Middle Fork Stanislaus questions

[tcorfey]

Heading up this weekend to fish Middle Fork Stanislaus river between Clark Fork and Kennedy Meadows but don't know much about the area. Does anyone have any insight on where to stay away from or where to go? I don't mind hiking but do not want to waste my short amount of time I have. Is it better to fish lower river near Clark Fork or further up? Water temp issues? Places to stay away from possibly private land issues or too many rattlers and too few fish? Thanks in advance for any info. I will be using my new to me Orvis Bamboo Midge rod. So I plan to wet wade and fish small nymphs, Dry/dropper or just drys. No heavy weighted nymphs. You can PM me and I will keep my mouth shut or just respond in thread, speaking in general area is fine. If you think going over the hill to West Walker is a better bet I would like to know that too. thanks again.

Tim C.

[Brendo]

I can give you some location advice because lets be honest, its not a secret anymore. There's better fishing further up from clarks fork, try out boulder flat and the Brightman campgrounds. those are my go to spots to stay at, once you have fished these spots a day or two start fishing the turn outs all the way up to kennedy. at kennedy I usually just hike into the meadow and spend the day out there fishing up stream. Although there are plenty of wild fish the stockies dominate what comes to the net. if you want a challenge or the slightest chance at solitude head over the pass and fish the walkers. I have been going up to this area with my family for my entire life (22 years) and this year was by far the busiest I have seen it. with that said the fishing was still hot in mid June (last time I was up). ill send you a pm about some flies if you'd like but you will find success with just about any basic attractor dry or nymph. dry flies early and late in the day, and nymphing until the sun tucks behind the mountains will get you some fish. There is almost no private land as it is all owned/leased by the forest service and the rattlesnakes have only been a problem this year. I saw 3 in a week up there this year while the previous record was 1 sighting in all the years prior, must be the drought. just watch your step. I hope you have a good time up there, let us know how it goes.

[tcorfey]

Brendo, thank you! I just needed some info in a general sense and that was perfect. I know that area is not a secret and it is pretty busy all summer so I figured somebody could point me in the right direction as I had no idea where to start. Even with all the people up there I found very few posts and no fishing reports. Glad you could help me out! I will post when I get back and don't worry I will put any the fish I catch right back where I found them.

Regards,
Tim C.