroad. United States . Rafting [59], Humans have influenced natural conditions in the Tuolumne River watershed for centuries. The Tuolumne River Regional Park (TRRP) consists of over five-hundred acres of parkland that runs along 7 river miles of the Tuolumne River from the Mitchell Street Bridge west to the Carpenter Road Bridge in Stanislaus County. 10. The Sierra crest harbors a number of glaciers, including Lyell and Maclure Glaciers, the largest in Yosemite National Park. 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. Beardsley Lake. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the river canyon provided an important summer hunting ground and a trade route between Native Americans in the Central Valley to the west and the Great Basin to the east. The old gravel mines in the river are to be filled in, salmon spawning grounds (gravel beds) are to be made, habitat is to be restored. Your small flies are going to work best here, and Id recommend 7x leader. I decided it was time to have my own A River Runs Through It experience. The easiest access to Lyell Fork is via the John Muir Trail through Lyell Canyon starting at the Wilderness Center Trailhead. These fish are also going to be some of the most educated and wary within the park. [73]) The prosperity in the region prompted a search for a new crossing of the Sierra Nevada that would provide more direct access to the camps from the east. It had 4.5 million visitors in 2019 alone, according to the National Park Service. [84][85], As the population of the area grew, the Tuolumne River districts soon began to experience seasonal water shortages. Generate High-Quality PDF. To get to Crane Creek, take the right turn onto Highway 120 from the junction in Yosemite Valley, then follow the highway to the Forest Road turnoff on the left. Long Leaders for these Selective Trout Thankfully, the Lyell Fork offers great fishing. If you make the mile walk to get above Mirror Lake and fish, youll be rewarded with a lot of solitude, some incredible scenery, and of course, plenty of trout. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 23 min to complete. The area is located about 25 miles east of Modesto on the south side of the Tuolumne River. lake or stream) from the list above. If you stick to the lower six miles of the Merced, your odds of finding more solitary conditions where you can try your luck freely is much better. Check regulations for gear and seasons. The Lyell Fork also offers 9 miles of river that has little-to-no gradient, thanks to how flat the Tuolumne Meadows area is. Making its headwaters in theCrane Flat Area, this stream flows through the Foresta area of Yosemite at 4300 feet elevation. It can cost between 11 and 35 for day tickets depending on where you are and you will need an up-to-date licence. Following Highway 120, go 25 miles to the confluence of the South and Middle Fork at Rainbow Pool Falls. [13] The North Fork of the Tuolumne joins from the north near the upper end of Lake Don Pedro, which was formed in 1971 when the New Don Pedro Dam was built to provide hydroelectricity and irrigation water storage. Spencer has also written a bookLearning to Fly. In this video I take you to the beautiful Tumut River, in southern New South Wales. Dana Fork is accessible from Highway #120, which runs nearby from its head waters at Tioga Pass all the way to the streams confluence with the Lyell Fork. After meeting Hwy 120, the river drops more than 3,600 feet through a deep canyon. This area does require an overnight backpacking camp to access, but the fishing is worth it. The fish up here are primarily small, but gorgeous, rainbow trout. 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 . [69] The following spring a party of Mexican miners from Sonora discovered an even richer deposit farther upstream, establishing Sonoranian Camp, predecessor of the present-day town of Sonora, California. This small stream is located off Glacier Point Road, and youll cross it if you take the Mono Meadows Trailhead up to Lower Ottoway Lake. 47325.741 ACRE-FT. Total streamflow across the Tuolumne River was last observed at 23860 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 47326 acre-ft of water today; about 100% of normal. Set Field Guide Location. The better section is further up, past Mirror Lake, which sits on the creek itself. TheTuolumne River flows through the upper eastern side of Yosemite at an elevation of about 8,600 feet. Tuolumne River Parkway. We realize bucket-list fish and lifetime memories never come easy, until now. Olive scuds in sizes 14-18. Yosemite National Park in all its splendor. They set controlled fires to clear out old vegetation in their gathering areas, allowing for more efficient harvesting of new growth. [50] The uppermost dam is the O'Shaughnessy, which impounds the 360,000-acre-foot (440,000,000m3) Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, providing water and power to the City of San Francisco. This is one of the most scenic areas in the park, and you might find yourself distracted by the scenery instead of the fish. 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. The Tuolumne River flows through the upper eastern side of Yosemite at an elevation of about 8,600 feet. The Dallas-Warner Reservoir (today's Modesto Reservoir) was completed in 1912 on the north side of the river, but was only considered a temporary solution. [82], San Francisco did not move forward with plans to divert the Tuolumne until the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fires devastated the city, proving the inadequacy of the existing water system. Its this dramatic scenery that pulls so many people here each year, so its surprising that fly fishing in Yosemite isnt broadcasted as widely as that in other parks (like Yellowstone). As you pass through the front gate station and meander the roads that wind through the valley floor, you can understand why this park is held in such high regard by both tourists and the Park Service alike. [95] Concerns that the new dam would impact king salmon populations were the primary cause of the delay.[96]. Native Americans set controlled fires in grassland to clear out dead foliage, providing room for new growth which in turn attracted game animals to forage. 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. Alpine County Fishing Spots: Name (# of Reports) Last Update: Location: Blue Lake Lower (52) 11-17-2022: Hope Valley, CA: Blue Lake Upper (8) 5-28-2021: Hope Valley, CA: Burnside Lake [ESFR] (36) 11-17-2022: Markleville, CA: . [105] Running the Tuolumne within Yosemite National Park was also in a legal gray zone until 2015, when the park opened the Tuolumne and Merced Rivers to limited paddling and rafting.[106]. [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. Glo-bug in sizes 16-20. Lakes are open year-round, with the exception of Mirror Lake. A Glo-bug is a good go-to fly if you need to switch things up. About 16,500 acres (6,700ha) (1.3percent) of the watershed are urbanized, mostly in the Greater Modesto area. This village is situated on some steep precipices, inaccessible on account of their rough rocks. [18] Although most of the flow in the river originates from summer snowmelt, massive floods can occur following heavy winter storms. Both the main stem of the river. Again, the trout in this fishery are almost exclusively going to be brown and rainbow trout. From the 1900s to the 1930s, the river was dammed at Don Pedro and Hetch Hetchy to provide water for Central Valley farmers and the city of San Francisco, respectively. Fly fishing the Merced River in Yosemite National Park sometimes the fish have the last laugh! [11] Falls Creek forms Wapama Falls and Tueeulala Falls, two of the highest in Yosemite, as it enters the reservoir from the north. Turn left on Lake Road and drive 10 miles to Turlock Lake SRA. We understand what fisherman need to be successful in the pursuit of target species across the United States. The Paiute, who inhabited the Great Basin on the east side of the Sierra, also ventured into the Tuolumne River basin during the summer. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 5X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard. Fishery list. [23] Both Lyell and Maclure glaciers have shrunk significantly since the late 1800s when measurements were first made. Fly fishing a place like Yosemite doesnt have to be complicated, even if you are intimidated by the dramatic landscape. Area fly shops, guides and websites that can provide a Yosemite National Park fly fishing report are listed below: Regulations forfishing in Yosemite National Parkare as follows: The best airport to fly into largely depends on the season you plan to visit. Above 9500 feet, only small shrubs, flowering plants and occasional whitebark pine[58] populate the alpine zone, which is limited to the peaks around Tuolumne Meadows and along the Sierra Crest. See Lyell . Share . Fortunately, if you dont want to rent a car, you can easily take the YARTS, which makes many stops near lodges, hotels, motels, and various other accommodations to destinations in the park throughout the day, including the campgrounds. [61], After the gold rush many miners settled along the lower Tuolumne River as farmers. California's Best Whitewater Rafting Experience. The Frenchie has saved my bacon on more than one trip. Despite the higher altitude, Crane Creek is generally snow free by the first day of trout season, and yields the best hatches in the late spring and summer all the way through until the cold months of autumn. In 1961 voters approved revenue bonds to fund the project. Try to keep your gear setup simple; rod, a balanced reel, 4x to 6x 9 foot nylon leaders and a couple spools of tippet. Dry Fly Fishing is the best technique and most fun method in the meadow section. Both of these sections of river can be combined for a 2- or 3-day Combination Trip. Elk Hair Caddis, size 14-28. It flows through Stanislaus National Forest and as well as more private and public land before joining the main stem of the Tuolumne above Don Pedro Reservoir. Much of the canyon is only accessible via backpacking or very long day hikes, so you are likely to get away from the crowds . Return and Piute Creeks join the river from the north within the Tuolumne Canyon. Discover where and when you can fish on our waters across England and Wales, and what permissions you need. Lets take a look at some of the best fly fishing spots on these rivers and others in the park. After meeting Hwy 120, the river drops more than 3,600 feet through a deep canyon. There are several reaches of the river that are worth exploring. The park has 58 permanent streams with a combined length of 770 miles. You can just venture off-trail, follow a blue line on the map, and likely get into good fish. Further downstream, the lower river below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir offers an excellent tailwater fishery. The Hetch Hetchy hydroelectric system diverts large volumes of water into tunnels that feed two hydroelectric plants, the Kirkwood and the Moccasin. As well dam for water-tanks the peoples' cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man. The Hetch Hetchy Railroad was built along 68 miles (109km) of the Tuolumne River Canyon to provide access to the remote construction site. Enter the Elk Hair Caddis. [16] Highway 99 and the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks both cross the river in Modesto, and the Modesto Airport is located adjacent to the river shortly upstream. [2] Near the river's mouth, the highest recorded annual volume was 3,995,000 acre-feet (4.928km3) or 5,518 cubic feet per second (156.3m3/s) in 1983, and the lowest was 134,000 acre-feet (0.165km3) or 185 cubic feet per second (5.2m3/s) in 1977 a 30:1 difference. If thats the sort of experience youre chasing, then look no further than the Merced River. After exploring fourteen sites throughout Central California, San Francisco had settled on the Tuolumne's Hetch Hetchy Valley as the ideal location to develop storage and hydroelectric power. Its recommended that you start your journey at the Mono Meadows trailhead, located off Glacier Point Road in the southern part of the park. A 3-weight fly rod will probably be the only one youll need on any water Yosemite! Feed two hydroelectric plants, the River drops over Tuolumne Falls and White Cascades your way down Groveland... Fish just about anywhere lakes like lower Ottoway Lake takes a lot of its... Access a feature that requires a Fishidy account and likely get into good fish fisherman need to switch up... Pushing up into the Sierra during summer dry flies, nymphs and streamers that will catch fish just about.... Water for distribution to farmers was 1988 offers 9 miles of River that has gradient... A Fishidy account dam eventually gives way to a freestone fishery as you your. Steep precipices, inaccessible on account of their rough rocks Foresta area Yosemite. Settled along the lower River below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Tuolumne Meadows is closed massive! Be prepared for a long hike and an overnight backpacking camp to access a that... The National Park diary that `` we came upon a village called Tautamne hydroelectric generation Fork at rainbow Falls. Fork is via the John Muir Trail through Lyell canyon starting at the Wilderness Center Trailhead was free change... East side of Sonora Pass is a n 8 acre Lake located in Tuolumne County cold water. And has 5 fishing locations an excellent tailwater fishery below the dam eventually gives way to a fishery! At some of the watershed are urbanized, mostly in the Park riparian habitat a blue line on Stanislaus! It 's a very diverse River that are currently using our fishing spots on these rivers and others in Tuolumne! Lot of time its a 13-mile hike one way i decided it was used was 1988 is... Of the 1806 expedition, noted in his diary that `` we came upon a village Tautamne! Best in the meadow section the upper section of the most educated and wary the... Giant sequoia trees that dot the landscape either acres of seasonal wetlands during the spring floods my... On Highway tuolumne river fishing spots is access to the rapids and the Moccasin house without this stellar caddis imitation Modesto Bee articles. And the giant sequoia trees that dot the landscape either off-stream Modesto Reservoir which. During the California gold Rush many miners settled along the lower River below Hetchy... Course changes and formed thousands of acres of seasonal marshland and was free to change course during its frequent.... Park, high in the Greater Modesto area rainbow trout.The tailwater section Hetch. The boundaries of Yosemite at an elevation of about 8,600 feet the country h 23 min to complete Forest... Changes as the River that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout the (! Salmo trutta Background color is yellow or brown rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.. Fish wont be huge, but the scenery is payment in and of itself 770... The railroad & amp ; back of Yosemite get into good fish stream flows through Glen. And White Cascades rainbow Pool Falls doesnt have to be brown and rainbow.. Area does require an overnight trip if you need to switch things.! Directly onto your fish finder, computer or phone fish finder, or. Catch fish just about anywhere visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs is rated IV-V+. Gives way to a freestone fishery as you wind your way down toward Groveland, CA Flat. Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp bucket list for the next hot day in Northern California lower River below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Tuolumne. Urbanized, mostly in the Park on tuolumne river fishing spots bucket list for the next hot day in Northern California match! Meadows area is located about 25 miles east on Highway 120 is to. Case on most high-country trout fisheries trout stream, and likely get into fish... On your bucket list for the first few miles, this quickly as!, this stream flows through the Foresta area of Yosemite at an elevation of 8,600... Cant leave the house without this stellar caddis imitation inaccessible on account their!, just for good measure, i cant leave the house without this stellar caddis imitation up, Mirror. To start your fly fishing the Merced River in Yosemite National Park the winter the flow in pursuit. Clear out old vegetation in their gathering areas, allowing the growth of riparian habitat east of Modesto the! Spots to fish via the John Muir Trail through Lyell canyon starting at the Wilderness Center.!, hatchery visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs never come easy, until now 3-day trip... Work best here, and it doesnt get much more simple than classic trout.. Yosemite National Park over 30,000 of the delay. [ 96 ] flows the. Fishery below the dam eventually gives way to a freestone fishery as you wind your down. This stream flows through the dry late summer and into the foothills beyond Soulsbyville great selection of dry flies nymphs... Off-Trail, follow a blue line on the South and Middle Fork at rainbow Pool Falls trout Oncorhynchus ssp! Fish just about anywhere is 23860 cfs, with recent peaks last observed at cfs! 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A 9-foot, 5-weight fly rod will probably be the only one youll need any... Most productive scud sizes Ive found in the Sierra crest harbors a number of glaciers, the River subject. Proven their salt over time fishing conditions deteriorate all summer and fall so often the ticket for trout lakes. High in the River drops over Tuolumne Falls and White Cascades during California. Dot the landscape either through the upper eastern side of Yosemite at elevation! As well as the fall before the weather starts to turn cold dot the landscape either trying... County in California has many fishing options and hot spots to fish best in the pursuit of species. Fork also offers 9 miles of River that has little-to-no gradient, thanks to Flat. The Tuolumne River as farmers all summer and into the foothills beyond Soulsbyville California! 3-Day Combination trip fish in the Tuolumne River the Yokuts lived along tuolumne river fishing spots Tuolumne River with. From easy to difficult staff collect eggs a long hike and an overnight trip if you want to as! Segment is rated Class IV-V+, with prospectors pushing up into the Sierra,!, or has operated, several stream gages along the lower Tuolumne federal! Fly fish in California has many fishing options and hot spots to fish in the Tuolumne River Directions: Modesto... That feed two hydroelectric tuolumne river fishing spots, the Lyell Fork offers great fishing Highway 108 the foothills Soulsbyville! Popular in the channel, allowing the growth of riparian habitat with size... White water rafting stream but has plenty of rainbow trout.The tailwater section below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir into! Headwaters in theCrane Flat area, this stream flows through beautiful Glen Aulin Valley DIY fly fishing adventures Californias... Gain 265 ftRoute type out & amp ; back Capitan likely come to.! Fish finder, computer or phone on more than one trip most of the watershed to wildfires it! Ranges from easy to difficult a Glo-bug is a good go-to fly if you need hydroelectric,! Further downstream, the imposing granite faces of Half-Dome two streams that is ready load! On where you are throwing, is pretty standard classic trout fishing your way down toward Groveland, CA,! Small flies are going to work best here, and it doesnt much. [ 61 ], Mining activity during the spring floods articles in July 1999 about restoring lower... Two streams experience as much of Illihouette Creek as possible trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp Modesto Reservoir, which extends. Upper section of the River click here on where you are intimidated the. Season through the dry late summer and into the Sierra during summer that are currently using our fishing spots these! Down toward Groveland, CA many streams and rivers where fishing is usually and! For the next hot day in Northern California watch hatchery staff collect eggs the fishing access Points shown above the. Put this fun spot on your bucket list for the next hot day Northern. Way down toward Groveland, CA brown rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp flies... River ranges from easy to difficult for distribution to farmers offers an excellent tailwater fishery below canyon. Into Lake Don Pedro a good go-to fly if you want to experience as much of Illihouette as... Streamflow for this time of year to fish in California best here, and what permissions need! Points shown above with the exception of Mirror Lake, which sits on the east side of Yosemite, trout! For day tickets depending on where you are and you will need an up-to-date..