The Alpine Small Stream/Brown Trout/Mosquito Fly Fishing Report (in Pictures)

Category:

Fly Fishing

bamboo fly rod

bamboo fly rods

brook trout

brown trout

fishing

Fishing Report

fly fishing small streams

fly fishing spring creeks

phillipson fly rod

Photography

Added Date:

Monday, 22 Jun, 2009

Summary

My last small-stream fly fishing trip unfolded without a camera, so this, time I'm doubling up on the photographs. (See? The Underground takes care of its readers.)

Content

My last small-stream fly fishing trip unfolded without a camera, so this, time I'm doubling up on the photographs. (See? The Underground takes care of its readers.)

The catch? I'm too busy to write a lengthy report (like last time I skipped out and ran to Stream X). Instead, I'll hit the highlights in between the pictures.

Stream X is a small, alpine spring creek, and it's the kind of place the enforces a certain intimacy between the fly fisherman and the trout.

It's nicely populated with wild brown trout (and the odd rainbow && Brookie), but features rough roads and enough mosquitoes to suggest the existence of a vengeful god.

Like all small streams, the trout aren't particularly selective, but they are damned spooky, and this - simply put - is not the best stream for a novice, but I brought my relatively new-to-fly-fishing brother there anyway (suggesting the existence of a vengeful brother, bent on payback for the emotionally scarring cherry incident of my childhood).

Think sneaky. Sneaky is good.

Unlike my last visit, the stream was running at normal levels, but the weather was eerily similar; it started raining the minute we arrived (after a lot of bouncing around on some auto-unfriendly roads), and alternated rain and sun all day.

It was also colder than I would have guessed, and once again, the Patagonia soft shell jacket proved the perfect jacket for the gig - a good lesson in packing, since I'd almost left it behind (it's summer after all).

In fact, fingerless gloves wouldn't have been out of place.

Welcome to the mountains.

Predictably, the early bite was slow. Equally predictably, the early scenery was stunning.

Even when the trout arent eating, the scenerys working.

Even when the trout arent eating, the scenerys working.

The Fishy Stuff

Later - as it warmed a bit - the bite got a little better. In the afternoon, there was even the hint of a small mayfly hatch, and (gasp) rising trout.

Almost everything you catch is a brown trout, which range wildly in coloration. Some are a burnt-butter brown while others feature a lighter, milky yellow color, and still others offer a golden metallic sheen.

Some feature slightly washed colors, others offer up bright red dotted flanks that - if found on a painting - would lead a non-fisherman to accuse the artist of artistic license.

Im ready for my closeup now.

Every once in a while, you also come across a Brook trout (the Official Char of the Trout Underground
), and yes, the Underground's veins fill with naturally produced chemical pleasure at the sight of the Brookie, and I'm not even sure why. Maybe it's the colors.

Underground Fave Char: the happy pappa shows off his Brookie

Underground Fave Char: the happy pappa shows off his Brookie

Why so many colors? The Brook trout continues to impress.

The Non-Trout Stuff

The first couple hours found us catching one trout each (it picked up later, and we ended up with 10 between us). Which means we had plenty of time to marvel at other things, including a couple close encounters with deer, and even a very low flying eagle.

Then there was the stuff that wouldn't run away when you found it, including:

My brother identified this as Columbine. Its pretty.

My brother identified this as Columbine. Its pretty.

We found one of these- an olive stonefly

The Hard Facts About the Fly Fishing

The fishing itself wasn't what most would call "technical," though when you find yourself crawling towards a ten inch fish on your hands and knees - and trying to thread a backcast through a narrow hole behind you - the fishing's plenty technical enough.

These aren't world-weary tailwater trout, habituated to the presence of humans or sophisticated flies.

Instead, these are trout as god intended - hungry, aggressive, but wholly intolerant of a sloppy, lazy predator. Trout darting to safety from under your feet is a common sight, yet despite a fair number of fly changes, I settled on a simple Beetle Bug attractor for most of the day.

This time, I also toted along a rod nicely suited to the fish and the waters - an 8' 5wt Phillipson Peerless bamboo fly rod.

Underground Fave: The reddish-brown impregnated Phillipsons look stunning against spring green.

