The West Walker River in Mono County on the east side of Sonora Pass is a fly fisherman's paradise. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in Middle Tuolumne River California, United States 35 Logged catches View fishing report ( 35) Suggest changes About Middle Tuolumne River Anyone interested in fishing Middle Tuolumne River or waters within the wider area around Sonora should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. About 16,500 acres (6,700ha) (1.3percent) of the watershed are urbanized, mostly in the Greater Modesto area. Tuolumne Meadows is the largest campground in Yosemite and sits close to several trails, scenic viewpoints, the Tuolumne River, and even a few lakes. Up in the High Sierras lies one of the crown jewels of the National Park system: Yosemite National Park. 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. Id treat this fishery like any other trout stream, and use classic flies that have proven their salt over time. [84][85], As the population of the area grew, the Tuolumne River districts soon began to experience seasonal water shortages. The general consensus is "that the best paddling in is the upper miles while the middle section is better for hikers and canyoneers. This 32-mile (51km) segment is rated Class IV-V+, with many waterfalls requiring a portage. Fishing in the Tuolumne River has different regulations than fishing in Yosemite Valley. Terms of Use. Humans have inhabited the Tuolumne River area for up to 10,000 years. In the mid-1860s Tuolumne City and Paradise (located about 5 miles (8.0km) further up the river) were reestablished as farming communities. Plenty of shade is provided by a mixed forest. The fishing regulatory body for California is California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The best time to fish for these fish is late February to Mid April. The Upper Merced is as varied as the portion through the Yosemite Valley, but in a much smaller format. Its recommended that you fish Tenaya earlier on in the fishing season. Ferry sites grew into lively towns, such as at Waterford, where a crossing had been established in 1866. Estimates of the first human habitation along the Tuolumne River range from 3000 to 7000 BC. United States . And probably a 3-weight fly rod, just for good measure. You will not receive emails from VisitTuolumne.com at this email address unless you sign up for one of our mailing lists. [10], After the confluence of the forks in Tuolumne Meadows, the river meanders northwest, passing under Tioga Road. Instead, you should focus your efforts on the stretch between Mirror Lake and where Tenaya Creek enters the canyon between Half-Dome and North Dome. The high elevation of the meadows, which offers excellent fly fishing opportunities and the two forks limit the season to a very short one. Lyell Fork flows approximately ten miles through Lyell Canyon to its confluence with Dana Fork. Elk Hair Caddis, size 14-28. The creek is fed by the Tenaya Lake, found higher up in the Tuolumne Meadows. Brown trout represent the majority but rainbows and brook trout are also present the entire length of the stream. The Tenaya Creek is just a short walk from there. FishingCatching 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. [81], As it became apparent that the Central Valley's seasonal rainfall patterns made it unsuitable for dryland farming, farmers organized to build irrigation infrastructure along the Tuolumne River. [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. [101] The Cherry Creek is also run by commercial trips. Floating lines, long leaders, and plenty of fly floatant are going to round out the gear you need to fly fish in Yosemite. Set Field Guide Location. You can camp within the park, provided you have the right permits, or make reservations at any of the campgrounds. Advertisement In smaller rivers, holes form below shoals where current washes away bottom substrate. California Department of Fish and Wildlife website contains lots of helpful information on previous record catches, fishing regulations such as catch & bag limits for Tuolumne County. For information about fishing on the Stanislaus National Forest. We will provide you detailed information of all of our spots, so you can plan a successful fishing trip. Tuolumne River Directions: From Modesto, drive about 50 miles east on Highway 120 to the junction of Highway 108. 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 . Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish. The appeal of Yosemite isnt just its mountain vistas and the giant sequoia trees that dot the landscape either. [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. And stopping by a fly shop means you dont have to pack as much gear and you get to support a local business. [61] This would also increase the prevalence of grasses and ferns, attracting game animals such as deer, and made the landscape more easily navigable. 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. 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. [21] Streams are generally high-gradient, clear and rocky, but large alpine meadows provide riparian and wetland habitat, which contribute sediment to the watershed's runoff. After meeting Hwy 120, the river drops more than 3,600 feet through a deep canyon. [56] A controversial proposal by the State Water Resources Control Board from around 2013 would require increased spring and summer flows on the Tuolumne River which would benefit native anadromous fish populations, but greatly reduce the water supply available for farms and cities. Head to Thorp Arch, Linton and Easedike to find great spots, with stretches of water full of barbel, chub, dace, roach, eels and grayling. 