Hi everyone, my first post here. I am from maine, but will be in california next week to do some relaxing....aka fishing. I was looking to fish on the silver fork for two days, do some exploring around caples creek as well. ive read a bit about the higher flows(kind of funny, most of the rivers in southern maine are running super high right now) but i was wondering if anyone has fished the SF or caples creek in the past few days. i need to iron out a plan soon, so if its blown out i need to find some where else to go
im tired of catching bass in maine, once the end of july and august rolls around up here, it gets pretty damn hard to catch brookies. plus im looking foreword to some feisty bows.
also does anyone know if the campground at china flat sells two day fishing liscences?
No the campground does not sell any fishing licenses, I'd recomend the silver fork campground over china flat, also alot of dispersed camping spots in the area but you need to stop at a ranger station and get a fire permit this time of year, it is free. I cannot give any advice at this time as far as it being blown but it may be, caples lake is dropping about 4 inches a day at this time so i'd look around at some other options. In my opinion if you want to experience some california trout fishing I'd venture elsewhere. Look around the hwy 108 or the hwy 4 corridor at this time. Its pretty much an issue of how far are you willing to drive. Good luck and I hope you enjoy our huge chunk of granite known as the sierra neveda mountain range.
can you possibly suggest a little more than just driving around? i really need a solid plan, especially with gas prices, and the price of my travel to get there. id like to be able to spend more time fishing than on the highway i'll be staying with my sister, who works with RAFT WET ( im sure you guys dislike the rafters just as much as maine fly fisherman do) she was saying that her and some friends are going to be going to cherry creek ( i think) to do some kayaking. i may tag along, but since i dont kayak, can anyone tell me about fishing there? i assume though, that since according to her, its an intense river, with a lot of rapids, that the fishing may be difficult? thanks for the help
I would stay away from Caples Creek. The Silver Fork won't be affected by the increased flows anywhere above Caples, however, this time of year it might be flowing pretty low. I would stick with the E. or W. Carson and any of the lakes in that area.
I'm heading to the north fork stanislaus tomorrow for 4 days, thats an option. It's up hwy. 4 about a 3 hour drive from the s.f bay area. If your interested i camngive you some directions. I have only fished this river one time so I don't know alot about it but it contains browns and rainbows. Not hard to find some info on it online. I'll be at the boards crossing area, you can search the stanislaus national forest website for a bit more info as well.
Hi, Matt. Are you talking about tagging along to Cherry Creek (Upper Tuolumne)? Cherry Creek is class V--earlier in the season. If you are planning on staying with your sister, you will have a long drive to Caples area--lots of fishing along Hwy. 120 (Tuolumne River) and further back into the Sierra.
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There's no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm...
my sister is going to cherry creek for a few days to kayak the rive, so i assumed that it would be near impossible to fish, if the river truly is as intense as she tells me.
so i have the option to go with her, or stay at her place, in the Lotus area. So i was wondering if it would be better to go with her to cherry creek and explore, if the fishing is worth it. or should i stay in lotus, and explore the silver fork? if i stay in lotus, are there good rivers to fish within the 1-2 hour range?'
EDIT*** looks like the cherry creek trip isnt happening, theyre going before i get there. so my question of fishing within the 1-2 hour range of lotus still stands.
i was looking at maps at the EID website, so the water above caples creek is not affected. can you park at the fitch rantz bridge, and fish the forgotten flat area? is there a trail to it?
or would it be best to drive on 88 to kit carson, then fish the silver fork area from there?
I would call Victor Babbit at Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters. You are fishing in his backyard. His number is (530) 541-8208. For fishing 2 hours out of Lotus, he'll probably recommend the East Carson (Hangman's Bridge area) or the West Carson (Hope Valley area).
Here's something to consider. With you coming all the way from Maine, consider hiring one of Victor's guides. You have a better chance with someone showing you where the fish are and what to use.
i was looking at maps at the EID website, so the water above caples creek is not affected. can you park at the fitch rantz bridge, and fish the forgotten flat area? is there a trail to it?
or would it be best to drive on 88 to kit carson, then fish the silver fork area from there?
The section from Silver Lake to Caples Creek will not be affected by the increase in flows. You can park near the dam of Silver Lake and hike downstream. There are tons of small browns in this section of the Silver Fork with a few lunkers.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I would call Victor Babbit at Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters. You are fishing in his backyard. His number is (530) 541-8208. For fishing 2 hours out of Lotus, he'll probably recommend the East Carson (Hangman's Bridge area) or the West Carson (Hope Valley area).
Here's something to consider. With you coming all the way from Maine, consider hiring one of Victor's guides. You have a better chance with someone showing you where the fish are and what to use.
AbelBoy
yeah, i really thought about a guide. it would help a great amount to get me into the fish. but after travel expenses and a weeks worth of camping fees, i cant afford a guide. also, its never really about just finding the fish too. thanks a great amount for the tips guys
