YOSEMITE FALL FLY NIRVANA !

“ For our country here at the west of things
Is pregnant of dreams; and west of the west

I have lived......”

Robinson Jeffers, California’s
Only Poet ! Immortal

Know matter where I roam, know matter how cold the mountain water, know matter how plentiful the wild fish ! In the Fall when colors explode and humans evaporate Yosemite National Park calls me home..... Before I extol the virtues of this majestic fly fisher nirvana as summer winds out. California’s major parks are to be possibly closed after labor day because of insane budget deficits ? It is not clear which parks will be closed and for how long? One aspect is clear and sad to consider, fly fishers, outdoors men, naturalists, bird watchers, kids will suffer greatly !

On the positive side if Yosemite National Park were to close for a year or so? How magnificent for all the critters and wild fish left unmolested for the first time in civilized history? In my fly fisher life the advent of early Fall and changing colors saturated in gold and burnt orange burn in my soul while hunting the many lakes like Tenniya named after the legendary resident Indian Chief. This placid lovely lake has a fine population of both Brook and wild Rainbow. They love to hit well tied mosquitos and chase mid size wolly buggers and various colors. Fly rods can be 5weight or less, I prefer my three piece Bamboo 4 weight. Tippits long and light work best here at dusk and early evening hatches. Those who relish slow crisp Fall mornings keeping a high stealth profile hunting Brookies near the famed Arch Rock entrance where the Merced River head waters begin their descent can be most productive. Near the visitors center about a mile or so before the center one can climb down into large placid pools and watch wild fish rise to well tied grasshoppers, pheasant tails, mosquitos,. My usual set up includes long ten foot light tippits fat realistic grasshopper on top and three to four feet below tied dropper style either a nice golden nymph or San Juan worm or any number of combo platters fly tiers. Stealth true sneaking up on rarely molested wild fish is absolute key to catch and release in California’s premier unsung wild trout fishery. Those interested enter “ Trout Take Over Yosemite In The Fall’ into any search engine and find definitive, concise information on the fabled parks many fly fisher opportunities.

One can walk about and rejoice in unlimited dry fly action very early and awfully late best of course. Many languid evenings watching Brookies rise to tiny midges and mosquitos near camp grounds while the smell of evening coffee and campfires float all around, a sublime civilized way to end and active fly season among the quiet gods that rule this magic place....... less then half of one percent of the millions who visit Yosemite Park in California have ever seen a fly rod sportsfans? I rarely run into more then a few fellow brothers of the long rod in all the years of wondering around early spring to late fall! Flies must be well tied and smallish, dark brown mottled patterns work best like this months special Joe Jackson Leach, it will produce hits baby!

Dress warm it can get cold quickly and bring mosquito repellant leave your watch......

Joe Jackson Leach