Fall to Winter

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!