For those looking for a destination for a 32 hour trip, consider looking into Lundy Lake. It is located thirty minutes south on 395 from Bridgeport, and is only a two and half hour drive from the shop. There are many dif...
78°F
Feels like 77°F, clear sky
7 mph W
1014 hPa
Waxing Crescent
The South Fork Stanislaus River is currently flowing at 14cfs near Strawberry and 14cfs near Fraser Flat, with both gauges showing a slight decrease in flows from last week. The forecast calls for a gradual warming trend, with daytime highs beginning in the mid-70s early in the week before climbing into the low 80s by the weekend.
The South Fork continues to offer some of the best small-stream fishing opportunities of the summer. Whether you're planning a family outing, a quick evening trip after work, or a relaxing day on the water, these low, clear flows make the river exceptionally approachable.
Current flows are extremely wadeable and sit just below the ideal summer range, creating excellent fishing conditions throughout the river. Dry fly fishing has been outstanding and should only continue to improve as more terrestrial insects become active. Foam ants, hoppers, beetles, and attractor patterns are becoming increasingly productive as trout focus more of their attention on surface food sources.
While the dry fly action has been the highlight, anglers fishing subsurface can still find success by targeting deeper pools, undercut banks, and shaded pocket water during the cooler morning hours. As the day warms and insect activity increases, switching over to a dry fly can provide some exciting surface eats.
Overall Outlook
The South Fork is firmly settling into its prime summer fishing pattern. Stable low flows, warming weather, and increasing terrestrial activity are combining to create some of the best dry fly fishing of the season, and conditions should only continue to improve in the coming weeks.
If you're looking for an accessible river with excellent fishing opportunities, this is a great week to get on the water. Be sure to pack layers for the cooler mornings, along with plenty of water and sun protection for the warmer afternoons.
Before heading out, stop by the shop and we'd be happy to help you select productive fly patterns, fine-tune your setup, and point you toward some of our favorite access points.
The South Fork Stanislaus River is currently flowing at 14cfs near Strawberry and 14cfs near Fraser Flat, with both gauges showing a slight decrease in flows from last week. The forecast calls for a gradual warming trend...
13cfs
12cfs
