Front Country Freestones

There are a gaggle of freestone streams in Inyo and Mono counties and most of them contain wild trout, as well as stocked rainbows at the campgrounds and reservoirs. They may not be world class fishing destinations, but they do provide opportunistic fishing for small wild trout. The majority of these streams contain brown trout and you can even find wild rainbows and brookies in some of these low elevation streams.

These streams sometimes require a little bushwhacking to reach the good pools but can provide excellent single fly action on a 3-4wt or tenkara rod to those that put in the work. They are running high this time of year with a lot of white water so you will have to pick apart the pockets and place a fly anywhere it can sit still for a second. If you do run across a pool large enough to make a drift, a dry dropper is a great way to fish.

Fly selection can be really fun as these fish are really opportunistic. They really enjoy attractor and terrestrial patterns and sometimes it seems they will eat anything you throw at them.

Guide Tip- Bouncing a dry fly downstream on a tight line in fast water is a great way to get bit. If they don’t swat it in the fast water, move your rod tip to the side to swing your fly into the slow water and set it down and let it drift.

FLIES-

Royal Wulff #10-16, Black Ant #10-16, Missing Link Caddis #14-18, Stimulators #10-16, Griffiths Gnat #14-18, Humpies #12-18

Hares Ears and Pheasant Tails #10-18, Copper Johns #14-18, Sparlke Pupas #14-18, Telico Nymphs #12-18, Pats Rubber Legs #8-14, San Juan Worms #12-16

Woolley Buggers #8-10, Twin Lakes Special #6-10, Semi-seal Leech #8-10