Stanislaus Fly Fishers
A Charter Club of fly Fishers International and Member Northern California Council of Fly Fishers International
OUTINGS
FALL RIVER OUTING April 25-27, 2025
The Fall River is part of a vast complex of springs that well up around the Fall River Valley mostly due to volcanic geological formations surrounding the valley.
The Fall River complex includes Spring Creek, Crystal Springs, Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, Big lake, Eastman lake and the Tule River all of which are primarily spring fed. The only tributary that is primarily fed by precipitation is Bear Creek which flows into upper fall river.
The Fall River flows a little over 23 miles through the valley and is the largest Spring Creek in California and one of the biggest in the western United States.
Due to the consistent bountiful flows of natural spring water, the Fall River boasts one of the highest populations of wild trout of any of California’s waterways making it a paradise for trout fisherman. The cold consistent flows support a vast network of aquatic vegetation which in turn supports a huge quantity of aquatic insects. The legendary hatches of Fall River are famous among fly-fisherman.
Circle 7 Ranch is situated perfectly below the Island Rd. bridge on Fall River, centrally located with just a short boat ride either upstream or down to some of the best fishing on Fall River, one of the West’s largest and most renowned spring creek systems, and is just a short drive to the main sections of Fall River, or other regional streams like Hat Creek, the Pit River, and Burney Creek.
August and September is “trico time” on Fall River. These tiny mayflies hatch most mornings and provide a couple of hours of action casting tiny dry flies on even tinier tippets for some of the most challenging and rewarding spring creek fishing anywhere.
Callibaetis mayflies and small caddisflies are also prevalent at times on Fall River throughout the late summer months and early fall. Hatches are less consistent, but nymphing and swinging wet flies and streamers on intermediate lines is very productive and angling traffic is light.
Lodging:
– We’ll be staying at the Circle 7 Ranch, in the White House: The largest of the four rental homes, sleeping up to 11 guests in well-appointed four bedroom, two and a half bath style.
- We’ll be doing our own cooking, with a lot of camaraderie.
- April 25-26, Friday & Saturday, two nights.
Cost:
– $225 for the two nights.
– $100/day boat rental ($50/half day)
Recommended Gear:
– 5-6wt rods
– Floating and sinking lines
– Nymphs: Size16-18 PTs, Two-bit Hookers, Zug Bugs, Prince Nymphs, Red Copper Johns, Norman’s Wiggle Tail, Callibaetis nymphs.
– Pine squirrel leeches (size 10-14) & woolly buggers (size 8-10)
– PFDs strongly recommended. Accidents can happen.
Additional Notes:
– Attendees should be proficient in handling small pram-style boats with outboard motors.
– Fall River is encased by private lands and brushy banks so there are no opportunities for bank/wade fishing.
– A public launch area for personal craft (kayak, small pram) is available, but requires hand launching. No ramp!
Additional info later as we get closer to the date. Early sign-ups with payment are highly recommended.
If interested, contact:
jdriver@stanislausflyfishers.org
CLARK FORK/BEARDSLEY OUTING – 2025 TBA
Campgrounds:
- Clark Fork Campground – Water available, no power
- Sand Flat Campground – No water available, no power
- Fence Creek Campground – Water available, no power
Campground Notes:
- No reservations accepted, first come, first serve. Cash only for fee payment. Restroom facilities are vault toilets.
General plan:
- I plan to go up and get a site on Thursday evening (June 13). Fence Creek if open, Sand Flat if not. If you want me to save a site, let me know.
- Phone service has improved in the area, hopefully I can post an update when I get up there.
- Hopefully we can fish the Clark Fork and the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus. If not, we can fish stillwater at either Pinecrest or Beardsley. Or, if you are really adventurous, Donnell Reservoir.
- I plan on dinner Saturday evening, I will cook, probably beef stew, cornbread and cobbler. BYOB and anything else you would like to eat.
- All other meals will be on the individual.
- Gear and Flies:
If fishing the rivers:
• This is great trout water! Mayfly, caddis, stoneflies, midges for aquatics, ants, bees, hoppers for terrestrials.
• For dries: Parachute Adams and variants, caddis imitations in 12-18. Specific mayfly patterns work also, again in the sizes listed. Terrestrials in the same sizes, ants are my go-to at this time of the year.
