THE IRIDEUS The Newsletter of the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers Based in Kensington, Serving the East Bay & Environs since 1982
Fly Fishing for Striped Bass in the San Francisco Bay and the Delta Part II: The Delta By Bob Fabini
Euronymphing, High-Sticking or Tenkara? By Mark Likos
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‘19 GPFF.ORG
CLUB MEETINGS 52 Arlington Ave, Kensington, CA Every second tuesday of every month No meeting in July Social Hour - 6:30pm Business Meeting - 7:00pm
THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
FEATURES
Departments
08 Euronymphing, high-sticking, or Tenkara?
03 President’s Message
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Fly fishing for striped bass on the San Francisco Bay and the Delta
03 BOARD 04 CALENDAR 05 CONSERVATION Conversation 07 NEWS, NOTES & RANDOM CASTS 10 Fishing Throwbacks 13 gone fishin’
McCloud River Valley, California
THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
The president’s message By Brad Gee
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e are wrapping up 2019, a most challenging year. Our members managed to fish successfully despite high, even dangerous, waters, devastating fires and electrical blackouts. Some fished abroad or out of state, some resorted to lake fishing, and others practiced ankle deep wading. I am always amazed at the resourcefulness of our club’s members. Despite the adverse conditions we faced in 2019 our Outings Coordinator Linda Friedman arranged many memorable trips. Thank you Linda for a job well done. The New Year will see Todd Pond as our Outings Coordinator. As you know Todd is an exceptional fly fisher and has in-depth knowledge of California’s trophy streams such as the East Walker, the East Carson, the Truckee, the McCloud and many others. You won’t want to miss the soon to be released 2020 outings calendar. In addition to visiting classic trout waters, we will go steelhead fishing, backpacking, possibly out of state, and to the University of California’s private property on the Yuba. Luong Tam, our resident Tenkara rod designer and manufacturer, has created a Pocket Ninja. The Ninja is a true 11 foot Tenkara rod that can fit into a 13 inch glove compartment! Perfect for traveling or backpacking to smaller streams. If you are interested in supporting his design and development efforts check out his kickstarter here. Don’t miss our annual Holiday Party December 10th. You can be sure of great company and thanks to Linda Friedman great food. The main course is provided by the club, but you must register and you will be assigned to bring a favorite dish to share. Simply go to https:// grizzlypeakflyfishers.org/calendar to let us know you are coming. This is the perfect time to see old friends and meet new ones. Bring a few bucks to pin on the Trout in the Classroom money tree. Year end is a time of thanks, graciousness, and generosity Slow down and enjoy friends, family, and the season. Reflect on all you received and think about how to give back. Personally I am so grateful to have a terrific and active Board who makes leading this club possible. I am thankful for the support of my family who allows me to spend time off and on the water to plan, lead, and coordinate the Club’s activities. Happy New Year -Brad
Executive Board OFFICERS
Brad Gee President
Eric Larson
Mike Lippman
Secretary
Treasurer
PROGRAM CHAIRS & BOARD MEMBERS
Josh Genser
Julie Haselden
Program Chair
Conservation Chair
Mark Likos
Vacant
Education Chair
Membership Chair
Dave Garfin
Todd Pond
Trout in the Classroom
Outings Chair
Douglas Hale Newsletter
NON-BOARD CHAIRS
Lee Hahn
Bob Marshak
Webmaster
Asst. Treasurer
Vacant
Librarian THE IRIDEUS
Douglas Hale Editor-In-Chief
Zachary Wong Asst. Editor
PHOTO CONTRUBITORS THIS MONTH Cover.............................................................. Zachary Wong Table of Contents........................................... Zachary Wong Calendar......................................................... Zachary Wong Conservation................................................ Roger Wachtler Euro, Hi-Stick, Tenkara...................................... Mark Likos Fishing Throwbacks....................BYU Americana Collection Fly Fishing for striped bass..... Scott & Mike Seviour-Owens Gone Fishin’-Stanislaus....................................... Todd Pond Back Cover........................................................... Todd Pond
We are always looking for photos! Submit your photos to Zachary Wong at craigwong810@gmail.com or Doug Hale at drhale@gmail.com Your photo could be featured on next month’s cover, table of contents, Calendar or our Back Page
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Upcoming Events December 10
Grizzly Peak Gala Holiday Party
January 1
New Years Day - Make sure to get your 2020 license!
