Water Conditions:
The water is clear and cool. Most of the river is fishing about normal for August. Many of the deep holes have become smal l and most of the fish are tucking themselves under the branches along side the river.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Starkweather lake is fishing a lot better than the river right now, so try fishing dry's in the evening for rising fish. On the river, You should avoid the campgrounds unless you start there. Covering a lot of water (using the shuttle) or hiking a bit is your best bet.
It doesn't seem the DFG has put many fish in this year so the natives are suffering. The fish are spooky so use a little stealth when approaching the primary holes. Make sure and fish the shadowed water near the banks as fish are looking for cover from you and the sun.
There are still some impressive stone flys as well as mayflys. The mayflys are a size 18 adult and can be white or light green. Make sure and look under some rocks in the riffles, pretty cool!

Recommended Flies:
A size #18 stimulator should pick up fish all day. Sporadic large Drakes, Large light colored Caddis and lots of small midges.
Dries: #10-14 Yellow and Orange Stimulators, #12 yellow or orange Humpy's, #12-18 Elk Hair Caddis, #12-18 Royal Wulff's, #12-18 Parachute Adams, black ant patterns and #16-18 PMD and light Cahill.
Nymphs: #18 zebra midges, #18 PT's, #18 Micro Mayflies, #14-16 Barr's PMD Emergers, #16 Black AP nymphs, Mercer's Stonefly Nymphs, #16-18 Caddis pupa,#16-18 Beck's sulpher emerger

Guide's Hint: If you are getting fish rising on your fly but you keep missing them, they really aren't eating it, just bumping it, (a refusal). When this happens, switch to a smaller fly.

Forest Service Visitor Center Info (760) 924-5500