Fly Fishing Remote Rivers & Streams

Hey folks, was wonder if anyone might be kind enough to give me a few ideas. I have a bum knee so I cannot do as much backpacking into spots anymore, and I am trying to find some new remote fishing spots away from the crowds that I can roll into.

I have a bone stock 2017 SR5 V6 4X4. Last August I took it into Cleghorn Bar. I had a blast (other than the fact that the previous visitors had a rager and left 10 tons of trash behind), but everyone I came across said I was nuts for going down there in my rig. Maybe I was naive and lucky?

I am looking for day trips and camping trips alike. Don't care about trophy sized trout, just a decent shot at a hookup on beautiful water and a chance to relax with a beer afterwards without having another campsite 10 feet away.

I know we anglers play our cards pretty close to our chests. I am not asking for your favorite secret spots, I am just new to the off-road access spots and the amount of fruitless blue lining I am doing on google maps is starting to make my head hurt. I promise I wont post locations or landmarks anywhere public.

ANY tips would be immensely appreciated. DM is fine if you don't want the spot easily searchable on the Google Machine.

 

I’m very keen on this too. Have been exploring the northern sierras more the past couple years but don’t have any gems to share yet. But I know there’s lots of fishing to be had up there and a lot less people in general. Would love to get some insights from some experts though.

 

I want to get out and do some more of this type of exploring too. I'm pretty close to some prime trout fishing in eastern Shasta County and am dying to hook into some solid trout. It's been years since I've fly fished though, I don't even have any equipment!

 

I'm not a fly fisherman, but as far as trout in general,
I've heard good things about the Carson River, Walker River, and upper Truckee.
Probably won't need a 4x4, though, so it might be crowded on the weekends.

 

Might be too far, it’s by Yosemite. I just went out to Cherry Lake today, and ventured to lake Eleanor. Lots of trout in there. I plan to go back with my boat and do some trolling.

 

Hmmm... were you parked on the boat ramp Sunday morning? I saw a third gen looking just like yours? Very nice, if so

 

Thank you. Yes, that was me. When we got there boats were launching on the other end, so we parked where we did till someone needed to launch. We went out to lake Eleanor after. Were you in the other taco?

 

Yup that was me. I’m up there quite a bit, next time I’ll say hello. The Dodge belongs to my boyfriend’s dad. He was the one towing the kayaks in since we camped on the other side of the lake

 

Nice. It’s the first time I had been there. I plan to go back with my boat. You do any fishing there? I was wondering if there were camp spots out there. We went on the damn but the gate was closed so we went out to The other lake. Can you drive to those camping spots or is a boat the only way? Id prefer boat only access lol. I have the number now to get the necessary permits. I like it up there.

 

The gate at the dam is always closed because Hetch Hetchy. We were at a drive in spot, there are very few drive in dispersed spots within walking distance of the lake. Boat in is the way to go, there are some good spots across the way that can only be accessed by boat. Fishing the inlet is good for trout but can get crowded. Haven’t had much luck fishing there but haven’t been fishing at the prime times either. We didn’t do much fishing this time around, too busy paddling and drinking haha!

 

Awesome. I’m gonna have to check that place out more thoroughly. I also want to get out to Hetch Hetchy.

 

I too am an avid fisherman and have spent many years in the Sierra chasing trout. You able to walk a bit with just fishing gear? Where you at age and fitness wise? Anywhere too far to travel?

 

Hey Nat,
I am 30 with a recovering knee. I am working my way back up to backpacking into some remote spots. Day hikes up to 7-8 miles have been doable lately if I am very careful. Trying to build back up to the point where I can do that with a 40lbs pack on.

 

Roger that. I am 48, with torn meniscus in my left knee and a torn ACL and meniscus in my right knee. If I can do it then you probably can. lol

I backpack too, though I wear a brace while I have a pack on, then take it off to explore and move around.

Have some suggestions I can message you, but here are some I don't care if it comes up on google.

Hat Creek near Lassen. Places to drive to as well as hike along the creek fishing
Calaveras State Big Trees. Walk Beaver Creek or the Stanislaus River
Bailey Creek also near Lassen. Good water years there are trophy brown trout in it.
Walker River, eastern Sierra. Drive to spots, walk along the river.
Owen's River, eastern Sierra. River walking
Spicer Meadows road off Hwy 4. Stanislaus River walking.
Battle Creek near Lassen. Harder access, fun fishing in good water years.

 

i kinda feel there is no such thing as remote fishing that you can 4x4 to.

unless the 4x4 is a mule!! i went way up into the sierras on horseback and hiked the 50so miles out. our horse ride in was maybe 28 miles, but we meandered out, chasing trout.

we fished the Golden Trout Wilderness. you could get the pack station to take you up, drop you off and come back in a few days. there is a GREAT spot along the kern river that has GIANT trout. i'm not a trout guy, but i think my buddy called them browns.

my brothers goal was to catch as many subspecies of trout possible. he hooked a 6" golden on the last day hiking out. blew his mind.

 

North Battle Creek Resevoir . Off HWY 44 Near Lassen. Beautifull . Great Fishing. You won't be disappointed.

 

“Spicer Meadows road off Hwy 4. Stanislaus River walking.”
I agree with the above. Easy to get to, easy walking, beautiful country and trout. The trout are small but fun to catch. Also drive up the road a little to a Union lake a beautiful mountain lake you can drive too. To fly fish it you will need a float tube or kayak.

 

Baum Lake . Cassel Cali. Near Burney. A kayak , canoe or boat with electric motor. Also a good idea at North Battle Creek. Big fish can be taken at Baum....

 

I do have my FF gear here in CA but I still haven't gone fly fishing. I'm subscribing to this thread. I live in Idaho also where you can fly fish downtown at the Boise River (we are spoiled here).

 

So I've got a first world problem. I was awarded some Amazon gift cards from work, and can not decide what fly rod I "need" next. Thinking I want a lightweight glass rod. I have always had a boner for the redington butter stick. Trouble is I cant decide on specs, thinking I'd want the 6' 2wt (think brookies) I already have a 6" 2wt graphite (TFO) and a 7' 3wt glass (custom one I built). The other thought is Tenkara....too many options. Who has a butter stick, is it worth 250? Tenkara guys, chime in too. Thanks!