January 11
Winter Fishing on the Pit River
January 14
January GPFF meeting - Lance Gray
January 20
MLK Jr. Shoreline - Conservation Outing
Past Events November 23 Grizzly Peak - Fall Foundational Fly Fishing Seminar
November 12
November Meeting, Club Swap Meet & Silent Auction
October 24-27
McCloud River - October Caddis Outing
THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
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onservation onversation
With Julie Ruth Haselden
A life or death meeting for the Delta December 11th
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n urgent message from Mark Rockwell, President, Northern California Council, Fly Fishers International “We really, really, really need you to attend this meeting of the California Fish and Game Commission in Sacramento on Wednesday, the 11th of December. The fate of the Delta is in your hands. The SoCal water districts are again pursuing the idea that the striper is the cause of the decline of the salmon fishery and the collapse of the delta smelt. They are seeking to change the policies of the Fish and Game Commission to view the Striped Bass as an uncontrolled predator, responsible for the near-total collapse of all delta fisheries, even though stripers and the other species were healthy fisheries for over 100 years. The Coalition for a Sustainable Delta and other water interests are determined to identify the striped bass as the problem. The F&G Commission is meeting on
December 11th at 8:30 a.m. at the Natural Resources building, 1416 9th Street, Sacramento. CA I am asking ALL those who care about the Delta to turn out to demonstrate their advocacy for stripers & Delta fisheries at the F&G Commission meeting”. Meet the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta. f anything, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is California’s most crucial water and ecological resource. Our Delta is formed by the Sacramento River flowing south to meet the north-flowing San Joaquin River just south of Sacramento, where the rivers mingle with smaller tributaries and tidal flows. The rivers’ combined freshwater flows roll through the Carquinez Strait, a narrow break in the Coast Range, and into San Francisco Bay’s northern arm, forming the Bay Delta. Suisun Marsh and adjoining bays mark the brackish, and ever changing, transition zone between fresh and salt water.
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The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta supports more than 55 native fish species and more than 750 plant and wildlife species. The home of these species, the
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THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem, has been impacted for many decades by human activities, such as gold mining, flood protection and land reclamation. Along the way, more than 200 exotic species have been intentionally or accidentally introduced. Four runs of Chinook salmon are now found in the Sacramento River, characterized by the time of year they pass under the Golden Gate Bridge on their upstream journey through the Delta to spawn. Most attention has been focused on the winter-run Chinook salmon, which is an endangered species, and the spring-run Chinook, which is a threatened species. The winter-run population reached a low point in 2007 and 2008, but efforts to improve conditions have resulted in a population upswing. As the Water Education Foundation notes on its website, “ For more than 30 years, the Delta has been embroiled in continuing legal controversy over the struggle to restore the faltering ecosystem while maintaining its role as the hub of the state’s water supply”. The December 11 meeting in Sacramento is another round in that ongoing battle.
Trout Waiting for Salmon Eggs.
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almon migrate hundreds of miles just to lay their eggs, but some of the eggs never stand a chance. Hungry mouths, like the trout in this video, are waiting for the chance to snag a salmon egg snack. Watch the drama unfold at https://youtu.be/NbuEZKAUvoU
KEEPEMWET onderful KEW (KEEP EM WET) photo from Roger Wachtler. This rainbow trout was kept wet in the McCloud River.
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Please continue to send me your KEW photos, photos of rivers, people fishing, people camping, and fishing trips! If I receive the photos before December 8, they will be included in our slide show at the December 10, 2019 GPFF Holiday Party! Photos emailed to Julie at jhaselden17@comcast.net. If you haven’t RSVP’d for the Holiday Party, please do – ASAP! Hope to see many of you there!
