Lee Vining
Spots
Lee Vining Creek
Lee Vining Creek Map Lee Vining Creek Map Lee Vining Creek Location: Lee Vining Creek Location
The creek starts at the top of Tioga Pass and travels through a steep canyon with plunge pools and pocket water
A number of lakes control it’s flow, particularly Ellery Lake
Water flows back into the creek below the power plant and flows through wooded section at Big Ben and Aspen campground until it enters a meadow section below Aspen Campground
The creek has a number of deep pools that provide protection for the resident trout.Within the meadow sections, use dry flies with fine tippets
There are good hatches of Blue Wing Olives in the early and late season
During the Summer, Pale Morning Duns and Gnats are a good choice. Within the deeper pools, use weighted nymphs in the size of #14-18. Streamers such as Wooly Buggers and Dace can get some good takes as well.
Gibbs Lake Location: Gibbs Lake Location
Trailhead: Horse Meadow Trailhead
AllTrails: Gibbs Lake AllTrails
3 mile hike from the trailhead
Has Goldens as does the creek directly below the lake
Tioga Backcountry
Tioga Backcountry Map Tioga Backcountry Map Tioga Lake Location: Tioga Lake Location
May have Goldens
The northeast shoreline at the outlet is a good area to float tube. Due to high fishing pressure, your flyfishing choices are probably better served within the local backcountry.
Saddlebag Lake Location: Saddleback Lakes Location
Trailhead: Saddleback Lakes Trailhead
Saddlebag Creek TODO
Small, open meadow stream that flows for 2 miles
Flows from Saddlebag Lake dam down to the junction of Highway 120 and Saddlebag Road
There's a campground near the junction at 9,600'
The upper stream has brookies
Ellery Lake Location: Ellery Lake Location
Large Rainbows will be feeding along the shorelines in the Spring, particularly around the inlet of Lee Vining Creek
May have Goldens
Hummingbird Lake Location: Hummingbird Lake Location
Lies within the 20 lakes basin
20 lakes basin trail
Dozens of other lakes in this basin
TODO
Odell Lake Location: Odell Lake
TODO
Has Goldens
The north end in the area closest to Helen lake fishes well
Wasco Lake TODO
Location: Wasco Lake
The eastern and western shores have good fishing
Hidden Lake Can be reached by scrambling up the hill from the main trail just a few yards from Wasco Lake
Not as popular as other lakes
Has Goldens
TODO
Z Lake No trail
Walk east from Hidden Lake crosscountry to get to Z Lake
TODO
Lee Vining Creek Location: Lee Vining Creek Location
Trailhead: Sawmill Campground
Between Ellery and Saddlebag Lake along Highwawy 120
Best accessed from Sawmill Campground, although there are several exits on the left as you drive up Tioga road that all lead to the creek
The creek just about doubles in size with the confluence of Saddlebag Creek and brown trout can be found below the confluence and past the campground
Just before the creek’s inlet into Ellery Lake, rainbows are planted near the Hwy 120 bridge at the Junction Campground
Mine Creek Location: Mine Creek Location
Tioga Lake Trailhead will take you up to Mine Creek or you can take the 0.75 mile trail from Tioga Junction Campground which follows the creek
Shell Lake Location: Shell Lake Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Shell Lake AllTrails
About a 1/2 hour hike from Tioga Road at 9,680′
Fantail Lake Location: Fantail Lake Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Fantail Lake AllTrails
Trail to Fantail is a moderate climb of about 500′ for 2.75 miles at 10,000′
Spuller Lake Location: Spuller Lake Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Spuller Lake AllTrails Map
At 10,275′
These lakes are sustained by caddis, mayflies, midges, and the terrestrials that are blown in
Green Treble Lake Location: Green Treble Lake Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Green Treble Lake AllTrails Map
At 10,217′
Maul Lake Location: Maul Lake Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Maul Lake AllTrails Map
Next to Gren Treble at 10,221'
Big Horn Lake Location: Big Horn Lake Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Big Horn Lake AllTrails Map
Not exact map, can hike up to lake from Green Treble
Finger Lake Location: Finger Lake Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Finger Lake AllTrails Map
Not exact map, can hike up to lake from Green Treble
Spuller Lakes Location: Spuller Lakes Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Spuller Lakes AllTrails Map
Not exact map, can hike up to lake from Green Treble
Alpine Lake Location: Alpine Lake Location
Trailhead: Junction Lake Campground
AllTrails: Spuller Lakes AllTrails Map
Not exact map, can hike up to lake from Green Treble and above Finger Lake
Takes the right fork of the Slate Creek Trail at 11,350'
Has Goldens
Gardisky Lake Location: Gardisky Lake Location
Trailhead: Gardisky Lake Trailhead
AllTrails: Gardisky Lake AllTrails Map
The 45 minute hike is a little over one mile and steep going up to 10,760′
Fish the near side of the lake and bring waders as this lake is shallow for the first 20′
Gardisky Creek is the outlet and this creek meets up with Lee Vining creek just below Hwy 120 below Ellery Lake
Flies
Lee Vining Creek Flies
Tioga Backcountry Flies
Resources
