With all these crazy flows I'm starting to go crazy. Time to fish some smaller streams/creeks and catch some brownies. Anyone been up there yet this year? I can't find any flow info, wonder what they're releasing from the lake.
Try some of the lower elevation feeder creeks in the American River basins, around Foresthill. They will be below snow line. You'll probably need to do some exploring, but it is usually well worth it at this time of year.
Thanks Onewieght. I haven't fished that area, but I love to explore so I'll add that to the list.
Still think I'm going to do the Silverfork though. I read somewhere that they are going to be drawing the water level up in the lake, so I figure it should be pretty fishable. Plus I have a free room in South Lake any time....can't beat that.
JMO, When are you going ? I was thinking of giving it a look this weekend. Like you said I can't find flow info on it so its a shot in the dark if its fishable. I usually fish around Kyburz.
I'll be fishing it Saturday, up near Silver Lake though. If flows are an issue, I think I should have a better shot of finding fishable water and lower flows there.
Try some of the lower elevation feeder creeks in the American River basins, around Foresthill. They will be below snow line. You'll probably need to do some exploring, but it is usually well worth it at this time of year.
That area holds one of my favorite, rarely fished, Sierra gems of a creek! I always do well there and was thinking of hitting it up very soon!
Greetings - been a lurker for a while and thought I'd offer a post.
I was at Silver Fork downstream from Silver Lake on May 9. I hiked downstream about 2.5 miles. Other than a couple of spots, there was way too much flow to fish. Still a pretty decent amount of snow above 7,000', especially on north facing slopes and in the shade areas. Drifted woolly buggers and PTs under an indicator around rocks and logs and under cut banks, not a single look. Very pretty hike, though. Moderately strenuous, no trails, snow here and there. Very nice looking rapids and falls. Feeder creeks were high, especially the creek that ties in downstream from where Oyster Creek joins up.
Flows can be checked at www.project 184.org -> current water data -> silver lake outlet. As a frame of reference, flows were at ~ 140 cfs when I was there on Saturday. I'd think it'd need to be half that to be good fishing - today it's in the 70 cfs range!!
Had to drive to Tahoe for work today. South fork of the American and all of the other streams I could see from 50 were very high.
If its at 70 I know were I'll be this weekend ! This time last year it was very fishable but i do not recall the flows and it was alot colder weather pattern. You don't know if ya don't go ! Figure I'd rather fish a high tough river then sit around wanting to go fishing.
-- Edited by shon42073 on Tuesday 12th of May 2009 08:08:26 PM
-- Edited by shon42073 on Tuesday 12th of May 2009 08:09:08 PM
-- Edited by shon42073 on Wednesday 13th of May 2009 06:08:34 AM
anyone know what putah is like at this flow level i spent the day throwing differnt flys from the dam to just above the bridge then just below the bridge probibly six hrs not even a bump but im kinda new at this but got some great help re; how to tie a sergons knot it will help my weights from sliding down onto my fly theres just so much to learn I think im losing my mind ive been fly fishing for 8 months at putah without as much as even a small bump i think my leader is the wrong length its eather to long or yo short im diffently going to fund raiser next month thanks j.t
Rgloft are you using enough weight to get down ? If your not cleaning moss off regularly you are not. Putah is just plain hard to fish i think. Head up to some easier waters to build confidence. Use your hemos to crimp down the shot tightly and it won't slide. Good luck and keep at it ! It's gonna happen sometime for ya.
anyone know what putah is like at this flow level i spent the day throwing differnt flys from the dam to just above the bridge then just below the bridge probibly six hrs not even a bump but im kinda new at this but got some great help re; how to tie a sergons knot it will help my weights from sliding down onto my fly theres just so much to learn I think im losing my mind ive been fly fishing for 8 months at putah without as much as even a small bump i think my leader is the wrong length its eather to long or yo short im diffently going to fund raiser next month thanks j.t
I would recommend try some local ponds out & target panfish. They are hitting this time of the year & you can use pretty light gear. Better to catch bass & blue gills than snagging a skunk
-- Edited by robdogj on Thursday 14th of May 2009 09:22:32 AM
Rgloft: I've been out twice this week, and after doing well Sunday, everything's off now. I remember reading in Engle's "Fly Fishing the Tailwaters" that after the flows change, it takes the trout 2-3 days to start feeding again. And they may be holding in entirely different spots. I definitely agree with shon42073... I used to use Loon sticky weight until I heard a great line, "the difference between a good nymph fisherman and a great one is one more split shot." Once I switched to heavier shot after seeing how much people on the creek were using, I started getting more bites/fish.
What are some good local panfish ponds around here? I have some younger sisters I'd love to get fly fishing, but I think they'd only be into it if they were catching fish on every fourth of fifth cast.
As Vince said you'll be surprised at how much weight is used fishing putah creek sometimes, WAY more then I thought when I first started. Back to the original subject.....I'm fishing the silver fork this weekend or at least going to try. Flow out of silver is 100 cfs. Has anyone seen it lately ? I feel i'm taking a bit of a gamble with this one. I'll find fishable water somewhere up there. Taking the float tube as a back up plan.
-- Edited by shon42073 on Thursday 14th of May 2009 06:22:27 PM
Ended up making it out there Saturday. I was suprised by how high the flows were, I guess they jumped quite a bit over the weekend. Not a lot of fishable water, but ended up catching two smaller browns. Called it quits and spent the rest of the weekend fishing smaller creeks/streams.
Looks like it may be a good weekend for the silver fork, Silver lake outflow is only 11.9 cfs. Anyone been up there in the past week ? Actuallly looks like alot of the rivers are coming into shape nicely now.
update on silver creek if you plan on going you better take as much bug repelant as you can the mosquitos are unbearable 15 minutes took its tole.......flows are very nice however
-- Edited by AC22 on Sunday 31st of May 2009 09:17:54 PM