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. A glimpse of the Lyell Fork of Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. Most of the snowpack that feeds the Tuolumne accumulates in this region. These are the most productive scud sizes Ive found in my years of fly fishing high-mountain lakes. From the headwaters, it roars down Pywiack Cascade into the valley that lies in the shadow of Mount Watkins before emptying into the Merced River. Dont forget to check local listings for vacation rentals nearby, too. The river has rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The Tuolumne River is hidden within the tall grasses of Tuolumne Meadows. The OShaughnessy tailwater is accessible from just outside the northern park entrance on California 120. Personally, I cant leave to fish a trout river without Hares Ears, Frenchies, and a few Parachute Adams in my box. The ten miles of theMerced River passes right through the Yosemite Valley itself, with most anglers concentrated around the 4 mile stretch between Happy Isles and Sentinel Beach Picnic Area during the busy summer months. It had 4.5 million visitors in 2019 alone, according to the National Park Service. The Tuolumne river fishing is perfect for bait-fishing and fly fishing aficionados alike. The Tuolumne River is actually one of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers, and it deserves this stunning designation! This also means being prepared by booking accommodations well in advance for a spring/summer trip due to the limited availability of camping spots inside the park and throughout the surrounding area. There are also a large number of natural lakes and tarns in the upper watershed. Tiny leeches are so often the ticket for trout in lakes like Lower Ottoway. This lake is an absolute gem of a spot that few visitors to Yosemite ever get to truly experience. Best Places to Fish the Upper Tuolumne River Access to the upper section of the River ranges from easy to difficult. This is listed below. Before agriculture, the river inundated large areas of seasonal marshland and was free to change course during its frequent floods. While the upper Tuolumne is a fast-flowing mountain stream, the lower river crosses a broad, fertile and extensively cultivated alluvial plain. You can now use your online account to book a match or buy a season permit for one of our stunning commercial fisheries. Since the introduction of large-scale agriculture the Tuolumne River course has been fixed between an extensive system of levees. The Merced River from Happy Isles to Forest Bridge is C&R only for native rainbow trout; barbless flies and artificial lures only; no bait permitted. From Modesto take Highway 132 East 14 miles to Waterford. [62], The origin of the Tuolumne River's name is unclear. [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. It can cost between 11 and 35 for day tickets depending on where you are and you will need an up-to-date licence. Hares Ear in sizes 14-18. North Fork Tuolumne River. Check out our Fishing Times tab to determine when the fish will be most active. [25] Below Don Pedro Dam the river flows across the large alluvial plain of the San Joaquin Valley, formed by millions of years of sediment deposits eroded from the Sierra. A large campground and the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge make this a great place to stay and explore the River. It is considered one of the most difficult whitewater rivers in the entire United States, with fifteen Class V rapids. If the fish are not spooked they'll readily except most . DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Yosemite National Park, Best Places to Fish in Yosemite National Park, Best Time to Fish in Yosemite National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Lake Davis in California, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Mokelumne River in California, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in North Cascades National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Kings River (South Fork) in California, Anglers 16 years of age and up need a California Fishing License. Trip Overview: The 33 mile Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River backpacking trip is considered one of the highlights within Yosemite National Park. 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. 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. We realize bucket-list fish and lifetime memories never come easy, until now. Bull Creek. The river arises in the high country of Yosemite National Park. Discover where and when you can fish on our waters across England and Wales, and what permissions you need. To reach the Merced, drive to the Yosemite Valley and take Tioga Pass road, or you can park in the valley and ride the shuttle to the river. It is smaller water, although it still offers diverse fishing opportunities like the Merced does. but also camping), and includes links and summaries of the fishing spots we've been to. Since the rivers in Yosemite arent open year-round to fishing, the ability to access some places free of snow when fishing season opens makes Crane Creek an indispensable weapon in an anglers arsenal. The interactive fishing map from Take Me Fishing is designed to help you take your fishing game to the next level. Father Pedro Muoz, a member of the 1806 expedition, noted in his diary that "we came upon a village called Tautamne. Loop D is located closest to the lake. Share . 2023 Fishidy. 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. Remember that these are small, wild trout and those fish usually respond well to classic flies. Last edited on 17 February 2023, at 13:15, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, "Chapter 5.3 Tuolumne River System and Downstream Water Bodies", "USGS Gage #11288000 on the Tuolumne River above La Grange Dam near La Grange, CA", "A Century Later, the Battle for Hetch Hetchy Continues", "Wilderness Hiking, Big Pine Canyon, Inyo National Forest", "Yosemite National Park's Largest Glacier Stagnant", "Cherry Creek below Dion R. Holm Powerplant, near Mather, CA", "Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Plan", "Tuolumne River System and Downstream Water Bodies", "SF water to be mixed with filtered water as city tests drought preparedness", "California drought: 2 reservoirs near Hetch Hetchy tapped", "Final Report of the Flood Emergency Action Team", "Tuolumne River: 93 percent of juvenile salmon consumed by predators", "Fish Predation, Not Flows, Causing Salmon Death on Tuolumne", "Mountain Lifeline Golden Rock System Flowed With New Hope", "Habitat Restoration Plan for the Lower Tuolumne River Corridor", "100 years after Raker Act was signed, the fight over Hetch Hetchy dam continues", "The Hetch Hetchy Story, Part I: John Muir, Preservationists vs. Conservationists", "Power Company Shelves Plans to Build Dam Near Yosemite", "Whitewater Rafting on the Tuolumne River", "Rafting on Tuolumne River in California", "Cherry Creek / Upper Tuolumne River - Whitewater Rafting (Advanced)", "Tuolumne Meadows to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River)", "Friends of the River: California Rivers - Clavey River", "Yosemite Rivers Now Open to Paddling: Management plan for Merced River means more paddling