7 of the Best Fly Fishing Waters in Central California

Upper Owens River

“The Upper Owens River is one of the best fly fishing waters in Central California. It has been famous since the late 1800s, when it was first fished by John Muir and Theodore Judah. The river is easy to access and very productive, with both cutthroat trout and rainbow trout present in good numbers. Trout are typically found near the surface; however, they will also rise from deeper water when pressured by anglers casting dry flies or streamers. While some sections are steep enough to require wading, most pools can be reached by canoe or drift boat.

The Upper Owens River begins at Triple Divide Pass between Mammoth Mountain and Mount Barcroft above 8,000 feet elevation on the eastern side of Yosemite National Park's granite domes (more than 1 mile above sea level) where it flows into Mono Lake then flows south through three forks: The North Fork which enters Mono Lake from a short distance above its mouth; The Middle Fork runs down from Sawmill Pass on its way out of the Inyo National Forest toward Bishop Creek Canyon where it joins with South Fork before reaching Bishop Creek Canyon; finally there's South Fork which starts near Mount Morrison (8 miles southeast) then winds through mountains called Cloudburst Ridge before joining up with other tributaries that eventually flow into Owens Valley via Big Pine Gulch."

Truckee River

The Truckee River is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about fifteen miles east of Lake Tahoe. The river starts at Donner Lake and flows through Reno, Nevada before it reaches Pyramid Lake. The Truckee River is one of the best fly fishing waters in Central California because it has plenty of trout and other species like steelhead, brown trout and rainbows.

• When: You can fish from April until November. If you want to catch a lot of fish then try going during late spring or early summer when the water temperatures are warmer (65-75 degrees).

• What to bring: You’ll need polarized sunglasses for sure! Fishing gloves are also recommended because you may be holding onto your rod for hours at a time. Also make sure that you have sunscreen with an SPF factor higher than 30 as well as bug spray!

• Best Months: May through September tend to be prime months for catching trout on this river - however there are many other species available throughout different parts of its course so if hiking isn't your thing then by all means come down anytime between April through mid-November!

Merced River

The Merced River is the second largest tributary of the San Joaquin River, so it has a lot of water to work with. The river flows through areas that are heavily forested with many species of trees, so it's not surprising to find plenty of trout here as well. The river begins in Yosemite National Park and ends at Lake McClure, which also happens to be an excellent place for fly fishing.

Fly fishers will love this destination because they can catch rainbow trout here at all times during the year. If you're looking for something more challenging than your standard streamer fished across the surface or cast into deeper pools, try throwing a dry fly instead—the fish won't know what hit them!

San Joaquin River

The San Joaquin River is a great option for those who want to get some fly fishing done in a day. It runs through the middle of California, from its beginning in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to its end at the San Francisco Bay. The river is wide and deep, which makes it ideal for beginners because they have more space to cast their flies or practice their casting. The main attraction of this water is its diversity of fish species: you can find bass, trout, crappie and catfish here!

If you're looking for something with less traffic than Huntington Lake but still want some good fishing without having to drive too far away from home (or go on an overnight trip), then this might be your best bet!

East Walker River

The East Walker River is located in east-central California, just a few miles from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you want to catch fish here, your best bet is to go during the fall or spring when water levels are high. This means that if you plan to go in the summer months, you will probably have better luck at Lake Tahoe or Mammoth Lakes.

The East Walker River is mostly private property so before fishing here make sure you get permission from whoever owns it first!

The river itself flows slow and can be tricky especially when there isn't much water flowing through it because sometimes this can lead to poor visibility while casting your line which could lead you into trouble if not careful enough with each cast (and reel).

Fish species found near this body of water include brown and rainbow trout along with other native species such as cutthroat trout which grows larger than any other kind found throughout California's valleys due largely due its diet consisting mostly of crayfish when young but then switching over later on as adults where they feed more heavily upon salmonids such as chums salmonids etcetera...

Mammoth Creek

Mammoth Creek is a tributary of the Merced River and has its headwaters at Saddlebag Lake. The creek is open for fishing from May through July, and then again from September through November. It's ideal for fly fishing with either a 7 or 8 weight rod, depending on the weather conditions and water levels. Most fish are caught on an Adams fly pattern in olive or tan-colored wool with red thread wrapped around it; however, as always, experiment to see what works best for you!

The most important aspect about this stream? Its size—it's only about 10 feet wide! That makes casting much easier than if you're casting into a river where your line can get tangled up easily in trees or brush along shorelines (this is why I love small creeks like these). Plus there aren't usually any big rocks around which means no one gets hurt when their fly gets snagged on something hard either—just remember not to let anyone get too close since they'll likely scare off any fish nearby due to noise pollution!

Hot Creek

Hot Creek is one of the most popular fly fishing spots in this part of California. The creek is spring-fed and originates from the Mammoth Hot Springs, so it's always a good temperature for wading or swimming. It's also located near the town of Mammoth Lakes, which means there are plenty of places to stop for lunch or dinner after your day on the water—or even before you head out if you want to catch an early evening bite!

The best fly fishing waters in central California

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a tourist looking for the best fly fishing waters in central California, you can find plenty of places to get started. The rivers are full of native fish species, including salmon and steelhead trout.

Here are seven great spots for fly fishing: