The Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River is currently running at 35cfs, which is nearly unchanged from last week. Although this flow is on the lower side of ideal, the fishing has still been great, and wading is easier than it has been all season. The weather this week is expected to be slightly warmer, with highs in the low 70s, before a dramatic decrease in temperatures by the weekend, with highs dropping into the low 60s to upper 50s.

Fishing Conditions & Tactics

We have been getting lots of questions lately regarding water temperatures on this stretch of water, and that is a great question to ask, especially this time of year when flows are low and air temperatures can fluctuate. We are happy to confirm that water temperatures have been holding in the upper 50s and occasionally reaching the lower 60s, which are excellent temperatures for active feeding fish and continued bug activity.

We are also happy to report that hoppers are finally on the menu—and they are the main course. They may have been late showing up this season, but the trout are keyed in on them now and are gorging themselves.

With that being said, the most effective tactic right now is the hopper-dropper rig. This setup allows you to cover the entire water column, targeting fish that are looking up for hoppers as well as those holding closer to the bottom.

Overall Outlook

Although summer has come to an end, the fishing certainly hasn't. In fact, the fishing continues to get better. Lower flows have made wading extremely easy, while water temperatures remain in a great range and the hopper bite is really starting to take off.

The warmer weather early in the week should provide some excellent opportunities, while the dramatic cooldown heading into the weekend will mark a significant seasonal transition. Be sure to pack plenty of layers and possibly some rain gear if you plan to get out. 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.