Left: Roger’s Rainbow from the McCloud
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THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
News, Notes & Random Casts Thanks to Contributors this Past Year
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ifteen authors have contributed articles and photographs to the 2019 Irideus. Without them there would be little to report. Thank you all: Ed Beggs, Rebecca Blair, Bob Fabini, Ron Francis, Linda Friedman, Dave Garfin, Josh Genser, Doug Hale, Julie Ruth Haseldon, Kirston Koths, Mark Likos, Lukas Luby-Prikot, Todd Pond, Loretta Strickland, and Roger Wachtler. Todd’s Tip #9
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urrent seams are where two currents traveling at different speeds meet. Most of the time, there is a fast and a slow current. Ever since I began targeting these areas, I started catching more fish. Fish hang out on the slow side, protected from the current, waiting for their next tasty little snack. I like to fish both sides of the current seams, the fast and slow side. Seams can be created in many ways such as a rock, log, or water flowing into a pool. In many cases, there will be two seams created by a rock that is in the middle of the river, one on each side. Once, while fishing the Feather River, I found an interesting item in the river creating two seams, it was an old metal fence post. This is an excellent example that it does
not take much to create these seams, nor for a fish to find protection from the main current. Find these seams, fish them thoroughly, and hopefully, your fish to net ratio will increase. GPFF Foundational Seminar Graduates Nine New Fly Fishers!
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ovember 23rd saw the 2019 annual Fall Grizzly Peak Foundational Fly Fishing Seminar graduate 9 more Fly Fishers at a great new venue this year. Some seasoned anglers wanted a refresher course and the beginners wanted to start with a good solid foundation. It was a full day of training with Dr. Knot (Gary Bard) taking the lead in the knot tying section and Bob Marshak contributing as a seminar coach. We met at Hilltop Richmond Mechanics Bank community room at 8am that included Peets Coffee for all, and a mid-day Deli Lunch. Rolling Hills Memorial Park Cemetery provided a venue for casting support. Congratulate D’Arcy Richardson, Evan Larsen, Jeff Greve, Judy Kelly, Mizuki Shirao, Scott Harrison, Steven Honda, Tanner Cook & Tim King for successfully completing the full day’s GPFF Foundational Fly Fishing curriculum!
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THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
Euro Nymphing, High-Sticking or Tenkara? With Mark Likos
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hear a lot of discussion about ‘the best’ technique or method to use in the pursuit of trout. I listen to it all and try everything. I even built a custom euro-nymphing rig that I use for high-stick nymphing and I own a couple of tenkara rods. My favorite fishing is in the northern California freestone streams where each of these rigs serves me well, depending on the particular conditions at the time. I’m not sure we need to define which method is best. We all have our favorite techniques. Personally I like to understand what each method entails. Euro nymphing is a method/system of fly fishing that not only attempts to present a fly in the most natural way but also to get the fly down near the bottom where more fish are feeding. Competition Fly Lines are now available for that purpose. They are typically ultra-thin to help eliminate fly line to leader sag when the fly line is outside the end of the rod. Some Euro enthusiasts don’t use a fly line at
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all and simply run a very long 25’ or more butt section of leader. Why is fly-line/leader sag a concern? Keeping the fly-line off the water (inside the rod-tip) with only the tippet in the water, is typically the procedural protocol. The goal is to achieve a direct slack-free connection to your fly. The lighter/thinner your fly-line/ leader, the less sag and the better your line-tofly connection. That promotes better strike detection. Remember: Sag = Drag, Drag = Strike Killer. The more sag there is in the leader system the more time the fish has to reject your fly BEFORE you can detect a strike and set the hook. The more sag-free the line, the moredirect the connection, the more likely you will detect the strike. The challenge in minimizing line sag by minimizing line mass is that the less mass the more difficult it is to cast. The answer hinges on finding a combination of mass (fly line & leader thickness i.e. mass) and resultant stiffness so that you can still cast and present the fly(s) well. The range of butt section seems to be in the 12# to 20# area. Less than 12# is typically too thin/light to roll the fly over, while greater than 20# is too thick/stiff and contributes to sag. A basic Euro-nymphing rig for the beginning Euro-nympher
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F you are using an ultra-thin competition Euro Fly Line, the leader starts with 10’ to 12’ of 20# Maxima Chameleon, the butt section. (IF NOT using an ultra-thin competition line, double or triple the length of this initial butt section that will keep this section completely inside your rod guides). Beyond the butt section, is 3’ of 12# transition line, terminating
THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
with a tippet ring. Then there is 18” to 22” of .012” multi-color line (replacing a conventional indicator) terminating with another tippet ring. Then 1.5’ to 6’ of 4X to 7X tippet (depending on depth and speed of stream) to the first fly, then 24” to 28” for each additional fly. Euro rigs typically don’t use any additional weight (international completion rules don’t allow added weight OR western style floating indicators), so NO split shot. Euro style nymph-flies will typically have additional wire-weight wound/tied into their interior to help get them to sink faster. Short Line High Sticking
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s in Euro style fly fishing, High-Sticking pursues the same goal; presenting a fly in the most natural way and getting the fly down fast to where more fish are feeding. In high sticking your nymph rig frequently has some added weight. You keep your casts short, typically no more than twice your rod length, with rod tip high, keeping the fly line (and leader) off the water entirely with the rod tip following directly at/over the drifting fly. Raise and lower the rod tip as needed to maintain the desired depth as the submerged fly(s) drifts by. With the fly line and leader OFF the water there is little line left to cause the strike-killing-sag mentioned in the Euro style method above.
