This site is dedicated to the flyfishermen whom fish the Sierra Nevada Region of California to assist in locating the necessary information to locate sites to fish, what flies to choose, and how to tie them.
I developed this site due to my interest in the region and the realization that most of the information that I was seeking was scattered throughout numerous websites and literature. I've included maps of the region along with links to those fly shops and guides who serve the area.

This is meant to be an interactive site with feedback from those who also enjoy fishing this wonderful region. I've enjoyed swapping flies with other fly tiers from all over the world. This site will also facilitate the hosting of those swaps. Due to the size of some of the images, you will find that a display setting of 1024 x 768 will work best for most moniters. The fish illustrations in the navigation bar are courtesy of Stuart Helmintoller of Los Osos, CA . To see more of his artwork, visit his web site at : http://helmintoller.com/streamside/ . The source information on the Fish section is taken mostly from Robert Behnke's book, "Trout and Salmon of North America". Joe Tomelleri provided the illustration content that I used in composing my own illustrations. His lifelike illustrations can be obtained within Robert Behnke's book, "Trout and Salmon of North America" at their TroutSalmon Website. Most of the fly selections are based upon visits to Sieran Fly Shops as well as e-mails from FirstFish (Chico), The Fly Shop (Redding), The Trout Fly (Mammoth), Sierra Drifters (Crowley Lake), The Troutfitter (Kernville), and Barrett's Outfitters (Bishop). I've also depended heavily on the publications of California Fly Fisher (Truckee) ; Ralph and Lisa Cutter's book "Sierra Trout Guide" and "Fish Food"; Bill Sunderland's book, "Flyfishing the Sierra Nevada" and "Flyfishing California's Stillwaters"; Denny Rickard's book, "Flyfishing the West's Best Trophy Lakes"; Steve Beck's book, Trout-Fishing the John Muir Trail"; Louis Bignami & Denis Peirce pamphlet, "North Tahoe Trout", Pete Heley's pamphlet, "California Brown Trout Guide" , John Barber's book, "Eastern Sierra Fishing Guide for Day Hikers", and Stephen Haggard's book, "Flyfishing the Tahoe Region". The Fly Tying information is gleaned from Dave Hughes book, "Trout Flies" ; Leeson and Schollmeyer's, "The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference"; A.K. Best's "Advanced Fly Tying", Rick Hafele and Dave Hughes, "Western Hatches" and Randall Kaufmann's books, "Tying Dry Flies", "The Fly Tier's Nymph Manual" and " Lake Fishing with a Fly" as well as many others.

Some Interesting Facts about the Sierras:

• There are 20 major Rivers, 14 on the West Side and 6 on the East Side. These are within over 24 watershed areas.
• Historically, there were no trout in the Sierras above 6000 feet. Except for Goldens in the Upper Kern and Lahontan Cutthroats within the Carson, Walker, and Truckee River Drainage.
• Starting in the mid 1800's, trout have been stocked into 85% of all the lakes in the Sierras over 2 acres in size.
• There are 649 lakes in Inyo, Sierra, and Toiyabe National Forests of at least 25 acres between 10660' and 11,480' elevation. 85% of these lakes contain trout: (Christenson 1977)
  • 60% Brooks
  • 36% Rainbows
  • 32% Goldens
  • 5% Browns
• There are 1,404 lakes above 7,900' elevation within the Sierras. Of these lakes, trout are in 63%, the rest fishless: (Jenkins 1994)
  • Goldens are in 36% of all lakes
  • Rainbows are in 33% of all lakes
  • Brookies are in 16% of all lakes
  • Browns are in 8% of all lakes
  • Lahontan Cutthroats are in 1/2% of all lakes
• Fish Planting ended within most of the Sierran National Parks beginning in 1970. Today, Sierran National Forests have 85% of their lakes with fish and the National Parks have 40%.

Favorite Links:

Fly Fishing Addicts Forum
Fly Anglers Online
Fly Tiers Bench
Global Fly Fisher
Fly Tying Forum
High Sierra Topix
Rocky Mtn Fly Forum
Fly Tying World
Virtual Fly Box
Hans Weilenmann's Fly Tier's Page
Danish Fly Design-Tommy Olinsson
Sexyloops
North. Calif. Fly Fishing Board
Westfly
Washington Fly Fishing
Charlie's Fly Box
Flyfisherman's Southwest Region Forum
Kern River Forum
Kiene's Fly Shop Forum
California Freshwater Fishing Regulations

Mountain Top Bed & Breakfast

Situated above the Forks of the Kern at 7,200 feet, is a great B & B in Ponderosa, CA . This is at the top of the Great Western Divide Highway 190. John and Alvie Kracik are your hosts serving Danish Pancakes, Cheese Blintz Souffle, and Ahwahnee creamed bananas. Nearby is the Ponderosa Resort with a full bar and dinners. It's about an hour drive to the Forks to enjoy some excellent flyfishing. Visit their web site at: mountaintopbnb.com

Golden Trout Wilderness Packers

Ever thought about becoming a wrangler angler? The Golden Trout Wilderness Packers can bring you to some of the best fishing sites in the Sierra. Visit the Upper Kern River at Big Kern Lake, Grasshopper Flat, or Hole-in-the-Ground. Your hosts, Steve and Rinda Day can provide a home cooked meal and lodging at the Pack Station. Kern River Flyfishing Guide, Guy Jeans, is available for group excursions. Visit their web site at: goldenpacktrains.com

Owens River Fly Swap

Hosted by Jim Wilkins aka Wildman

24 patterns tied by members of the Kern River Forum. Some really nice ties. Thanks for hosting this Wildman!!

Owens River Fly Swap

Hopper Time Swap

Hosted by StevenOjai

Show off those hopper patterns you've been tying. The Swap begins Aug 27th and the flies will be due Sept 28th. Flies will get back to you by end of Sept, still Hopper Time! So, that's ten hoppers to complete, send to me, and you will get back ten hoppers back from the swappers. This is for all skill levels. Interactive discussion will be through the Kern River Forum. Swap is completed, check out the photos of this swap: Hoppertime Swap