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,...

There’s gold in them thar hills…..see photo. I made a quick trip into the backcountry for goldens. I had several grabs but only one solid hookup. There was a nice calibaetis hatch going on and I got some grabs on the surface with dries via a hackle stacker. I finally got my fish slowly stripping in a Bird’s Nest. While we fished it spit snow off and on the entire day. The point being, be prepared...

Jim Stimson Reports:
The thermometer and barometer are on the rise, June looks to be a great month for fishing. Memorial Weekend was fantastic fishing. Where else can you catch rainbows, browns, and cuttys on the same stream? Most of the backcountry lakes below 11 grand are ice free. The fish are hungry perhaps a lethargic with the colder water temperatures. They are readily taking nymphs down...

Jim Stimson, Jim Stimson Fly Fishing 

All of the trans-Sierra passes have reopened, but stay tuned, May has been an unsettled month for weather, the wettest May recorded in Bishop, ever…. check the latest road and weather reports. Be prepared if you are traveling. Here is a link to the CalTrans site:   http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi
The thermometer and barometer are on the rise, June...

Jim Stimson, Jim Stimson Fly Fishing

More unsettled weather is on tap for late May. All of the passes have opened for the time being, but stay tuned…. check the latest road and weather reports. Be prepared if you are traveling. Here is a link to the CalTrans site:   http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi

Upper Owens River

The flows have stabilized on the Upper Owens and fishing has picked up...

Jim Stimson, Jim Stimson Fly Fishing

More unsettled weather is on tap for mid-May. All of the passes have closed in anticipation of snow this week. Be prepared if you are traveling.

Upper Owens River

The flows have stabilized on the Upper Owens and fishing has picked up again. Nice rainbows and cutthroats can be found in the deeper pools throughout the river system. Try small pheasant tails,...

Jim Stimson, Jim Stimson Fly Fishing

So far the first week of May has brought great afternoon buildup along with some rain and snow showers over the high peaks. You can’t beat the scenic backdrop along the east side of the Sierra. It never grows old. With the opening of Tioga Pass through Yosemite, come on over the hill!

Upper Owens River

The flows have stabilized on the Upper Owens and fishing...

Jim Stimson, Jim Stimson Fly Fishing

Merry Fishmas! The weather Gods never fail to disappoint us on the fishing opener. You can almost count on the foul weather to arrive in a timely manner and sure enough, the canon boomed over Crowley Lake, signaling the start of the official fishing season, and with it came 12" of new snow. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area enjoyed the best day of powder skiing the...