opportunities in the park", Informational Site about rafting on the Tuolumne River, News and information about rafting the Tuolumne River, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tuolumne_River&oldid=1139904848, This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 13:15. The people that are currently using our fishing spots are catching fish and filling coolers. I love a black Zebra Midge, and Im convinced more fish have been caught on that nymph than perhaps any other. Like most other central California rivers, the Tuolumne is dammed multiple times for irrigation and the generation of hydroelectricity. Mayflies, caddis, and a few stoneflies make up the majority of a trouts diet here, and thats what youll want in your fly box. [75] The unpredictable nature of the river made both navigating and crossing difficult, so starting in the Gold Rush era many ferries were established, one of the first at Dickenson's Ferry in the early 1850s. During the Spanish and Mexican periods, the Central Valley was used for cattle ranching, which quickly decimated natural range grasses. Fly fishing in such a place provides a peak experience few other national parks can match, and if you decide to make the trip you will find the experience offers far more in the way of rewards versus the cost and expense of your journey. When you think of Yosemite, the imposing granite faces of Half-Dome and El Capitan likely come to mind. Dry Fly Fishing is the best technique and most fun method in the meadow section. While you can access Tenaya directly from North Pines Campground, that stretch sees a lot of attention from campers. [59], Humans have influenced natural conditions in the Tuolumne River watershed for centuries. A 9-foot 5-wt fly rod with floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies and small nymphs in the rivers and lakes of Yosemite National Park. The estimated annual diversion for irrigation is 867,000 acre-feet (1.069109m3), about half of the Tuolumne River's natural flow. [53], The Tuolumne once supported large spring and fall runs of chinook salmon (king salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). [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. Youll get your pick of pools, pocket water, glides, and riffles to fish. 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. 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. However, this led to overgrowth and a disruption of the natural forest succession process that was previously driven by wildfires.[60]. (209) 965-4444 Ages: 0 and up Pinecrest Campground and Pinecrest Lake are located 30 miles east of Sonora, California, off of Highway 108. Spencer Durrantis a fly fishing writer, guide, bamboo rod builder, and novelist from Utah. The Clark-Skidmore Party made this crossing in 1852 via the upper Stanislaus River and the north fork of the Tuolumne. While most people are drawn to Yosemite for its breathtaking granite walls, rock climbing, and ethereal beauty, theres plenty of other things to do in the park. The Lower Tuolumne has much larger rainbows and browns than you will find in the Upper Tuolumne due to the consistent cold water from the dam and prolific insect hatches. The first recorded use of the name "Tuolumne" was by the Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga in 1806, who may have named the river for the nearby Native American village of Tualamne or Tautamne. You could pack a smaller 3 or 4-weight rod if you plan on fishing mostly smaller water. Set includes 40 high quality, hand-tied flies (see list below) and waterproof fly box. 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: . One of the best things about a place like Yosemite are the gorgeous meadows that lay nestled between high mountain peaks. Up here, you might even run into the odd brook trout, but youre most likely to catch brown and rainbow trout. It's a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. 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. Length. (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. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in. The foothill region is characterized by trees and plants adapted to a hot, dry climate, including chamise (greasewood), California lilac, manzanita, blue oak, interior live oak (Sierra live oak), and gray pine. It has a small store with essentials and a gas station. As a result, Don Pedro frequently fills and spills during winter storms, causing damage downstream. 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. Yosemite Fly Fishing Guides and surrounding area, The Tuolumne River flows for about 150 miles from the Central Sierra Nevada, into the Joaquin River near Modesto, California. The Tuolumne is considered a classic California whitewater run, and has been used recreationally since the 1960s. 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 Merced is still, in spite of its grandeur, a trout fishery. [61] The Miwok lived in the Sierra foothills and Central Valley lowlands during winter and traveled into the upper Tuolumne River in summer to hunt, as well as seek refuge from the summer heat. Year round, Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is located near the South Entrance and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias roughly 2.5 hours drive from Yosemite Valley. The Modesto Canal feeds the 29,000-acre-foot (36,000,000m3) off-stream Modesto Reservoir, which regulates the water for distribution to farmers. Ventures Fly Co. offers a great selection of dry flies, nymphs and streamers that will catch fish just about anywhere. In 1994 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission studied the project and determined that the benefits would not justify the financial and environmental costs. 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. "[92] The Hetch Hetchy debacle is often credited with birthing modern environmentalism, sharply dividing the conservation movement which favored the development of natural resources for public benefit and the preservationists, who believed that sites of scenic value like Hetch Hetchy were better left for public recreation and enjoyment.[93]. Watershed are urbanized, mostly in the Tuolumne is a fly shop means you dont have pack... Established in 1866 the highlights within Yosemite National Park Yosemite are the gorgeous Meadows that lay between. The central Valley was used for cattle ranching, which regulates the water for to! 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