The South Fork of the Stanislaus River is currently running at 88cfs in Strawberry and 34cfs near Fraser Flat, a slight increase from last week. Despite the bump in flows, both stretches remain very approachable, with excellent wading access. The weather this week is expected to be cooler, with highs in the 40s to start the week, before warming up midweek and cooling back down again heading into next weekend.

Fishing Conditions & Tactics

We’ve been getting plenty of questions lately about water temperatures on this stretch of river, and it’s a great question to ask this time of year as flows drop and temperatures fluctuate. We’re happy to report that water temperatures have been holding in the low 50s, which is a great range for active feeding fish and insect activity.

With flows remaining extremely low, we highly recommend fishing dry flies on this stretch of water. Recent warmer air temperatures have helped keep insect activity high, and fish have been actively feeding on the surface. It’s still a good idea to carry a few nymphs so you can run a dry-dropper setup through the deeper runs you encounter, but most of the water can be effectively covered with a single dry fly.

Recommended Flies

Stop by the shop before heading out, and we can help you select the best flies for the current conditions, whether you plan to nymph deeper runs or fish a hopper-dropper setup.

Overall Outlook

Although summer has come to an end, the fishing hasn’t—and it’s only getting better. Low flows, manageable wading, and water temperatures in the low 50s are creating good opportunities for dry-fly fishing. Keep an eye on the changing weather, pack plenty of layers, and consider bringing rain gear if you plan to get out this week. Stop by the shop, and we can get you set up with the flies and gear you need for the current conditions.