Underground Fave: The reddish-brown impregnated Phillipsons look stunning against spring green.

It's a rod that gets fished, and fished hard (as Bill Phillipson intended), and yes, I think little's harder on a fly rod than a wet, brush && tree-choked environment

Somebody, somewhere is wincing, but this is what it looks like after I released a nice brown.

Somebody, somewhere is wincing, but this is what it looks like after I released a nice brown.

The fishing was slow at first, then gradually built over the day to the point where about half the really good looking spots seemed to hold a trout.

Nicely illustrating the concept of good and evil, the mosquitoes also built as the day progressed, and while I didn't do for the garment what the Buff Babe did, I wore a Buff like a balaclava, protecting my neck and cheeks from the evil, bloodsucking Nestle bugs mosquitoes.

I may be back later this week.

Hint: Theres a decent brown trout in the middle.

Hint: Theres a decent brown trout in the middle.

See you on a small stream, Tom Chandler.

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Tom Chandler

Destinations

El Portal California

El Portal is located 11.5 miles west-southwest of Yosemite Village, at an elevation of 1939 feet. The population was 474 at the 2010 census. Yosemite Valley is a mere 20-minute drive ... morefrom El Portal along a relatively flat road, which makes El Portal convenient while providing less expensive lodging than the Park itself. Visitors looking for even cheaper lodging could drive further to Mariposa. Those looking to save could drive as far as Merced, but that is quite a haul for visiting Yosemite.

The town lies along State Route 140 by the Merced River located on the western edge of Yosemite National Park. Town buildings include a post office, community center, and a small school. There are two hotels, a small general store, and a gas station, but not much else. Its proximity to Yosemiite national park and the Merced river that make it special.

Fishing permits are available at the El Portal Market. Fishing limits Park Boundary to Foresta Bridge, 2-trout limit, min. fish 12 inches, open all year. Foresta Bridge to Bagby, 5-trout limit, open last Sat. in April through Nov. 15.

Fishing Waters:

Merced River Fishing Report

Fishing Waters

Kern River Fishing Report

The North Fork and South Fork of the Kern Wild and Scenic River is located within a four-hour drive of more than one-third of the population of southern California. With its range ... moreof elevation, topography and vegetation, it offers a broad spectrum of recreation opportunities for all seasons of the year. Principal outdoor recreation activities include fishing, hiking, camping and whitewater boating.

The North Fork flows through Sequoia National Park and the Sequoia National Forest, past post-pile formations, spiked-granite protrusions and sharp rock ledges. The North Fork Kern River canyon within the Golden Trout Wilderness may be the longest, linear glacially-sculpted valley in the world. It contains regionally unique features referred to as Kernbuts and Kerncols. These rounded to elongated (parallel to the axis of the canyon) granitic knobs (Kernbuts) and the depressions between them (Kerncols) were first identified and named in the Kern Canyon.

The North Fork River corridor also includes regionally uncommon wetland habitat at Kern Lakes and the alkaline seep at the Forks of the Kern. The wetland habitat contains several uncommon aquatic and marsh species; the alkaline seep also supports several uncommon plants. The river's deep pool habitat supports a population of wild trout and also vividly colored hybrid trout.

The South Fork Kern River flows through a diverse landscape, including whitewater, waterfalls, large granite outcrops interspersed with open areas and open meadows with extensive vistas. The segment in the Dome Land Wilderness flows by numerous granitic domes and through a rugged and steep granitic gorge where whitewater rapids are common.

With a gradient of 30 feet per mile, the North Fork Kern is one of the steepest and wildest whitewater rivers in North America. The Forks Run is a nearly continuous series of Class IV and V rapids and waterfalls. The Upper Kern is a popular stretch of river for whitewater boating, camping and fishing. The Lower Kern runs 32 miles from Isabella Dam to the canyon mouth above Bakersfield, California.