to distort the fly’s drift. Additionally, this approach maintains a near direct connection to the fly so you feel the initial ‘tug’ that will alert you to set the hook before the fish can reject your fly. When fishing deeper, faster water it may be more difficult to get your fly down the water column fast enough to produce best results. So, add some split shot 6” to 8” above the fly in these conditions to help get your nymph down faster. Floating indicators are seldom used in High-Sticking, as you are close enough with the shorter line for a near direct connection to your fly, but if you are more comfortable using one, do so as conditions demand. Tenkara
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his Japanese style of mountain stream fly fishing has been practiced in Japan for 500-600 years but was largely unknown in the United States until 2009. Characteristically, Tenkara rods are longer ‘fixed line’ fly rods, frequently to 15’ using a fly line as long as the rod. There is no reel. Early Tenkara rods were made from bamboo while modern rods are typically made from high modulus graphite that telescope to collapse making them very compact in the field.
Luong Tam demonstrating Tenkara fishing on one of his custom built rods. Kirston Koths Demonstrating High Stick Nymphing
This method presents a more natural drifting fly as there is little to no line-drag
Tenkara rigs, with their longer lengths and softer tips, maintain strong butt sections lending themselves very well to the type of
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THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
‘pocket water’ that both Euro & High Sticking work best in. When do these methods work best?
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he success of these methods depend on using a short line approach. Therefore, you will need to get closer to your prey. The best waters for this will be those where it will be more difficult for the fish to see and hear you. Aggressive pocket water with plenty of protruding obstructions will help camaflouge and mute your approach. For Euro fishing I use a 12’3” 4-weight with a soft tip that allows me to use a lighter tippet for better strike detection and added reach for better overall performance. My high sticking rods range from 9’ to 11’, some a little longer. For Tenkara fishing I use rods up to 15 feet long. Particularly when using long rods I have found a well-balanced rod assembly goes a long way toward saving my shoulder during a day of fishing. With the GPFF calendar filling up, look to the small to middle stream pocket water venues to pursue. Putah Creek, Upper Sac, Pit and McCloud are perfect free stone venues for any of these methods. Contact me with any questions/comments mlikos@comcast.net
FISHING THROWBACKS
This month’s throwback is a letter to the editor of Field and Stream from the January, 1920 issue by L. E. Winget. He provides the “fish fan” with his two methods of wrapping and fastening silk for split bamboo fly and casting rods. Now to find the time to make a bamboo rod...
