North Dardanelles and Clark Fork

Suggested Flies for North Dardanelles area:
Eastern Sierra Hatch Selection
Other Local Favorites:

Dry Flies:
Small Western Green Drake #14-16
BWO #16-18
Parachute Adams #12
Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
St. Vrain Caddis
Kings River Caddis #12-16

Nymph Flies:
Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20
Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #14-16
Bird's Nest #14-16
Micro May #18-20
WD40 #18-20
Caddis Emerger #14-16

Stillwater Flies:
Woolly Bugger, Brown and Olive #6-8
Mohair Leech #8-10
Matuka #10-12
J.Fair's Wiggle Tail #8-10
Denny's Seal Bugger #8-10

Directions:

From the east side, turn onto Hwy 108 from Hwy 396 at the Sonora Junction and proceed over Sonora Pass onto the Clark Fork Road just downstream of the community of Dardanelle. It is about 31 miles from Sonora Junction to the turnoff onto Clark Fork Road. Follow Clark Fork Road for 5.5 miles to the first campground, Clark Fork CG. From the west, take Hwy 108 east about 50 miles from Sonora to reach Clark Fork Road.

Notes:

The North Dardanelles area is more closely related to the West Side Sierra than the eastern side but I include it within the eastern portion due to proximity to other eastern waters. Geologically, this is a fascinating area from which you can study the effects of volcanism that occurred 10-20 million years ago and the effect of glaciers upon the landscape some 25,000 years ago. The Dardanelles stand 3000 feet above the Stanislaus river due to the erosion of material from each side of the Dardanelle palisade which was a 2000' deep lava mudflow that occurred about 10 million years ago. Arnot and Disaster Canyons were created by two separate glaciers that flowed into the Stanislaus. The Iceburg is a distinctive granite formation near the trailhead of Clark Fork Road. The Clark Fork of the Stanislaus River is a small stream with runs and riffles and is a tributary to the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus. The name of "Clark" is for William Clark, a road commissioner in 1862, who helped to create Hwy 108 over the Sonora Pass. It is heavily used by campers and is stocked by DFG with about 13,000 rainbows annually. General angling regulations apply. Season opens the last Saturday of April and runs through Nov 15th. It is a 5 daily limit with 10 in possession. A special Brook Trout limit is 10 per day if their length is less than 10 inches. During runoff periods, this stream can provide fishing opportunities while high water problems exist for the neighboring larger streams. The section along Clark Fork Road is managed as a "put and Take" fishery with some large hatchery rainbows and is heavily fished by the campers. For wild trout, hike in at the end of the road at Iceberg Meadows into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. The trail follows the stream with a gradual elevation of only 500 feet for the next 2.5 miles to the confluence of Boulder Creek. The stream consists of pocket water with pools, runs, and riffles. Numerous willows border the stream so youi have to pick your access points. Most of the fish within this section are wild Brookies, 6-8 inches, and some Rainbows up to 12 inch. Beyond Boulder Creek, the stream is quite diminished.

Spicer Meadow Reservoir: (Elevation 6,430') Mostly Rainbows, some up to 16 inches. Best area for fly fishing is the inlet of Highland Creek using bugger patterns and BH Nymphs.

Highland Creek: The main headwaters for the North Fork Stanislaus. A classic Sierra stream with deep pools, runoffs, and riffles. Offers good fishing for brookies, rainbows, and browns.

Boulder Lake: (Elevation 8,150') 4 mile hike from end of road at Iceburg Meadow. It is a shallow lake offering Brookies.

Sword Lake: (Elevation 6,859') 2.25 mile hike from trailhead at end of. Lies on a shallow granite bench that warms up early in the Summer. Contains no fish.

Disaster Creek: Brookies had been introduced to this creek during the 1950's. However, during the 1990's, Lahontan Cuts were introduced to the watershed as part of the LCT recovery program.

Bull Run Lake: This is a gorgeous lake (Elevation: 8,355'). It is 3.3 miles from the trailhead at Mosquito Lake on Hwy 4 at the Pacific Grade Summit. Contains Brookies.

Fishing Regulations (Effective March 1st, 2021)

Clark Fork:

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, 5 trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water.

Carson River, East Fork and tributaries above Carson Falls:

Closed all year.

Murray Canyon Creek and tributaries (Alpine Co.) upstream from the falls located about 1/4 mile above the confluence with the East Fork Carson River.:

Closed all year.

All other Lakes and Reservoirs:

Open all year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession.

All other creeks and tributaries:

Fishing Map Available

Carson Drainage

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