West Walker River

The West Walker River starts in the Eastern Sierras near Yosemite around 11,000 feet in elevation, in the Emigrant Wilderness. Lahontan cutthroat trout are the native trout species, but the river is now heavily stocked with mostly brown, brook, and rainbow trout. There are also a few Mountain Whitefish and Carp. The state even plants some of the legendary huge Alpers Trout which are raised at a private hatchery near Mammoth Lakes. Hold over hatchery fish take on the characteristics of wild trout and can be very challenging, but the large numbers of hatchery fish that are planted each year mean that you rarely go home empty handed. Being that you are targeting mostly hatchery fish, attractor patterns are all it takes here. Adams, ants, elk hair caddis, and Royal Wulff’s do for dries, and Pheasant Tails, Bird’s Nests and Hare’s Ear nymphs work for those going deep.The West Walker eventually flows into the East Fork in Mason Valley, and the water from both end up at Walker Lake.

Much of the river is in a roadless area. Leavitt Meadows, off California highway #108, is the closest road to it's headwaters. This is a good area to fish, with pocket water consisting of riffles connecting large pools. Someof the biggest fish are located in this section, and love to eat big stonefly nymphs and streamers.

There's also a good public access at Pickle Meadows, located a mile off of highway #108. There is parking and a trail that leads down to the river. In addition to this, there's a mile long public access in Hoye Canyon, and another access in Wilson Canyon and the BLM Rest Area.

Access south of the town of Walker is fairly easy. The
river flows along highway #395 for several miles, and all of
the above public places can be easily reached from there.
The river flows through private property for much of its
length.

This is a pure freestone stream that depends primarily on rain and
melting snow run off for its water. Therefore, the levels can vary drastically.
It's usually not until late June or early July before the river falls into a normal
flow. It can also become very low and clear in the late summer
and early fall.