San Joaquin

The road down to the Devil’s Postpile National Monument and the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin is usually accessible (free of snow & open) the last week in June and will close before the first big snow of the year or a few weeks after Labor Day which ever comes first. 

The San Joaquin is typical of other freestone rivers in that it will fish best after the peak run-off (July) but before the river gets to low (late September). 

The San Joaquin is one of the most scenic of all the rivers near Mammoth Lakes.  It travels in and out of wilderness boundaries and it’s common to hike into stretches where you will not see other anglers all day long.  Its character is crystal “gin clear” water with deep blue pools, bubbling riffles and fast slicks that are populated by beautifully colored wild rainbows, browns, goldens and golden/rainbow hybrids that will enthusiastically crush a well presented dry fly. 

When most people dream of a perfect trout stream, the S. J. will be the fruition of that dream.  Whether making a few casts under the mist of the 101 foot tall Rainbow Falls, or hike and fish past the mesmerizing Devil’s Postpile National Monument, the S.J. is an off-the-beaten path angler’s delight where the burn of a good hike, unparalleled beauty and superb dry fly fishing all come together as a picture perfect day in the mountains.

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