Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Gear and Trout Flies for the East Walker River in
California (Nevada)
Fly Line:
The East Walker River has some huge brown trout. The ideal fly line size would probably
be a 5 weight, floating fly line. We couldn't recommend anything lighter because of the
large brown trout. Some anglers would prefer something heavier for large nymphs and
streamers. A 6 weight fly line would deliver most of the streamers and heavy nymphs much
better than the 5 weight. There would be nothing wrong with using a 7 weight line for large
streamers, if you preferred to do that but we are not going to include it here. You may want
to use a sinking tip line for the streamers, especially during the cold weather.
Fly Rod:
You would want a fly rod to handle each of the above line sizes. The 5 weight rod would
be ideal at a length of about eight and a half to nine feet. We recommend a nine foot
length because of the usual high winds. We think a medium to medium fast action would
be best for this one.
The six weight rod should be a little stiffer to handle larger nymphs and streamers. It
should be nine feet in length with a medium to medium fast action.
Fly Reel:
The reels for the 5 or 6 weight lines should have good drags. They should be smooth and
adjust to fine increments. You don't want to hook one of the huge trout and end up with a
broken tippet because you had a less than adequate fly reel.
Leaders:
You should be using at least a seven foot leader anywhere on the East Walker River. A
nine foot length would probably be the best all around length. The only exception would be
when you are fishing streamers. You may want a shorter leader in that case. Make sure
you have leaders in sizes ranging from 1X for streamers, up to 7X for small flies like
midges and tricos.
Tippet:
You should have plenty of extra tippet in sizes ranging from 1X to 7X.
Waders:
Waders are necessary just about anywhere you fish the river, except during high water.
Do not wade if the water is flowing high and strong. We prefer the breathable type but you
may need neoprene waders if you are fishing during the winter.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice. The new rubber soles may work well. They have at other
similar waters where we've tried them. You may want to use cleats on the rubber soles.
This is a slick river.
Wading Staff:
The use of a wading staff would be an optional accessory and needed in some cases. Just
don't get too brave because you have one.
Landing Net:
You probably shouldn't be fishing the East Walker River without a landing net. There are
some trout in this stream that will make you wish you did have one.
Trout Flies:
We always recommend our "Perfect Fly" trout flies. We have specific imitations of every
important insect that exist on the this river. We want you to pay attention to our streamer
selection and stonefly nymphs. If you haven't done so already, please give them a try. The
fine angler that provided the stream shot images, Mr. Gary Paepke, has tested our flies
extensively on this river. He reported very good success on the larger brown trout using
our caddisfly imitations as well as other flies.
California (Nevada)
Fly Line:
The East Walker River has some huge brown trout. The ideal fly line size would probably
be a 5 weight, floating fly line. We couldn't recommend anything lighter because of the
large brown trout. Some anglers would prefer something heavier for large nymphs and
streamers. A 6 weight fly line would deliver most of the streamers and heavy nymphs much
better than the 5 weight. There would be nothing wrong with using a 7 weight line for large
streamers, if you preferred to do that but we are not going to include it here. You may want
to use a sinking tip line for the streamers, especially during the cold weather.
Fly Rod:
You would want a fly rod to handle each of the above line sizes. The 5 weight rod would
be ideal at a length of about eight and a half to nine feet. We recommend a nine foot
length because of the usual high winds. We think a medium to medium fast action would
be best for this one.
The six weight rod should be a little stiffer to handle larger nymphs and streamers. It
should be nine feet in length with a medium to medium fast action.
Fly Reel:
The reels for the 5 or 6 weight lines should have good drags. They should be smooth and
adjust to fine increments. You don't want to hook one of the huge trout and end up with a
broken tippet because you had a less than adequate fly reel.
Leaders:
You should be using at least a seven foot leader anywhere on the East Walker River. A
nine foot length would probably be the best all around length. The only exception would be
when you are fishing streamers. You may want a shorter leader in that case. Make sure
you have leaders in sizes ranging from 1X for streamers, up to 7X for small flies like
midges and tricos.
Tippet:
You should have plenty of extra tippet in sizes ranging from 1X to 7X.
Waders:
Waders are necessary just about anywhere you fish the river, except during high water.
Do not wade if the water is flowing high and strong. We prefer the breathable type but you
may need neoprene waders if you are fishing during the winter.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice. The new rubber soles may work well. They have at other
similar waters where we've tried them. You may want to use cleats on the rubber soles.
This is a slick river.
Wading Staff:
The use of a wading staff would be an optional accessory and needed in some cases. Just
don't get too brave because you have one.
Landing Net:
You probably shouldn't be fishing the East Walker River without a landing net. There are
some trout in this stream that will make you wish you did have one.
Trout Flies:
We always recommend our "Perfect Fly" trout flies. We have specific imitations of every
important insect that exist on the this river. We want you to pay attention to our streamer
selection and stonefly nymphs. If you haven't done so already, please give them a try. The
fine angler that provided the stream shot images, Mr. Gary Paepke, has tested our flies
extensively on this river. He reported very good success on the larger brown trout using
our caddisfly imitations as well as other flies.
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Photo Courtesy of Gary Paepke
East Walker River
Nevada
Nevada
Photo Courtesy of Gary Paepke