San Joaquin River Fish Report- Updated by Eric Hein 7/30/09

San Joaquin River - Stockton, CA


by The Trout Fitter Staff
7-30-2009
Website

Water Conditions:

The road is open and the shuttle service is in operation. You can drive in before 7am and after 7 pm.
Flows are just about perfect now. Water temps are slowly coming up. The best time to fish the river has been mid day into the afternoon, when temps are warmest and more bugs are coming off.
So far the evenings have remained slow,with a few warmer exceptions. If you want to fish the evening try Stark weather with small midge patterns. Mosquito hatch in the evenings . . . watch out.

Fishing conditions and Hatches:

The fishing is more spread out now,start fishing the faster pocket water as well as the slower flats and deeper holes.Try attractor patterns like stimulators and humphs for drys,but now all the usual mayfly and caddis patterns are starting to work.

Nymphing has been more productive with a big stone pattern trailed by a smaller nymph pattern. Try streamers in some of the bigger deeper holes for bigger fish. Yes the hatchery truck is starting to make an appearance. Nice to have fish other than the natives for the campers to eat, plus they sure are fun to catch once they become a little more "naturalized".

Flies:

-Dries-
Yellow and red Humpies #14-16 Krystal Humpy #16, Royal Wluff #14-16, Royal Trudes #14-18, Parachute Adams#12-20, Stimulator #10-18, Elk Hair Caddis #14-18

-Nymphs-
Hares Ear #14-18, Pheasant tail #14-18, Micro Mayfly #14-18, Micro Stone #8-16, Copper John #14-20,WD-40 all colors #20-24

-Streamers-
Black Woolies, Muddler minnows, slump busters, sizes 8-12

Guides Hint: Don\\\'t forget to bring mosquito repellent.