Originating at over 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above sea level in Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne drains a rugged watershed of 1,958 square miles (5,070 km 2 ), carving a series of canyons through the western slope of the Sierra. Be sure to keep a low profile and present your fly well. [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. Last, but certainly not least, is Illihouette Creek. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. The best fishing is in early summer as soon as the spring runoff has subsided. Tuolumne River has 2 different structures, 3 different species and has 5 fishing locations. Don't you love being on the water? It is considered one of the most difficult whitewater rivers in the entire United States, with fifteen Class V rapids. Dark . Personally, I cant leave to fish a trout river without Hares Ears, Frenchies, and a few Parachute Adams in my box. And probably a 3-weight fly rod, just for good measure. Most of the snowpack that feeds the Tuolumne accumulates in this region. The Merced River flows through one of the most scenic valleys in the world - Yosemite Valley. While the trout may not be too selective, they are easily spooked due to the crystal clear waters of this alpine stream that flows through smooth granite rock. Elk Hair Caddis, size 14-28. Here, since its smaller water, youll likely want less ostentatious bugs than you would on the Merced. 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. Hes the News Editor forMidCurrent, and a regular contributor to Hatch Magazine. In November, at the peak of spawning season, hatchery visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs. [87] A secondary purpose for the construction of the dam was that TID and MID were aware that the city of San Francisco, 160 miles (260km) west of the river, coveted water from the Tuolumne. [69] The following spring a party of Mexican miners from Sonora discovered an even richer deposit farther upstream, establishing Sonoranian Camp, predecessor of the present-day town of Sonora, California. [105] Running the Tuolumne within Yosemite National Park was also in a legal gray zone until 2015, when the park opened the Tuolumne and Merced Rivers to limited paddling and rafting.[106]. Side streams such as the Clavey River, Big Creek, and the North Fork of the Tuolumne River offers side hikes, fishing holes, and warm swimming pools during the summer months. [77] The Golden Rock Water Company, incorporated in 1855, diverted the South Fork of the Tuolumne to supply the diggings at Groveland and Big Oak Flat; their most notable achievement was the construction of a 2,200-foot (670m) long, 265-foot (81m) high aqueduct (the Big Gap Flume) over Buck Meadows. The creek is fed by the Tenaya Lake, found higher up in the Tuolumne Meadows. Maximum discharge along the river is . Follow that road 2 miles to the fork in the road, and take the right fork. Put this fun spot on your bucket list for the next hot day in Northern California. Lyell Fork shares much in common with Crane Creek due to location and altitude, but the Merced River and Tenaya Creek are both early spring and late fall fisheries for best results.When planning your trip, the most important factor to keep in mind is the sheer number of visitors to Yosemite yearly during the spring, summer, and fall. In its native state the fall Chinook run alone may have numbered as high as 130,000. 10. The Dallas-Warner Reservoir (today's Modesto Reservoir) was completed in 1912 on the north side of the river, but was only considered a temporary solution. Easy 3.9 (183) Waterford, California. [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. Its so simple, but so incredibly effective. [11] Falls Creek forms Wapama Falls and Tueeulala Falls, two of the highest in Yosemite, as it enters the reservoir from the north. Black leeches in sizes 18-18. The Tenaya Creek is just a short walk from there. Just because Tenaya is smaller, though, shouldnt disqualify it from your list of must-fish waters. [16] Highway 99 and the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks both cross the river in Modesto, and the Modesto Airport is located adjacent to the river shortly upstream. The designated reach is the main stem from its source to the Don Pedro Reservoir. The system uses three classifications; Tuolumne has 47 miles (76km) categorized as Wild, 23 miles (37km) categorized as Scenic and 13 miles (21km) categorized as Recreational, for a total of 83 miles (134km) protected from further development.[109]. California Saltwater Fishing Regulation Map. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for fishing in Yosemite National Park is Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, which has a 4.7 star rating from 357 reviews. 2023 Fishidy. Today farms and communities are protected by a levee system with a channel capacity of roughly 9,000 cubic feet per second (250m3/s) at the 9th St. Bridge in Modesto significantly smaller than the river's maximum flood potential. Above 9500 feet, only small shrubs, flowering plants and occasional whitebark pine[58] populate the alpine zone, which is limited to the peaks around Tuolumne Meadows and along the Sierra Crest. Hiking back away from the crowds also provides better fishing success. [63] The Upper Merced is as varied as the portion through the Yosemite Valley, but in a much smaller format. [89] Because the area had been located inside Yosemite National Park since 1890, the city petitioned for Congress to pass the Raker Act. About 244,000 acre-feet (301,000,000m3) per year flows through the gravity fed Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct to serve San Francisco and its customer municipalities. Yosemite National Park in all its splendor. [79] The first TID farmers received water in 1900. Just like in the Merced, youll find wild rainbow and brown trout throughout this stream. If youre really chasing a secluded, high-country experience, you need to come on up to Lower Ottoway. When it comes to fishing in Leeds, the River Wharfe is a great choice. Again, with this being a trout fishery in the High Sierra, I cant stress enough the need for classic, time-tested trout flies. Lakes and estuaries can be huge. Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout are all . A large campground and the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge make this a great place to stay and explore the River. When the sun sets and the fish start feeding furiously on top, youll want a tried-and-true pattern to bring them to your net. 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. Our 1, 2 and 3 day trips begin at Meral's Pool, a quiet spot in the river about 23 miles downstream from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, and end at Ward's Ferry Bridge 18 miles later. The present-day La Grange Dam, completed in 1893, replaced the older mining dam at the same site; at 122 feet (37m), it was the highest overflow dam in the United States. Below the O'Shaughnessy Dam, the Tuolumne River also is an excellent fishery for trout. [51] The previous time it was used was 1988. These are the most productive scud sizes Ive found in my years of fly fishing high-mountain lakes. Spencer has also written a bookLearning to Fly. The Tuolumne originates in Yosemite National Park, high in the Sierra Nevada, as two streams. In Waterford, turn right on Hickman Road (county road J-9) and drive 1 mile to Lake Road. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 5X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard. Ventures Fly Co. offers a great selection of dry flies, nymphs and streamers that will catch fish just about anywhere. This type of fishing is my personal favorite, and Illihouette Creek represents some of the best things about Yosemite. North Fork Tuolumne River. The Tuolumne River between Kirkwood Powerhouse and Don Pedro Reservoir is know as one of California's premier whitewater rivers. 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. [15] In the late 1950s TID and MID began planning for a high dam on the Tuolumne River several miles below the existing Don Pedro Dam. [18] Although most of the flow in the river originates from summer snowmelt, massive floods can occur following heavy winter storms. Where you fish on the lake doesnt really matter but getting there does. Clear Lake is a n 8 acre lake located in Tuolumne County. After the spawn the fish can be found in the cold pooling water of the river. A Glo-bug is a good go-to fly if you need to switch things up. A glimpse of the Lyell Fork of Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. The Hetch Hetchy hydroelectric system diverts large volumes of water into tunnels that feed two hydroelectric plants, the Kirkwood and the Moccasin. Fishing in the Tuolumne River has different regulations than fishing in Yosemite Valley. Tuolumne River Directions: From Modesto, drive about 50 miles east on Highway 120 to the junction of Highway 108. The chief meeting point of the Paiute and Miwok was the Hetch Hetchy Valley, rich in edible plants and game. The park itself closes in the winter time and doesnt fully reopen until Memorial Day each year, so you will need to plan your visit around the parks schedule, too. This is where we put in for our popular class IV-V Main Tuolumne rafting trips. 9. My only experience with fly fishing was from the wonderful book The River Why by David James Duncan, and reading Norman Maclean. After briefly passing through Glen Aulin, the river enters the spectacular 20-mile (32km) Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, where it forms three more major waterfalls California, LeConte and Waterwheel Falls. Although calm for the first few miles, this quickly changes as the river drops over Tuolumne Falls and White Cascades. I'm trying to get a fly fishing crew from the Modesto area together to share spots and do some day trips. 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. Ken is an avid fisherman of 40+ years who loves to explore and find new places to fish. Fishingward will provide you a GPX file that is ready to load directly onto your fish finder, computer or phone. Catch and release is not required for fish under 12 inches in length, but anything over 12 inches must be released. I love a black Zebra Midge, and Im convinced more fish have been caught on that nymph than perhaps any other. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. The Frenchie has saved my bacon on more than one trip. From there the river flows into the rugged Tuolumne Canyon for a distance of about 25 miles and drops 4000 feet in elevation. This route follows the Tuolumne River through a deep canyon that leads from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Tuolumne Meadows. If needed contact info -. Visit our commercial fisheries. The Chesapeake Bay covers 64,000 square miles. [84][85], As the population of the area grew, the Tuolumne River districts soon began to experience seasonal water shortages. About 669 square miles (1,730km2), or 34percent, of the Tuolumne River watershed is inside Yosemite National Park. More than 300,000 acres (120,000ha) in the San Joaquin Valley are irrigated using Tuolumne water.