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Fly Fishing for Striped Bass on San Francisco Bay and the Delta Part II: The Delta
By Bob Fabini Image by Scott & Michael Seviour-Owens from Pixabay
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n my opinion, the Delta is a much more complex fishery than the Bay. I feel that I understand the Bay much better than the Delta. I will share an overview of my experiences; however, the two best resources are Fly-fishing the California Delta by Costello and Sherman, and the website: http://www.danblanton. com/ In addition to stripers the Delta contains largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass and pan fish. I usually launch either at the Antioch Marina, or at Sugar Barge Marina on Bethel Island. Both of these are in the Central Delta, and there are many more areas to explore—the Delta is huge. Launching at Antioch puts you on a productive area of the San Joaquin River about 3 miles from its confluence with the Sacramento. This is pretty big water with fish holding deep, requiring fast sinking shooting
heads, usually a T-14; however if you go into the Sherman Island area, you will find smaller, often shallower, more sheltered water. This is also largemouth country. If you head west from Antioch and turn north at Broad Slough, you will pass a back way into Sherman Island and, eventually, arrive at the Sacramento. At the confluence of the Sacramento and Broad Slough, I have never failed to encounter a large family of river otters. Launching at Sugar Barge puts you in the Frank’s Tract area. I often start by heading south to Sandmound Slough and head east to Holland Cut. There are rock walls throughout this area which can be productive. I have caught both stripers and largemouth inches from these walls. Watch for structure and irrigation pipes draining from the levees. These can be productive. About a mile south on Holland cut will take you to Little Mandeville Island—a productive shallow water area. If you
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follow Old River around the east side of Frank’s Tract, you will hit the San Joaquin River. I usually head west, fishing the rock walls and tule berms. There are also some productive shoals in this area. I usually head west as far as Fisherman’s Cut, and then head south toward False River. Fisherman’s Cut can produce some nice largemouth. If you head back to Frank’s Tract when you hit False River, you will pass Little Frank’s Tract on your right. I have fished the tidal outlets in this area with some success. If you try to enter Little Frank’s or Little Mandeville, be careful. They are bordered by old rock walls that can damage your boat. I have not fished from shore in the Delta, but I think it could be done along Sherman Island Road near Sherman Island County Park. I wouldn’t fish most of the Delta from a tube or pontoon boat because of the proliferation of fast boats and blind corners. Some folks are lacking in etiquette—I’ve had boats come between my boat and the shore at 40 mph when I was clearly casting to that shore.
The Napa River—another possibility
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he Napa is accessible to small boats, and is a good place to start. I’ve fished from Cutting Wharf or Kennedy Park up into the town of Napa. A couple of years ago we caught dozens of fish right in downtown Napa during the lunch hour. Tactics are similar to those employed on the Bay; however the water is much smaller and more intimate. The Bay and Delta are amazing fisheries close to the East Bay. I have had 100 fish days on the Bay and close to that on the Delta, but the fish don’t always cooperate. I’ve been blanked on the Delta, especially in the winter. When the fishing is off, you will still be out on the water, with a multitude of birds, marine mammals and fascinating sights. I’m always amazed at the number of fly-fishers who are unaware of these amazing resources. Give it a try. If you have questions, I would be happy to help.
Gear and Flies
Bob Fabini, bobflyguy@gmail.com
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Editor’s Note. Bob has been a member of GPFF for about 20 years and a Fly Tying Instructor at Fish First since 1993. Besides the Bay and Delta, he can be found on the Little Truckee, McCloud, Upper Sac, Hat Creek, East Carson, and on still waters like Manzanita Lake, Lake Berryessa, and some secret ponds. He is looking to spend more time on the East Walker, Trinity, American, and Eel Rivers, as well as Eagle Lake, Pyramid Lake, and a myriad of desert still waters. Prior to retirement he taught Physics and Chemistry at El Cerrito High School for 34 years.
ith all the different species and water types, there are lots of options. I usually take 3 rods with me. I have my 9wt set up with the T-14, and can switch to a floating shooting head for top water. I also carry 2 8wt rods with intermediate and Type III shooting heads. If I had to choose one rod, it would probably be the T-14 setup. I generally go out with the intent to fish for stripers; however, I love catching largemouth and smallmouth bass. I have found that the usual striper flies will take largemouth; however, I always carry flies one would normally associate with largemouth. Slinky and black is usually good.
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THE IRIDEUS - DECEMBER 2019
GONE FISHIN’ Reports From the Field Middle Fork of the Stanislaus Article & Photos by Todd Pond
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ver since I read about the middle fork of the Stanislaus River, (see:http://www.flyfishingthesierra.com/ nfstanis.htm ), I’ve wanted to explore it. I read that it is one of the best fisheries on the Western Slope due to its rich aquatic insects, wild trout, and location. I also learned the Stanislaus is one of the wild trout fisheries closest to the Bay Area.
