I fished Beaver Creek just past the N Fork Stanislaus today. I went in with modest expectations, but it was pretty darn good. First time I fished it and I actually like the layout a lot better than the actual NF because I really enjoy fishing smaller streams.
Flow was fine, water temp seemed fine( I was wet wading after all), and the fish were significantly bigger than I expected. I did have to deal with what was obviously a recent plant, but when I had a planter you could tell right away and I would just haul it in quick and get it over with. The plants were also within a pretty small area it seemed - once I hiked up a bit I stopped catching them.
Fish were not picky - countless hits on various generic flies. Did not see any major hatches, but they were rising to a variety of gaudy stimulators. Best nymph was red copper john as the dropper. Largest fish was wild rainbow about 17 inches that I caught on an undercut with an ant.
Yeah, Captain--Beaver Creek is an excellent early season spot when the NF is running fast...Check into Sourgrass Crossing Road instead of paying to go through Big Trees. The paved road eventually comes to an end, but that hasn't stopped you before...Just watch out for those logging trucks!!! It is a longer drive this way.
Black ants (12 or 14), like Eric said, are a great way to go here! Can't go wrong with them.
-- Edited by Flying Dutchman at 19:03, 2008-05-18
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There's no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm...
Made it up to Beaver Creek with my wife this past weekend, she's in her second trimester but managed to catch her first fish on a fly, plus she got the first fish of the trip (little native) and the biggest fish as well (planter)
Lots of planters in the larger pools near the picnic area in Big Trees, move away from that and it seems to be all small natives. That 17" native is a darn good sized fish for that creek. We checked out North Fork on the way out but the sun was high and we couldn't really get far enough away from the bridge to get into some better fishing.
Beaver Creek is a real good spot for breaking in someone who is new, very pretty creek and access is pretty good.
Glad to hear your wife had some luck. That goes a long way! A few years ago I was fishing on the Upper Sac with my wife and I was getting nothing at all. Right at dusk my wife starts getting takes left and right and landing fish. That was the first time that it was ME who wanted to quit and get some dinner while she just kept saying, "Just a few more minutes..."
It sounds like you were fishing lower down on the creek than I was last time I was there.
Yeah, the 17" surprised me, but even the other wild fish were bigger than I am accustomed to for the Western side.
It is a longer drive this way.