Brian and Jim's Great Fishing Expedition of April 2008
BACKGROUND
This is the perfect scarf and the perfect time of the year for this fishing spot.
Built in hand-warmers!
WarmItUpWear!
This southwest corner of Sequoia National Park offers anglers a chance at river, stream and lake fishing, all close by. The main system is the South Fork of the Kaweah River, a water that carries the name "river," yet looks and acts like a stream. Tuohy Creek, a tributary to the Kaweah, provides excellent stream fishing, and Evelyn and Blossom lakes yield fantastic stillwater fishing.
The South Fork of the Kaweah River is unlike most waters the average California angler has fished. Tucked in a remote section of the park, the stream receives little to no fishing pressure. Part of the reason is that from November to as late as July in some years, snow keeps the river out of reach.
Samurai Camping on the South Fork of the Kaweah River
Topo Map of the Three Rivers - Kaweah Area
Brian the Poet and Jake... errr Mocha the dog
MORE BACKGROUND
However, by late June trails begin to open, and the entire upper echelon becomes available to anglers. Unlike much of the Sierra, the South Fork is open to fishing all year.
Below the 9,000-foot level (which nearly the entire South Fork is) anglers are limited to taking just two fish per day, with no gear restrictions. Barbed and barbless hooks may be used as well as bait, flies and artificial lures.
Due to the short growing season, trout are almost always feeding aggressively during the summer months and into the fall before snow closes the trail again. There is a noticeable competition for food among trout here. You may see several small rainbows or brooks chasing your lure at once.
The South Fork Kaweah River is a small stream with varying contour. Meadows, slow-moving water and portions of small cascade-like areas mark the river's upper reaches. This portion of the watershed offers rainbows and brook trout, but most brookies run 6 to 8 inches. Don't plan on seeing many 10-inch trout up here. Below the confluence of Tuohy Creek and the South Fork, you'll enter The Gorge. This is where the South Fork becomes a high-gradient stream. It's a 15-minute walk to the mouth of The Gorge from Tuohy Creek, but it might very well be the best-spent 15 minutes of your fishing life.
No fish were killed or harmed (or even caught) on this trip. That picture of a fish above is from 20 years ago. We had to put at least one picture of a fish in, right? And, wait 'til next time!