The Lower Stanislaus is currently running at 400cfs and is expected to gradually drop to around 200cfs by Friday. Flows have improved significantly from last week, dropping nearly 600cfs. The weather this week will vary, starting off cooler with a chance of precipitation early, then warming steadily through the week, with highs pushing into the 90s by early next week.

Fishing Conditions & Tactics

This sets up to be one of the better windows to fish this stretch before hotter summer conditions arrive. With flows ranging from 400 cfs down to 200 cfs, there will be plenty of accessible and productive water for anglers.

We’ve been seeing consistent success, and reports from other anglers have been equally strong. The river offers a great mix of water types, making it ideal to fish with both a euro nymphing setup and an indicator rig. It’s difficult to favor one over the other, as both techniques will be effective depending on the run.

As always, getting your flies down quickly is key. Running thinner tippet such as 5x or 6x will help improve sink rate without needing to add additional weight.

Recommended Flies

• Hare’s Ear Nymphs
• Prince Nymphs
• GTI Caddis
• Frenchies

Overall Outlook

With improving flows, stable fishing conditions, and moderate weather early in the week, this is shaping up to be a prime opportunity to get on the water before temperatures spike.

Use caution when wading, as some currents will still be swift, especially at the higher end of flows. Plan to bring layers for cooler mornings and be prepared for warmer afternoons as the week progresses.