The Trout Fly Fish Report
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER
Forest Service Visitor Center Info (760) 924-5500
Water Conditions:The water is clear and cool. Most of the river is fishing about normal for August.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:Fishing is getting tougher on the river. You should avoid the campgrounds unless you start there. Covering a lot of water(using the shuttle) or hiking a bit is your best bet. It doesn't seem the DFG has put many fish in this year so the natives are suffering. The fish are spooky so use a little stealth when approachin g the primary holes. Make sure and fish the shadowed water near the banks as fish are looking for cover from you and the sun. A size #18 stimulator should pick up fish all day. HATCHES: There are still some impressive stone flys as well as mayflys. The mayflys are a size 18 adult and can be white or light green. Make sure and look under some rocks in the riffles, pretty cool!
Recommended Flies:
Sporadic large Drakes, Large light colored Caddis and lots of small midges.
Dries: #10-14 Yellow and Orange Stimulators, #12 yellow or orange Humpy's, #12-18 Elk Hair Caddis, #12-18 Royal Wulff's, #12-18 Parachute Adams, black ant patterns and #16-18 PMD and light cahill.
Nymphs: #18 zebra midges, #18 PT's, #18 Micro Mayflies, #14-16 Barr's PMD Emergers, #16 Black AP nymphs, Mercer's Stonefly Nymphs, #16-18 Caddis pupa,#16-18 Beck's sulpher emerger
Guide's Hint:If you are getting fish rising on your fly but you keep missing them, they really aren't eating it, just bumping it, (a refusal). When this happens, switch to a smaller fly.
