Tuolumne River California Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone and Tailwaters
Species
Rainbow Trout {Wild and Stocked)
Brown Trout (Wild and Stocked)
Brook Trout (Wild and Stocked)
Golden Trout (Wild)
Size
Varies from Small to Large
Location
West Slope of the Central Sierras
Nearest Towns
Groveland
Season
Last Sat. of April through Nov. 15
Access:
Easy to Very Difficult Depending on
the Area
Non-Resident License
State of California
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Streamflow Data Below LaGrange
Dam:
Seasons:
The general trout season is from the last Saturday in April through November 15.
Spring:
Springtime is usually tough fishing conditions but it depends on the discharges of the associated tailwaters
and tributaries.
Summer:
Summertime is the best time to fish the high Sierras. Just after runoff ends through the Summer is the best period
of time.
Fall:
Fly fishing the Tuolumne River during the early Fall can also be productive, especially for the brown trout.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Tuolumne River California
The Tuolumne River flows for about 150 miles from the Central Sierra Nevada, into the Joaquin River near Modesto, California. It’s a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. The Tuolumne River system also consist of the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, a fine fly fishing destination itself, and the Middle Fork and North Forks of the Tuolumne River, which also have both wild and stocked trout. Both the main stem of the river and its three forks have numerous tributary streams that also have good populations of trout. Fly fishing the Tuolumne River can range from easy to very difficult, depending on which section of the huge river system you choose to fish. 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 foot Mount Lyell, in the Tuolumne Meadows (elevation 8600 feet) in Yosemite National Park. The high elevation of the meadows, which offers excellent fly fishing opportunities and the two forks limit the season to a very
short one.
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. Brown trout represent the majority but rainbows and brook trout are also present the entire length of the stream.
Lyell Fork flows approximately teh miles through Lyell Canyon to its confluence with Dana Fork. It can only be accessed from the John Muir Trail that follows along the stream. It has a good population of brown, brook and rainbow trout and offers excellent dry fly fishing.
Cold Canyon and Conness Creeks join in on the flow below the meadows and the river flows through beautiful Glen Aulin Valley. From there the river flows into the rugged Tuolumne Canyon for a distance of about 25 miles and drops 4000 feet in elevation. The fish are rainbows, browns and brook trout. This area can be reached by trail only. From White Wolf Campground, its a seven mile hike. Below the canyon, the river flows into Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Return, Paiute, Rancheria, and Falls Creeks are more tributary streams.
Below the O’Shaughnessy Dam, the Tuolumne River also is an excellent fishery for trout. The discharges vary greatly and the fishing methods depend on the flows. The Tuolumne River meanders through Poopenaut Valley before leaving Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus National Forest. The Tuolumne River between Kirkwood Powerhouse and Don Pedro Reservoir is know as one of California’s premier whitewater rivers.
The South Fork of the Tuolumne River has both stocked and wild trout, with most of the wild fish off the direct road access areas. The river starts in the high country of Yosemite National Park and flows to where Highway #120 meets it. It flows through a deep canyon beyond this point most of which is inaccessible. You can fish the river at a number of locations including Rainbow Pool Day Use Area, Berkeley Tuolumne Camp and Carlon Day Use area. There is also access at the confluence with the main stem.
The Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River starts at about 8000 feet and flows into the South Fork outside Yosemite National Park. Cherry Creek and Eleanor Creek both provide additional trout fishing opportunities. Cherry Creek is a fast water stream that flows out of the Emigrant Wilderness. Its headwaters are only accessible by hiking. It is damed to form Cherry Lake and the tailwater section flows into the Middle Fork. It’s mostly white water rafting stream but has plenty of rainbow trout.
The tailwater section below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Lake Don Pedro. 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. It flows through Stanislaus National Forest and as well as more private and public land before joining the main stem of the Tuolumne above Don Pedro Reservoir.