The Lower Stanislaus River is currently running at 600cfs, which is a little high for wading, although it is still possible in certain areas. It is still a little early to fully get onto these lower stretches of water, but they will only continue to fish better as we get closer to the end of the month, when these sections close until the new year. The weather this week is expected to be hot, with highs in the upper 90s all week, before temperatures see a significant decrease by next weekend, with highs in the mid 80s.

Fishing Conditions & Tactics

Targeting these lower stretches of the Stanislaus this time of year can produce some great fishing, with the added benefit of seeing less pressure on these same stretches once they reopen in the new year.

That being said, a lot of the fish are still making their way up through the system. Because of this, the number of quality fish in these lower sections may not be quite where we want it yet, but we expect more fish to start showing up any day now as we move further into fall.

For the time being, the best tactic on this lower section is an indicator rig, focusing on dredging the deepest runs and holding water. Until we see sustained cooler temperatures, targeting deeper water will give you the best opportunity to find fish.

Overall Outlook

Although summer has come to an end, the fishing certainly hasn't. The Lower Stanislaus is just beginning to enter its fall transition, and we expect fishing to continue improving as temperatures cool and more fish move through the system.

The 600cfs flow is manageable but on the higher side for wading, so use caution and choose your water carefully. The significant temperature drop coming next weekend should help push conditions in the right direction. Stop by the shop and we can get you set up with the best flies for this time of year, along with any other gear you may need for a successful day on the water.