You know those days when you catch so many fish you almost get bored? Throw the line in, fish gets hooked, reel him in, carefully release him, rinse, and then repeat? Well, this certainly wasn't one of those days!
This was probably the slowest day I've ever had on the Lower Stan, and possibly the slowest day I've had on any of the streams here in the Sierras. Here is how it happened.
I arrived at the Tulloch Damn Rd access at 8:30am. After gearing up, I made my way down to the water, traveling slightly upstream from the gravel path that leads directly to the river. Air temp was approximately 39 degrees and although the sun hadn't made itself into the canyon yet, it was clear skies. Water temp was around 49 degrees and 4-5 feet visibility in the murky water.
I'm sure the water temp and milky water didn't help the situation. Although I knew the fish were in there, I didn't see a one. They were likely hunkered down not moving more than a few inches to grab food that happened to bounce off their nose. You knew it was going to be one of those days.
After trying for a little while, I went upstream, casting at spots that are usually productive. Nothing. Because the water was pretty low, I decided to try something I've always wanted to do. I carefully crossed the river and climbed up the steep bank to the canal on the other side. I've been trying to access some water downstream every time I'm here, but have been unable because of water levels and access is extremely dangerous on the Tulloch Rd side of the river. Not to say it was easy on the far side of the bank, there were a few spots to get to the river as the cliffs got higher and more treacherous. A good walk downstream and carefully negotiating some slick boulders, I found myself in a very nice place. Excellent wading and fishy looking area. Unfortunately, it didn't even produce a bite. On a normal Lower Stan day, I think this would of been excellent. The downside is that in order to move up or downstream you either had to swim or get out of the river and go around the cliffs to the next access point. Very difficult terrain. But may be worth a try on a better day.
It was starting to warm up and I decided to head back upstream to where I crossed the river. After a slip down a wet grassy slope wearing my felt sole boots, I made it back to the car side of the river. I walked back downstream and tried the usual spots that I've always caught fish at. I did manage to catch a couple under 10" rainbows. I talked to a few other fly fisherman and they seem to be having the same problem. Whew. Good to know it just wasn't me.
At 11:30, I decided to get in the car and head to Two-Mile Bar. Same water conditions of course. But, I wanted to give it a try anyway. Again, I threw a line into the usual spots without much luck. I think I got one bite. Normally, I would have caught at least 5-10 fish by now. It just wasn't happening today.
While at one area with swift current and overhanging brush, I was just dangling the soft hackle downstream. Up and down, left and right. Lifts and drifts. You get the point. It was a great looking spot. Nothing was happening. I knew fish were in there. Just couldn't get anyones attention. As I was slowly bringing my line in to go somewhere else, a fish decided to grab my size 12 silver tinsel soft hackle. He fought strongly and I brought him to hand. He wasn't big, but I'll give him an A for effort. The wild rainbow measured a little over 13 inches.
I don't have a picture (yet) of the fly that caught the 13 incher. Basically it was a size 12, black thread holding the partridge hackle and a green glass bead. The body is simply silver tinsel wrapped around the shank. It sits just below the surface and reflects sunlight like you wouldn't believe. My thought process is that it would be helpful with the water being so cloudy.
All in all, I'm still glad I made it out. Even if it was really slow. The conditions were not ideal, but I got a chance to be on the river. And with a newborn baby in the house, those times have been few.
Just a side note. The Lower Stan is usually pretty quiet on weekdays. However, this was the most crowded I've ever seen it. Tulloch Rd had about 8 cars parked and Two-Mile had another 6. Now that isn't a lot. But more than I've seen (I don't go on the weekends). I guess people were taking their three-day vacation to four. One of the nice gentlemen that I ran into gave me the location of a river I'm going to try next. Keep your fingers crossed it is soon!
4 comments:
I'm keeping my fingers crossed as I hope to be on the Stan within a few weeks. Loved reading your posts in the meantime.
Excellent! Good place to go.
Let us know how it goes!
Maybe you can also offer some advice. I don't know if you were referring to the Goodwin Dam area when you mentioned the "Tulloch Rd. access," but can you offer any info on how to the best way to get below Goodwin Dam? Thanks.
Patrick,
Yes, Goodwin Dam is accessible from Tulloch Dam Road. What you want to do is find that road on a map and follow it up to the river. If you drive by the dam, you've gone too far. Turn around and look for a parking spot along the road.
There is an easy access point by parking right by one of those grated cattle crossings on the road. If you look off on the river side, you'll see a restroom and a footbridge that crosses the canal. You can get to the dam by crossing the footbridge and then walking upriver alongside that canal. You'll see several lines you can take down to the river that will take you to near the dam.
The way I go is, park the car, walk over the footbridge all the way to the river. Then start walking upstream. If you go far enough, you'll hit the dam. Good fishing spots all the way there.
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