Jim Stimson Reports on 8.26.2015

August is winding down and the cool days of September are nearly upon us. If we can squeak into Labor Day Weekend without a local forest fire I will breathe a hugh sigh of relief. That said, the rest of California seems to be on fire. The Eastern Sierra is getting choked with smoke blowing over the crest from the westside, in particular the Rough Fire. Send well...

Jim Stimson reports on 8.13.15

We are just starting to turn the corner on August. The nights are dipping into the upper 30’s-low 40’s, the water is cooling off, and the trout are starting to come out of their summer daze. Just a few more weeks, then the thermometer will start to drop steadily throughout the day as well. The trout enjoy the cool water and will start becoming more active. We are...

Jim Stimson Reports on 8.6.2015

It is August now. The nights are starting to cool off and we have had a fairly wet summer with an abundance of thunderstorms and welcome rain. Just a few more weeks, then the thermometer will start to drop steadily. The trout will enjoy the cool water and the fire danger will go away. Be careful out there…..
Try fishing the backcountry for a change. I prefer...

Jim Stimson Reports on 07.30.2015

It is almost August now. The nights are starting to cool off and we have had a fairly wet summer with an abundance of thunderstorms and welcome rain. Nothing to offset the four years of drought mind you, but any moisture is a relief. The backcountry has exploded with wildflowers and the lower streams in the valleys are maintaining healthy ecosystems with the cool,...

Jim Stimson reports on 7.23.15

The lazy daze of summer are upon us. The fishing is enjoyable with warm afternoons spent wandering along the river banks looking for rising trout. Nights are crisp and crystal clear with sleeping bags laid out under a canopy of stars. Get out there, life is short.

San Joaquin

The road to Devil’s Postpile is open. If you enjoy fishing in a pristine wilderness...

Jim Stimson reports on 7.15.15

The thunderstorms and weather instability have cleared out for now and we are fishing under a dome of blue skies. Bring sunscreen, shorts, and flip flops. Enjoy.

San Joaquin

The road to Devil’s Postpile is open. If you enjoy fishing in a pristine wilderness setting, then the San Joaquin is for you. There will be clusters of visitors heading to Rainbow Falls or...

Jim Stimson Reports on 7.8.15

Thunderstorms, dramatic skies, and intense pockets of rain have been gracing the Sierra the past week. It looks like an additional week of showers until the weather begins to dry out. Beware of the afternoon buildup and the charged air. Remember that your fly rod not only catches fish but also conducts electricity, especially if you are standing in water. Storm cells...

Jim Stimson Report on 7/1/15:

The Sierra is falling into another cycle of thunderstorms and dramatic skies. Beware of the afternoon buildup and the charged air. Remember that your fly rod not only catches fish but also conducts electricity, especially if you are standing in water. Storm cells pass quickly… be prudent. Head to your car and wait out the lightning. Get a snack, crack open a Sierra...

Jim Stimson Reports on 6.24.2015

So there we were on the San Joaquin, casting carefully and methodically into a set of cascades, watching intently as our mayfly patterns drifted through the seams. The rainbows and browns were stacked along these tail outs and we hooked several nice fish. The sun was warm and the water felt great as we wet waded across the river. There had not been a soul on the...

Jim Stimson Reports on 6/16/2015

Here’s a prudent tip: add a thermometer to your fishing gear, and use it. During the summer months as the sun bakes the water, the temps start climbing. As the water warms, there is less dissolved oxygen in the river system. Have you ever wondered why more fish can be found in the riffles on a hot day? They are starving for oxygen and can find it in the agitated,...