Stream Report

Fall to Winter

2009-11-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!
As we move into late Fall and early Winter, we are seeing the fishing pick up nicely on the Merced in the El Portal region and even some unexpected surface activity for caddis on the Lower Kings. These, as most of you know, are essentially roadside angling destinations. The Merced, of course, consisting of wild fish while the Kings remains highly "managed". All that said, Nov. 15 is closing in on us so identifying year-round waters is important. Holler anytime for info. and bookings.

Yuko nets a fish with Sierra Fly Fisher guide Mike Long coaching.

Fall Colors

2009-09-28T19:40:00.000-07:00

And that color is BROWN!

Trout camp started with unusually warm weather as well as strange watershed manipulations by the Edison Company. Both have subsided and the fish have begun to behave as they are expected to. Above is Jimmie with a typical fall brown from one of our fave west slope waters. The second specimen came from Bernard's day of scouting solo. Other color variations spice up the fare. See this small hen's amazing display of spots...

Followed below by this bow and this golden to round out the package a bit.

This year a bald eagle has been sighted in the region. The store at Mono Hot Springs is also setting up some fly fishing gear so in case you'd rather just blast out of the office and head straight for the Sierra, you won't be "S.O.L.". We have some gaps in our Trout Camp schedule so contact us immediately if you wish to experience this great place with the creature comforts of the Mono Hot Spring resort.

It's That Time Again!

2009-09-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Although we are proud to serve a variety of waters throughout the year, late summer and fall represents an opportunity to really look deeply into some West Slope waters for migrating browns as well as bows, brookies and goldens that are getting frisky as the temps cool. Mike, Rick, Bernard and myself will be feverishly working the region around Mono Hot Springs as well as good ol' Yosemite National Park in the weeks to come. It's one of our busiest times. Mono Hot Springs has the added bonus of being a wonderful old-fashioned "mom and pop" type resort with camping, tent-cabins, cabins, a quaint restaurant and hot springs.

Young Lefty Nick took some of our counsel and hid behind a rock (merced) to pull several fish as they rose.

Weather in all regions has generally been wonderful and the fishing has been good. The Merced continues to be solid with a variety of flies working just fine. Bernard still hasn't gotten over the fact that a size 16 light tan spinner or even parachute pattern will draw a strike even when they aren't rising. Then again, this is the guy who just had an 18" brown torment him as it darted out from under a rock, followed his streamer and then turned away. Yes folks, they are there, just cagey and wary. We already have reprimanded him for streamer fishing. Luckily, by dusk, the activity picks up and you can cast to risers with such a fly and draw a strike. Drag free drifts are essential. Be patient and be well rested. Sometimes it's easy to be tired and call it a day right before that "golden hour".

Call us!
Jimmie

Hidden Beauty

2009-08-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

Well folks, we're a bunch of softies here and sometimes after letting a fish swim back to its lair, we look up and it hits us like a Hollywood soundtrack WE FISH BEAUTIFUL PLACES! Thank you Curt for having the presence of mind to capture this delightful sight.

Smelling Roses - A Yosemite Day

2009-07-26T19:17:00.001-07:00

One of the great things about servicing this region is access to some amazing scenery. Most people do not realize that Yosemite Valley is actually somewhat low in elevation. The surrounding cliffs, mountains and plateaus are what define it. As we spend a long day in the region, it's not out of the question to sneak in a little sightseeing too. Now, as for the fishing, the warm to hot weather has kept the prime angling to the cooler hours. This includes dusk on the edge of dark. The bugs are happy and some reasonably good sized mayflies are coming off of the Merced River. Sometimes the fish need coaxing to rise but they will. The higher streams remain cooler and fish more consistently.

A Midsummer Night's Stream

2009-07-13T13:10:00.001-07:00

Something tells us that this title has been used a lot in fly fishing! Anyway, Sierra streams are at a great level right now. Lower elevation waters are definitely warming but high and small waters remain cool and productive. Higher meadows are green and beautiful. A recent family outing in Yosemite on a beautiful day was fun for all. Mike Long offers instruction.

