Some of the campgrounds continue to be closed as crews are working to remove and make safe these ares due to a 500 year wind event that uprooted more old growth timber than myself, or many long time residents and packers have ever seen. The devastation of the forest down here is worth seeing in itself. Sustained wind speeds were estimated in areas to exceed 150 mph, with gusts to 180 mph! The NFS has a ways to go in the clean up and will not give any predictions as to when full operation will take place in the Reds Meadow/San Joaquin Basin area. There remains plenty of access to get to the river, you just may have to hike further and may not be able to park in the day use areas of the campgrounds. You will need to ride a shuttle in after 7 am, there is a daily use fee that you need to pay at the entry gate to enter, or exit.

Fishing is excellent, and even the skeeters are scarce this summer. The flows are perfect currently and combined with the warm weather the wild trout are eager to smack just about any dry fly pattern in the #12-18 range. Wet wading is possible and may be more comfortable in the afternoons, however continuous immersion in the cool of the morn may be more uncomfortable for some, so light waders and studded boots are a good choice. Dry/dropper bead head combos using flashback PT's, birds nest, or olive crystal larva patterns as a dropper nymph are a good choice. Parachute mayfly adults #12-16, or Stimulators as the dry/indicator are a slam dunk down here.

Photos:
Main Photo Above: The San Joaquin River is fishing great! Perfect flows and eager trout
Photo #1: The San Joaquin and Reds Meadow areas were decimated by hurricane force winds that uprooted hundreds of old growth trees in a storm last fall. The area is still being cleaned up for access.
Photo #2: CDF crews are working hard to get the campgrounds and trails cleared for the rest of the summer. Some areas and campgrounds remained closed and are posted.
Photo #3: Starkweather Lake in the San Joaquin Basin is very accessible and is a fun place to tube for planted rainbows.
Photo #4: The high country is in great shape and if you are willing to hike a ways the fly fishing is incredible. Two at a time is mighty fine! These twins are are brook trout.
Photo #5: Beaver ponds are very fertile locations to fish in the upper elevations as they provide excellent habitat for smaller brook trout, browns, and rainbows.
Photo #6: Not the largest fish you will catch in the Sierra, but what they lack in size they certainly make up in beauty.