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o much for reading, I was hooked. I packed a lunch, set my alarm for 4 am, filled my tank, and twisted up a couple of flies. I was off to see the river for myself. Somewhere in the middle of the Central Valley, I met the sunrise. I continued heading east on highway 108, past Sonora and then past Pinecrest. Finally, I found the road that goes to the China Flat day use area, just below Beardsley Reservoir. When I arrived, my odometer showed that in three hours and fifteen minutes of driving I had traveled 173 miles from El Cerrito. It was a 20 minute walk from the China Flat day use area to where I started fishing. Most of the walk was alongside a utility dirt road, next to the Beardsley Afterbay, which is beautiful. At the end of the Afterbay, there is a
nice angler’s trail. For the most part, the trail is safe and easy to hike with the exception of a couple of steeper areas where extra caution must be taken. The walk/hike is pleasurable because of the amazing landscape. There is plenty of river to fish. From the Afterbay Dam to Sandpoint Campground (one of many campgrounds in the area) is about three miles downriver. There is an angler’s trail at the end of the Afterbay that goes all the way to the campground. It is similar to the one on the McCloud Conservancy. I fished about 1.5 miles down from the dam.
I quickly realized how similar this river is to the McCloud and the middle fork of the Feather River. The water flows were about 200 cfs. In many sections of the river, there are large pools between the runs and the ripples. Generally, I feel that huge pools are not productive, so I do not spend much time fishing them. On the Stanislaus, some of the runs and
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pools are difficult to access due to large granite boulders and overhanging vegetation. Also worth noting, the wading at times was more difficult than at the Pit River. Even so, I found plenty of fishable water.
There were multiple types of flies in the air all day long. In the morning l saw midges and mayflies. In the afternoon, the mayflies continued. In the evening, there was a complex hatch, and the fish were feeding on top. I noticed many different types of mayflies, caddis flies, and midges. This river definitely is very rich in aquatic insects. The fish were feeding throughout the water column. I mainly focused on fishing subsurface, and had most of my success there. I did get two fish swinging wet flies in the film, and missed multiple attacks on the surface. This makes for a fun day of fishing, giving the angler many different options of where and how to fish. By the end of the day, I was very impressed with the fishery. I had netted over 15 fish, mostly rainbows. I lost some nice fish too due to them leaping several feet out of the water. The nicest fish was a brown trout measuring about 18”. For my first day fishing the Stanislaus, I was dazzled with the river, the scenery, and the fish quality and quantity. I wondered how I would do after learning the river. Unfortunately, I was fishing alone, and the sun had left the canyon over an hour and a half earlier, so it was time to hike out of the canyon, back to my truck. I decided to time myself, so I could guesstimate how far down river I had fished. I took to a quick pace, a determined
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hiker, and raced against the remaining daylight. The hike back was 40 minutes, so I figured I went down into the canyon about two miles. I made it back just before dark. On my way home I had dinner at a popular Mexican restaurant next to Highway 5. While enjoying a beer and a burrito, I wondered why I had not heard of people frequenting this fishery. Maybe it is the hike, maybe the difficult wading, maybe they had not read the articles I had read, or maybe other rivers get more attention in fishing publications. The Stanislaus lived up to the claims of the articles I had read. It is closer than the Truckee and the East Carson. The fish are all wild and have plenty to feed on. The river and the scenery, both, are amazing. In addition, both browns and rainbows share the river. I am certain the river holds some fish over twenty inches. Also, I fished the entire day and only saw one angler. The middle fork of the Stanislaus is a river that anglers should visit.
If anyone is interested in learning more about the middle fork of the Stanislaus, or would like to share information about the river, or wants to plan a fishing trip with me, please feel free to reach out. I can be reached at toddpond@ymail.com. Also, there are 2 links below. The first is one of the articles I read, the other is a video of my trip. http://www.flyfishingthesierra.com/nfstanis. htm https://youtu.be/adQK0gU8jd8 P.S. I will never give up on the East Walker. See the video of my latest trip there at https://youtu.be/3tjQ25pA5xE
North Fork of the Stanislaus River