[26]. Zebra Midge in sizes 16-20. Lake Amador. The fishing is usually fast and furious, as is the case on most high-country trout fisheries. Connect with him on Instagram/Twitter, @Spencer_Durrant. Fishing season is from the last Saturday in April until November 15th. Between these two rapids the swimming holes of the Clavey are a popular camping spot during the summer. Like most other Sierra Nevada rivers, the Tuolumne has been extensively dammed to provide flood control, water supply, and hydroelectric power. Bottom: Waterwheel Falls, the tallest of several waterfalls along the Tuolumne River. I decided it was time to have my own A River Runs Through It experience. Cold Canyon and Conness Creeks join in on the flow below the meadows and the river flows through beautiful Glen Aulin Valley. [101] The Cherry Creek is also run by commercial trips. Like Crane Flat, however, Tuolumne Meadows is closed for massive renovations. The best fishing is found on the 2.5 mile stretch below the cascade. If the fish are not spooked they'll readily except most . Use as your home location. This may in turn refer to the native word talmalamne, or "a group of stone huts or caves". [100] The most difficult single rapids is Clavey Falls, located just above the Clavey River; the longest is Grey's Grindstone, at nearly a mile (1.6km). That puts it tied with Zion National Park in terms of visitors. [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. Dry Creek joins the Tuolumne from the north between the airport and the railroad. . If youve never visited before, a guide is a great help. [52], Below the confluence with the North Fork of the Tuolumne the river flows into Lake Don Pedro, the largest in the Tuolumne River system and the sixth-largest man made lake in California at 2,030,000 acre-feet (2.50109m3). The best time to fish for these fish is late February to Mid April. Youll get your pick of pools, pocket water, glides, and riffles to fish. [90][91], The Hetch Hetchy Valley became the center of the first major environmental controversy in the United States. Fishing spots and baits to use at Tuolumne River? Search for the best fishing spots near your location and check out all options. Dana Fork is accessible from Highway #120, which runs nearby from its head waters at Tioga Pass all the way to the streams confluence with the Lyell Fork. 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. Five major areas make up TRRP, including the Legion Park/Airport Area, the Gateway Parcel, Mancini Park, the Dryden . [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. [107] This megafire was, at the time, California's third largest wildfire on record. [50] Due to the pristine quality of the water, the Hetch Hetchy system is one of only a few serving major cities in the United States that does not require filtration. Anglers hook excellent rainbow and brown . Below Lake Don Pedro, you'll find even more fly fishing opportunities.The North Fork of the Tuolumne River starts near Dodge Ridge and is followed closely by Highway #108. We realize bucket-list fish and lifetime memories never come easy, until now. View our maps and read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers. Tuolumne River (1) 3-12-2017: CA: Tuolumne River - North Fork (1) 11-29-2016: [54] With the exception of the Merced River immediately south, this is the southernmost existing population of Chinook salmon in North America. Rafting on the Tuolumne River has evolved from a humble beginning. The Merced Lake, located in eastern Yosemite Valley, and the Merced River both offer lively fishing all summer and into the winter months. 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. Length 3.8 miElevation gain 265 ftRoute type Out & back. And thanks to its location near a major trail that ferries backpackers and hikers, Illihouette doesnt get nearly as much fishing pressure as youd expect. The lower Tuolumne is wide and slow-flowing, dropping just 230 feet (70m) from the base of La Grange Dam to its mouth at 26 feet (7.9m). The interactive fishing map from Take Me Fishing is designed to help you take your fishing game to the next level. The Modesto Canal feeds the 29,000-acre-foot (36,000,000m3) off-stream Modesto Reservoir, which regulates the water for distribution to farmers. [10], After the confluence of the forks in Tuolumne Meadows, the river meanders northwest, passing under Tioga Road. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | The Team | Advertise with Guide Recommended, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. Today, average annual river flows reach a maximum in the short stretch between Don Pedro Dam and La Grange Dam, about 50 miles (80km) above the mouth, before the start of large irrigation diversions. 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. [61] The Plains and Sierra Miwok, who were the largest regional Native American group immediately prior to European contact, first established themselves in the area around 1200 CE. This small stream is located off Glacier Point Road, and youll cross it if you take the Mono Meadows Trailhead up to Lower Ottoway Lake. [19], Further downstream, the USGS gage at Modesto about 10 miles (16km) above the mouth recorded an annual mean of 1,326 cubic feet per second (37.5m3/s) between 1940 and 2013. Cherry Creek is dammed at the Cherry Valley Dam, which creates 274,000-acre-foot (338,000,000m3) Cherry Lake. Closed for massive renovations interactive map of over 30,000 of the best fishing spot finder in the Merced River through... And read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers know as one of California 's third largest on. Snowmelt, massive floods can occur following heavy winter storms chief meeting of... Runoff has subsided Reservoir, which regulates the water for distribution to farmers road and. Flow below the cascade fish have been caught on that nymph than perhaps any other, and. Designated reach is the main stem from its source to the junction of Highway 108 really matter but there. Of visitors used was 1988 fish on the 2.5 mile stretch below the and! 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