Bernard wanted to add a shot of one of our recommended post-fishing dinner items. As a world-traveling rock and roller, he gives Oakhurst's The Pizza Factory a solid A grade. Thin crust recommended.

Streams After the Melt

2009-06-17T07:41:00.001-07:00

Each stream has its own seasonal clock. Add to that the variety of conditions from year to year not to mention dams and diversions which pepper the Sierra. What we're trying to say is that timing plays a role. Here are two fun images from a recent small stream jaunt with Rob Simpson. The timing was good!

Jimmie in So. Cal.

2009-04-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

I wish to thank all of the great people at the Deep Creek Flyfishers and the Fly Fishers Club of Orange County for a warm reception as well as both preparing stellar promotional materials for the events. Please rest assured that I'll lose the old-school slide projector one of these days but does everything REALLY need to evolve? Does a trout need three eyes? Again a HUGE thank you. I was truly impressed by the turnout and the great people. Speaking of So. Cal., it seems that some of the local hills are lighting up. Sierra Fly Fisher team member Bernard Yin recently did two of his trademark "Black Diamond" treks and nabbed some fine specimens from the local hills.

In addition to some of our tried-and-true destinations, Bernard is researching some unusual locales for Sierra Fly Fisher. Always feel free to inquire. *Click on the photos for a better view*

West Slope March Brown Recap

2009-04-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Every year, the March Brown hatch kicks in during a small window before snowmelt begins. Some days the wind would howl and others the fish were rising. Eventually the flows increased and the river gods told us to go home. This is the nature of the sport. All said and done; amidst an amazing array of blooming spring flowers fish were caught.

Photo of Jimmie Morales courtesy of the Santa Lucia Flyfishers (http://santaluciaflyfishers.com).

Clubs such as the Santa Lucia Flyfishers and The Pasadena Casting Club provided us this year with the anglers; anglers seeking a challenge different from more predictable destinations. We again emphasize our love for WILD trout and in the majority of our target destinations, avoid managed fisheries.

Another charming factor at play is that much of America still has one foot in winter. Record snows were slamming parts of the US while we were looking at this...

West slope waters remain our greatest love and with these waters now running full steam ahead with snowmelt, we set our sights elsewhere. 2009 promises to be a good year and we are exploring some interesting new waters as well as preparing to work some of the tried and true. Give us a holler any time!

Central Valley Anadromy and Foothill March Browns

2009-03-23T10:04:00.001-07:00

We post this blog entry just as we begin pursuing early season wild bows as the march browns begin their spring hatch. Look for reports soon. In the meantime, some recent treks to the valley floor tailwaters coughed up some dandy specimens. From chrome to colorful. Glenn Ueda scores some silver here. Look at the quality of this wild fish's body and fins!

Here's a beast that Craig Belden roped. Note the perfect rainbow colors in the second shot.

More Central Valley Anadromy

2009-02-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to share a neat shot of Wes Stroud's recent catch of a fine steelhead in one of the Central Valley tailwaters. There's still time to intercept these interesting and persistent fish.

Tailwater Time Continues

2009-01-16T04:57:00.000-08:00

Despite unusual weather patters (as in WARM!), the tailwaters of the Central valley are proving to be a smart winter option. Try to shoot for overcast days for potentially stronger hatches. We're doing float trips down a handful of these waters and the fun factor is high with the added bonus of healthy and sizable fish. *Also see previous posts.*

Football Season

2009-01-14T09:31:00.000-08:00

Not to be outdone, Steve Wright's football here would be a fine playmate for Dennis' stellar catch from a few days earlier. Another reward from the world of tailwaters.

Early 09

2008-12-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

Strange things happen when you don't stop fishing! Dennis Nishimine decided that Christmas eve was as good a time as any to hit the water and landed what Sierra Flyfisher has decided was fish-of-the-year. As of early January, other waters will be kicking into gear as well.

More October Caddis!

2008-10-29T21:25:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! The window is closing but not yet closed. Jonathan Kalpakoff shows off a dusk beauty from the Merced. Big flies and aggressive takes make this a fun time. Note the glow in the sky behind Jonathan. Nothing more magical than dusk in fall in the Sierra!

Trout Camp and October Caddis

2008-10-26T14:52:00.001-07:00

Trout Camp 08 wrapped up with gold and brown on the leaves of the trees and swimming in the waters. A few cold snaps and foul weather days seemed to only spike the quality of the fishing if one rode them out. We will be compiling some photos and making a few posts but for now we two shots courtesy of the Ladybugs club; a group of stellar people with fun on their agenda. Look for more from our team and our clients. Currently, on the Merced, the October caddis hatch remains solid and the fish are keyed-in.

Fall at Trout Camp Update

2008-10-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Trout Camp is in full swing with the fish really frisky. Browns are on the move but there's some variety to be had if one wants it with goldens also available.

Late Summer into Fall - Trout Camp

2008-09-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

Our annual trout camp begins soon and the browns are getting frisky. Give us a holler for the latest updates as well as booking availabilities. Here's a healthy west slope brown from just a few days ago.

We will be posting more reports and images as the season progresses. We anticipate stellar fishing.

Yosemite Rivers Fly Shop OPENS July 26th, 2008

2008-07-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Exciting news everyone (that will explain the lapse in entries!). We have not only been busy with guiding but are also opening a shop catering to fly fisher-folk. It is located just a few miles west of the Yosemite National Park boundary on hwy 140 directly across the street for the Merced River.

The number is 209-379-2140 This will be operating seasonally and will also serve as a base of operations for Sierra Fly Fisher. Give us a call or pop on in.

Early 2008 Rocks

2008-01-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

Did some drifts on the lower elevation waters and sampled stellar bows. Great times.

Keveny Dugan with a stellar fish.

January 2008

2008-01-17T19:38:00.001-08:00

The year has started off with a bang. Richard Masino shows off one of several specimens we took at the Lower Kings in early January.

Late Fall Early Winter

2007-11-11T12:24:00.001-08:00

Although gearing up for steelhead season and trout on some lower elevation waters, the brookies remain aggressive in the high Sierra lakes and the elements have yet to prevent us from our exploits. We also were proud to have provided service recently to a team of trout extremists (Dave, Joe, Bernard, Mikey, ). They needed to be dropped off with mountain bikes and fully loaded backpacks for a multi night back country trek of extreme proportions. We picked them up days later to an earful of tales of bears, bows and browns.

Wild Trout Camp Fall 2007 Report

2007-09-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

The annual Wild Trout Camp was one of the best we've had. Despite the dry year the fish made a spectacular showing. Client Irene Killian had a great day with specimens such as these beauties below. Please feel free to contact us asap about winter opportunities.

2007 Summer Report #2

2007-09-01T22:16:00.000-07:00

The season progresses with levels continuing to drop and water temps on the rise. Despite this, the savvy angler will still have great days.

Client Lew Raker sampled some gems of the Sierra. High country treks are a smart call this year and the fish are plentiful and beautiful. The waters are cool and clear up high.

Southern California backcountry fanatic Bernard Yin spotted this guy chasing a 14 inch rainbow that was rising to his fly. Bernard switched to a streamer and on the third pass...well, we'll let the picture tell the story.

Thanks B for letting us be the first to post this.

2007 Summer Report #1

2007-07-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

Despite unusually low precipitation from this past winter, our watersheds will keep producing. A careful selection of cool locations with ample flows and levels has had the last few weeks treating us to some great fish.

Ian Davies hooks up after a stealthy approach.

A sample of the results

A recent extended jaunt to the area by Les Landau paid off in spades!