• For nymphs/wet flies: If I am nymping, I typically run a 2 fly with indicator rig. Large weighted stonefly pattern with a small 16-18 bead head nymph as a trailer. Ribbed hares ear, prince nymph, pheasant tail and zebra midges are all effective patterns .• These rivers can definitely be fished with a 9 ft rod, but shorter and lighter weight is preferable. I use a 8’ or 8 1⁄2” foot 4 wt glass rod. A 3 wt is OK, I prefer the 4 wt if nymphing is going to happen.
If fishing the lakes:
• Mainly nymphs in above sizes, again with an indicator. - PInecrest is best fished from a flotation device, though shore fishing can be productive. - I have never fished Beardsley, I imagine the same set up as above.
From the Fly Fishing the Sierras website:
• Beardsley Reservoir contains both Browns and Rainbows that are planted by DFG. It does not have a sustainable habitat for spawning, although there is some spawning above Beardsley in the MF Stan. Most of the forage are minnows, crayfish, and invertebrates. Above Beardsley Reservoir , the stream is a freestone-type that is heavily planted with rainbows.
• Early Season hatches include the Golden Stoneflies, size 8, starting in May and ending in June. Although stonefly nymphs can be used at any time, the adult patterns are best during the dusk part of the day. The river is very susceptible to high flows from discharges of Beardsley Reservoir during June and July, check on conditions prior to fishing.
• Caddis hatches will occur throughout the Summer months starting in the late morning until mid-afternoon. Patterns such as Z-wing Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, and Goddard Caddis are suggested.
• For Mayflies, try Pale Morning Duns and Light Cahills. The PMD’s will start hatching in June and continue through August. Small Mayflies start hatching in March, try #18 and #20 Adams. Nymphs such as Bird’s Nest, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Zug Bugs are popular. Pheasant Tail Nymphs dropped from the dry works well as do #6-10 bugger patterns.
• A good October Caddis hatch usually starts in mid-September and continues through October.
If you want to participate, please let me know.
Email: flylink@att.net Phone: 209-864-1121
SURF PERCH OUTING – 2025 TBA
Stanislaus Fly Fishers will heading out to Palm Beach (a section of Sunset State Beach) to join Santa Cruz Fly Fishers on our inaugural trip to the surf. The Santa Cruz club has graciously invited us to learn the foundations of fly fishing the surf.
– We’ll be meeting at Palm State beach prior to sunrise, which occurs at ____ am. Low tide is at ___ am, High tide at ____ pm. Tide flow will be low slack to ebb tide. Moon phase is new moon on ____.
– Beaches in Santa Cruz County offer a protected cove which that is less technical than many other area beaches, providing a great learning experience with predictable wave breaks, and a gradual beach face.
– There is a $10 parking fee. Dogs and are not allowed
– Species that can be caught are Surf Perch, the rare Halibut, and our main target species; Striped Bass.
– May-early August is the prime time to target Stripers, as thye are preparing to make their migration through the delta and can be voracious feeders.
– Small baitfish, eels, sand crabs and clams are the Striper’s primary food source.
– We will hold a Zoom meeting with Timothy from the Santa Cruz club to go over the fundamental and a general “how to” on ________ at ______. Even if you are not going on the outing, feel free to join. It will be very informative.
Lodging:
– There are many KOAs and RV Parks available in the area. Additionally there are Hotels in the area that range from $160-$180 a night. It is recommended to stay the night before due to the early start time; however, is not required.
Cost:
No cost outside of lodging and parking.
Recommended Gear:
– Rigid stripping basket is an ABSOLUTELY required piece of equipment. There will be some available for purchase; however, it is strongly recommended to purchase one beforehand. No net baskets.
– Sinking lines/ shooting heads, 4-7ips
– Baitfish and Sand Crab imitatations, (Surf Candy, Clouser Minnows, EP Baitfish)
– Heavyweight fast action single hand rods (7, 8, or 9 wt) or similarly weighted two hand switch rods.
– We will be wading approximately knee deep with a gradual sloping shelf. A wading belt is a required piece of safety equipment. Wading boots or flats are fine. Bootfoot waders are ideal but not mandatory.
– We will be moving constantly, so dress in layers and be prepared for fair amount of walking.
– Additional info later as we get closer to the date. Early sign-ups with payment are highly recommended.
Please reach out to Anthony Johnson @ (209) 483-5545 for any question