Game Fish Opportunities:

Guide Reports:

Kern River Fishing Report - The Mighty Kern

Fishing Access Sites:

Johnsondale bridge Fishing Access Site

Trips

Merced River Wade Trip with Yosemite Outfitters

275-

615

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 4 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

4 hours - 1 day

(1)

Fishing Waters:

Merced River Fishing Report

The Merced River originates in the Southeastern corner of Yosemite National Park. Its headwaters begin at 7900 feet at the Clarke Range. It flows over Nevada and Vernal Falls, and ... morelastly, Illilouette Creek before she flows through the main Yosemite Valley. Then the Merced, picks up water from Tenaya, Yosemite, Bridalveil, and Pigeon Creeks near the end of the valley, and meeting up the water from Cascade Creek before the river flows through the Merced River Canyon and then outside the park. Its South and North Forks join it a few miles outside the park.

The Lower Merced is another river that can be drifted, water flow permitting, or walk & waded January through May.

Float Trip on the Lower Sacramento River with Steel Bridge Guides

450

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 2 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

1 day

Fishing Waters:

Sacramento River Fishing Report

Destination:

Red Bluff California

Redding California

We fish the Lower Sac year-round for trout. We fish the river from drift boats, typically floating from 6 to 15 miles in a day. Although the nymph grab is good all year, the best times ... morefor consistent mid-day dry fly fishing are March-May and September-November. We also do a lot of swinging flies with lightweight spey rods. This is a great way to fish the shallow riffles.

Float Trip on the Yuba River with Nor Cal Fly Guides

425-

550

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 2 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

4 hours - 8 hours

Fishing Waters:

Yuba River Fishing Report

Destination:

The Yuba River is one of the most popular known fly fishing rivers in Northern California, and that is why it’s one of the most sought after rivers for fly fishing enthusiasts. This ... moreriver is one that can yield 20 fish one day and leave you scratching your head the next, that's why having a knowledgeable Yuba River Fly Fishing Guide is so important. The abundance of aquatic insects on this river is why it is so sought after, it's one of the few rivers in California that you can effectively fish dries year round. While the river plays host to a number of species, including steelhead and king salmon at times, the resident wild rainbows are the most sought after species throughout the year. They can be picky at times, but once you get in tune with their feeding habits you're bound to have a blast. The fishing on the Yuba is top-notch and I haven't found a river yet that is this much fun to fish. This river produces year-round spunky wild rainbow trout that can reach over 20".

Pound for pound the Yuba River trout is a species of its own. They are the toughest, hardest fighting trout you will ever hook into. If you've never had an 16" fish take you into your backing within seconds, then it’s time that you fish the Yuba River. In the fall, it is also home to a native/wild King Salmon run with some pushing 50lbs and big enough to devour any Yuba trout in its path. Nonetheless, it's the Yuba's steelhead that really puts the icing on the cake. Though not huge like the American river winter run steelhead (Yuba River steelhead range from 2-6 lbs), these half-pint steelhead are among the hardest fighting and the most beautiful fish you will ever have the pleasure of encountering. The Yuba gets a shot of them midsummer, then again from November to April. Not only is there year round fishing, but there is also an abundance of bug life as well ranging from BWO's, PMD's, Midges, Caddis, Skwalas, Golden Stones, March Browns, Hoppers and every so often a Salmon Fly, that will have these fish feeding no matter the time of year. There is even an egg bite on t he Yuba too, this happens during the salmon spawn in October, also during this time of year there is something special that happens on the river that I will show you too. Something you never thought possible and it will be our little secret. Even after all that the Yuba does, however, have something else to offer. As an added bonus from the fishing, there are a lot of wild critters roaming its banks as well, big bucks, strutting toms, beavers, otters, ducks, geese and even black bears. All that and great fishing, what more could you ask for.

-Brian

Outfitters

Nor Cal Fly Guides

(12)

We are a team of friendly and knowledgeable fly fishing guides, with a combined 40 years of fly fishing experience, dedicated to making your adventure on the water with us as enjoyable ... moreand informative as possible. We want you to succeed in all of your fishy endeavors, and we will take the time with you to make sure that you have all the techniques and skills necessary to catch fish wherever you go. Float or Walk and wade with us on one of Northern California's finest rivers and streams and we will accommodate our guiding style to meet your needs and abilities. With our extensive fly fishing knowledge and experience on waters all over Northern California, we will guide you on a fly fishing trip you will not soon forget.

NCFG practices catch and release on all boats. We respect the sport of fishing and wish to give all anglers the opportunity to experience the gratification we strive to give each of our clients.

Fishing Trips: